LCD display is garbled?

Check all the connections to the display.

Check all the connections to the display.

I've checked all the connections to LCD display.  While doing so, I noticed that pins 3 & 4 on the Arduino Uno are connected with a blob of solder.  Should they be connected or is this a manufacturing defect?  The Aduino checks out fine otherwise in EOS, the encoders accurately modify the pan/tilt parameters on my movers, and the Next/Last buttons seem to work also.  The only problem is the gibberish on the lighthack display.

It seems that is adefect of the board. You can try to disconnect with an iron solder.

Yes.  I just confirmed this was a defective Arduino.  After removing the short, the display works fine.