The Harder The Battle, The Sweeter the Victory

"THE HARDER THEY COME"

Yellowman at Reggae Sunsplash 1982

I thought it was time for some Yellowman. The funniest bit is at 1:55.





If you are in a more serious, political mood, then groove to some Linton Kwesi Johnson...

When I Grow Up...

I want to be that third period of game four of the Stanley Cup finals. That was great hockey.

And Sometimes, It All Just Works Out

As the French Open nears the end of its two weeks, there isn't a sleeveless Spaniard or Williams sister in sight. I don't feel this kind of joy often, so I really appreciate it when it comes along.

And if Federer wins, I'll break out my happy dance!

We Are All Wii Now

How does one get work done during the press conferences from Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony, at E3? I just gave up and watched, but I suppose you are made of sterner stuff.

After watching the pressers, I am really intrigued by the new/no controller initiative taken by Microsoft and Sony. Obviously this is a response to the ridiculous success of the Wii and its wavey-wandy stick thing control method. Personally, I hate it (on the Wii) because I want instant 1-to-1 response, but sales of the unit have proven me wrong. Again. Are Sony and Microsoft chasing Nintendo with Natal and the motion controller, or are they leap-frogging the (to me) crappy Wii controllers with something new? Something new that will entice even more casual gamers into the market. And let's not denigrate the "casual gamer". People like Herb have been gamers for life,(he had an NES when I had forgotten about games and even referenced it in his wedding vows-- HARDCORE) but at a certain point the complexity of the control scheme got too much. I'm sure there is some economics term about cost and benefit and whatever the fuck it is they talk about, but the point is that it can take too long to learn the controls. I quit Madden for that very reason; I got bored trying to figure out how to pass to the tight-end if there wasn't an icon for him. The pointless point is why do we pay taxes!

The real question is, are controllers an impediment to greater adoption of video game consoles? All three manufacturers seem to agree at this point. At least, they seem to agree that that is where the money lies for the immediate future.

Real Gaming Stuff:

How cool is it that FFXIII and MSG are coming to the 360? Hey, Rev, don't they give those things away in Japan? I hear that you can't get a DSI for love nor money, but the 360 is a fantabulous doorstop for stores in Akihabara.

Separate Ways: Literal Video Version

There are so many literal videos to choose from, but I had to pick "Separate Ways" by Journey. Why? Because so many of you (alright, me too) thought they were cool. Briefly. We thought that briefly. Really. Plus, the literal video treatment really shows off the badness of this video.




Don't forget to sample "Head Over Heels", "White Wedding", and the very awesome "Total Eclipse of the Heart".

Redneck? Madam, You Shame The Word

Apropos of the Mohawk blockade of the Seaway International Bridge, redneck accountant Louise had this to say:

My solution to this irritant is to send in the army, conquer the damned land, and when they sue for peace, let the treaty show that that portion of the Akwesasne territory that lies north of the St. Lawrence River is in no uncertain terms Canadian land and that portion which lies to the south is in no uncertain terms American territory. Next time they try it, arrest the gangs who pretend to be warriors and charge them with treason. And for a fit punishment, and so as to spread the right message, maybe we could burn them at the stake and peal their skin off, like their ancestors used to do."

Let's fix the spelling and focus on that last sentence:

"Maybe we could burn them at the stake and peel their skin off".



Umm, Louise, what the fuck is wrong with you? Really. What went so wrong in your life that this is your take on any situation, let alone one with a tad more nuance than your brain seems to be able to handle? Normally I would take this as an off-hand attempt at bad comedy, but your antipathy towards the Aboriginals makes your stance quite clear. You are to racism as Gary Bell is to lying. Committed, wrong, and unashamed.

Good for you.

So now, to quote you Louise, shut the fuck up.

Arguing With Dumb People is Exhausting

I will never learn to not poke the stupid people.

Over at Dr. Roy's blog, the foul-mouthed right-wing toady wonders if anyone on "the left" would denounce the killing of an army recruiter in Arkansas. Yes, one would wonder that as lefties have long called for the death of army recruiters.

Commenter Louise has this to say:

"Will the left denounce this? They'll probably secretly cheer it. They certainly won't be able to blame it on "Christianists". As well, Louise refuted the idea that anyone was cheering the death of Dr. George Tiller.

Already the burning stupid is making itself known. "They will probably secretly cheer it". The ultimate strawman; there will be no proof, but it will happen. As for blaming it on fundamental Christians, well, that is about as likely as blaming it on bald plumbers. We might blame religious fundamentalists, or religious fanatics, because that is what is happening here. The killer wasn't a lefty, unless fanatical muslims are suddenly turning away from their holy book and embracing the fascist/socialist/commie ways we lefties hold so dear.

Now, because I am dumb, I pointed out to Louise that a number of high profile bloggers, commenters, and media pundits have called for the death of Dr. George Tiller, or cheered his murder.

Here

Here

Here

Here

And, although she isn't but a blip on the blogsphere, I have to mention a true Christian and her contribution to the discussion. Debra M. Smith chooses to not only condemn Dr. Tiller, but his family as well:

"And I do not feel sorry for a family who loved a murderer. And I sure do NOT feel sorry for a church that had no problem allowing a murderer to attend."

But this is what we can expect for a lunatic who claims that people mistake her kindness for passiveness. One look at this douchebag's website will disavow the reader that Mrs. Smith has a kind bone in her hateful body.

But I digress...

Back to Louise, who's witty rejoinder to my request for some proof of her statements is that she really did mean "secretly". Thus spake Louise:

"Of course I won't be able to find lefty blogs that openly cheer the murder of an army recruiter."

Insert big sigh here. And, of course, she calls me stupid for calling her on her bullshit. Really, the fault is mine for "debating" this troglodyte. Mea culpa. Louise can say whatever she wants, add the word secretly, and claim victory without providing evidence. Utterly and brilliantly devious! Reminds me of someone...



It reminds me of the time Reggie said to Archie, "What if I told you that you could make $50 by dressing like a cow and selling milk for Pop Tate at the big game?" Oh the hilarity that would ensue as Archie pursued his goal, only to be told by Reggie that "I said what if?" Zoink! Chumped again.



Stupid Archie.