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Democratic 2020 candidate Beto O'Rourke was a member of a hacking group

By Bubbajim · 26 replies
Mar 16, 2019
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  1. It’s already looking like a packed crowd for the Democratic Presidential nomination, with 15 people having put themselves forward. And while each is looking to stand out ahead of their peers, latest entrant Beto O’Rourke is doing so by opening up about a potentially illicit past.

    In an interview with Reuters, O’Rourke admitted to being a member of one of the U.S’ earliest hacking groups, the "Cult of the Dead Cow."

    The group, named after an abandoned Texas slaughterhouse, is credited with creating numerous tools to highlight poor security in early versions of Windows, as well as coining Internet neologisms like ‘31337’ ("elite") and "hacktivism."

    O’Rourke’s involvement with the group was during his teen years, up to the age of 18 at the point he went to Columbia University. Given his age at the time and his lack of experience, there’s no suggestion that O’Rourke was involved in anything other than petty misdemeanors at the time. It would appear he merely sought ‘cracked’ games to pirate and “pilfered long-distance services” so as not to run up his family’s phone bill.

    The more interesting point will be how people react to news such as this. In an age where decades-old accusations can cause contemporary career nightmares, the news that a clean-cut candidate for the presidential nomination was part of a hacking group may come back to bite O’Rourke.

    It remains to be seen whether this is just viewed as a kid doing dumb stuff in his youth, or whether it’ll be weaponized by opponents to suggest O’Rourke sees himself as above the law.

    Lead photo courtesy AP. Hacking photo courtesy FOTOKITA via Shutterstock

    Permalink to story.

  2. p51d007

    p51d007 TS Evangelist Posts: 1,894   +1,171

    Well, if we hold people to things they did 10,20,30 years ago, then he should be held to the same standard. But, in today's world, "run" (ruined) by social media, he will probably get a pass, as do many that did something stupid in their past...unless you are conservative.
  3. Uncle Al

    Uncle Al TS Evangelist Posts: 5,155   +3,578

    Hmmmmm ..... since hacking is now a Federal Offense it will be interesting to see how the general public reacts. I must say he was smart to reveal it now in order to give him plenty of time to spin it but still, it's going to worry a lot of people ..... of course compared to the current president he's near sainthood!
  4. kombu

    kombu TS Addict Posts: 78   +157

    Not sure what you mean, our current president hasn't admitted to committing any crimes.
    psycros likes this.
  5. Evernessince

    Evernessince TS Evangelist Posts: 3,822   +3,218

    Can't tell if serious or troll bait.


    So pranks and some piracy? Doesn't sound like anything wallowing over. At the very least it might be nice having someone who knows how to use a computer.
    Charles Olson likes this.
  6. QuantumPhysics

    QuantumPhysics TS Evangelist Posts: 1,019   +734

    If you're up against a guy who is caught on tape talking about sexually assaulting women...and gets shout outs from mass murderers ...the momentum should be on your side and stay there.

    To quote Bill burr: "Hillary is the only person who could be up an opponent that says one career-ending thing a day and not be able to beat him".
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2019
    Charles Olson, Godel and PEnnn like this.
  7. drjekelmrhyde

    drjekelmrhyde TS Evangelist Posts: 319   +106

    Good, I hope he wins. I'm sick of dinosaurs that have no clue about tech passing stupid laws about it. If it was up to me, no politician OF ANY PARTY over 60 would be able to run this country. Technology is moving way too fast for these current pols could understand.
    Charles Olson and PEnnn like this.
  8. psycros

    psycros TS Evangelist Posts: 2,625   +2,365

    Term limits would probably be more effective. The founders of America never intended for anyone to be senator-for-life.
    Charles Olson and Lew Zealand like this.
  9. Lew Zealand

    Lew Zealand TS Guru Posts: 527   +403

    Damn right. What's good enough for the office of President is good enough for the House and Senate. 2x Senate and 6x House, max.
    Charles Olson likes this.
  10. psycros

    psycros TS Evangelist Posts: 2,625   +2,365

    I'd say 4x max for house...make those last two years of each senatorial term a bit more interesting, he heh. You know what's amazing? 23 states passed laws to limit the number of terms their representatives in Washington could serve. Naturally, those same officeholders soon began ignoring those laws, claiming that the states cannot dictate the terms of a national office. Apparently the will of your constituents doesn't mean jack once you ascend to that higher plane of bureaucracy. They finally fought it out in the Supreme Court and the incumbents-for-life won, and the ruling class was born. If that doesn't exemplify everything that's wrong with DC, nothing will.
    bobc4012, Lew Zealand and EClyde like this.
  11. EClyde

    EClyde TS Evangelist Posts: 1,768   +638

    What a great man...when is the next award ceremony. he deserves two. I am sure he never judged anyone
  12. captaincranky

    captaincranky TechSpot Addict Posts: 14,710   +3,852

    Never mind about dragging up all the crap in his past.

    IMHO, if he couldn't win the gubernatorial election in his own state, he's quite unlikely to be able to beat Trump on the 2020 presidential election.

    Keep in mind "a nice try", doesn't count. Just ask Hillary Clinton about that.

    Besides all the bullsh!t about him becoming "a rising star", he's still a bit too frivolous and childishly idealistic to be a serious contender.

    I quite frankly, wouldn't vote for him on the basis of that sickeningly annoying crap he blew out at his candidacy announcement speech.

    More to the point, IMHO, a white man really can't get away with tapping into an, "I have a dream" speech, in this day and age.
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2019
    bobc4012 and m4a4 like this.
  13. m3tavision

    m3tavision TS Addict Posts: 185   +123

    Stop spreading fud^
    TALKING about *****, isn't assault. Stop being a mouthpiece.
    bobc4012 likes this.
  14. QuantumPhysics

    QuantumPhysics TS Evangelist Posts: 1,019   +734

    NEED I post the exact quotes?
    Charles Olson likes this.
  15. Tantor

    Tantor TS Enthusiast Posts: 40   +47

    The Democratic party is trying to garner the swing vote, which is primarily made up of independent whites. Beto is their token white, to make the party look more inviting to white males especially. The problem is that Democrats are so hostile to white males that they may be spinning their wheels. The Republicans are also pretty hostile to their own constituents.

    This election is bound to be the most interesting in many years.
    bobc4012 likes this.
  16. QuantumPhysics

    QuantumPhysics TS Evangelist Posts: 1,019   +734

    The hardest part for me is that I hate both parties.

    I want to see Trump lose in 2020, but the Democrats have nobody powerful enough to run against him.

    Ocasio-Cortez absolutely would win - she'd destroy Trump, but she can't run.

    Beware the Millenial and Gen X vote.
  17. captaincranky

    captaincranky TechSpot Addict Posts: 14,710   +3,852

    Considering that Joe Biden is likely going to enter the race, and he'll likely be the front runner when he does.

    Mr Biden, is really, really old, and really, really white.

    On the strength of those facts, I'd say you're talking out your a**, but I don't know much about politics, so forgive me if I've overstepped...:p
  18. Ryan Barrett

    Ryan Barrett TS Rookie

    And our country would be much worse off. She has no experience, is far too idealistic and speaks without thinking. She sounds much less intelligent than her educational background suggests. Give her a few terms to see if she matures and becomes a little more realistic with her promises.
    bobc4012 likes this.
  19. captaincranky

    captaincranky TechSpot Addict Posts: 14,710   +3,852

    Perhaps that's why the framers of our Constitution placed the minimum age for the presidency at 35. Since she can't run anyway, your point is quite moot.
  20. lazer

    lazer TS Addict Posts: 233   +54

    It shows he is intelligent and that in itself should disqualify him from running.....
    bobc4012 likes this.
  21. wizardB

    wizardB TS Booster Posts: 140   +41

    Can't stomach Rourke's politics, but really lots of us belonged to hacking, cracking groups so what. Did he actually break any major laws...less the most of us I bet. The world needs to stop being this hand wringing whining funless place and it needs to start finding the fun again. Quit letting the victimhood and spineless betas that are trying to make everything a misery from taking control of your thinking.
  22. bobc4012

    bobc4012 TS Booster Posts: 99   +41

    Interesting to note the thinking of some posters that making illegal long distance calls and stealing S/W is acceptable in today's world. Also, interesting to note is the opinion of the article's author on the topic - just "innocent kids fun" attitude about it. Microsoft and a few others have gone after these so-called "teeny-boppers" for just that. This tells how much morals have deteriorated in this country. And I am not talking about "locker room humor". Of course, the example set by the politicians in this country is just as appalling. Term limits has been mentioned by posters, but will never fly as the politicians will never vote themselves out of office, its up to the voters. Too often they on appearance or spewed BS - the other guy is the crook but my guy (who is an even bigger crook) needs to be reelected. People need to learn to think for themselves and do their homework (not listen to talking *****s on the networks and cable channels or the so-called professors at the colleges). Digging out actual facts is not easy on the internet with all the BS spouted by ignoramuses flying around, but it can be done. There is a lot more than can be said, but another time and place.
  23. bobc4012

    bobc4012 TS Booster Posts: 99   +41

    And really, really an *****. Don't believe me, check it out on Youtube (if they haven't taken it down), his interview with Katie Couric (about the 1929, Depression, Roosevelt and "National TV"). But the MSM and networks will give him a pass and try to make him look like a genius.
  24. bobc4012

    bobc4012 TS Booster Posts: 99   +41

    I will probably not be around by that time, but I pity the country and my descendants if she and others of her ilk get control and turn the country into a socialist nation and eventually a Cuba or Venezuela or one of the other communist countries and ultimately bankrupt the country and turn it into a "merd-hole". The national debt is not really indicative of the real debt in this country. Added to that are the number of baby-boomers going on SS and Medicare every year and the need of a work-force required to support the system. We are already supporting thousands of illegals on the "public dole" and thousands more who are working are getting paid under the table (pay no taxes, no SS or Medicare deductoins and many send the money back home).
  25. bobc4012

    bobc4012 TS Booster Posts: 99   +41

    A lot of people heard the tape and wrote it off as locker room banter - if you followed all male politicians around since they were teenagers recording everything they said, you would have enough to go after everyone of them. Unlike Billy-boy, who was accused of rape, and the woman who made the accusation was bashed by the media and Hillary. Trump is no angel, tweets too much and has a massive ego (just like all the other politicians), but he gave up running his business, takes no salary (donates it to charities) and is trying to stop this country from being turned into a "1984/Animal Farm" crap-hole for future generations. Anyone who has learned to think for themselves, and logically, would see that.

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