Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Update coming soon[ish]!

I intended to make a post last Friday, but I ran into some unforeseen delays.

I had the actual post written up with pictures and proofreading, but I decided to do it in MS Word 2007. I thought I could simply copy + paste the text into the composition field, import the pictures and publish the post. Unfortunately, doing so created all kinds of ugly HTML error messages. So then I tried to copy + paste the word document into a Wordpad document (where I have successfully composed blog posts before), save it in Wordpad, close Wordpad, open the Wordpad document and copy + paste it into the blog. No luck. I tried to use the special blog post wizard thingy that Word 2007 has, but then I can't upload my pictures. I guess I am going to have to rewrite the whole bloody thing in the composition field when I am feeling especially patient and/or bored.

Woe is me...

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

My Emperor... I've failed you!



One of my favorite video game quotes. I felt it was appropriate for the following...

Interesting article out this week concerning the state of the election. I admit I find myself in a similar position. Most of my family (notably: my father) is conservative and I have inherited some of these tendencies. I also really liked John McCain before this election. My mind is made up on who I am going to vote for this year and I am truly thankful for the secret ballot.

Following up my praise for CNN's David Gergen last week, I found this article from the same site as the previous one. I look forward to his commentary for the forseeable future (probably until Nov 5).

Speaking of which, the final presidential debate is tonight. I am a sucker for the build-up to a debate. The same thing can be said this afternoon, even after the disappointing precedents. Oddly, enough when I watch a debate, I don't really watch much. I am usually glued to my laptop reading about Fable 2, football or the Electronic Arts DRM debacle. I find that if I focus on what the candidates say and not what they look like, I get more out of the debate.

The ongoing phenomenon of the Nixon/Kennedy TV vs. Radio debate outcome has gotten out of hand. Candidates are so focused on avoiding looking bad (and today, avoiding gaffes at all costs) that debates have become sterile facsimiles of campaign stump speeches in bite-sized chunks. Where is the passion? Where is the unveiled, un-manufactured, un-spun (i.e. genuine) concern? Am I actually witnessing a debate? My hope in avoiding directly watching the debate is to filter out something of value; at the very least, I'll read something that will get me more excited about Fable 2. Wish me luck...

UPDATE: I guess that the third time is the charm. This debate was everything I expected and more. Furthermore, I actually closed up the laptop and watched. I approved of every talking point save two. The discussions over negative campaigning and Supreme Court Justice appointments were inappropriate. Talking about negative campaigning is a waste of time because neither candidate will denounce their own campaign (or contributors) nor will they accept excuses from their opponent.

The Supreme Court appointments are an important topic, but the way in which it was asked was wrong. Injecting Roe v. Wade into the discussion turns an important debate over Constitutional interpretation and bench ideology into a divisive and destructive battle in the culture wars. The latter is a continuation of the partisan Bush-Clinton dynasty. The former is a key debate that is not always divided between existing political ideologies.

The culture wars prevent progress in America and will continue to do so as long as politicians cling to it as a way to squeeze more votes out of the party base. While Americans scream about abortion, gay rights and sex-ed, the real problems (economy, healthcare, social security, deficit spending, Iraq, Afghanistan, nuclear proliferation, etc. ad nauseum) quietly make Americans poorer, less safe and less free. Both Obama and McCain have demonstrated a hesitancy to put on the war paint of a culture warrior. Unfortunately, since McCain has been doing poorly in the latest polls, he has undoubtedly been advised to put on the war paint. I credit John McCain for historically side-stepping the culture wars in order to push the important issues. However, Mrs. Palin represents the worst in the Republican party. She is the poster child for a 21st century conservative culture warrior.

I hope and pray that the closing weeks of this election are not tainted by the culture wars. Instead, why don't we talk about how we can solve the real problems facing all Americans from Joe the Plumber to Joseph the CEO?

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Wednesday Smorgasbord

A few quick items since I don't feel like writing a lot about a little. I'll do a little about a lot this time...

I made the fateful choice to purchase Warhammer Online today. As I have said before, I used to play World of Warcraft (level 70 Dwarf Paladin, Burning Blade server). I always used to think the forum kiddies who said that Warhammer would smash WoW were a bit crazy. I was right, but hold the presses. WoW at release was amazingly well polished, it remains a very well polished product today, and Wrath of the Lich King will undoubtedly be more of the same. Warhammer lacks the spit-shine of WoW, but it has some fun content and has other good things going for it.

Thomas Friedman is the man. I also enjoy the commentary of David Gergen on CNN.

Things aren't looking good for John McCain, and Barack Obama looks to be in good shape (reminder: still a month or so to go). Sarah Palin is gearing up for her 2012 run for president (God forbid America should be subjected to such a fate). Nope, I don't like Sarah Palin. Friedman covers the basics, but I have a few reasons of my own. She might even qualify for a more thorough post in the coming weeks.

At long last, the great dark time of the year has ended and hockey once more emerges from the golf clubhouse to fight mediocrity. I love hockey. The most perfect combination of conditions come together to make hockey amazing: speed, physicality, passion (not to mention steel blades, carbon fiber sticks, armor, and a playing surface composed of ice). The Red Wings have a solid team this year and they stand a good chance of repeating a Stanley Cup Championship. There are a lot of good hockey posts to be had. Also, you better believe that the college football BCS will get a post by December. Michigan football is in the crapper this year (unless they can pick off Ohio State), so I need to get excited about something. Granted, I get excited (read: incensed) about the BCS every year.

This weekend: half-sister's wedding (avoiding political discussions with legion right-wing family members), going to Michigan-Toledo game, Red Wings home opener (banner goes up, Toronto's pants go down), and the new Russell Crowe movie.