The other war...

There's a war going on all around you, but you probably don't even realize it.  Your a combatant.  No, you didn't enlist in it but it's still being waged against you and it's slowly becoming a losing battle for you.  The battlefield is your home, your pocket, your car, your free time.  To me it's more important then whatever is going on in the Middle east.  I'm American and frankly, we'll never actually 'know' what is indeed going on, therefore I don't care.  Muslims on a whole are not evil or even our enemy, no more so then Buddhists, taoists, pagans, or jewish individuals.  Religion on a whole is a destructive topic to discuss however and an entire subject better reserved for another post.

It bothers me that reviewers are apparently bought and paid for these days, no longer even pretending to be helpful or useful, they all seem to be shills.  Worse then that, they are shilling for the enemy of you and I!  I'm talking about online services.  Laugh if you'd like, your probably thinking that's nuts, this dude is paranoid or a nutjob.  Hear me out, it costs nothing to listen but a little time and you might see my point.

First an example. http://www.onlive.com/ Onlive is quite the potentially awesome prospect.  It's a company that streams, via their servers, games, high end games! At that, in real time and you can play then, no matter what type of computer hardware you have.  Now, that's pretty epic!  Just look at some of these titles it's mouth wateringly tempting. But here's the catch, the first year is free subscription, so you buy your little titles, so you can play them. you don't actually get a disk, you get access to the game as it's stored on their server, so they in effect act like your gaming system. There's no mess, no wires, nothing for you to do but log in and play. You do need a high speed connection, but that's not that bad a deal is it?

Yes, actually it sucks. The service itself seems to work without a hitch but don't be lulled into this sterilized bliss. Your not getting a game! On top of that, your subscribing to a service to play a game you bought! This means you HAVE to have internet to play and you HOPE their servers arent down for maintenance, or for repair or overloaded. Hell, twitter cant keep their servers up and you only write 140 character messages. Your supposed to be cool with this why? Oh, because it's 'The Future'. Man, let me tell you, I'm sooooo over hearing that crap. The 'Future' is you being forced to spend money on a sbscription just to use something you 'bought' and did I mention if you let your subscription lapse, then well, you lose your games you paid for after a period of time. See, so you pay for a 1.) computer, 2. Internet... broadband at that, 3.) this service after the year free subscription, and 4.) the games you want to play. Well hell, that seems like a nice racket to get into to me, you funnel money to the ISP, then this game company...twice! Once for the honor of playing the game and second to actually 'buy' a game you don't get.

But you aren't the only victim, this little double dip is also aimed at screwing over the game resellers like the oft evil Gamestop. Now, I'm not a fan of Gamestop persay, but, they do buy back games. Yes it's at a ridiculously low.. I would go as far as to say loansharkian price, but something for a game I dont want anymore is better then nothing. Not to mention the money can be applied to a used game you buy at a significantly reduced price. So, it's cheaper then new and the game gets re-sold as used and everyone is happy... well, except the game makers. See, they want to make more money off of you, it's not enough they sold the games to the original owners. They should get a cut of everytime it's sold because ... well, just because. So, to give you a ludicrous example, you buy a shirt, you wear it til your bored with it, you want to sell it at a yardsale, well... that's not fair to the manufacturer! They should be the only one selling that shirt. In fact, you should be leasing that shirt monthly and if you discontinue your subscription, they should just keep the shirt. That's the state gaming is moving towards. It's not just gaming though, music has fought this battle and lost. People use Netflix (myself included) but we still like to own physical media. So the corporations decided the best way to get around our reluctance to give up buying physical media is to push the new buzzword 'online services' and spin it as a good thing. "You don't have to worry about updates!", "It just works", "Let us do all the heavy lifting", but really... why should it be THAT simple? I mean really? Are you THAT lazy? Is it THAT hard to take some initiative and not just give up all your rights to property? What if you don't like the new version? What if you don't need some of the features? What if you need more features?? What if you dont want to be 'connected'?

But it's an invisible battle because most consumers hear 'Cloud' (another buzzword) and thinks it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. It's not, that's why server computing failed as a platform in the 70's. Not to mention, bandwidth. Slowly over the course of the next 3 to 5 years you'll see a guerilla campaign to assassinate unlimited broadband. Now all these 'Cloud services' start looking a bit pricier because your using YOUR bandwidth and there are caps, no more doing what you want online, no more watching what you want, when you want, downloading what you want. it's a clever ruse. You can't go back once the final onslaught begins. Want to cut costs? Tough, you pay and your going to keep paying because 'they' have all your information, all your stuff, and you gave it to them for the sake of convenience. And now, like extortionists, your beholden to someone else, nothing more then an indentured servant.

And then, it's too late. Yes, it's possible that I'm just paranoid but just look around you. Streaming games, streaming music, Google docs, all in the cloud, somewhere....

I like my stuff. I like putting a cartridge or a disk in a system and playing a game when I want, how long I want, and with no additional costs unless I buy an optional addon. I like using the programs I buy without worrying about having an internet connection or paying additional costs. I like having CD's and DVD's or music players/multi media devices. I can go where i want, when I want, and watch/listen to what I want. In the end it's all about choice. Either you don't care or don't want it or you do...

And you fight for it.

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Revamped for 2010

Today, I was listening to the radio and there was a whole call in session about airport security, scanning residue of gunpowder, and what have you. The problem isn't so much that the scan is intrusive but it's "lnconvenient" to have to be pulled aside and questioned, it's unamerican, unconstitutional, blah, blah, blah. Here's my opinion on this complaint: shut the hell up.

Seriously. No one is trying to take your stupid guns, which by the way, the rest of us can seem to do without Davey Crockett, and if your feeling inconvenienced--tough. You know what, I don't feel safe with you yahoo's running around with your guns. And guess what else, your not the police, your not the military, your not an air Marshall, your a cowardly wannabe cowboy and you should be held up and inconvenienced and ridiculed since you can't seem to function without a crutch like a gun like the rest of us.

See, this isn't the Old West and it's not Nazi Germany, noones gunning each other down in the street and no ones kicking in your door to take your perfectly legally purchased guns. Also the government you fear so much doesn't really care about you having a gun, just what you do with it. Personally I think anyone found guilty of killing someone with a gun, not at their home, on their property or in self defense at the aforementioned should get automatic next day execution, as part of the right. It's fair, considering most people say they wanna be able to hunt, so if you kill a person well you forfeit your life as well, period.

See, this isn't a debate, it seems simple to me, if your "Man enough" or "Women Enough" to carry a gun you should have a pretty easy to understand and expeditious law to govern you. Why do you need a gun in a restaurant? Why on an airplane? Why in a public building? Thats why there is security and domestic police. If you can't understand that, you should move...to another country frankly. I'm not looking to hear "the other side" of the argument, there isn't one. Like I said, I'm for gun rights, I just think there should be fatal penalties, having a weapon is a responsibility, one I think isn't fit for most people in the U.S. but it is your right, just be prepared to face the ultimate price if you like having the ultimate freedom--- The ability whether justly or unjustly in your mind to take another life.

How much are you willing to pay?

A while ago I was perusing one of about a dozen sites I… peruse… when I
found another story about the corporations planning to strip you of your current
rights. Yes '”the” Corporations, like Hollywood and the Movie Industry, and the
Record Labels. In a world where alot of wingnuts fear “the government”, usually
without good reason, there is an issue where we should all be concerned, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Counterfeiting_Trade_Agreement (aka
ACTA). What is ACTA you might be wondering? Well let’s look at wikipedia’s
first paragraph “a proposed plurilateral trade agreement which is
claimed by its proponents to be in response "to the increase in global trade of
counterfeit goods and pirated copyright protected works."^[1]
The scope of ACTA is broad, including counterfeit physical goods,
as well as "internet distribution and information technology".^[2]”
What’s that? It’s a secret internet treaty being negotiated in secret. If you
read through it, which you can’t because it’s negotiated in secret you’d see
the push for a global set of copyright rules that would have ISP’s respond to DMCA-style takedown notices under a 3 strikes rule. In
essence your ISP would be required to terminate your internet connection after
receiving 3 complaints against your IP address. Someone have a beef with you,
they complain 3 times and poof your gone, disconnected from the internet. Not
just you, but everyone in your household because they’re all at the same IP
address.

Safe Harbor? Forget about it. Due process? Gone. And ISPs would lose their
safe harbor status, so they’d be responsible for everything posted from users.
Now think about it, a company would complain against you, demand your user
information and your ISP would hand it over, why wouldn’t they? What’s the
reason to hold out for you and disrupt their business? So YouTube,
Photobucket, Flickr, MySpace, Google/BING/Yahoo… anything with user generated
content… gone. That just leaves “The Corporations” and their product. You
should be worried, you should be concerned. With most people now using the
Internet for fun, communication, sharing, and work it could all come to a
grinding halt. What goods a wifi connection when you can only watch what the
corporations want you to see? You hate ads? You like free software of any kind?
Be prepared for seismic changes if this goes through. Alot of people fear a one
world government, maybe they’re right, maybe they’re wrong, what they should
fear is a One World Corporation with the powers of a government. How much is
your freedom of expression worth? You may find out soon and you might not be
able to afford it.

Want to find out more? http://www.eff.org/issues/acta

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Civil court (Or more accurately Revenge Court!)

I'm not a fan of Scott Peterson and yes, I'm one of those people that don't care if O.J. did or didn't do it but... whatever happened to be exonerated?  doesn't winning your court case mean anything anymore?  Let's not get into the sticky situation of whether you agree or disagree with a verdict, if you are found not guilty the topic should be dropped.  I understand this is the American Idol generation, everyone wants to have a vote, everyone wants their say, but the law doesn't work like that, the rules, as I always say, are the rules.  Twelve people get a say in whether or not a person is guilty or not, thousands of dollars are spent on lawyers for the defense and for the prosecution, a judge, who is supposedly unbiased makes the ruling based on the heretofore mentioned twelve people and after all is said and done, a verdict is reached and that's that.  Well that's how it used to be, now there's the idiotic invention of civil (Revenge) court.  Here's a court that, were the law actually not being abused would be used for one purpose and one purpose only.  A Civil Court, last I heard anyway, is supposed to be for small claims, private settlements that don't necessarily need all the pomp and circumstance of a bigger court.  lately, though, it seems that civil courts have been getting used to re-try, which I didn't think was supposed to happen, a case where the verdict didn't come out the way the prosecution wanted.  So say in the case of O.J., the guy gets off, so then they sue him in civil and win, what the hell?!?  Personally I think double jeopardy should apply across the board and you should only be able to pick one place to have your case tried.  The courts aren't a slot machine, you don't just keep pulling the handle until you get the justice you want.

Wordpress Tags: court, slots, justice, jeopardy, civil

Did you know that Yahoo! has a womens' section?

Completely with spiffy pink border!!  don't get me wrong I like pink, especially on women and girls, it's a classic.  Speaking of classics, there's an article on a classic question Should you or Shouldn't you? The question all about the last name when married.  I don't wanna seem like some type of macho chauvinist but,  if I have to be branded with a ring (and yeah its like a branding, you've been marked fellas)  then what's the deal with a woman saying "I can't be bothered to change my name?"  Let's put things in perspective.  Most guys don't want to get married.  Say what you will but marriage is more a concession then something guys choose to do.  You do it for two reasons 1.)  Your girlfriend/fiance wants you to and 2.) It's a "symbol of your unity (like your wedding ring).  So, what's the difference?  A guy isn't trusted to just tell people "I'm married."  In fact your not even given the opportunity to say anything, most women automatically do the hand check.  I'm not against the tradition, it doesn't hurt anyone and it kinda serves a purpose.  The average guy gets used to his ring either loves it and cherishes it or forgets about it and in either case it just stays on.  Some of the arguments in the article are laughable. "It's just easier not too..", "Some people think I've left the company because my name changed....", etc.,etc.,etc.  This falls into my personal "What the frak?!" category.  Its an inconvenience?  Well, allow me to retort in the slang of the '30's "So's marriage toots!" I mean, I'm perfectly capable of regulating whether or not i sleep with someone and I'm perfectly capable of maintaining a relationship with an acquaintance without the artificial marking that's been in place for years.  If it's all about convenience then why don't we just get rid of marriages all together?  They're expensive, complicated, annoying at times, and impractical. Why don't we all just declare, I'm staying with you!! Wouldn't that be "easier?"  Seriously, the "People don't know I work here anymore" is lame.  IF you are that important a client  then maybe you should slip the married name change into an email or a conversation.  Shouldn't you be proud and excited about marrying the man you "love".  Here's an example,

"Hello, It's good to see you again!  I've been looking over those proposals you sent over... oh yes, speaking of proposals I just got married last week, I am now officially Mrs. Blah-Blah-Blah.....  Oh, thank you for the congratulations, I'm quite happy too.  Let me get back to that proposal though <insert polite chuckle>...."

or in an email/letter,

Greetings Big Important Client,

I am just following up to clarify my response to your last message.  I would be sincerely delighted to join you for lunch to discuss the plans for your new venture.  I look forward to new discourse and hope we can come to a beneficial planning strategy that will bolster your fiscal profits for the coming quarter. 

P.S.

I would like to inform you of my recent marriage and name change, I am now Mrs. Blah-Blah-Blah.  I will continue to provide you with the service you've become acquainted with but i wanted to inform you of the recent name change so there is no confusion locating me or my offices.  thank you for your continued business.

Mrs. Blah-Blah-Blah,

Director of Sales

Wow, that was surely the most complicated thing I've ever written, between writing that, making coffee, drinking a soda and watching MSNBC that took me all of 8 mins.  I would also like to say, arguing that it would be expensive to change all of your cards is a blatant fabrication.  If you are important enough or rich enough to have a card in the first place, trust me, you can afford to change them.  They probably needed a facelift and updating anyway.

My wife and I actually had a conversation about this topic.  Most couples do and should.  I was and still am firmly of the opinion that if your too lazy (yes, LAZY) to change your name, then why should I bother being married to you?  Why can't we just continue dating exclusively?  My wife is progressive, sometimes to her detriment in some areas, and I support her in everything she does, but even she changed her name.  Her way was actually rather clever, I personally believe the hyphenation thing is crap, either "do it or do not, there is no try" to paraphrase Yoda. She dropped her middle name, moved her last name to the middle and took my last name.  I'm quite pleased with the solution actually, so should most business women, you can go by your first and middle name or if you really are into the whole sanctity of marriage thing, you can use your husbands.  In all honesty, if marriage isn't important enough to uphold some of the most simpler tenants then maybe we should just do away with it altogether.  Insurance and property rights arent really legitimate reasons to join a person, laws can be changed, rights can be amended, but if your only going to pick and choose the parts of an event like marriage that you "like", then you cheapen the experience and the value you place on both you and your partners union

Wordpress Tags: marriage, observation, opinion, rights, tradition, union