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Archives For November 30, 1999

December 19, 2013 — Leave a comment

I’m no fan of Duck Dynasty as I find their lifestyle and accents to be very unappealing. But reading the news concerning their family head Phil Robertson has me rolling my eyes yet again at what this nation is coming to. This isn’t even about free speech and the ability to express opinions. This goes much deeper as it wasn’t so much his having an opinion that was called into question but that it wasn’t the right opinion or more “progressive” opinion. Phil basically called out homosexuality as a sin and said he didn’t understand why men or women would respond sexually to someone the same gender as them. Hardly the “vilest and most extreme statements uttered against LGBT people in a mainstream publication” as stated by the gay organization GLAAD. You would think by the extreme outrage of these gay groups that he said gays ought to be rounded up and branded or something of that nature. GLAAD spokesman Wilson Cruz stated, “He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans – and Americans – who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples.” Clearly Cruz doesn’t realize that most Americans aren’t in favor of accepting these mutual masturbaters’  behavior as normal in society. Hints why all legislation must be dealt with by the courts system and not through the legislative bodies. Why do they do this? Because they know they won’t convince the 96% of normal US citizens to accept it even in the most “progressive” of places such as California. This is why you won’t see any voting on the issue. Why can’t the courts in the United States get this  concept but the government of India can?

While its true as Christians we ought to be loving to all mankind and bringing them to Christ, Christianity has no gray areas. A sin is a sin and there is no changing these facts which was all Phil was essentially stating. Calling a spade a spade. Some people would rather change the truth than accept it. 

There is a reason this is the number 1 rated cable show and its not because they break off of traditional values and do whats hip or trendy.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-indefinite-666808

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December 3, 2013 — Leave a comment

I’m sorry but I simply cannot take people seriously who hold any neo position when it comes to ideologies. Sure you are able to possess the paraphernalia and read the creeds of the particular ideology you adhere to. But are you not still maintaining the void that only actual practice of said ideology can fulfill? This seems to be a common trait among the followers of obliterated ideologies such as communism and national socialism who are only able to rummage through the remains of a glorious past that’s now defunct. 

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December 2, 2013 — Leave a comment

I’ve been watching the History Channel documentary series Vietnam in HD. It really saddens me when I see the behavior of the media coverage of this war and its effects on the general public. I can’t think of another war where public perception caused the eventual loss of the conflict as opposed to the actual ground fighting. Its embarrassing. 

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November 22, 2013 — Leave a comment

Recently finished re-watching Band of Brothers and The Pacific mini series. What I enjoy about these series versus Hollywood propaganda war films is the realism and the open ended message being conveyed. They focus more on the unit and individual soldiering experience rather than try to hammer home their geo-political stances of “all conflict is futile” and “there are no causes worth fighting/dying for.” Due to over-saturation I have not read much about the World War II era in quite some time, but I plan to do so soon. I acquired many fascinating books in particularly concerning Nazi Germany and of course Hitler. I should be clear up front that I in no way agree with the social darwinistic aspects of the movement nor do I agree with many of the later military strategies being employed. But anytime you have elements of fervent nationalism it is interesting to study. After all, how can you defiantly state someone like Hitler is evil unless you read Mein Kampf for yourself? Remember that all things outside of religion aren’t so black and white. 

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October 25, 2013 — Leave a comment

It appears one of the worst things people decided to do was bring the concepts taught in anthropology to the masses. Unfortunately people took the science and bastardized it into some ridiculous guilt tripping scheme to control peoples thoughts- much in the same way most sciences are abused. It is incredibly humorous to read through the racism, cultural appropriation, feminism, etc. tags and read all the bigoted and stupid thoughts that pop into peoples heads. It’s fascinating how people are now on the complete opposite spectrum in regards to assimilation and cultural appreciation. Why is everyone paranoid if someone appreciates another culture? Why are you not able to fully appreciate another cultural experience without facing potential annoyance from overzealous internet anthropology nerds? I find it fascinating that when I go to other places on my travels, the native people want you to experience what their culture has to offer. But here in western culture we are told essentially hands off. This seems very hypocritical from the championed liberal multi-cultural and global rhetoric preached in schools and work settings currently. Are we really going to throw a hissy fit every time someone not Irish wants a Guinness, someone black wants a mohawk haircut, someone Japanese wants a cheeseburger, someone not Chinese getting a character tattoo, etc. etc. etc. 

People need to stop taking it upon themselves to defend trivial and perpetually changing abstractions that make up culture.

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September 30, 2013 — Leave a comment

Been getting into several discussions in recent times about the issue of homosexuality so I thought I should construct this little piece to get my views out in the open. These days simply stating the bland fact that the word marriage means the union of the two opposite, complimentary halves of humanity, is cause for hysterical hatred and accusations of bigotry from the liberals and gay activists. It’s simply what the word marriage implies. The words ‘heterosexual’ and ‘homosexual’ have different meanings too, but it’s not insulting or diminishing to gays in any way to simply apply those terms correctly – why should the correct use of the word marriage be an outrage? Businesses like Chic-fil-A, Barilla pasta company, and that poor chap in Seattle who was run out of business for insisting upon the actual definition of marriage, aren’t condemning, persecuting, or harassing gay people – they are merely defying Orwellian new-speak.  Marriage only means one thing, even outside of religion – but the liberals and activists now demand to change the meanings of words, and the ancient institutions they describe, for the sake of political correctness alone. Many people, religious included, have no problem with gay couples receiving identical legal treatment  as married couples – the problem arises when special interests insist upon mandating redefining words in order to accommodate the unique circumstances of a comparatively tiny percentile of the population.  Everyone has the right to eat Pizza, but a small minority doesn’t like Pizza – so they drastically alter it to suit their specifications. They remove the tomato sauce, cheese, pepperoni and all the traditional toppings and replace them with say, cake icing, fruit and candy. The new innovation may be delicious – but it’s not Pizza anymore, and cannot accurately be named such. But, instead of accepting the logic of this reality, the government is called in to mandate that the official new treat of those who who have no taste for traditional pizza be called Pizza as well, simply in order to spare feelings. Soon, those who openly state that only the traditional Pizza is really Pizza are called food bigots and run out of business by zealous snack reformers. Silly analogy, admittedly. But this is the source of a great misunderstanding and division in society today – and it could all be solved if gays and liberals would simply concede that the word marriage does not apply to same-sex couples, even though love and commitment does apply. Gays are embarking upon a life partnership, certainly, but its not marriage, merely because gays don’t happen to be complimentary opposites – it has nothing whatsoever to do with inequality.  That gay couples want legal obstacles removed is entirely reasonable. But when they cross over to tyrannizing language – it’s the hypocritical intolerance that only comes from pure ideological zealotry. Words have meaning – and 98% of the population shouldn’t be forced to alter their understanding of those words simply because gays have a different circumstance. Anyways these are my views on the matter presently and I will gladly answer questions. However, if you wish to dissuade me from my position it would be a real waste of your time. 

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September 30, 2013 — Leave a comment

It does get annoying when people group all people of Caucasian appearance into one group. People ought to be more specific when naming historical oppressors or wrong doers rather than put the blanket label of “white” as the culprit. People ought to specifically call out “white” southerners (not Italian, German, Jewish, etc. immigrants) for their slavery and discriminatory practices until the late 1970s. People ought to be upset at specific European powers for their squeezing of all resources in their specific colonies, not upset at Europe as a whole. Its far from fair to label everyone together simply due to the fact that not all “whites”  have the same levels of culpability (or none at all) in relation to past global conflicts. Furthermore people need to understand the historical causes and see how it effects their lives today. But one should not bind their free will around these effects, especially if one understands the causes. Your ancestors may not have been treated with compassion and loved as the wonderful human creations they were but that does not mean you must harbor animosity presently. As the great sage Lao Tzu stated, “Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner." 

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August 18, 2013 — Leave a comment

One of the great things about this up and coming generation is its acceptance of different types of people and ideas. And yet, one of the troubling things about this up and coming generation is its acceptance of different types of people and ideas irregardless of the absurdity. This and the pervading slightly selfish idea that one is required to do whatever makes his or herself “happy.” That everyone is a winner and everyone can be satisfied with his or herself rather than make improvements and grow as individuals.

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Disappointed in Assassins Creed IV

July 25, 2013 — Leave a comment

Let me first start off by saying that I am in fact a huge fan of the Assassins Creed game series created by Ubisoft. For those who don’t know (you’re missing out!), Assassins Creed is a free running open world type game in the mold of the Prince of Persian game series. In the game, worlds collide as players have a dual story line of a modern troubled time and the past time period where most the gameplay takes place. The game series has been extremely successful from a sales and fan following standpoint. 

 

My issue isn’t necessarily the gameplay as I feel that’s what made the game great. Although not exactly my thing, the ability the game gives the player to do what they want outside the main story is enjoyable. My grievance of the game comes up in the main story and time periods chosen. I will try to be vague concerning the story as to not spoil if for others. 

 

In Assassins Creed I (my favorite one) you are thrust into the middle ages during the Holy Land conflict as an assassin fighting the Knights Templar. As an avid reader of crusade literature, I took a particular liking to the world that was created. Being able to visualize Holy Land cities and interact with the different landmarks I had only read about in books was wonderful. The combat in the game was very much accurate of the period consisting of various daggers and swords. Even since beating the game, I have since played it again numerous times. 

 

In Assassins Creed II-Assassins Creed Revelations, the game takes place during the Renaissance in various parts of Italy and Turkey. In these 3 games I quite liked the time period as well. Having studied the time period it was great being able to see the large Cathedrals and various parts of Rome I had seen on my travels. The combat in these games were for the most part similar to the first game with most the combat being swords and daggers. However, the game developers did introduce an early primitive one shot gun for the assassin to use. So to sum things up this far: good time period choices and combat  methods.

 

With Assassins Creed III I had some serious issues. For one thing, I thought the time period choice was not good at all. Ubisoft chose to base the historical part of the game during the United States pre-revolution in the northeast. Combat at the time consisted of men pointing largely inaccurate muskets at each other in large groups. A lot of the “assassin” part I felt was lost in this game compared to the others. The assassin in this game moved away from the sword and dagger to a tomahawk and pistol. Also instead of running along beautiful elaborate cities, the assassin in this one mostly runs by himself in trees and woods. I did think the game did a decent job at being largely objective about the US vs British aspect of the game. Neither side looked totally in the wrong or the right. 

 

Next to come is Assassins Creed IV and I am pondering if I should get it. The gameplay looks quite enjoyable from what I have seen. But the time period again is another put off. This game will take place during the 19th century during the struggles with piracy in the Caribbean region. While some of the naval combat elements of the game look quite good, I can’t yet come to grips with the piracy part. It just isn’t in my nature to want to be a pirate and there’s nothing about a pirates character that I find appealing in the slightest. While the assassin does appear to have his signature hidden blade and sword, most the combat appears to be pistol/gun driven. Maybe after seeing more of the game I will come around but I doubt it. If the game had less of a pirate feel and instead was during the Napoleonic Wars, I would be more excited.

 

In conclusion: Assassins Creed I-Revelations= Good; Assassins Creed III-IV= not so good. 

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