-Look, I only have one problem with the pledge of allegiance: that I can recite it in any state of mind, without pause, and without thought. I have never actually thought hard about this pledge, true that I am an agnostic, and have been mildly peeved with the inclusion of "under god" for years, I never questioned it verbally. It, along with "God Save The Queen" (I know this is the English anthem, I have British Parents and I have never actually bothered to learn the U.S National Anthem), seems to be burned into my brain, and I can recite them without pause. I love this country, but I have enough education to realize that I may be a little brainwashed because of this pledge. When I was growing up, even though I stopped believing in organized religion at a young age, I kept thinking of god as if the concept was real. Although I believe in something completely different now, I still call to god when I have been seriously injured. I call for god not because of faith in this power, but because the name has been embedded into my brain. This is not separation of church and state, for I feel a part of me has been lost due to this phrase; I have lost my ability not to think of a specific deity. - "I have walked the long road of pain and darkness, and though I have found my light, I fall towards the fading star whenever my path is crossed"
Correct me if I am wrong, but England has a similar health care policy. I don't know if you have had to go to an English hospital recently, but they are horrible, in both operation and treatment of patients (especially for the elderly. If one is to looks for as more efficient health care system and sees one that works well in a small population, it would be best to compare it to a similar system that has a much larger population before deciding that it works. Universal health care is much like communism, it looks very nice on paper, but in practice it corrupts quickly, into a primitive, unfunctional system. On what information, save Vermont, have you decided that this would be a good idea?
I am one who is very addicted to Goodkinds work, but I sm starting to loose faith, I mean really, an entire book just to introduce a charactar? And the next book sounds increadably cliche. (Oh no... the main character/hero is poisoned.)
"A large electric shock across my hand (ie both contacts on my hand) may cause temporary numbness and some pain, but quite probably no lasting damage. " Some pain? I lost the function in my left (working) hand for two days after recieving a nasty shock from shoddy wiring. Though the initial sensation of being shocked with a lot of energy is pleasant, afterwards it feels as if the gods themselves are tearing me apart. And the worst possibility from this is just one thing... if someone is touching the back of ones neck when the worst case senerio happens, with all that power; speaking from experience, I would prefer death than having to go through something like that one more time (imagine the pain you would get from being tazered in the junk. Yeah, its like that).
-When will people learn that Americas war on Iraq was not about weapons of mass destruction at all, but about a forced change of dictatorship? I agree, we were misled as to why we were going to war, but on the whol,e America is ignorant (to quickly explain this statement, I am not saying that Americans are all ignorant, far from it. What I am saying is that we all know those people that think Afghanistan and Iraq are the same places, and have developed a racist outlook to all those in the area. Many remain uninformed, and will probably remain so for many years.) There are so many levels of political function that many would of not of understood why we were to be involved. Yes, I agree that our (America) actions in Iraq have been detestable, with our soldiers having no respect, nor any kindness to show, for the people of the nation we are at war with. Yes, I agree that a few government officials may of gotten billions of dollars worth of oil rights with this war, as unethical as it may be. Yes, I agree that this chain of thought is a little off topic of the main issue. Yes, I believe that Americans should of read "The Art of War" as mandatory reading in high school, so the etiquette, and proverbs for a noble fight, are at least absorbed at a young age. But with all of these points down, one must consider the driving point: we have destroyed the reign of a dictator that in many respects was the same, if not worse, than Hitler (if you wish to argue, yes, Saddam did not successfully kill off millions of his own people in an act of genocide, but he still tried. If it was not for American intervention in the gulf war, Saddam would of gotten Kuwait, and then it would have been another holocaust for another religious group. If you insist that Saddam was not worse than Hitler, because he did not muster enough of a force to try to start a new Ottoman Empire, and cause millions of deaths in the course of a world war, than please replace Hitler for Trujillo, another unsavory fellow that America killed in the 1960's.)
-Another point that many Americans are making is that countries such as France, Russia, and Germany did not want to go to war with Iraq. I am tired of listening to people who are chanting "War with France" or "Vlad had his chance, now America will finally kick Russia's ass" ect. These countries chose not to be involved in a war of prevention, as we should of done. If America was honest for its main reason for going to war, these problems would not arise. We may of even had the support of other nations. Instead we have planted the seeds of dissent into the UN, which are growing rapidly and may undermine any stability in world politics achieved with its function. Another point is that these countries may not of been able to afford to go to war. Yes, I understand that in many scenarios a war can stimulate a down economy, but it can also wipe one out. France has been affected by the fall of the market, as well as the dwindling trade. Germany is not exactly paved in wealth itself, and Russia is only the seventy-seventh richest nation in the world, with EVERQUEST as the seventy-sixth. Do you think that a country with less export revenue than a five year old game could possibly fund a battle in the desert? With outdated gear? And with military advisors that were involved in, or learned, about the soviet forces in Afghanistan and how the locals wore them down to the point it was not worth staying? Many believe that fighting should not be the first action preformed, but the ultimate last action to be done.
-This babbling rant was written after taking a very large amount of cough syrup. Please read for information and points, not for the poor grammar and Dickinsonian style.
Large established target-market? No. Who owns a dreamcast? -The Dreamcast was a fantastic system, and it is safe to say that it died before its time, due to a low amount of introductory games caused by the early release date, as well as a shoddy ad campaign. I mean, really "Dreamcast... It's Thinking". Nothing like an add that states nothing about the product. They had a chance to belittle their newest competition, and blew it. I would of bought a Dreamcast that Christmas if I knew what living H311 it was going to be to "try" to obtain a PS2. Who out there would not of preferred Sega's system if they had just said "Dreamcast... We ship on time" -One more thing, I think it is a wonderful idea for people to still be developing for this console. I am surprised that many third party game developers for the PS2 and other systems do not port their games to the dreamcast. Think of it... There are thousands of people who still own and use their Dreamcasts. With the relative ease that one can program for it, a quick, stripped down port of a PS2 game would make a wonderful demo, and secure the support of gamers on a budget (for, let us all face the fact, this system is a quarter of the cost of a PS2, and not that all worse.) thus getting more people to buy the product, allowing better games to be developed for the more powerful systems. -Another point that few people have considered is that the Dreamcast is a good system that, frankly, the original producers have abandoned. Why had there not been a surge of self mod books released to improve upon this console, free of any wrath of Sega? If the Xbox and PS2 punish those that wish to improve upon their own system, why go through all the angst, just start using your Dreamcast again. Sony will not release a new system until 2006-2007, there is still time to "revive" Sega from its grave. -And now, in parting, I shall speak those three words that drive those who still support this system to not loose all hope: "Long-Live-Seaman"
"I never really thought much of Anime in general. I grouped anime watchers in with Goths, freaks, Magic the Gathering players, and others I just ignored." -Look, I am glad that this person enjoyed the Animatrix and all, but there are many other "good" examples of anime out there, my personal favorites: Metropolis, Akira, and Princess Mononoke. What you see late night on cartoon network tends to be the cartoon tripe aimed at the sleep deprived children of the world, and are lacking in both plot, deep characters, or decent drawing style (Pokemon, YuGiOh, ect are not anime and should never be classed as such, but as childish wannabe's that are designed to be viewed by the following: children under six, stoners, an insomniac who has not slept in three days, and those suffering brain damage.) -And by the way, MTG happens to be a game that requires skill, an ability to analyze a situation, creativity, and such. I consider it to be a mental challenge that can have the complexity of a game of Go. Just because you did not think much about those who played the game, please, do not insult the game itself.
Slashdot Mirror
-Look, I only have one problem with the pledge of allegiance: that I can recite it in any state of mind, without pause, and without thought. I have never actually thought hard about this pledge, true that I am an agnostic, and have been mildly peeved with the inclusion of "under god" for years, I never questioned it verbally. It, along with "God Save The Queen" (I know this is the English anthem, I have British Parents and I have never actually bothered to learn the U.S National Anthem), seems to be burned into my brain, and I can recite them without pause. I love this country, but I have enough education to realize that I may be a little brainwashed because of this pledge. When I was growing up, even though I stopped believing in organized religion at a young age, I kept thinking of god as if the concept was real. Although I believe in something completely different now, I still call to god when I have been seriously injured. I call for god not because of faith in this power, but because the name has been embedded into my brain. This is not separation of church and state, for I feel a part of me has been lost due to this phrase; I have lost my ability not to think of a specific deity.
- "I have walked the long road of pain and darkness, and though I have found my light, I fall towards the fading star whenever my path is crossed"
Correct me if I am wrong, but England has a similar health care policy. I don't know if you have had to go to an English hospital recently, but they are horrible, in both operation and treatment of patients (especially for the elderly. If one is to looks for as more efficient health care system and sees one that works well in a small population, it would be best to compare it to a similar system that has a much larger population before deciding that it works. Universal health care is much like communism, it looks very nice on paper, but in practice it corrupts quickly, into a primitive, unfunctional system. On what information, save Vermont, have you decided that this would be a good idea?
I am one who is very addicted to Goodkinds work, but I sm starting to loose faith, I mean really, an entire book just to introduce a charactar? And the next book sounds increadably cliche. (Oh no... the main character/hero is poisoned.)
"A large electric shock across my hand (ie both contacts on my hand) may cause temporary numbness and some pain, but quite probably no lasting damage.
"
Some pain? I lost the function in my left (working) hand for two days after recieving a nasty shock from shoddy wiring. Though the initial sensation of being shocked with a lot of energy is pleasant, afterwards it feels as if the gods themselves are tearing me apart. And the worst possibility from this is just one thing... if someone is touching the back of ones neck when the worst case senerio happens, with all that power; speaking from experience, I would prefer death than having to go through something like that one more time (imagine the pain you would get from being tazered in the junk. Yeah, its like that).
-When will people learn that Americas war on Iraq was not about weapons of mass destruction at all, but about a forced change of dictatorship? I agree, we were misled as to why we were going to war, but on the whol,e America is ignorant (to quickly explain this statement, I am not saying that Americans are all ignorant, far from it. What I am saying is that we all know those people that think Afghanistan and Iraq are the same places, and have developed a racist outlook to all those in the area. Many remain uninformed, and will probably remain so for many years.) There are so many levels of political function that many would of not of understood why we were to be involved. Yes, I agree that our (America) actions in Iraq have been detestable, with our soldiers having no respect, nor any kindness to show, for the people of the nation we are at war with. Yes, I agree that a few government officials may of gotten billions of dollars worth of oil rights with this war, as unethical as it may be. Yes, I agree that this chain of thought is a little off topic of the main issue. Yes, I believe that Americans should of read "The Art of War" as mandatory reading in high school, so the etiquette, and proverbs for a noble fight, are at least absorbed at a young age. But with all of these points down, one must consider the driving point: we have destroyed the reign of a dictator that in many respects was the same, if not worse, than Hitler (if you wish to argue, yes, Saddam did not successfully kill off millions of his own people in an act of genocide, but he still tried. If it was not for American intervention in the gulf war, Saddam would of gotten Kuwait, and then it would have been another holocaust for another religious group. If you insist that Saddam was not worse than Hitler, because he did not muster enough of a force to try to start a new Ottoman Empire, and cause millions of deaths in the course of a world war, than please replace Hitler for Trujillo, another unsavory fellow that America killed in the 1960's.) -Another point that many Americans are making is that countries such as France, Russia, and Germany did not want to go to war with Iraq. I am tired of listening to people who are chanting "War with France" or "Vlad had his chance, now America will finally kick Russia's ass" ect. These countries chose not to be involved in a war of prevention, as we should of done. If America was honest for its main reason for going to war, these problems would not arise. We may of even had the support of other nations. Instead we have planted the seeds of dissent into the UN, which are growing rapidly and may undermine any stability in world politics achieved with its function. Another point is that these countries may not of been able to afford to go to war. Yes, I understand that in many scenarios a war can stimulate a down economy, but it can also wipe one out. France has been affected by the fall of the market, as well as the dwindling trade. Germany is not exactly paved in wealth itself, and Russia is only the seventy-seventh richest nation in the world, with EVERQUEST as the seventy-sixth. Do you think that a country with less export revenue than a five year old game could possibly fund a battle in the desert? With outdated gear? And with military advisors that were involved in, or learned, about the soviet forces in Afghanistan and how the locals wore them down to the point it was not worth staying? Many believe that fighting should not be the first action preformed, but the ultimate last action to be done. -This babbling rant was written after taking a very large amount of cough syrup. Please read for information and points, not for the poor grammar and Dickinsonian style.
Large established target-market? No. Who owns a dreamcast?
-The Dreamcast was a fantastic system, and it is safe to say that it died before its time, due to a low amount of introductory games caused by the early release date, as well as a shoddy ad campaign. I mean, really "Dreamcast... It's Thinking". Nothing like an add that states nothing about the product. They had a chance to belittle their newest competition, and blew it. I would of bought a Dreamcast that Christmas if I knew what living H311 it was going to be to "try" to obtain a PS2. Who out there would not of preferred Sega's system if they had just said "Dreamcast... We ship on time"
-One more thing, I think it is a wonderful idea for people to still be developing for this console. I am surprised that many third party game developers for the PS2 and other systems do not port their games to the dreamcast. Think of it... There are thousands of people who still own and use their Dreamcasts. With the relative ease that one can program for it, a quick, stripped down port of a PS2 game would make a wonderful demo, and secure the support of gamers on a budget (for, let us all face the fact, this system is a quarter of the cost of a PS2, and not that all worse.) thus getting more people to buy the product, allowing better games to be developed for the more powerful systems.
-Another point that few people have considered is that the Dreamcast is a good system that, frankly, the original producers have abandoned. Why had there not been a surge of self mod books released to improve upon this console, free of any wrath of Sega? If the Xbox and PS2 punish those that wish to improve upon their own system, why go through all the angst, just start using your Dreamcast again. Sony will not release a new system until 2006-2007, there is still time to "revive" Sega from its grave.
-And now, in parting, I shall speak those three words that drive those who still support this system to not loose all hope: "Long-Live-Seaman"
"I never really thought much of Anime in general. I grouped anime watchers in with Goths, freaks, Magic the Gathering players, and others I just ignored."
-Look, I am glad that this person enjoyed the Animatrix and all, but there are many other "good" examples of anime out there, my personal favorites: Metropolis, Akira, and Princess Mononoke. What you see late night on cartoon network tends to be the cartoon tripe aimed at the sleep deprived children of the world, and are lacking in both plot, deep characters, or decent drawing style (Pokemon, YuGiOh, ect are not anime and should never be classed as such, but as childish wannabe's that are designed to be viewed by the following: children under six, stoners, an insomniac who has not slept in three days, and those suffering brain damage.)
-And by the way, MTG happens to be a game that requires skill, an ability to analyze a situation, creativity, and such. I consider it to be a mental challenge that can have the complexity of a game of Go. Just because you did not think much about those who played the game, please, do not insult the game itself.