The Head of the State (aka, The President)

"Holding enormous official powers, he schemed ceaselessly to expand them, because it was expected of him by those who had pushed him into office. He had the cunning of the unintelligent and the frantic energy of the lazy. The sole secret of his rise in life was the fact that he was a product of chance and knew it and aspired to nothing else."

-Atlas Shrugged pg. 492

E-Book Resources

For Christmas, I received a Kindle Fire. I'm quite enjoying it, as it's roughly the size of a paperback (which means easy transport) but can hold an innumerable supply of books (Between the cloud and it's storage capacity)

One of my friends on Facebook shared a resource with me which highlights some of the best deals on Kindle as well as Amazon Apps and books for the Nook. Some of which are free, others which are good deals.

The site is Pixel of Ink.


For those who have a Kindle Fire, you can find a great forum specifically for the Fire, from troubleshooting issues to apps and books. You'll find the link here.

Food Oddity

This is sort of weird:



However, this just seems gross:

Why I Don't Like Cats

I don't like cats. I get along with them just fine, but I don't like them. I find them to be useless creatures. A dog will help defend your home from intruders, if not by attacking them directly, then at least by barking and waking everyone up. Cats? Well, they'll hiss and runaway. From what I read in history, except for a brief stint being worshiped by the Egyptians or something, they were mostly used for rodent control, and they did a piss poor job of that when the black plague hit.

We don't need them for that as much any longer, except maybe on farms.

But other than that, they're useless animals who can easily be replaced by a mouse-trap and a plush-toy.

This Sums It Up Well

Sandwiches That Last Three Years

The Army has developed a new MRE.

I think the best part about it is that it was created by a woman.

Deep Space Nine

I've finally finished Deep Space Nine, and I have to say that it's had my favorite story so far. Compared with Next Generation, I found it much more engaging, and I'll miss most of the characters. I didn't care much for Jake Sisko, or O'brien's wife and children (the show would have been better if they just stayed off screen the entire time) I don't think Star Trek has ever had a non-annoying kid, with the exception of the Next Generation episode where Guinan and some of the crew are turned into children, and they still managed to do a horrible job with the young Picard.

Of all the characters, I wish that Vic Fontaine had been brought in earlier in the series. I think he brought more to the show than Quark or Ezri, and even manages to do a better job as a counselor (despite this not being his purpose) than Ezri, who's supposed to have 8 lifetimes of experience to draw from. One thing that didn't make sense to me about the program, is why Captain Sisko had such an issue with 1960's Vegas. I understand why people today would, but this is supposed to be 2369, everyone's evolved past the hatred and prejudices that plagued the 20th century. I think Sisko broke character in this regard.

My next series will be Voyager. I've heard bad things about it, but I remember watching it off and on growing up, and I found it enjoyable.

Anvil Launching

Why I like Smartphones over regular cellphones

Every now and again I run into an older person who doesn't understand why you would need a cellphone that's capable of more than making a phone call, and possibly texting. However, I think I've finally come up with reasons as to why they're good.


Camera:
While for the most part police are great, we see in the news that from time to time some of them abuse their power. This has getting more exposure lately because of people recording these incidents with their cell phones and then uploading them to Youtube. It's also useful for filming crimes which may be happening, after a traffic accident to get evidence of the damage, or even capturing baby's first steps. We almost always have our cellphones on our person, or close at hand, and having a camera on them is great for this reason.

For other features, I'll let this post from Failbook explain:

From the FDA: Electronic Cigarettes May Be Toxic

According to Reason Magazine, in this article, the FDA has found that electronic cigarettes may (according to the article on the FDA site)
contain ingredients that are known to be toxic to humans, and may contain other ingredients that may not be safe. Additionally, these products may be attractive to young people and may lead kids to try other tobacco products, including conventional cigarettes, which are known to cause disease and lead to premature death.

Because clinical studies about the safety and efficacy of these products have not been submitted to FDA, consumers currently have no way of knowing

*whether e-cigarettes are safe for their intended use,
*what types or concentrations of potentially harmful chemicals are found in these products, or
*how much nicotine they are inhaling when they use these products.

The whole purpose of e-cigs is as a replacement for cigarettes, and the main reason they're becoming big (aside from the health benefits) is that you can actually utilize these in public. There's no smoke, only vapor, which dissipates much faster than smoke. So there isn't much reason for someone to want to try other tobacco products, and even if they did, it's that person's choice to do so, and not something the FDA should have a say in.

However the main reason people aren't likely to try something else is that e-cigs are significantly cheaper. Packs today cost well over $5.00 in a lot of states these days. A 5 pack of cartridges of the brand I use, blu cigs, costs as follows for their premium 100s: 1 Five Pack $13.00 2 Five Packs $11.70 ea. 4 Five Packs $10.40 ea.

Each of those cartridges equal to about 1.5 packs of cigarettes. So people who smoke and switch over, or even people who start smoking and pick these, spend much less money. So I don't think e-cigs as a gateway "drug" is a very good argument. I find this argument especially silly when you consider that tobacco is legal.

As to the so-called health concerns over the ingredients, here are the ingredients of e-cigs:
Ingredients: Distilled Water, Nicotine, Natural & Artificial Flavors, USP Glycerin, Citric Acid

Nicotine Amount: 24mg

And the Ingredients in regular cigarettes:
Acetanisole
Acetic Acid
Acetoin
Acetophenone
6-Acetoxydihydrotheaspirane
2-Acetyl-3- Ethylpyrazine
2-Acetyl-5-Methylfuran
Acetylpyrazine
2-Acetylpyridine
3-Acetylpyridine
2-Acetylthiazole
Aconitic Acid
dl-Alanine
Alfalfa Extract
Allspice Extract,Oleoresin, and Oil
Allyl Hexanoate
Allyl Ionone
Almond Bitter Oil
Ambergris Tincture
Ammonia
Ammonium Bicarbonate
Ammonium Hydroxide
Ammonium Phosphate Dibasic
Ammonium Sulfide
Amyl Alcohol
Amyl Butyrate
Amyl Formate
Amyl Octanoate
alpha-Amylcinnamaldehyde
Amyris Oil
trans-Anethole
Angelica Root Extract, Oil and Seed Oil
Anise
Anise Star, Extract and Oils
Anisyl Acetate
Anisyl Alcohol
Anisyl Formate
Anisyl Phenylacetate
Apple Juice Concentrate, Extract, and Skins
Apricot Extract and Juice Concentrate
1-Arginine
Asafetida Fluid Extract And Oil
Ascorbic Acid
1-Asparagine Monohydrate
1-Aspartic Acid
Balsam Peru and Oil
Basil Oil
Bay Leaf, Oil and Sweet Oil
Beeswax White
Beet Juice Concentrate
Benzaldehyde
Benzaldehyde Glyceryl Acetal
Benzoic Acid, Benzoin
Benzoin Resin
Benzophenone
Benzyl Alcohol
Benzyl Benzoate
Benzyl Butyrate
Benzyl Cinnamate
Benzyl Propionate
Benzyl Salicylate
Bergamot Oil
Bisabolene
Black Currant Buds Absolute
Borneol
Bornyl Acetate
Buchu Leaf Oil
1,3-Butanediol
2,3-Butanedione
1-Butanol
2-Butanone
4(2-Butenylidene)-3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-One
Butter, Butter Esters, and Butter Oil
Butyl Acetate
Butyl Butyrate
Butyl Butyryl Lactate
Butyl Isovalerate
Butyl Phenylacetate
Butyl Undecylenate
3-Butylidenephthalide
Butyric Acid]
Cadinene
Caffeine
Calcium Carbonate
Camphene
Cananga Oil
Capsicum Oleoresin
Caramel Color
Caraway Oil
Carbon Dioxide
Cardamom Oleoresin, Extract, Seed Oil, and Powder
Carob Bean and Extract
beta-Carotene
Carrot Oil
Carvacrol
4-Carvomenthenol
1-Carvone
beta-Caryophyllene
beta-Caryophyllene Oxide
Cascarilla Oil and Bark Extract
Cassia Bark Oil
Cassie Absolute and Oil
Castoreum Extract, Tincture and Absolute
Cedar Leaf Oil
Cedarwood Oil Terpenes and Virginiana
Cedrol
Celery Seed Extract, Solid, Oil, And Oleoresin
Cellulose Fiber
Chamomile Flower Oil And Extract
Chicory Extract
Chocolate
Cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamic Acid
Cinnamon Leaf Oil, Bark Oil, and Extract
Cinnamyl Acetate
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Cinnamyl Cinnamate
Cinnamyl Isovalerate
Cinnamyl Propionate
Citral
Citric Acid
Citronella Oil
dl-Citronellol
Citronellyl Butyrate
itronellyl Isobutyrate
Civet Absolute
Clary Oil
Clover Tops, Red Solid Extract
Cocoa
Cocoa Shells, Extract, Distillate And Powder
Coconut Oil
Coffee
Cognac White and Green Oil
Copaiba Oil
Coriander Extract and Oil
Corn Oil
Corn Silk
Costus Root Oil
Cubeb Oil
Cuminaldehyde
para-Cymene
1-Cysteine
Dandelion Root Solid Extract
Davana Oil
2-trans, 4-trans-Decadienal
delta-Decalactone
gamma-Decalactone
Decanal
Decanoic Acid
1-Decanol
2-Decenal
Dehydromenthofurolactone
Diethyl Malonate
Diethyl Sebacate
2,3-Diethylpyrazine
Dihydro Anethole
5,7-Dihydro-2-Methylthieno(3,4-D) Pyrimidine
Dill Seed Oil and Extract
meta-Dimethoxybenzene
para-Dimethoxybenzene
2,6-Dimethoxyphenol
Dimethyl Succinate
3,4-Dimethyl-1,2 Cyclopentanedione
3,5- Dimethyl-1,2-Cyclopentanedione
3,7-Dimethyl-1,3,6-Octatriene
4,5-Dimethyl-3-Hydroxy-2,5-Dihydrofuran-2-One
6,10-Dimethyl-5,9-Undecadien-2-One
3,7-Dimethyl-6-Octenoic Acid
2,4 Dimethylacetophenone
alpha,para-Dimethylbenzyl Alcohol
alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethyl Acetate
alpha,alpha Dimethylphenethyl Butyrate
2,3-Dimethylpyrazine
2,5-Dimethylpyrazine
2,6-Dimethylpyrazine
Dimethyltetrahydrobenzofuranone
delta-Dodecalactone
gamma-Dodecalactone
para-Ethoxybenzaldehyde
Ethyl 10-Undecenoate
Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate
Ethyl Acetate
Ethyl Acetoacetate
Ethyl Alcohol
Ethyl Benzoate
Ethyl Butyrate
Ethyl Cinnamate
Ethyl Decanoate
Ethyl Fenchol
Ethyl Furoate
Ethyl Heptanoate
Ethyl Hexanoate
Ethyl Isovalerate
Ethyl Lactate
Ethyl Laurate
Ethyl Levulinate
Ethyl Maltol
Ethyl Methyl Phenylglycidate
Ethyl Myristate
Ethyl Nonanoate
Ethyl Octadecanoate
Ethyl Octanoate
Ethyl Oleate
Ethyl Palmitate
Ethyl Phenylacetate
Ethyl Propionate
Ethyl Salicylate
Ethyl trans-2-Butenoate
Ethyl Valerate
Ethyl Vanillin
2-Ethyl (or Methyl)-(3,5 and 6)-Methoxypyrazine
2-Ethyl-1-Hexanol, 3-Ethyl -2 -Hydroxy-2-Cyclopenten-1-One
2-Ethyl-3, (5 or 6)-Dimethylpyrazine
5-Ethyl-3-Hydroxy-4-Methyl-2(5H)-Furanone
2-Ethyl-3-Methylpyrazine
4-Ethylbenzaldehyde
4-Ethylguaiacol
para-Ethylphenol
3-Ethylpyridine
Eucalyptol
Farnesol
D-Fenchone
Fennel Sweet Oil
Fenugreek, Extract, Resin, and Absolute
Fig Juice Concentrate
Food Starch Modified
Furfuryl Mercaptan
4-(2-Furyl)-3-Buten-2-One
Galbanum Oil
Genet Absolute
Gentian Root Extract
Geraniol
Geranium Rose Oil
Geranyl Acetate
Geranyl Butyrate
Geranyl Formate
Geranyl Isovalerate
Geranyl Phenylacetate
Ginger Oil and Oleoresin
1-Glutamic Acid
1-Glutamine
Glycerol
Glycyrrhizin Ammoniated
Grape Juice Concentrate
Guaiac Wood Oil
Guaiacol
Guar Gum
2,4-Heptadienal
gamma-Heptalactone
Heptanoic Acid
2-Heptanone
3-Hepten-2-One
2-Hepten-4-One
4-Heptenal
trans -2-Heptenal
Heptyl Acetate
omega-6-Hexadecenlactone
gamma-Hexalactone
Hexanal
Hexanoic Acid
2-Hexen-1-Ol
3-Hexen-1-Ol
cis-3-Hexen-1-Yl Acetate
2-Hexenal
3-Hexenoic Acid
trans-2-Hexenoic Acid
cis-3-Hexenyl Formate
Hexyl 2-Methylbutyrate
Hexyl Acetate
Hexyl Alcohol
Hexyl Phenylacetate
1-Histidine
Honey
Hops Oil
Hydrolyzed Milk Solids
Hydrolyzed Plant Proteins
5-Hydroxy-2,4-Decadienoic Acid delta- Lactone
4-Hydroxy-2,5-Dimethyl-3(2H)-Furanone
2-Hydroxy-3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-One
4-Hydroxy -3-Pentenoic Acid Lactone
2-Hydroxy-4-Methylbenzaldehyde
4-Hydroxybutanoic Acid Lactone
Hydroxycitronellal
6-Hydroxydihydrotheaspirane
4-(para-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-Butanone
Hyssop Oil
Immortelle Absolute and Extract
alpha-Ionone
beta-Ionone
alpha-Irone
Isoamyl Acetate
Isoamyl Benzoate
Isoamyl Butyrate
Isoamyl Cinnamate
Isoamyl Formate, Isoamyl Hexanoate
Isoamyl Isovalerate
Isoamyl Octanoate
Isoamyl Phenylacetate
Isobornyl Acetate
Isobutyl Acetate
Isobutyl Alcohol
Isobutyl Cinnamate
Isobutyl Phenylacetate
Isobutyl Salicylate
2-Isobutyl-3-Methoxypyrazine
alpha-Isobutylphenethyl Alcohol
Isobutyraldehyde
Isobutyric Acid
d,l-Isoleucine
alpha-Isomethylionone
2-Isopropylphenol
Isovaleric Acid
Jasmine Absolute, Concrete and Oil
Kola Nut Extract
Labdanum Absolute and Oleoresin
Lactic Acid
Lauric Acid
Lauric Aldehyde
Lavandin Oil
Lavender Oil
Lemon Oil and Extract
Lemongrass Oil
1-Leucine
Levulinic Acid
Licorice Root, Fluid, Extract and Powder
Lime Oil
Linalool
Linalool Oxide
Linalyl Acetate
Linden Flowers
Lovage Oil And Extract
1-Lysine]
Mace Powder, Extract and Oil
Magnesium Carbonate
Malic Acid
Malt and Malt Extract
Maltodextrin
Maltol
Maltyl Isobutyrate
Mandarin Oil
Maple Syrup and Concentrate
Mate Leaf, Absolute and Oil
para-Mentha-8-Thiol-3-One
Menthol
Menthone
Menthyl Acetate
dl-Methionine
Methoprene
2-Methoxy-4-Methylphenol
2-Methoxy-4-Vinylphenol
para-Methoxybenzaldehyde
1-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-1-Penten-3-One
4-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Butanone
1-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Propanone
Methoxypyrazine
Methyl 2-Furoate
Methyl 2-Octynoate
Methyl 2-Pyrrolyl Ketone
Methyl Anisate
Methyl Anthranilate
Methyl Benzoate
Methyl Cinnamate
Methyl Dihydrojasmonate
Methyl Ester of Rosin, Partially Hydrogenated
Methyl Isovalerate
Methyl Linoleate (48%)
Methyl Linolenate (52%) Mixture
Methyl Naphthyl Ketone
Methyl Nicotinate
Methyl Phenylacetate
Methyl Salicylate
Methyl Sulfide
3-Methyl-1-Cyclopentadecanone
4-Methyl-1-Phenyl-2-Pentanone
5-Methyl-2-Phenyl-2-Hexenal
5-Methyl-2-Thiophenecarboxaldehyde
6-Methyl-3,-5-Heptadien-2-One
2-Methyl-3-(para-Isopropylphenyl) Propionaldehyde
5-Methyl-3-Hexen-2-One
1-Methyl-3Methoxy-4-Isopropylbenzene
4-Methyl-3-Pentene-2-One
2-Methyl-4-Phenylbutyraldehyde
6-Methyl-5-Hepten-2-One
4-Methyl-5-Thiazoleethanol
4-Methyl-5-Vinylthiazole
Methyl-alpha-Ionone
Methyl-trans-2-Butenoic Acid
4-Methylacetophenone
para-Methylanisole
alpha-Methylbenzyl Acetate
alpha-Methylbenzyl Alcohol
2-Methylbutyraldehyde
3-Methylbutyraldehyde
2-Methylbutyric Acid
alpha-Methylcinnamaldehyde
Methylcyclopentenolone
2-Methylheptanoic Acid
2-Methylhexanoic Acid
3-Methylpentanoic Acid
4-Methylpentanoic Acid
2-Methylpyrazine
5-Methylquinoxaline
2-Methyltetrahydrofuran-3-One
(Methylthio)Methylpyrazine (Mixture Of Isomers)
3-Methylthiopropionaldehyde
Methyl 3-Methylthiopropionate
2-Methylvaleric Acid
Mimosa Absolute and Extract
Molasses Extract and Tincture
Mountain Maple Solid Extract
Mullein Flowers
Myristaldehyde
Myristic Acid
Myrrh Oil
beta-Napthyl Ethyl Ether
Nerol
Neroli Bigarde Oil
Nerolidol
Nona-2-trans,6-cis-Dienal
2,6-Nonadien-1-Ol
gamma-Nonalactone
Nonanal
Nonanoic Acid
Nonanone
trans-2-Nonen-1-Ol
2-Nonenal
Nonyl Acetate
Nutmeg Powder and Oil
Oak Chips Extract and Oil
Oak Moss Absolute
9,12-Octadecadienoic Acid (48%) And 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic Acid (52%)
delta-Octalactone
gamma-Octalactone
Octanal
Octanoic Acid
1-Octanol
2-Octanone
3-Octen-2-One
1-Octen-3-Ol
1-Octen-3-Yl Acetate
2-Octenal
Octyl Isobutyrate
Oleic Acid
Olibanum Oil
Opoponax Oil And Gum
Orange Blossoms Water, Absolute, and Leaf Absolute
Orange Oil and Extract
Origanum Oil
Orris Concrete Oil and Root Extract
Palmarosa Oil
Palmitic Acid
Parsley Seed Oil
Patchouli Oil
omega-Pentadecalactone
2,3-Pentanedione
2-Pentanone
4-Pentenoic Acid
2-Pentylpyridine
Pepper Oil, Black And White
Peppermint Oil
Peruvian (Bois De Rose) Oil
Petitgrain Absolute, Mandarin Oil and Terpeneless Oil
alpha-Phellandrene
2-Phenenthyl Acetate
Phenenthyl Alcohol
Phenethyl Butyrate
Phenethyl Cinnamate
Phenethyl Isobutyrate
Phenethyl Isovalerate
Phenethyl Phenylacetate
Phenethyl Salicylate
1-Phenyl-1-Propanol
3-Phenyl-1-Propanol
2-Phenyl-2-Butenal
4-Phenyl-3-Buten-2-Ol
4-Phenyl-3-Buten-2-One
Phenylacetaldehyde
Phenylacetic Acid
1-Phenylalanine
3-Phenylpropionaldehyde
3-Phenylpropionic Acid
3-Phenylpropyl Acetate
3-Phenylpropyl Cinnamate
2-(3-Phenylpropyl)Tetrahydrofuran
Phosphoric Acid
Pimenta Leaf Oil
Pine Needle Oil, Pine Oil, Scotch
Pineapple Juice Concentrate
alpha-Pinene, beta-Pinene
D-Piperitone
Piperonal
Pipsissewa Leaf Extract
Plum Juice
Potassium Sorbate
1-Proline
Propenylguaethol
Propionic Acid
Propyl Acetate
Propyl para-Hydroxybenzoate
Propylene Glycol
3-Propylidenephthalide
Prune Juice and Concentrate
Pyridine
Pyroligneous Acid And Extract
Pyrrole
Pyruvic Acid
Raisin Juice Concentrate
Rhodinol
Rose Absolute and Oil
Rosemary Oil
Rum
Rum Ether
Rye Extract
Sage, Sage Oil, and Sage Oleoresin
Salicylaldehyde
Sandalwood Oil, Yellow
Sclareolide
Skatole
Smoke Flavor
Snakeroot Oil
Sodium Acetate
Sodium Benzoate
Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium Carbonate
Sodium Chloride
Sodium Citrate
Sodium Hydroxide
Solanone
Spearmint Oil
Styrax Extract, Gum and Oil
Sucrose Octaacetate
Sugar Alcohols
Sugars
Tagetes Oil
Tannic Acid
Tartaric Acid
Tea Leaf and Absolute
alpha-Terpineol
Terpinolene
Terpinyl Acetate
5,6,7,8-Tetrahydroquinoxaline
1,5,5,9-Tetramethyl-13-Oxatricyclo(8.3.0.0(4,9))Tridecane
2,3,4,5, and 3,4,5,6-Tetramethylethyl-Cyclohexanone
2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine
Thiamine Hydrochloride
Thiazole
1-Threonine
Thyme Oil, White and Red
Thymol
Tobacco Extracts
Tochopherols (mixed)
Tolu Balsam Gum and Extract
Tolualdehydes
para-Tolyl 3-Methylbutyrate
para-Tolyl Acetaldehyde
para-Tolyl Acetate
para-Tolyl Isobutyrate
para-Tolyl Phenylacetate
Triacetin
2-Tridecanone
2-Tridecenal
Triethyl Citrate
3,5,5-Trimethyl -1-Hexanol
para,alpha,alpha-Trimethylbenzyl Alcohol
4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-1-Enyl)But-2-En-4-One
2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-2-Ene-1,4-Dione
2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-Dienyl Methan
4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-Dienyl)But-2-En-4-One
2,2,6-Trimethylcyclohexanone
2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine
1-Tyrosine
delta-Undercalactone
gamma-Undecalactone
Undecanal
2-Undecanone, 1
0-Undecenal
Urea
Valencene
Valeraldehyde
Valerian Root Extract, Oil and Powder
Valeric Acid
gamma-Valerolactone
Valine
Vanilla Extract And Oleoresin
Vanillin
Veratraldehyde
Vetiver Oil
Vinegar
Violet Leaf Absolute
Walnut Hull Extract
Water
Wheat Extract And Flour
Wild Cherry Bark Extract
Wine and Wine Sherry
Xanthan Gum
3,4-Xylenol
Yeast

Between the two I'd rather stick with the product which has ingredients that I understand what they are. Further, there's a large difference between something which may have health concerns, and one which does has health concerns. As to concern that you won't know how much nicotine is in the product, it's right there for everyone to see on their list.

Besides, according to new studies, nicotine is actually good for you. It's the tar from burning tobacco that you have to worry about.

Skyrim

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim came out last Friday, and so far the game's been great. The graphics are phenomenally better than it's predecessor, the game play mechanics are strong, and the story is wonderful.

There are two main quests, both of which are relatively short in terms of rpgs, but there are so many well-fleshed out side quests that you don't really have to worry about running out of interesting things to do for quite a while. Completing everything would take well over 100 hours of play, and when your doing it, you actually feel like you're playing the game, rather than just completing a mind-numbingly dull task.

Skyrim is an open world rpg, and while there are re-used textures, and a number of NPCs have the same body type, despite being completely different races, the game makes up for it with beautiful scenery.

Overall, Skyrim is well worth the $60.00 price tag. I recommend picking it up if you enjoy reading fantasy novels, as it's basically like living in one.

Modern Samurai

This guy is impressive. He's set three tests, each more difficult than the last. If he should beat all three tests, he'll be given one final challenge to complete. The one thing that's certain: You will never see me attempt to fight him.

Fecal Matters

So, Blogfather Harvey recently blogged about a woman who's terrified of play places at fast food chains because of finding fecal matter (poop) and nasal drippings (snot) within them. He makes a great point about patronizing somewhere else rather than increasing government regulation, however I've got one better.

Poop can help save lives.

This man's life was saved because he received a poop transplant. Basically, they take one person's poop, and place it in another person. The disease this procedure treats is Clostridium difficile.

Perhaps, instead of freaking out about play places, this woman should focus on the good that germs do, rather than trying to kill off people's immune systems.

This Has Been Bugging Me

Quite a while ago, I came across a dialog, which I'll list below, between two unknown entities. I've been trying, off and on, to figure out what the source of the quote is. To that end, I'm asking if anyone who reads my blog to share this knowledge with me, if they have it. Here's the quote:

"Your weapons are no match for ours! People of Mars, surrender!"

"Um, this isn't Mars. This is Earth."

"Earth? Earth-with-nuclear-weapons Earth?"

"Yes."

[long pause]

"Friend!"

Captain Picard vs. Captain Sisko

"Captain Sisko has calm, self-confident authority, to a degree that makes Picard look like Richard Simmons."

-Blogfather Harvey of BadExample

I'm currently in Season 2 and I have to say that I disagree with this sentiment. Whereas Picard shows wisdom in his actions, I would say that he is no less self-confident, and Picard allowed his passion to show, without letting it get to the degree of losing sight of reason.

So far, I find that Sisko is short-tempered, he also has wisdom, but he's largely hypocritical. On the very first episode, we see that his wife died due to the actions of Locutus of Borg (Captain Picard for those unaware). We later see his barely controlled anger at Picard for the incident, despite knowing that Picard was under Borg control and not able to do anything to prevent attacking the Federation.

In another episode, a group attempts to capture Jadzia Dax for the crimes of Curzon Dax. Sisko prevents them from taking her and the case goes to trial, with him alleging that Curzon Dax and Jadzia Dax are two separate individuals. (This later becomes moot as we find out Curzon was innocent of the charges, but this is beside the point.)

In Sisko's mind, Jadzia could not have been brought up on charges because she isn't Curzon, however, he would judge Captain Picard for the actions of Locutus of Borg, despite the two being completely different. This strikes me hypocritical, and for that I find him to be an inferior Captain.

With that said, I am nearing the end of season 2 of Deep Space Nine, and finding it largely enjoyable. I also like Captain Sisko despite his flaws.

Bohemian Shatner

All I can say is my response was pretty much the same as the kids in the video:

Holy Shatner!

Star Trek Update

I'm currently in the middle of season 7 of TNG, and I've come to a conclusion. While I still believe that Captain Picard is the best captain (I haven't gotten to DS9 yet), I find that my favorite character is Data. The episodes which focus around his growth and development as a character are some of my favorite. The episodes which center around Warf are also quite enjoyable.

I find Troi to be the most annoying character, particularly in the first season. She gets a little less annoying annoying as the series progresses, but ultimately I found that she didn't really contribute much to series outside of general sex appeal. As a character, I think that Tasha Yar was a much better contribution to the cast and story, though they killed her off rather quickly (This is due to the actress. However I wish they hadn't simply killed her off.) so they weren't able to develop her properly.

Potential Doctor Who Spoilers

Anyone who's paid attention to the show has no doubt noted the references to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hell, the Doctor mentions that he met Arthur Dent) If you weren't aware of it, then read this.

Anyway, the last couple of episodes of Doctor Who have mentioned: The Oldest Question, which has been around since the beginning of time itself, the question which must NEVER be asked.

We now know that the question is: "Doctor Who?"

Is the Doctor's name Fourty-Two?

Hatsune Miku

I had no idea that the same computer program which brings us this monstrosity:

is also responsible for the singing in this:

Whether you like the particular brand of music or not, the fact that technology has advanced to the point where a computer generated voice can sound better and more realistic than say, Rebecca Black, astounds me. There's also a male version of the program, but it doesn't sound as realistic to me (it sound closer to computer generated):

In both cases, the "singers" are anime style computer generated people projected onto a screen. As you can see from the crowd, they are quite popular in Japan.

Shatner is Singing* Again.

*Yelling

Steven Crowder's Secrets to a Healthier Life

Steven Crowder has to be one of my favorite people on Youtube. He combines a Conservative Message with a bit of comedy.

Sexy Cake

In this sketch, Patrick Stewart owns a cake shop. (NSFW)



Cakes by trepid212

JoshJepson and Lucahjin

There are two new Let's Players that I want to introduce to you. They are, JoshJepson, and Lucahjin.

JoshJepson is perhaps the youngest of the LPers that I've subscribed to on YouTube. Those of you who checked out The Runaway Guys will actually already be familiar with him. While not an official member of The Runaway Guys, JoshJepson did join them for their just finished run of New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

I think I find him the funniest of the LPers I've subscribed to, on a level equal with that of ProtonJon. He's currently working through an LP of Yoshi's Island, however, below I've linked to Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which he just recently finished. I chose this one because I think the editing, as well as commentary is superior in it.

Which isn't to say that I think Yoshi's Island is bad, because I've actually found it to be much more light-hearted and funny. Also, this one (Yoshi's Island) isn't Safe for Work, as he does swear in it, and unlike Ocarina of Time, he doesn't censor it when he drops the occasional "Fuck".

Lucahjin is the first female Let's Player I've subscribed to. I actually came across her when JoshJepson did a collaboration with her. She claims that her voice acting is bad, but having watched a few episodes of Paper Mario thus far, I have to say that I find her voice acting to be very good. I don't have as much to say about her because I haven't been watching her channel for as long as that of JoshJepson.

In any event, I hope you find them as enjoyable as I do.

The book of Cleanliness

It's laundry day! Time to consult the Book of Cleanliness.

Cleanliness, chapter two, verses nine through twenty-one:

"And Saint Domesticus raised the Holy Washer of Whirlpool up on high, saying, "O Lord, bless this thy Holy Washer, that with it thou mayst wash thine laundry to its cleanest, in thy mercy." And the Lord did grin. And the people did wash the shirts and shorts and swim trunks and towels, and pajama pants and under-garments, and socks and thermal we..."

Skipping a bit. . .

"And the Lord spake saying, 'First, shalt thou close the Holy Washer Door. Then shalt thou set it to normal, no more, no less. Normal shall be the setting thou shalt select, and the setting of the selection shall be normal. Permanent Press thou shalt not select, neither select thou quick wash, excepting that thou then proceed to normal. Heavy Duty is right out! Once the setting normal, being the third setting, be reached, then activatest thou thy Holy Washer of Whirlpool containing thy soiled clothing, who, being filthy in my sight, shall snuff it.'"

Amen.

Just a quick update to say that, yes, I'm alive. I just haven't really thought of anything good to post about since I vented last week, so here's a few videos to help the time pass.

I Have Five Bosses

I've been working as a Temp. Driver for a delivery company, which I'll call Planet Express, partly because I like that show, but mostly because it more closely resembles the name of the company I actually work for.

I love the delivery aspect of it. I'm out on my own, and I feel like I'm actually accomplishing something by the end of the day.

The aspect I hate is in the morning before I head out. It's at this time that I have to be around my five bosses. Five of them. One I mostly speak to for hammering out the schedule for the week, when I'll be coming in. I don't mind her, but she sounds like she's complaining even when she isn't. It isn't so much the words she uses, but the tone of voice. It's sort of like one of my ex-girlfriends who had a voice that made her sound like she was always whining.

Three of the others are decently nice, but they tend to repeat themselves about unimportant stuff, and they're very passive aggressive when it comes critiquing work. Rather than confronting someone individually when they make mistakes, they (and the next guy does this too) hold meetings before we go to deliver, and usually each person repeats what the last person said. If you've seen Office Space, they're basically Peter's bosses.

The last guy is an asshole. He's the newest of the group, he wasn't a supervisor when I worked there last Christmas season, and I didn't know him then, either. Our first day there, he made a point of telling us that they (the company) were doing us a favor by allowing us to work, and that there were three other people they could bring in if we weren't able to do the job right. (Now, all present worked there the previous Christmas, so it seems odd that the company would want us back if we had shown we weren't capable of doing the job). If a mistake is made, you will hear from him about it, and he will place the entire blame on you.

Case in point, I had to make pickups one day, and I had never done them before. I informed two of the supervisors of this, and they explained the process of pickups and how they're made, and what time they have to be back by. One of my pickups was to a fishery, and I had a number of boxes of live fish on board. When I got back to the terminal that night, I returned as normal (on time for the pickups to be processed) and then went home. The two supervisors who told me how to proceed failed to mention the fact that I needed to return the vehicle to a different location than normal. As a result, the fish died, and I got yelled at over the phone by the asshole for not psychically knowing this important bit of information. I'm annoyed, but at least at this point it's been dealt with and it's over now, right? Wrong.

The next time I worked, which was two days later, we have happen to have a meeting on proper pickup procedure, and the mistake was made publicly known, and the entirety of the blame placed on me.

So now when I get there in the morning, I speak as little as possible with them, get the packages loaded up as quickly as possible, and (hopefully) out on the road before they think to hold another meeting. Once on the road, my day is infinitely more enjoyable. I ignore my phone until ten minutes to three, when I know they're ready to go home, so that any conversation with them will be as brief as possible. As for the asshole, I'm very much convinced that the only reason he has the position he does is because he's an asshole.

The delivery aspect is great. Dealing with lower-middle-management is a pain in the ass.

Star Trek

As it is considered a great Science Fiction show, I have decided to work through the entirety of the series, starting with The Next Generation. I've been enjoying it thus far, especially seeing Patrick Stewart as the Captain.

Some things I've noticed that I didn't know before:

Data gets laid by Lieutenant Yar. I wasn't aware that they gave Data full functionality, for that matter.

Picard is first seen ordering, "Earl Grey Tea, Hot" in the season 2 episode, Contagion. However, what the computer gives him is a plant. (Could this be a nod to Hitchhiker's Guide? The ship not giving tea [just like the guide] and a potted plant appearing against all odds?)

The second time Picard makes his famous Tea order is the season 2 episode, Pen Pals. He actually gets tea this time.

I'll post more as I view more episodes.

Also, a quick question, I will be watching Deep Space Nine, but I've not seen it, how does it rate compared to the other Star Treks?

Nickelodeon

After much contemplation, (Five whole minutes worth) I have figured out where Nickelodeon started to go wrong. It was when they stopped using slime for pretty much everything.

Game Review: Bastion

Available on the Xbox 360, you can download this game from the game marketplace.

This game is definitely worth the purchase. The voice acting takes the game from good to amazing. It features great music and stellar artistry. The downside to the game is that occasionally it's difficult to tell where the ground ends and the sky begins, however this aspect also adds a little bit to the challenge of the game, so it isn't a very large downside. Overall, if you want a game with an interesting story, check out Bastion, it's well worth the 1200 Microsoft points to purchase it.

Outdated Technology Check

From Harv over at BadExample

Which of the following do you still own?

() phonograph turntable

() phonograph turntable capable of playing 78s() 8 track player() cassette player

() 5 1/4 floppy drive
(x) 3 1/2 floppy drive
(x) a car with a carburetor
() a non-cable-ready TV
() a dial phone
(x) a corded phone
() a winding wristwatch
() a manual typewriter

Below, you'll find my 1979 Dodge Aspen, Stonewall (after the General).

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Happiness

In the end, happiness in life is no what computer you own, or what game systems you have, or how big your TV is or what kind of vehicle you drive. In the end, happiness is really good toilet paper.

No matter how crappy life gets, there's always hope as long as you have good toilet paper.

Techno Viking vs. Nyan Cat.

I'm not a big fan of the Nyan Cat video, but this one at least makes the music odd yet synchronized sound bearable.

So Glad I Saw This in the Light of Day. . .

and not just before going to bed last night. Randomly came across this video. Thought I would share it with you all.

MK12 | Follow the Sun | 2011 from MK12 on Vimeo.

The End of Video Game Streams?

Read the full bill here: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s112-978

Hat tip to Notch for the link to the video.

Hat tip to UltraDavid over at Shoryuken for the blog post.

Original Nickelodeon Is Coming Back

I grew up on shows like Pete and Pete, Clarissa Explains It All, Salute Your Shorts and a number of other awesome shows. However, as shows do, these were cancelled and replaced. Well, now 90's Nick is making a comeback, and I for one, welcome these shows back with open arms.

The Engineer Guy

Bill Hammack, known on Youtube as the Engineer Guy, is one of the best Youtube channels which I subscribe to. I would consider myself a layman in the engineering field, but in watching his videos, I have learned more about the technology I use daily.

In his videos he not only talks about the subject he's covering, but sets up demonstrations as well. In his fiber optics video, he modified a bucket with a viewing window on one side, and a hole with a stopper on the other. By shining a laser through the viewing window and into the stream he had created, he showed how light interacts within a fiber optic cable. In this way, he makes his videos both informative and interesting, and because he uses visual props, it's much easier for me to understand just what he's talking about.

The video below is about smoke detectors, and I chose to share this one because I was surprised at the level of sophistication which goes into their design.





If you missed the links above, his website is here, and his Youtube channel is here.

Sen. Rand Paul Speaking To TSA

New Hampshire Republican Debate

If you're like me, you missed the New Hampshire Republican Debate on June 13th. I had been diligently looking for them online, and was finally able to find them. I've decided to share them here.

Hat tip to Freedom's Lighthouse for finding them.

Part 1:



Part 2:


Part 3:


Part 4:



If for some reason you can't get one of the videos to load, the direct links are below:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

The Runaway Guys

I'm not going to lie. Usually I hate watching other people play video games. This is mostly due to the fact that I'd rather be playing them myself. However, the Runaway Guys are quite enjoyable to watch when they perform their Let's Plays.

They've just recently started a new LP with Super Mario Bros. Wii, in this case recently meaning in the last couple of months. They're currently up to episode 7. Below, you'll find episode 1. I find the commentary between the three regulars and their guest to be rather humorous most of the time. Okay, really I just enjoy the rivalry between ProtonJon and Chuggaconroy (They're constantly trying to kill each other.)




You can find their Youtube page (As well as their other videos) here.

Igudesman and Joo

I enjoy classical music in addition to the more contemporary stuff. I am also aware that there are people who do not enjoy classical music. However, I think I have found a couple of performers who make classical music enjoyable, and below you'll find a couple of their videos.






If you enjoyed them, you can find their webpage here, and their youtube page here.

His Cheeseburger

Below, you'll see a music video I put together parodying the relationship between Edward Cullen and Bella.

Update about the Lightsaber fight

The hearing was today, and according to the Facebook page, the two seniors will be allowed to attend graduation.

Lightsaber Prank Results Teens Not Allowed to Attend Graduation

Two high school seniors have been suspended for ten days for having a lightsaber duel during lunch at their school. Also part of the suspension is that they aren't allowed to attend their own graduation.





Dear Principal Broderick,

While I understand that a lightsaber duel during school hours is not the best choice, I find that suspending the two students involved for ten days, as well as denying them graduation, is more than a little extreme. When dealing out punishment, it is vitally important that the intention of the people involved is taken into account. This is why there are so many different charges for the same acts.

Both participants were willing. The "fight" itself was rehearsed beforehand. The instruments used were toys suitable for ages 3+, made with the fact that kids are likely to hit each other in mind, which is why the toys only sting upon contact, and not leave concussions or serious injury.

The "fight" took place during lunch, which meant it didn't disrupt class. Heck, if I want to see entertainment of this nature while I eat, I have to shell out $60 and drive 1.5 hours to Medieval Times. As it was described, this "fight" was dinner theater.

You state that the punishment was so sever because people *could* have gotten hurt. Which means that no one actually got hurt. If someone speeds, the officer rights them a ticket for speeding, not for vehicular manslaughter due to the fact that they might have hit someone while speeding.

Further, these students have spent the last 12 years of their life working through the grades to reach graduation, and now you've taken that away from them for one harmless prank? And the prank was harmless, because as you admitted in the interview, no one got hurt (otherwise you would have said they did, not that they could have).

The most these students should have had happen to them is to get told by a teacher to knock it off. And then if they didn't listen (or maybe even if they did) a detention, possibly an in school suspension, at the most.

According to the news, there will be a school trial. Well then, since there is to be a trial, then the jury should be of their piers, those seniors who have show academic excellence. Although frankly, I don't think there should even need to be a trial, because you shouldn't have suspended them and then told them they can't graduate.

Sincerely,

A concerned citizen
_______________________________

You can find the facebook page here.

The hearing will take place tomorrow, let's hope things go in their favor.
_______________________________

As the news video didn't contain any saber battles, I thought I'd include some of my favorites that aren't part of the movie (The first is a commercial, and the second and third are both really well done fan made):

Jury Nullification

I first heard the term, jury nullification, when I watched this video:



Not being sure of what the term meant, I looked it up:

the acquitting of a defendant by a jury in disregard of the judge's instructions and contrary to the jury's findings of fact
NOTE: Jury nullification is most likely to occur when a jury is sympathetic toward a defendant or regards the law under which the defendant is charged with disfavor. Except for a statutory requirement to the contrary, a jury does not have to be instructed on the possibility of jury nullification.

However, what surprised me is the fact that someone can be arrested for handing out literature about jury nullification. Turns out they chose to charge Julian Heicklen with jury tampering (though anyone with a brain can see he wasn't doing that). You see, juries are part of the court process as part of checks and balances. The reason we have juries is it was figured that a group of individuals who were chosen at random, and for such limited amount of time that it would be difficult to corrupt them (I say difficult because it has happened), would be better able to render a fair verdict.

I remember growing up hearing a lot about the prohibition era. However, what I was never taught during those classes is that much of the time, juries refused to convict not because they had reasonable doubt, but because they felt the law itself was unjust. This practice was largely responsible for the prohibition era coming to an end.

You see, if enough juries aren't willing to convict because they feel a law is unjust, the government will (hopefully) figure out that arresting people for such a crime is a waste of resources. What I refer to is things like drugs, gambling and prostitution. Now, while I have my own belief about these things, I have a stronger belief that the it is not the government's place to prohibit people from engaging in activities which don't harm other people.

I have begun reading the Citizen's Rule Book by Charles R. Olsen, a World War II Marine veteran. There is a pdf version you can read here

More on Usama

Everyone's getting down on Bush about the whole Usama thing. Let's really look into this though: Obama used tactics and infrastructure which had been approved by George W. Bush. Not to mention the alliances Bush had created with Pakistan. Oh, and wasn't it Bush who approved giving the military more funding?

Meanwhile this event happens as Obama's poll numbers are incredibly low, not to mention the fact that he cut funding to the military, meanwhile the politicians haven't taken a pay cut at all. Not to mention the vacations, television appearances (including Mythbusters and Oprah) rather than dealing with actual issues and doing his. He spent his first year bowing to foreign dictators, tried his best to ruin relations with England, as well as driving America so far into debt that my grandchildren (should I have any) will be paying it off.

Now he's going to try and take credit for Usama not being a threat to us any longer? I don't think so. The real heroes are the Navy Seals who actually did the job, not that we'll ever get to know who it was, because it's classified (and the only reason I'm glad it's classified is I don't want any black lash against them or their families.) I hope they receive Congressional Metals of Honor as well as the Navy Cross.

Oh, Happy Day!

Usama Bin Laden has been killed despite President Obama's best efforts to protect him.

It's been almost a decade, but we finally got him. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with our troops. And to any one in the military who reads this blog, I want to thank each and every one of you for your service, and I hope you all come back home safe.

The Doctor At the Royal Wedding

So yes, I watched the Royal Wedding, though not for the reason one might think. The reason I watched it because I was secretly hoping a blue police box would suddenly appear and the Doctor would step out and greet them in typical Doctor fashion. Well, as it turns out, I wasn't that far off, as he was indeed there, he just didn't greet them.


Source

As fans of the Doctor know, he's famous for showing up to watch historical events. I guess this time happened to be one of the few occasions where he wasn't needed to step in and save the day.

Stripping

Blogfather Harvey posted this, which has prompted me to follow it back to the source, over at Spockgirl Musings.


1. Put Your iTunes on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the 'next song' button to get your answer.
3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!
4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.

There was another step in which you tag people, but I'm not going to do that.

Harvery changed his slightly. He went to a random word generator instead. I like the idea of doing that better, so I'll do that as well.

What do your friends think of you?
Garage (I have no idea)

If someone says, “Is this okay?” You say...
Defining (sure, why not?)

How would you describe yourself?
Damp (I think dry would have been better.)

What do you like in a guy/girl?
Quantum (This sort of works)

How do you feel today?
Human (As opposed to feeling like a dragon, I guess.)

What is your life’s purpose?
Favor (I guess if you added gaining before that)

What is your motto?
Given (I can't make this one work)

What do you think about often?
Trumpet (Or this one either)

What is 2+2?
Voluntary (see last explanation)

What do you think of your best friend?
Partial (I guess he's a partial best friend)

What do you think of the person you like?
Adaptor (In that they adjust easy to hard situations? No, they don't really.)

What is your life story?
Shot (As in, never been)

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Registration (Well, you have to register to run for president.)

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
Shooting (Going shooting with them would be fun)

What will you dance to at your wedding?
Mouth (I guess someone will be beat-boxing?)

What will they play at your funeral?
Fresh ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4BQxpXYPk8 )

What is your hobby/interest?
Anarchy (Mwa haha)

What is your biggest fear?
Why

What is your biggest secret?
Help (Not my biggest secret)

What do you think of your friends?
Understanding

What will you post this as?
Stripping

Detention in in PE. . . Who'd have thought?

Bones (Not his real name), one of my blogfriend's (Is this the proper word?) sons received a detention in PE.

I'm a little curious as to the specific event that got him detention. I used to get into fights in PE, and as long as no one drew blood or had broken bones, the teacher turned a blind eye to it. It was an unspoken rule that no shots were made to the face. Maybe times have changed since I was in school.

However, I received more detentions and in-school suspensions at public school than I ever did at private for the same kind of behavior. My one suspension in private school was for going off by myself at Disney World during senior trip to hang out with a girl I had met there. I knew the rule, but figured it didn't apply since I was already 18. . .

An Update

Yes, I said I'd write something about the school situation. No it isn't likely to happen now. The moment has passed. I may still do something, but for now don't count on it.

The reason why is I've been dealing with Plantar Fasciitis. It hasn't just been affecting the tissue there, but also my ankles and knees, as well as causing my feet to swell up, making every step incredibly painful. Ironically, the Dr. Scholl's inserts I got to try and help with it ended up causing blisters on both my pinky-toes because they weren't wide enough for my feet as I'm a 4E in width, so from what I can tell, the toes kept going between the edge of the inserts and the wall of the shoe.

I'm doing a bit better now, though it still feels like I've got a permanent cramp in the middle of my foot on the inside arch, and it hurts to place any kind of pressure on my heels when I first stand up, or if I stand/walk for too long.

On Guns

I had planned on talking about the school situations currently going on, and I still will, however I've decided to go with guns first.

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

This amendment does not apply to hunting. It's main purpose is to allow the people of the united States to defend themselves from the possibility of their government becoming corrupt. Simply put, its so that our federal government will fear its own people's response to any laws or regulations it might try to pass. To put it another way, people who fear their government are subjects, a government which fears its people has citizens.

‎"When the people fear the government you have tyranny. . . when the government fears the people you have liberty."
-Thomas Jefferson


However, it goes deeper than that as well. It's not just self defense from the government that's our right, but also self defense from criminals. The people of the united States have the right to bear their firearms at all times. Its said that one armed man can control one hundred unarmed people. Take a bank robbery for example; You've got one to four armed robbers, and perhaps up to fifty (depending on the size of the bank) unarmed hostages.

Now imagine a bank, we'll say there are twelve customers, and fifteen employees throughout the building, all of which are armed and know how to use a gun. Four guys enter and draw their guns. In response, all twelve customers and four tellers draw their guns, one or more of whom alerts the rest of the staff of an attempted robbery, the remaining eleven employees appear, all bearing firearms. Suddenly the attempted robbery isn't a problem any longer, and the police have been notified and are on their way.

Guns in the hand of law abiding citizens are not dangerous to anyone who isn't threatening them. Guns in the hands of criminals are. Criminals have already shown that they have no trouble getting a gun, even when they can't buy one legitimately. So, if you're willing to break the law, you can get a gun much faster than someone who wants to get one honestly.

Rather than forbidding guns on school property, require that all teachers and staff carry a firearm. Instances like Columbine happening would drop drastically. The same goes for businesses.

I plan on writing about the current school issues, just gathering my thoughts on it. In the meantime, enjoy this completely unrelated 5-minute comedy hour:

Never Talk To Police

According to this former attorney, now a professor, you should never talk to the police. Now, I should clarify that this is more to do with being interviewed as a potential suspect or witness. You should always have a lawyer present, and you should remain silent, and express your intention to remain silent, until one is available. Especially if you're innocent.

I should warn you that both videos below are on the lengthy side, the first being 27 1/2 minutes, and the second a little over 21 minutes. However both videos contain information which everyone should have.





More information is available at Flex Your Rights.

 
 
 

Gamers, A Moment Please

"Chuck Bittner is a quadriplegic stand-up comedian, or as he puts it, “the can’t stand up comedian.” Chuck is hilarious, but make no mistake, he’s also a serious gamer. He plays mad crazy awesome using his face, as you’ll see in the above video. But, he can’t play every game and he wants to change that.
He’s started a petition to make custom button remapping a standard option on all games so they’re accessible to the handicapped and give all gamers the freedom to choose their button configuration. In May, Chuck is personally going to PAX East to talk to developers and present the signatures he’s collected.
You can do your part by signing the petition here."

Not Your Average Christian

I see in the news a lot about the Westboro Baptist Church. I've had my own experience with church groups like this when I visited Las Vegas a couple years ago, and I've had experience with other church groups which have their own brands of evangelism, all of which I can't agree with.

Groups like the WBC, and the one I encountered in Las Vegas, I flat out cannot support. Yes, I know where they're coming from. I understand why they are doing what they are doing. I don't agree with it. Quite honestly, I'm not all that certain that to guys or two women getting married is such a bad thing. But that's a topic for another post.

The group in Las Vegas was holding up signs which stated "God Hates Fags", and "You're going to Burn in Hell." This was at a gay pride parade. I see what they're doing, and I can't make it mesh with what I've read about Jesus. The only time Jesus showed this level of anger was when religious officials were making a mockery of God's Temple, and this was towards people who should have known better.

Jesus' main way of doing what he did was by establishing relationships with the people he was teaching. The religious officials had a hard time reconciling the fact that he would hang out with prostitutes and other ne'er do wells. When they brought it up to him he basically told them that he was here to help those who needed him.

I say I'm not your average Christian because I don't go out and evangelize. Now, if someone asks me, then I'll talk to them about it, however, I'm never the one to initiate such conversation. I think the one exception to this rule is when I get into discussions about evolution.

The emphasis to me has always been more along the lines of discipleship. Teaching to those who have become Christian, more about just what Christianity means. This stems from when I younger, and became Christian, the church I attended effectively said, "okay, we got him, he's going to heaven, let's get the next guy." They didn't actually say this, but this was kind of the perception I got about it.

I've heard stories of camps where 500 kids get saved in one night. I always think, well hey, that's great, what are you doing to follow through with them? A lot of the time, if I bring it up, I get blank stares as if they wondering what more could I want?

I've had customers when I worked at Meijer try to hand me gospel tracks, and then refuse to listen when I tell them that I'm already Christian. Or I've been to festivals where there's a booth set up, and I don't know what it is, but every time I pass near one, I get stopped and I hear the same set of questions every time.

It seems like every time, even though I explain I'm already Christian, they feel the need to continue to witness to me. It's at this point where I start having fun with them and play Devil's Advocate.

I just think that Church groups could be a much more effective in learning how to interact with people and win them over to their belief by simply examining how Jesus did it, rather than placing "GOD HATES. . ." or ". . . WILL BURN IN HELL." First of all, the only thing God hates is sin. Jesus told us that the greatest commandments are love God, and Love your neighbor as yourself. We would do well to remember that.

Smile!

Hat tip to Blogfather Harvey over at Bad Example. This is a really uplifting video and is definitely a great watch.

TSA: Keeping America Safe. . . From It's Own Troops

A friend of mine on Facebook just shared this article.

I tried looking this up on Google to see if it were actually real, and came across this report of the same instance, but with a little different information.

According to the first article, about 233 members of the United States Military were returning home from Iraq, the second article states that everyone had already been searched for bombs, ammo, and other weapons. Everyone had guns, all of which were unloaded.

The second article goes on to state that they had a stop in Indianapolis to let off about 100 National Guard members (So in actuality, before this stop, there were over 300 people with guns [unloaded] on the plane.)

Despite having already been searched, TSA insisted that everyone exit the plane and be searched again, they also administered swabbing for explosive residue. One serviceman had his multi-tool taken, another lost, of all things, his nail clippers, because apparently, in some way I haven't been able to imagine, they can be used as a weapon.

When the serviceman in question pointed out that he had a rifle, the TSA member dismissed it as being safe as you can't take over a plane with an unloaded rifle. The guy ended up relinquishing his clippers so that he could continue his journey.

Oh, and the explosive residue test? Everybody failed it. Who would have thought that people returning from a war-zone would fail an explosive residue test?


Also, while I haven't undergone formal military training, I'm more than certain that people are taught that a gun makes a great blunt object with which to hit your enemy (should it come to it) If not, chances are they've seen enough movies to know that it would serve as one.

Apparently, This thought has occurred to no one at the TSA. Never mind the fact that these men and women were just risking their lives to protect our country, only to be treated as potential enemies by members of the TSA. How about we treat these men and women like the heroes they are, rather than as the terrorists that they protect us from.

Republicans in the House

Lately news has been somewhat slow, as the new congress has just come into power. The Republicans held a reading of the Constitution on the House floor. Basically it was meant to be a shout out to the Tea Party for supporting them in the last election. It's also the first time that the U.S. Constitution has ever been read on the House Floor.

Let me start by stating that I think it was a nice gesture, but to be completely honest, I don't care that this was done. I'd rather have them not read from the Constitution and hold to it, as their constituents want them to. I'll hold off whether or not I'm glad that they're now in power until I see what they do with their power. I hope that at the very least, we have some kind of barrier against the out of control spending we've been experiencing for the past two years.

So while reading from the Constitution is a nice gesture, I'll leave you with this sound bit of reason: "Mind what people do, not only what they say, for deeds will betray a lie."