tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18231292562469198532024-02-08T07:02:44.412-08:00Heard from the Kitsune cloud Blog of a mildly rabid yet highly professional Vulpine.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11796730950647146245noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823129256246919853.post-23976369949623456942017-08-25T03:12:00.002-07:002017-08-28T13:05:10.502-07:00A fandom divided will not stand<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fox Crimson<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>08/25/17</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We live in very
trying times.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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There has been a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tremendous
schism </i>occurring within the furry community, and for that matter, the
greater breadth of postmodern Western society as a whole.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Although in the furry community much of the current debacle
can be seen conducting itself in various chat servers and social media
platforms, there are consequences to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>expressing
our socio-political views online as they can be prone to boiling over when we
encounter those who hold differing views while attending “furmeets” and
conventions where many <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">furries</i>
congregate. Messaging clients such as Discord and Telegram have become barometers
that indicate the value of our social capital, determined largely by how others
perceive our most controversial opinions and who we coordinate and organize our
social circles with. What we now find ourselves engaged in is quite literally a
war of information, spurred onward by our innate human sense of tribalism and
the need for validation from our peers. In this day and age, there are no
longer any communities of any real significance that exist in a bubble of
isolation or in a sphere of their own influence as they have all become
politically embroiled in the growing upheaval that has come to define the pressing
challenges of our time. The Berkley riots, Charlottesville, Phoenix, the
ongoing protests at Trump tower and elsewhere have all demonstrated that the
ideological divide in this country is as divergent as the Grand Canyon is wide.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the height of 2017 we have yet again reached
another turning point in our great American journey.</div>
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I speak first and foremost as an American but also as a member
of the ‘furry community’. I’m an Admin and chief networking officer for the Furry
Raiders and an original proponent of the tent movement known as the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">AltFurry</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve spent close to 20 years in this fandom,
having made in it, the most genuine friends of all races, creeds and orientations.
Let there be no doubt about it: These are my people.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Altfurry</i> is
heavily criticized from many different angles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some are vaguely dismissive toward us a ‘shitposters’ and ‘trolls’;
others simply cast us in a purely negative light as a ‘hate group’. Though
there is definitely an element of self-mocking absurdity to it all, upon closer
inspection, there is a far more substantive factor involved should one come to truly
understand what the motivating force behind A<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ltfurry is</i>, and the underlying, core ideology that it’s locus of
gravity is predicated upon. Chiefly being: Exposing the rhetoric, hatred and hypocrisy
within the furry community that is so commonly directed toward people who hold centrist,
conservative and libertarian values. After nearly a year on since its
emergence, ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Altfurry</i>’ has proven not
only does it have staying power, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but
that it has also come to represent a growing movement which has been slowly and
steadily gaining traction within the furry community. Some opponents might try
and label any sincere rallying cry we make for self-determination on our behalf
to be cringey …but we simply don’t care. It’ll last as long as it needs to. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As one might expect, there is variable overlap
with other groups (Notably Furry raiders) that some, but not all, might
identify with. As far as the extreme liberal leftist crowd in the furry
community is concerned, (Let’s call them “Leftistfurs” for the sake of brevity)
this distinction is a mere triviality that does not matter one iota. When it
comes to throwing us in the proverbial Gulag, we are all equally detestable and
we are all guilty by association. It’s safe to say that there is a large
portion of the furry community that simply does not care (or is otherwise oblivious
to) the dangerous extremist elements infesting this community; but it’s also
fairly evident and pretty accurate to say that the good majority of people who
identify as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">furry</i> are decidedly liberal
and, at the very least, sympathize with the tenants of modern progressivism,
socialism and yes, even in some cases, communism.</div>
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Having exhausted all their options in framing the narrative
in their favor and after encountering heavy resistance in the culture war (E.G:
Gamergaters, Alt-Furry, Alt-Brony, the rise of Trump supporters), they have as
a last resort, been compelled to label anyone and everyone supporting moderately
right-wing views as Nazi’s, racists, or any combination thereof to suit their
agenda. Even centrists of both liberal and conservative persuasions are not
immune to their harassment and are indiscriminately attacked by these people. One
does not even have to be an Altfurry or a Furry Raider to be targeted for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wrongthink</i>. In the furry community, this
is accomplished through online intimidation of dissenters as well as indoctrination
of newer members because if you do not tow the line for the establishment left,
you are effectively ostracized from involvement in certain social groups and you
are then marginalized with an unwarranted stigma forever hanging over your
head. Blacklists and censorship are the order of the day, methods which are practiced
by high profile individuals in the fandom who are keen to use these subversive authoritarian
tactics without discretion. They often have large followings and use this to
their advantage to shun those who do not support left-wing party views into
compliance. In the most extreme cases, this even includes those who do not blindly
accept communist ideology.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That conditions have
come to this, that an oppressive <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">purity
test</i> is being routinely performed en-masse by the liberal left within the
fandom to enforce exclusion of those beholden to right-wing counterpoints and
conservative thought, indicates that a very large swath of the furry community has
become little more than a resounding echo chamber that is entirely out of touch
with traditional American values and is in actuality, steadily losing ground
outside its confines, which, I should make very clear, are self-imposed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, I get it. We are a counter culture. The Furry Fandom
has been growing steadily since the first furry convention formed in 1989, but
as a consequence it has also become a much more diverse community since its
inception that now includes people with many different political views all
coming together to share the same general space. Furthermore, labeling those
you disagree with as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nazi’s </i>is not
merely slander; it is egregiously anti-Semitic toward members of the furry
raiders and alt-furry who are of Jewish background, myself included. This can rightfully
be extended to those who have Slavic, Polish, French and British background as
well. They were all victims of the Nazi regime, oh, I mean <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">actual</i> Nazis. I find it especially concerning when dyed in the wool
Nazi’s and racists begin coming out of the woodwork and are then painted out to
be a natural consequence of the conservative right gaining political power and
a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">logical extension</i> of Trump’s
America; but let’s keep pretending that a couple hundred knob-heads wielding Tiki-torches
represents the resurgence of fascism in modern America. Let’s be honest with
ourselves for once. They have always been there. They lurk in the shadows
because they are weak and cowardly and the recent controversy has only
emboldened them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">There are far many
more Communists in this fandom than Nazis.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The primary dilemma of our modern era has always been class
warfare due to monetary inequality. Communists mistakenly believe that this
discrepancy can by resolved by a workers revolution just like Russia had in 1917!
The fact is, Communism is a deeply flawed ideology which failed miserably and
spectacularly many times over the course of the 20<sup>th</sup> century, well
into the present day. Communism is a far more insidious threat owing largely to
its hollow promises for social equality and subtle platitudes about elevating
the working man and erasing the troublesome problem of bourgeois class
distinctions! When communism is put into practice in this regard, it is much
like a cold, blank steel slate in which all individuality and uniqueness in the
world gets reduced to a darker shade of gray to force “equality” upon all
social strata. They employ a sinister but effective method of reactionary
conditioning known as the Hegelian dialectic, a tactic of mass social manipulation
in which a thesis and antithesis are juxtaposed against one another to help
further a political agenda. Allow me to explain: A conflict is manufactured in
advance only to be intentionally ‘resolved’ by perpetuating a cycle of even more
conflict. The philosophy of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel had an enormous
influence on Karl Marx and in effect, the communist manifesto itself. The
dialectic begins with formulating an Agenda: We already know beforehand that
the long term nature of the agenda that these leftists wish to instill in
America involves consolidating their power under a socialist regime. A good
example of this tactic being put into use today would be the current conflict occurring
between the so called “Alt left” and “Alt right”. The opposition would have you
believe that the ‘Alt-left’ , composed of AntiFa, BLM, and other aggregate
leftist organizations are the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thesis</i>;
patriotic Americans fighting nobly for freedom and the emancipation of your civil
liberties by instigating protests (read: terror events that turn into riots) against
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">antithesis</i>, so called “Nazis”,
coercively re-associating a toxic label with the intent to encompass the entirety
of the right wing American political constituency to help achieve a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">synthesis</i>: a paradigm shift of political power which is ultimately
designed to undermine the current administration by shaking the foundations of our
society to the core. In order to help usher in this synthesis, that being a
socialist state (SOCJUS), adherents of cultural Marxism have taken to openly attacking
white, hetero-normativity with fanatical zeal and reckless abandon. Trump
supporters are the core demographic in reference here; the hard-working,
taxpaying backbone of Middle America.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Espousing support for cultural Marxism in the pedagogical
manner of the Frankfurt school will usually obtain you a free pass under the
current leftist media complex. There are many reasons for this, one being that communism
is not as explicit in its doctrine in exploiting division along the lines of racial
bias in a society for the impending establishment of an ethno-state. However,
they have no qualms about using this matter of contention to frame their
political adversaries in a negative light. Racism is a long standing issue whose
roots run deep in America, but instead, modern socialists will seek to exploit
this old wound. When Communism is put into practice it is generally more
concerned toward the end goal of instigating class-warfare by undermining
private ownership of assets and personal property, eventually seizing a state
run monopoly over the means of production. Free enterprise and private
ownership are among the core American principles that have always made this
nation great. However, the most powerful communist regimes were far, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">far</i> more oppressive during their establishment
and height of power than any other type of bureaucratic regime in human history, bar <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">none</i>; responsible for killing dozens
upon dozens of Millions more people than any fascist regime by method by of
mass purges. This was conducted by many communist regimes by implementing
forced starvation, death by exile, hangings, and firing squads. Over 100
million people were killed in both the USSR and the People’s Republic of China
for resisting the authority of the totalitarian state. The Tibetan people, of
whom I hold a very deep and personal spiritual solidarity with during my time
living there, are also victims of decades of communist oppression. This is
something I’ve witnessed first-hand and it resonates with me to this very day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That there are still Americans in 2017 who do not find the
Hammer and Sickle to be as oppressive a symbol as the Nazi Swastika displays to
me the utter stupidity, the most base and ignorant level of derangement
imaginable in our society that I balk at the notion that they breathe the same
air as I do. These are the exact types of individuals in Western society that Joseph
Stalin would have called “Useful idiots.” That there are still people who cling
to the notion that Communism isn’t as lethal to the human condition as Nazism is
something I find exceptionally abhorrent and a notable failure in our public
educational system for not properly conveying the innumerable atrocities
committed by communists over the course of modern history. The irony in all
this mess? I support *both* of these groups freedom to take to the streets,
protest, and wave the symbols of their filthy trash ideologies above their
heads while personally maintaining support for neither one. Let them finish
each other off and be done with it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
find it more comforting that they protest openly in broad daylight so that we
know just who these people are; but remember, there is only one faction in this
debacle that goes out of their way to hide their identities by wearing black
ninja masks while the other side very often chooses not to.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The dishonest media.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look, there are still many people who have yet to realize
the penultimate goal of the establishment mainstream media is to keep the
general public distracted and divided against itself. They accomplish this by taking
advantage of our delicate human emotions. They feed like vultures off of our
limited attention spans and propensity to disagree with one another when it
comes to how we cope with our most controversial moral and political issues that
are subjective to our own interpretation and moral compass…or lack thereof. By focusing
on the statistically miniscule lunatic fringe of various “alt-right” groups
like White supremacists, National vanguard, ANP, KKK, etc; the mainstream media
shifts the narrative and lends credence to the overwhelming violence
perpetuated by criminal thugs like BLM and Antifa, effectively handing them the
false pretense of a moral high ground.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why do they do this? It’s very simple, really: By dissolving
the identity of the new conservative ‘right’ and aligning everyone right of
center with National <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Socialism</i> (A
leftist ideology) the Fake News Media manufactures a false dichotomy that panders
explicitly to its base and exonerates the authoritarian left because they are
predominately <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">owned and operated</i> by
these very same authoritarian leftists. These are liberal Plutocrats and Democratic
Party coastal elites who seek to divide and conquer western society by proxy using
the alt-left like pawns as their militant wing and using CNN, MSNBC and many
other news media outlets as their propaganda arm. They’ll condone the violent
actions of these groups while simultaneously keeping them at arm’s length should
they get too far out of control so that they can claim plausible deniability when
their affinity for them is put under too much scrutiny. The media is more than
happy to constantly call out the Alt-right as ‘white supremacists’…but you’ll
almost never, ever hear them reference Alt-left groups like AntiFa and others
in league with them, as communists and communists sympathizers…instead they are
called ‘peace activists’. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When your political opposition is being pushed to the extremes
and labeled as Nazis you can easily garner kneejerk reactions from an otherwise
docile and largely uneducated viewing audience into accepting your distorted
vision of reality because the opponents presented to you on the screen are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">literally Nazis</i> and that fact should be
enough to never be questioned. Charlottesville in particular was one such
fiasco: A false-flag operation that was a setup from the very start to be intentionally
put under a microscope for the media so that they could hone in on some of the
most degenerate members of our society (on many sides) who showed up to wreak
havoc. The Confederate memorial being taken down was the bait and the Alt-left
and Alt-right protestors were the test subjects. As a result of this social
experiment 19 people were injured and several people died as collateral. This event
has been used as justification by various media sources, CEO’s, website owners
and social media companies to further undermine the rights and liberties of
American citizenry and ramp up censorship of right-leaning groups in chat rooms
and servers, thereby putting a muzzle on opinions which have been bold enough challenge
the establishment media. Does that mean
that ‘Alt-rock’ is now a genre of music listened to by Neo-Nazi’s?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give me a break.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The hysteria has
reached a fever pitch.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s remove the many veils of irony for a moment. If we are
to objectively examine this issue we must also be candid in how we address its
root causes. Personally, I would not ever be in favor of bringing politics into
the furry fandom by way of overtly broadcasting my affiliation in a convention
space or a furmeet. This means waving political banners around, wearing party
paraphernalia, spreading political pamphlets to con-goers, holding political
panels at cons or going out of my way to begin shaming those people, publically
or personally, because they voted for a candidate that I did not support. Even
though it is well within my right to do so, I simply do not care to introduce
such things in a convention space. The furry social scene was always better
when politics were not at the forefront. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think most of us will agree that the essence
of being a furry means limitless expression and being true to yourself; however
for some of these backward thinking people, being a furry and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">simply expressing </i>a political opinion
openly on a social media platform otherwise constitutes“bringing politics into
the fandom”, most especially if it is not of the acceptable liberal persuasion.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is for these reasons that I can say with renewed
confidence that the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">new right</i> is
intrinsically more progressive and in league with upholding our individual
freedoms rooted in a love for peace, liberty and humanism than many liberal
leftists have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ever</i> been capable of.
It is so unfortunate that the term ‘progressive’ has come to be associated with
modern liberalism since I’ve found that the meaning behind this word is a genuine
value which is much more widely cherished by the American right and the vast
majority of Trump supporters, since they are the ones most likely to embrace
it. The new-right upholds our #2A rights to bear arms, stability of a
homogenous society without forced replacement from dangerous refugees, stable
families, unparalleled economic freedom, balancing the trade deficit with
global superpowers like China so that we grow our economy and claim our manifest
destiny to remain world leaders rather than world followers. It is in this way
that we can better our lives and flourish as a nation. This is what putting
America first <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">means</i> and this is best
accomplished by the precepts underlined by free enterprise and capitalism.
There has also been a push for renewed acceptance of the LGBTQ community by a new
generation of Republicans and right-leaning groups disavowing the religious
zealotry of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">far right</i> which once
defined the initiative of the old party and its warmongering Neocon leaders of
days past. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Alt-Right’</i> was
shaping up to be a movement for young conservatives, galvanized from 4chan’s /pol/
board, Reddit, and many other communities, coming together to Make America
Great Again while celebrating their heritage and sharing Pepe Memes before it
was hijacked by white nationalists in the wake of the 2016 election. The
designator ‘Alt-right’ has become tarnished ever since.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The very presence of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Altfurry</i>
is a firm repudiation to the spread of subversive activist groups like AntiFa, radical
3rd wave intersectional feminists and Black lives matter which have in recent
years gained a firm foothold in this fandom. These groups have since come under
the umbrella term ‘Alt-Left’, thanks in large part to president Trump’s more
recent press comments in calling them out by name and condemning them after the
Charlottesville riot. These are radical groups that, at their core, eschew
tolerance and free expression while promoting anarchy in their twisted agenda of
spreading anti-American rhetoric. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The collectivist group-think on public display by
Leftistfurs is not unlike a hive-mind. Behaving like moronic, selfish children which
have clustered together into a loosely knit gathering of cliques with a sort of
herd mentality, they are unable to think critically or form thoughts
independent of the host consensus, else they be deemed improper and politically
incorrect; partially out of fear of exclusion perhaps, but also out of a severe
lack of foresight and inability to challenge the status quo from some of their
less intelligent stratum lest they should come under scrutiny from their peers.
They are cry-bullies and insecure cowards with a perpetual victim complex who
often flaunt their LGBTQ and/or racial minority status as proverbial shield in
a futile attempt to deflect from their lack of moral integrity and myriad shortcomings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the greatest consequence of their
hypocrisy is that these people have been quite faithfully emulating the
divisive tactics used by the ‘burned furs’ nearly 20 years ago. By their audacious
claims that right leaning furries and others like the Altfurry and furryraiders
are not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">true </i>furries, they only serve
to prove us all right and shelter themselves in an allegorical Plato’s cave of
their own design. They see form where there are only shadows, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and literal Nazi’s</i> were there are only
ghosts of the past, ignoring the visceral substance of the greater outside
world and its assortment of conflicting opinions, counterpoints and alternative
ideas that would expose their hypocrisy for what it is, should it blind them
instead.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Altfurry,</i> acts not
only as a social calling card, but mobilizes a force to hold them accountable to
their own violent rhetoric as well. There is a noticeable pattern that begins
to emerge when dealing with individuals beholden to such views. Whether on
their Furaffinity pages or twitter accounts, they are so lacking in
individuality and desperate for some semblance of validation that they often
use pronouns as their primary means of identity, hash tagged with any
combination of the aforementioned alt-left groups and are just utterly brimming
with their eagerness to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Punch Nazi’s
(Ergo, anyone who opposes them). Their icons and art often appear harmless and
innocuous, with pastel palettes and rounded contours that are almost childlike
in their design imitating this “slice of life” artistic style while taking
great pride in being <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">furry trash. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whereas ISIS and the DPRK epitomize the external boogeymen
that keep Baby Boomers up at night until the FoxNews story about the latest
missile launch finishes airing at 11PM, the more overt threat to our Western
society takes shape in the form of financially driven Russian Oligarchs and
Chinese lords of business manipulating our currency to skew global trade in
their favor while building crude oil pipelines in through the wastes of
unstable middle Eastern nations, consolidating their resources. We have
internal fractures which have taken shape, among them, AntiFa, BLM, anarcho-communists,
and other subversive groups (PETA , Black Bloc etc.) have become the visible branches
of this destabilization. I’m of the strongest conviction that these Alt-left
groups represent the greatest <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">innermost</i>
threat to our society and the continuity of western civilization as a whole.
They are of the most delinquent social strata which promote open borders and the
illusory fantasy of a classless hegemony which would inevitably result in an
oppressive society governed by left-wing technocrats and despots. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can thank George Soros in large part for
funding these groups and bussing them into major cities to upset protests and
spark riots so that the general public remains at perpetual war with itself. The
furry fandom is just one of many communities in which this radical leftist
disease has festered. Gamergaters, youtube commentators and even Google
employees have all been victims of this type of silencing. The technocrats in
charge of these media platforms have the ability control what you see and hear,
so it stands to reason that they therefore gain tremendous influence on what
you say and think. Make no mistake, the Hegelian dialectic tactic that cultural
Marxists employ is very much in effect here. When your platform for spreading a
message gets pulled out from under you by people in power who disagree with
your ideas and opinions, the exchange of ideas being shared atrophies and a
society of oppression inevitably emerges, degrading in an ever downward spiral,
a race to the bottom of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">who can be the
biggest victim?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite his wildly successful comedy show, (which drew in huge
crowds might I remind you) Anthrocon’s decision to remove “2 Gryphon” has
ruined his career and severely limited his opportunities within the Furry Fandom. This is an entire matter in itself involving petty
boardroom politics conspiring against him that I won’t get into the details of regarding
how this man’s name was dragged through the mud, but I freely encourage anyone
to hear his story. This presents us with a prime example of just how adversely
someone’s life can be affected when social justice warriors smell blood in the
water; they have gone off the rails and fostered an environment of exclusion in
this community. This is a talented man who had the most popular performance
show at the largest furry convention in the world for many years running. There
are many leftist zealots who have labeled his comedy routine as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hatespeech</i> when in reality, it was
simply w<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rongthink</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me take a brief moment to address the appearance of Magnus,
otherwise known colloquially as the ‘Confederate flag fursuiter’ at Anthrocon: Having
never met him personally I couldn’t even say with any degree of certainty on
whether or not I would get along with him, but that’s not at all the point: His
God Given right to freedom of speech and expression must be upheld without
exception. It is not only intolerant <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i>
to support Magnus constitutional right to free expression, it is strictly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">UnAmerican.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
…but that’s entirely relevant because the people in question
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> very much ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">UnAmerican</i>’ either without realizing it, or, in many cases, taking
pride in it by their own admission. Indeed, this is not solely because they
protest and practice dissent, but<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>because they routinely harass, label and punish others who exercise
their 1<sup>st</sup> amendment rights in a public space that they mistakenly
believe to be zone free of iconography that they disagree with or find
unpalatable. Furry fandom began as a distinctly American phenomenon before
spreading throughout the developed western world, but the American way of life
of promoting that precise, inalienable concept of freedom to express ourselves
the way we want is paramount to this fandom even getting off the ground to
begin with. Whether or not these Leftistfurs will ever succeed in seeing the
hypocrisy of their own words and actions is very much in doubt, yet still
reflects poorly on them all the same.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Regardless of one’s personal feelings on the matter, the
adults in the room understand that the Confederate battle flag is an important
part of U.S history. The Confederate battle flag was never the official battle
flag of the Confederacy during the civil war, instead being flown by Veterans
of the war long after it had ended. Instead, it has come to take on new
significance and represent an amalgamation of modern southern culture that many
people who aren’t living in the south still remain ignorant about to this very
day. The current frenzy of tearing down monuments to the past reeks of another <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cultural revolution</i> parallel to 1960’s
China: Yes our past is very often painful, but you are not going to usher in a
great era of peace and prosperity by destroying and defacing the symbols that
hearken back to that era; it will only further the division, incite violence,
and create a world like George Orwell envisioned in 1984 where the script of
history has been re-written and sugarcoated to appeal to modern liberal
sensibilities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It remains to be seen if the current generation coming of
age under the Trump administration will further succumb to the pitfalls and
platitudes of ‘social justice’ as the pendulum will inevitably swing back hard
in favor of liberty and the traditional American way. They must also realize
that there will always be authoritarian individuals in organizations like AntiFa
and BLM opening their arms to the forgotten and rejected youth, trying to control
them by offering them a place to belong that their families may not ever have
given them and the support network that we all deeply crave as humans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the furry fandom, these groups have taken
great strides in their attempts to hold sway over impressionable young minds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the expense of insulting their perceived social validation
which, outside of their echo chambers, I would like to remind everyone, is
essentially worthless, I have come to a pretty strong conclusion. If there is
to be one takeaway from this article, let it be this: The ideological divide is
too vast and the convictions and values too dissimilar, that achieving an
understanding founded on mutual respect and common ground with Leftistfurs
simply on the premise of being a ‘furry’ is impossible; we may as well be
living on two different worlds while seeing reality through completely different
filters. There can be no reconciliation with one another. Leftistfurs will
continue to insist, out of misplaced hubris to save face in front of their
peers, that anyone not sharing in their group-think mentality must be labeled
as Nazis and must not only be silenced, but attacked for it as well. Altfurry,
FurryRaiders, and many, many other Furries unaffiliated with either one of
these groups often strive to take this community in a direction that promotes true
tolerance for all people while upholding free speech and expression regardless
of political affiliation without having to play into identity politics. Conversely,
we have a voracious opposition in this fandom that forcibly strives to take it
in an entirely different direction, one that actively seeks to censor,
blacklist, and publically endorse witch hunts against those they consider to be
transgressors. There is even a vocal and militant minority within the greater
berth of that opposition who have been caught red-handed in their secret
telegram chatroom, musing over making death threats and mail-bombs because they
believe there is a certain Fox in this fandom which they believe to be the
literal incarnation of Hitler. I don’t take any pleasure in the fact that many
of these people were probably bullied growing up and that by banding together
to bully others who don’t think as they do, somehow gives them the excuse to
feel validated. Social justice doctrine is an oppressive method of leftist
conditioning that puts artificial limits on what is and isn’t permissible,
which is why it is so distressing when liberal bias in the fandom begins to
dictate convention policy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There exists a sense of curiosity and scrutiny by
‘outsiders’ to the furry community, but only the loudest and most raucous
voices within tend to get heard by these outsiders, which is one reason why RollingStone
magazine ran an article about “Nazis in the furry fandom” rather than the
substantially greater presence of communists in the fandom. Leftistfurs are a
fanatical and much maligned group of people that cannot be dealt with sincerely
and since we disagree so fundamentally, any interaction with them often takes
place under the pretense of multiple layers of irony (hence, the spontaneous
appearance of “Deo-twitter” as a counter effect to mock her radical communist
style censorship and malicious attitude toward Altfurry and Furry Raiders) but it
is also through a combination of their condescension, arrogance and hubris that
makes them oblivious to their own hypocrisy. One need only look as far as
“Dogpatch Press” to see a blogger masquerading as a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">furry news source</i> and come to the conclusion that this community
lacks a source of objective journalism; instead, we are treated to a
delightfully adolescent imitation of journalism with extreme liberal bias and
less credibility than a gossip tabloid like the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">National Enquirer</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Donald
Trump would put it: “You are Fake news!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fact is, in the real world these people perpetuating the
radical ideologies I’m talking about are still very much a fringe minority and
that is a major reason why they are scared on a subconscious level. The
Alt-Left in particular, has been in the midst of a meltdown. The Democratic
Party has been in total disarray. They are lashing out like a wounded animal
that has been cornered. The historic election of Donald Trump mass triggered
them and put them in a panic-mode, further exacerbated by the wave of Trump
supporters and swelling ranks of right-leaning conservatives, showing us that,
outside their safe havens of predominately liberal cities, they are a dwindling
demographic and an unwanted one at that. The presence of Altfurry and its
expansion only adds fuel to that fire. In the furry fandom however, (which is
something of a societal microcosm) they tend to have more social leverage on
group policy by forming a distinct hierarchy of inclusive groups within the
larger social hegemony which is why the appearance and growing preponderance of
Altfurry, furry raiders, and others becoming so bold and outspoken while
simultaneously generating renewed controversy and gaining new adherents has disturbed
them to such a high degree. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What they
fear most, above all else, are these liberty loving groups making their voices
heard and becoming a more substantial presence in the fandom, thereby altering
its course, inextricably, into a flourishing artistic community unhindered by the
vicious subterfuge commonly utilized by Leftistfurs. Long have they been touting
their militant brand of social justice and Cultural Marxism, which in practice,
only deepens the divide in this community as it promotes exclusion, shame,
ridicule and guilt.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve never personally witnessed such hostility as that which
has been directed toward Foxler Nightfire, Magnus (Confederate flag fursuiter)
and my fellow members of Altfurry. I’ve got a message for anyone paying
attention who may be a member of AntiFa or among the peanut gallery of
Leftistfurs perpetuating the “punch Nazis” trend going around in the fandom: This
vilification and demagoguery by you and your ilk will not stand. It stinks of elitism
within the fandom and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we will never back
down</i>. This is not *your* fandom to gate-keep and you do not get to call the
shots. This is a fandom for everyone, and that means people with views and
opinions different to yours; and if your precious snowflake feelings get hurt
along the way, then that’s tough shit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">In closing</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am a firm believer that liberty must be proactively fought
for by any means necessary, otherwise it is to be put in direct danger of being
eroded and swept away. Many centrists and liberals who would otherwise not
affiliate with any group will always get caught up in the frenzy for holding beliefs
contrary to the extremist wing, should they gain a modicum of power. One
important guideline that must be established is that the furry fandom is not a
haven exclusive for people who hold political perspectives left of center. I
have many liberal furry friends and may not agree with them on every point, however
for those I know personally, we can still respectfully disagree on certain
issues and still remain close friends. There is a deep flaw in human nature, and
it is that we often see issues strictly in a black and white context, with each
opposing “Side” being equally at fault. Alt-left, Alt-right…both are highly
polar opposites that can be taken to extremes. There are even extremes in Alt-centrism
since any position you assume can be taken to its logical extremes and it is in
that moment that you lose the fundamental message and the ability to begin
affecting change on a large scale. You denigrate yourself and others by
subscribing to fanaticism. Anytime a movement grows in number it will
inevitably attract such extremists joining the ranks which the opposition will
always take advantage of to use as propaganda in their favor, eagerly highlighting
these extremist outliers to purposely re-brand the entire group. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is why we must remain steadfast in our convictions, promoting
liberty without censorship while not just advocating American exceptionalism,
but taking <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">refuge </i>in it as a bastion
to spread Anglo-Saxxon enlightenment principles worldwide. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So many </i>of
the youth today do not realize how many countless patriots shed their blood for
the liberty which they often take for granted. Communists, in particular, hate
America and always have since Marx and Engels concocted the communist
manifesto. It may at first seem like they are an easy group to mock due to
their limited numbers, but these modern anarcho-communists (Such as black bloc)
are not yet a viable enough force to affect change on a mass scale primarily
because they are restricted to liberal sanctuary cities largely on the west
coast and elsewhere…but that makes them no less dangerous. Socialist mayors of
these sanctuary cities and liberal judges defying federal mandate by
encouraging asylum for illegal immigration, giving also, free range for these
anarcho-communists by letting them run wild and hindering law enforcement from
doing their job in curbing them, are among the most imminent internal threats
to the stability of this country. Communists are a shadow of what they used to
be, especially in the western world, and insofar as much as them having any
political prominence they are only influential in extremist circles; however anyone
who is savvy to modern history understands that communists have a long track
record of committing atrocities once their numbers reach a critical mass and especially
when they are presented with the opportunity to seize power within a country.
Young furries only have to look as far as Cuba and Venezuela to understand just
how deadly socialism can be for a country when going unchecked and just how drastically
such a regime would restrict the Gender identities and LGBTQ rights that they
so passionately cherish. Unless you want to get rounded up by a Castro-esque
Cuban militia and shot for being a homosexual, subversive capitalist…take pride
in your country by becoming a patriot. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though I personally lean moderate-right <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and share certain “progressive”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and libertarian sentiments with many Millennials
today, my philosophy has always been one of balance and equanimity to as much a
degree as possible. There will always be a level of social tension present in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">any</i> society but I firmly believe that
spreading Western principles helps create the foundation for an ideal civilization,
not a utopia per-se, but an open society to as much a degree as possible that
advocates upward mobility and free enterprise which are just several of the ingredients
that lend itself well to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real </i>prosperity. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The furry fandom is
not some singular, monolithic institution by which any one individual can be
‘ousted’ from unless they are members of certain group whose de-facto leaders have
come to a consensus about their involvement. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when the leaders in question have
control over the wider public domain of a convention space that attracts
thousands of people, the very real possibility of exclusion gauged on one’s political
leaning or involvement with the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Altfurry</i>
for example, would oppress many people, thereby driving down convention
attendance and eventually become little more than a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">stagnant circle-jerk</i>. Such a fandom would be incredibly restrictive,
stifling creativity to such an extent that it would wither on the vine, inevitably
fragmenting into multiple social scenes with such disparate views that they may
as well be altogether divided. Altfurry has successfully exposed the vitriol of
leftist furs that have been screen capped showing a desire to kill police,
construct bombs, bring weapons to conventions, and have been caught discussing
methods of premeditated murder toward Foxler Nightfire. Any sane community
would normally decry such vile harassment that it be condemned in the strongest
terms, but lo and behold, there is an entire league of brainwashed furries that
turn a blind eye to it and some even encourage that this be celebrated with a
twisted sense of justification.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is important to understand that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Altfurry</i> is not, nor ever has been, a separate entity from the
‘furry fandom’ proper, but a wide and varied group of individualists who share a
more tolerant and expressive vision of what should define the furry community. Our
immediate goal should be long term growth by boosting our numbers, attracting
more right-leaning furs into the fandom while providing an open and inviting
refugee for younger furries who are just joining the fandom so that they may express
themselves without feeling alienated or incurring unwarranted shame and
bullying. There are still many that fail to understand that it is not
‘alt-right’ extremism either, but a counterweight to rampant Leftism. You don’t
have to support Trump or any other public figure to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Altfurry</i> or even a Furry Raider; you don’t even have to have right
wing political views exclusively. You can be black, gay, straight, transgender,
Native-American, aboriginal, Christian or Muslim, a left winger or a right
winger: It doesn’t matter. All that is necessary, in my mind, is to advocate
support for a fandom free of censorship and without hatred based on your
political stance…and perhaps most importantly, an ability to love spicy memes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Change starts with maintaining objective and unbiased convention
leadership that promotes free speech and expression. Altfurry must take an
active role in expanding its literary and art content, as well as its superior
meme generation to encompass a wider swath of the fandom. This proliferation
will help bring the community into balance by ensuring that leftist radicals
are kept far at the margins of the community and reminded that their tactics of
bullying others over their political choices and how they choose to exercise
their freedom of speech and expression is something that will never be
tolerated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I leave you with a quote from Aldous Huxley that I find to
be more relevant today than ever before:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The Surest way to work up a crusade in favor of some good
cause is to promise people they will have a chance of maltreating someone. To
be able to destroy with good conscience, to be able to behave badly and call
your bad behavior ‘righteous indignation’-this is the height of psychological
luxury, the most delicious of moral treats.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for reading.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Fox Crimson</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11796730950647146245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823129256246919853.post-78074488179885830332017-04-15T22:15:00.000-07:002017-04-17T12:19:26.047-07:00On the closure of RMFC and the rise of the Alt-Furry<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Recent events which have unfolded within the furry fandom have
generated renewed media interest in our community smacking of sensationalist
headlines from news outlets such as The Daily Beast claiming <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/04/13/neo-nazis-are-tearing-apart-the-furry-world.html" target="_blank">“Neo-Nazi’s are tearing the furry world apart”</a> and The dailymail.co.uk with its cringe inducing
headline: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4412692/Neo-Nazi-furries-uproar-causes-convention-cancelation.html" target="_blank">The furred Reich: Furry annual convention cancelled amid community’s bitter divisions over rise of alleged neo-Nazi ‘Mr Foxler’ and the ‘Altfur’ movement”</a>. Even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rolling Stone</i> picked up on the fur-flying
drama with its own hot take: <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/does-the-furry-community-have-a-nazi-problem-w476466" target="_blank">“Does the furry community have a Nazi problem?”</a> Of
course, the news media never picks up on stories about how much money furries
have donated to charitable causes like veterans associations and animal welfare
organizations. Let’s completely ignore the sheer amount of revenue our tourism
has brought to major cities that have played host to our conventions when they
are in full swing, not to mention the unbridled happiness we bring unto others with
our jovial antics, but I digress. Such stories would never earn enough views
for these sites because they’re examples of feel-good drivel that most people
only pretend to want; they aren’t the juicy, misinformed click-bait articles
that the mainstream press and its rabid audience of normies so desperately craves.
The aftermath of this latest debacle has resulted in the closure of a
significant furry convention which was held yearly in Denver CO and has shaken
the furry community to its core. The RMFC (Rocky Mountain Fur-Con) fiasco is
our latest example of an intra-community schism that had developed largely on social
media platforms (Primarily twitter) and telegram chat rooms before
metastasizing like a cancer into the real world and having very real
consequences once the authorities got involved.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By now, most of you reading this article know the gist of
the story: Back in January of this year, an attention seeking communist
sympathizer named @DeoTasDevil made violent threats (Which were investigated by
the authorities and deemed credible) on twitter about punching “Nazis” that was
then countered by one “@Oliviameles” who responded with an ambiguous comment
along the lines of watching someone shoot Deo in self-defense if they were to
be punched. Subsequently, Deo was rightfully banned from attending RMFC by one
of its staff members for having made this threat to punch ‘Nazi’s’ along with reasoning
that claimed that the threat qualified as an “Incite to riot”. However, the ban
notice was delivered in a very unprofessional matter. Seeking no legal
consultation and drafting a ‘cease and desist’ letter signed in red-ink with a red
thumb-print suggesting sovereign citizenship, a man who staffed RMFC, one
“Kendal Ray Emery”, who goes by the furry name ‘Kahuki’ decided it was a good
idea to mail this mockery of a ‘C&D’ letter to Deo’s place of residence using
vaguely worded, intimidating quasi law-speak. It didn’t help matters that he
(Kahuki) also has a criminal record as an underage sex offender and regardless
of whether or not that fact has anything to do with the situation at hand,
RMFC’s con chair and board of directors should have thought twice about keeping
this man on staff to save face for the sake of maintaining its public image…or
whatever it had left of one. These are furries we are talking about, after all.
There were also allegations that RMFC continued to operate as a non-profit
organization even after its permit to do so had long since expired; the
allegation continues that the RMFC board of directors took advantage of this
tax-exempt status and continued to operate as a non-profit for the purposes of
tax evasion. RMFC will be remembered as a poorly managed convention that
succumbed to a litany of bad press and mounting legal issues which were
directly tied in to its rising security costs in excess of $20,000 as a result
of these twitter threats which the authorities deemed enough of a valid concern
as to provide a security detail that RMFC was unable to afford. Soon afterward
on April 10<sup>th</sup> 2017, RMFC announced its closure in a press release on
its main website.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fact of the matter is that the entire debacle is a
dumpster-fire on both sides and nearly everyone involved is at fault. There is
next to nothing in terms of integrity worth salvaging when it comes to RMFC and
how its board members handled this incident, let alone how they ran the con into
the ground in recent years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s worth
noting that this was a convention that nearly collapsed in on itself back in
2009 due to its inability to meet room-block requirements before it was bailed
out only through the grace of its supporters and staff in the form of large
donations that kept it going for as many years as it did.</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Enter “Foxler” and the “Furry Raiders”</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
So along comes a man dressed in a Fursuit that many choose to
perceive as sporting a “Nazi Uniform”. His name is ‘Foxler’ and his foxy fursona
is complete with a black paw-print logo stitched onto an armband with a red and
white background that loosely resembles a “Nazi Armband” (Which makes for great
sensationalist media fodder) causing many Antifa (Anti-fascists) within the
furry community to lose their collective shit, taking it upon themselves to harass
and attack him based solely on his provocative getup. In 2016, Foxler, who
is also the de-facto leader of the ‘Furry Raiders’, overbooked 20 room
reservations at the Crowne<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plaza Denver airport
which hosted the final RMFC. He was then accused by some members of the furry
community of buying up these room blocks in order to scalp them and leverage
control over attendees. There was an outcry within the community that desperately
tried to label this action as a ‘putsch’. As ‘2 The Ranting Griffin’ pointed
out last year, the Furry raiders appropriately handled the situation by calling
the hotel and cancelling the room reservations due to the overbooking mistake.
This caused a great furor in the community, with many claiming that the ‘Furry
Raiders’ were a ‘Neo Nazi’ group.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are many people within the furry community who accuse Foxler,
(whose last name is “Miller”) of having a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fursona
</i>that is supportive of, and synonymous with, Adolf Hitler. Yet Foxler has
openly claimed that he is not a Nazi and in no way supports Hitler, rather, insisting
that his name is a combination of ‘Fox’ and his last name ‘Miller.’ It is worth
noting that Foxler was rejected in the past by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">actual neo-Nazi’s</i> for being both gay and a furry. The furry raiders
also sell rainbow armbands which RMFC had banned the previous year. Yes, that’s
right. The furry raiders wear rainbow variations of Foxler’s iconic armband that
look <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">vaguely </i>similar to a Nazi
armband. What could possibly be more terrifying? Social justice snowflakes
apparently feel so gravely threatened by this iconography that they’ve lost their
minds and went on a limb to target him and anyone else they see as remotely “toxic”,
especially those daring enough to artistically express themselves or are beholden
to right-wing views. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not the
first time a schism of this magnitude has occurred within the furry community.
The current state of the furry fandom does draw very similar parallels to the
‘Burned Furs’ debacle of 1998-2001 that tore the fandom apart and resulted in a
very embarrassing media frenzy. For anyone unfamiliar with this event, consult
the <a href="http://en.wikifur.com/wiki/Burned_Furs" target="_blank">following article.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
RMFC foundered because it was a weak and poorly managed
convention, but the question we must also ask ourselves is if it is acceptable
for radicalized attention seeking individuals to continue to commit libel
against others and then threaten to assault them based solely on how they dress
or choose to represent themselves? Or perhaps, because their political views are
right of center and they are apparently, you know, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ACTUAL NAZI’S”?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The obvious answer is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">of
course not.</i><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is it healthy for our community to vent this way until the
hysteria inevitably burns itself out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Only time will tell.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Allegations of ‘Neo Nazism’ proliferating in the furry
fandom are little more than a distraction from the core issues we are facing
and a convenient smoke screen for authoritarian leftists to hide behind. The
problem was never ‘Nazi’s in the fandom’, but SJW’s labeling others as “Nazi’s”
with impunity. Make no mistake: The heart of the matter is ultimately one of deeply
rooted social and political differences manifesting themselves. The symptomatic
issues we are now experiencing in the furry community is indicative of a far
larger cultural shift occurring worldwide, notably, a reaction to the rise of
populism, conservatism and a nationalist surge that continues to gain momentum.
In truth, the furry fandom is embattled by the same social and political challenges
that affect any large community that has managed to attain a worldwide reach.
It just so happens that this occurs in the furry fandom on a much smaller scale.
Even as the witch-hunt of ‘Neo Nazi’s in the community turns out to be a red
herring, the allegations of tax evasion concerning RMFC may in time prove far
more credible.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/amid-allegations-of-unpaid-taxes-neo-nazism-and-sex-offender-denver-furry-convention-canceled" target="_blank">Sources cited for the main story first reported on by the Denver channel 7.</a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Who are the alt-furry, you might ask?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
As one of the early adopters of the ‘Alt-furry’ movement shortly
after it formed in November 2016, I can attest to its rise to prominence within
the furry community firsthand. A certain ‘Pooka’ going by the name“@TheQuQu”
built up a support base using the #Altfurry hashtag on twitter, soon becoming
the main press contact associated with the movement after releasing <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a series of YouTube videos, eventually
culminating an interview that legitimate news websites picked up on, which is linked in <a href="http://www.castaliahouse.com/interview-the-ququ-and-dan-wolfgang/" target="_blank">the following article</a>. Altfurry’s “@Azu_Rayn” also had a major role in
proliferating the message of altfurry on social media and producing these
videos which many in the furry community at first saw as a joke, but alarmed
the leftist opposition when it began to gain traction. One thing still remains
very clear and that is just how many people, even within the furry community at
large, fail to grasp the sheer irony involved with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">altfurry</i> as it began primarily as a reactionary movement whose
purpose was to mock the extreme far left elements that had cropped up in the
fandom in recent years. SJW’s, BLM sympathizers, punks, anarcho-communists and
the like began whining louder than ever before following Trump’s victory on
November 9<sup>th</sup> 2016. In the wake of Trump’s inauguration and the
Berkley riots earlier this year, these fanatical leftists began demanding
concessions that spilled over into the furry community. The more virulent among
them began using passive-aggressive tactics to insult and shun anyone who
didn’t adhere to their worldview. Some artists and small businesses have openly
stated that they will not produce work for Trump supporters and while they are
perfectly within their legal right to do just that, their actions still represent
an unfortunate byproduct of just how extensively poisonous a small but vocal
band of SJW’s have soured the well for everyone involved. They are oblivious to
the atmosphere of hypocrisy they have created, preaching the message of a
tolerant and open furry community while ostracizing those they disagree with in
a bid to control furry-run events and public spaces (conventions) all part of
the greater culture war being waged in modern America.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
No, not all ‘alt-furry’s support president Trump, though
many do. However, from what I’ve seen, most have a tendency toward varying
degrees of conservatism in their political stances and uphold the core tenets
of many right-leaning views. Some still maintain support for Rand Paul or Ted
Cruz, while many others simply do not care one iota when it comes to the American
political landscape, partaking in the altfurry shenanigans for reasons all
their own. It is said that the opposition to altfurry necessitates the need for
altfurry, and this proclamation thus became our iconic rallying cry:<br />
<br />
“This is
why we need Altfurry.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ideally, politics should really have little to no place in
the furry fandom, but, by that same token, being a furry means unabashedly being
yourself and staying true to who you are. Whether or not others agree with
those political sentiments does nothing to hinder how we choose to voice them.
Self-actualization encompasses our right to form our own political opinion
without reprisal. Speaking personally, my ethics, convictions and values are an
integral part of my identity and since ‘Furry’ is a vehicle for self-expression;
they both come part and parcel of what defines me as much as it does for anyone
else. In right-wing furry circles there is a strong undercurrent that promotes
the embracing of American values, patriotism, capitalism, traditional American
culture as well as European history and culture in the Anglo-sphere. In large
part, there is a repudiation of political Islamism which is seen as a foreign
threat that is incompatible with our way of life. There is a prevailing sense
of nationalism, but also a rejection of the ‘old guard’ Republican values with
its bible-thumping evangelical religious zealotry, bigotry and prudishness. Hence,
the ‘alt’ right began in large part by the youth (Gen X and Millennials) as an alternative
to the stale conservatism of the past before being co-opted. “Altfurry” has
thus become something of a furry analogue to GamerGate and “Frog-Twitter”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many in the rank of Altfurry are strongly pro
LGBT, while others are generally tolerant of, or at most, indifferent to gay
rights issues along with other typical ‘left’ leaning issues such as
environmentalism and socialized healthcare. There are plenty of people within
‘altfurry’ as well as ‘Furry raiders’ that openly embrace many of these so-called
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘liberal’ issues and support civil liberties
and open tolerance as there is always room for overlap. Radicals on both sides rarely
choose to see individuals as mosaics beholding to a complex web of moderate
views, but rather, wish to project their own image of the opposition to the
extremes delineating in stark contrasts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not wish to see the nuanced views we
support that give us agency, partly out of laziness, but also out of political
expediency: It’s easier to justify punching someone when they are a “Nazi”</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Nazi’s, in my fandom? It’s more likely than you think!</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Yes, there is a very small minority of furries that dress up
in ‘fascist’ attire, the majority of whom do so to fulfill a sexual fetish
power trip. Others usually commission furry art of their characters adorned in
Nazi outfits to lambast their critics because they want the truth vested in
irony and there is no better way to do it than by creating an elaborate charade.
How is this any different than Mel Brooks prancing around in Springtime for
Hitler or Sarah Silverman dressing up as Nazi caricature? The objective is to
embrace the absurdity, because it can’t be taken seriously. It’s not supposed
to be.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I voted for, and continue to support “Orange Hitler” therefore
I am a ‘fascist’ no matter which stance I take or argument I posit. The ensuing
backlash which often occurs with extreme liberal leftists in the furry
community has become something of a Monty Python skit gone horribly wrong: a parody
that can only be met with a heavy dose of irony followed by no shortage of
apathy when the contact cord is finally cut. Nine times out of ten, a person
with a diametrically opposing sociopolitical outlook will just block any and
all interaction out of ignorance which I suspect is largely due to their inability
to formulate a viable counterpoint. Personally, I see this as a concession and
a victory in-itself over their purported ideologies that they claim to hold so
dear, showing that the much lauded ‘tolerant’ leftist is quite a rare animal indeed. There is simply no point in arguing the
matter when there are people clinging so unwittingly to an obtuse mentality
that they cannot tolerate a differing perspective, but there is much to be said
about staying true to one’s own convictions and a great deal of merit to be
gained by taking a stand in the values one cherishes and wishes to see
proliferate in their country against all opposition.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
I am a strong civic nationalist and I believe in the idealism that America is a nation for every race, creed, and orientation; that being
said, I shouldn’t have to virtue signal in order to prove that my egalitarian
intentions are inclusive and accepting of anyone who wishes to partake in the
furry fandom. Because you can’t just be a ‘good person’ and have voted for
Trump. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, they have no other recourse
but to vilify you and then block. There may be no reconciliation in differences
of opinion with these extremists, but they are quickly finding out that the furry
fandom is not theirs to control. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <br />
While “Deo” enjoys 15 minutes of furry-fame before inevitably fading into obscurity, the
more extreme leftists within the fandom will rally around the “REEEEEEEEEEs” of
this injured varmint crying foul and feigning oppression while the alt-furs
have a good laugh about it and continue to mine the salt for all its worth. Alt-furry
have been disparaged and attacked for simply existing, because our very presence
is a threat to those who desire further censorship when we exercise our freedom
of expression. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old idiom of “The fascists
of the future will call themselves anti-fascists” has proven incredibly
accurate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me also point out that
Fascism is a left wing ideology (National socialists). Deo has thus far proven
to be a useful idiot for the far-left furry cadre that will no doubt flaunt their
collective self-victimization as a calling card for more sympathy while throwing
a conniption fit to the press with so much ire and gnashing of teeth. It’s
important that we reserve some degree of pity for many ‘Antifa-fur’s as many of
them have come from broken homes with no nuclear family or traditional father
figure to steer them right, else they wouldn’t be so morally bankrupt and
misguided as to engage in cultural Marxism and resort to Anarcho-communism as
an outlet to form their worldview. They will continue to find themselves further
and further marginalized in a fandom that has grown far larger and more diverse
than they could ever hope to control and those who take it upon themselves to
act upon their violent urges will wind up permanently banned from future
convention spaces. Their cries of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nazi’s!
</i>have thus far attracted the attention of the press, but this melodrama will
backfire after wearing thin and falling flat. The moment they have exhausted
their tantrum and resort to violence, their being tolerated by the greater
berth of the furry community will begin to evaporate. In regards to
self-proclaimed ‘Antifa furs’ and SJW’s participating in the furry fandom,
there is no central ‘leadership’ as it is a very nebulous clique rooted in
degenerate communism and far left socialism. Theirs is little more than another
ill-fated power-grab in an attempt to ‘gate keep’ the fandom by their efforts
to oust ‘undesirables’ and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to prevent
others from displaying their colorful armbands. It’s an attack on the freedom
of self-expression which is enshrined in the constitution. I stand with Foxler
and his right to express himself as he sees fit. I stand with the confederate
flag Fursuiter who was banned for two years at MFF 2015 for emblazoning a<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> symbol</i> on the back of his fursuit which
is a crucial and integral part of American history that can be found on the
Mississippi state flag.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
A legitimate concern that affects everyone involved is how
these SJW extremists and Antifa fur’s may continue to maneuver themselves into
positions of power such as convention staff in order to abuse their authority
and begin chartering policies that prohibit freedom of expression and enact bias
against right wing members of the furry fandom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has already happened in small part,
particularly at MFF (Midwest Furfest). The latest development that has taken shape
after RMFC cratered is that Deo is promoting “Mile High Furcon”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as an alternative to RMFC where they are
looking for staff members who are not “bigoted or share hate speech.” which is
code word for sheltering a safe-space that enforces a rigid authoritarian
leftist agenda. Altfurry is not so much focused on creating a ‘safe space’ for
right-leaning furs, but rather helping form a support channel through which they are
encouraged to participate in the community and let their voices be heard. The
altfurry now heralds a call for acceptance without demands to oust leftist opposition
from the community as we are confident that they will surely do that to
themselves.</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Conclusions</b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The furry fandom has grown into a world-wide social circle where
we are free to find out who we truly are through boundless creativity and
inspiration in one another; a venue by which we express ourselves and have fun
in doing so. Perhaps what I find most distressing about this situation is how
much attention the RMFC fiasco has garnered when in comparison to the most
severe issues that rocked the furry fandom. Where was the outrage when five
prominent men in the furry community were <a href="http://wnep.com/2017/01/29/five-men-charged-with-sexually-abusing-young-boy/" target="_blank">convicted of raping an underage boy?</a><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
…and it was swept under the rug and conveniently ignored in
large part. There is a tremendous disconnect occurring in this community
when it comes to focusing on which issues should be a priority that could keep its
most vulnerable members safe. The latent corruption within this fandom has not been receiving nearly
as much attention as when the imaginary boogeymen of Furry Raiders and
Alt-Furrys were thrown into the spotlight as a distraction, lost amidst cries of
“Literal NAZI’s taking over the fandom!” which rang out in false alarm. In
regards to the molestation case in PA, there were many statements on message
boards expressing sentiments of “Oh it shouldn’t matter that they were furry!”
and “This could happen in any community!” while true, these sentiments said
nothing about what steps were being taken to prevent this behavior and any
attempt at examination to root out this kind of depravity by banning
individuals with a similar record of child abuse from attending conventions was not
considered. This lapse in judgment constitutes a grave danger in our community.
Each individual snowflake will never see fit to take responsibility for the
avalanche when it comes crashing down.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
While 501(c) non-profit organizations are well within their
legal right to permit or deny whomever they choose to attend a convention space
while in operation, any attempt by board members of existing conventions that
begin enforcing Antifa and SJW tactics by banning or intimidating attendees based
on their social and political views will certainly result in a fractured fandom
and find their conventions run into the ground in a similar fashion to RMFC,
Rainfurrest and Oklacon. Any convention taking this approach will be akin to the
community putting a choke hold on its own growth that will result in a long term
deterioration which the fandom hasn’t truly experienced yet. If this does occur,
defamation lawsuits will be filed and it will only be a matter of time until someone
is crossed to the point where they have the convention investigated for tax
evasion or have them sued for libel. This is a community that has been growing on
a steady incline since the late 70’s yet may be in for a shock if it does
indeed fracture into separate fandoms or stop growing altogether which wouldn’t
be a good thing for anyone. This is a grassroots fandom that was built on self-discovery
and unity, but that unity is predicated upon acceptance and requires open minds
that are inclusive and tolerant of people who have differing points of view.
This includes Trump supporters, right-wing conservatives, nationalists and
Libertarians.
<br />
<br />
Furries come from all walks of life and have many different
perspectives, something which many grown adults have yet to learn how to
accomplish. After a numbing series of defeats, the far left is still in the
midst of a massive tantrum. They have become a desperate group of people striving
to enlarge the influence of their echo chambers under the guise of ‘safe
spaces’ within the ranks of our community because they have stuck their heads
so far up their asses that they demand everyone group-think identically as they
do. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God Forbid if anyone else maintains
a differing point of view from theirs, thinks for themselves, or does not
adhere to their fanatical leftist value system else they are truly a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dyed in the wool Nazi</i> and worthy of
being punched. Despite all the current hysteria going around I’ve no doubt that
once this drama tapers off the greater furry community will do some soul
searching and come to find that the #altfurry are fellow members of this
fandom, no better or worse than they are, but eager to temper liberal extremism
regardless of whether or not everyone may agree with our methods. We continue
to accomplish a great deal of progress by upholding freedom of speech and
expression in this fandom. The vitriol coming from many Antifa (which are a
domestic terror group) and their ilk threatening to begin ‘Punching Nazi’s’
will be confronted directly, reported to authorities and exposed as a small group of
cornered animals posturing out of weakness as more and more people will come to
find out that their bark is worse than their bite.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pun intended.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Fox Crimson</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11796730950647146245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823129256246919853.post-10011480920544861432016-11-01T15:50:00.002-07:002016-11-01T15:50:49.981-07:00On the scourge of Radical feminism and the myth of male privilege: Part one<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">On the scourge of Radical feminism and the myth of male privilege: Part
one</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Intro</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Due to the length of
this article, it will be split into two parts. It is my sincere goal that many
young men and women take the time to read this article in its entirety, seek
out additional resources, counterpoints, as well as having the gumption to challenge
any preconceived notions that they might already cling to.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shortly before his death, noted mythologist and historian Joseph
Campbell gave a lecture on Kundalini yoga and its emergence and subsequent development
in the Eastern world. It is from this lecture that I begin this article by
quoting a passage from his teachings:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Now when I was a small boy, there was a question as to
whether women should be educated. It was argued that they didn’t realize even
then what the implications where. When the woman is educated in a male
curriculum which is what these universities give us then she forgets what it
means to be a woman. I hope this isn’t published (laughing)… But this is a real
problem today.”</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
He went on to say:</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The sacrifice that the woman makes in achieving this career
is much greater than the sacrifice that the man makes in achieving his career.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We must first take into context that the nature of the sacrifice
that Mr. Campbell was attributing to women is not in any way more or less noble
a sacrifice than those that men make, but rather that it has a much greater
impact on her life and alludes to the fact that at the time, many women were
just beginning to choose sacrificing traditional gender roles such as motherhood
and home-making in exchange for monetary independence and success in the world
of business. The upset which occurs by balancing the twin burdens of career and
motherhood can be attested to by first understanding that the amount of time and
effort necessary that a woman must dedicate to being truly successful in her career
creates a major conflict of interest which thoroughly contributes to
under-nurturing and a lack of adequate attention to her offspring .This becomes
the source for many reoccurring problems in young boys such as violent outbursts,
lack of control and discipline, and even outright insubordination without her
even acknowledging the extent of just how far the problem goes; so the State is
all too eager to step in to take over parental roles and begin their
indoctrination early. We see this phenomenon occur today in many single mother households
where children, particularly young boys, are lacking a proper father figure. Campbell
was not arguing against granting rudimentary grade-school education to girls,
but rather, that priming women for careers in Universities to strive for
positions which would otherwise have been male-dominated roles would prove to
be a hugely problematic issue for society in the near future. This lecture took
place in the mid 1980’s, a time when the growth of women in the workplace was
yet still a burgeoning occurrence and a novel phenomenon. I consider Mr.
Campbell to be a personal hero, and one of the underappreciated geniuses of the
20<sup>th</sup> century. Even the concept of a lifetime ‘career’ is a relatively
recent concept to human society, only emerging in the 19<sup>th</sup> century
after the industrial revolution, as the term ‘career’ itself was once referred
to exclusively in the context of race-horses.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the Paleolithic past, rituals prepared young boys to
become hunters and warriors for their tribe. As a boy comes of age, it was
customary that he be sent away to be ‘activated’ by the society through these ritualistic
inductions. This is an inherent component of human nature and this core psychology
still remains embedded within us. When participating in the male sphere, women
are simply not activated in the same way when becoming a member of the society.
Young women did not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">need </i>to be
‘activated’; they simply sat in a hut and realized that they were a vessel for
life and child rearing and that Mother Nature had over-taken both their
physiology and psychology during their first menstrual cycles. Despite what
so-called progressive leftist “thinkers” may attempt to tell you, humanity is
not a gender-neutral species with both genders exhibiting ‘equal’ traits and
capabilities in every possible way: there exist myriad differences between the
sexes that are directly hardwired into our DNA and have been for hundreds of
thousands of years.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since the sexual revolution of the late 1960’s, our society
has witnessed the total implosion of the nuclear family which has concluded in
the widespread dismantling of the traditional patriarchal family house-hold
structure which has now been undermined to its very core. This has led to the
dissolution of the father-figure as the locus of power in the household; ergo, his
inevitable replacement with state authority at the greatest expense to him should
his wife deem it necessary in a divorce settlement. Though this model still
persists today in many evangelical families and others beholden to traditional
values typically rooted in religious pastimes, we cannot ignore how far it has
crumbled since this model was at one time the de-facto household structure.
While some radicals may delight in the notion of tearing down any male
authority figures, they remain oblivious that upsetting the balance of the
traditional family unit has been extremely chaotic to society and from this
plight stemmed a great many ills, and many believe it is inexorably leading to
a breakdown in western society itself. However, it has also been a blessing in
disguise. Many men are now in fact applauding this turn of events inasmuch as the
breakdown has allowed for men in this new era to sever the reigns of marriage
under state jurisdiction because they are seen as nothing more than workhorses;
and by doing so, sever also the blind servitude to their “Male-Mother need” requiring
female oversight in their lives by declaring their autonomy and rising from the
rubble of the ‘nuclear family’ model to go their own way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Masculinity is under siege.</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the absence of strong male role models, many young boys today
are reared by single mothers and grow up resentful and confused about the
meaning of manhood as we are now tearing down the goalposts and redefining what
being a man truly means. The Protector/resource provider role as the defining characteristic
for men is an archaic one even though it is still foisted upon men by the
society and defined solely through man’s relationship to woman by default and
lauded as his only true purpose in life according to a ‘traditional’ value
system endorsing Judeo-Christian principles. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything straying from this dynamic in a tradcon
(Traditional conservative) value system is considered a threat to the pervading
status quo; IE, homosexuality. In regards to young boys in the current school
system, they are admonished for expressing competitive aggressiveness and rowdy
playfulness. Instead, they are given a slew of pills to sedate them into a passive
stupor from expressing otherwise normal competitive male behaviors.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are now conditioning entire generations to lead
inauthentic lives, where simply participating in extracurricular activities
merits rewarding them with trophies and gold stars no matter who crosses the
proverbial finish line first. They often lack discipline and structure in their
lives, sheltered and coddled by helicoptering parents and a gynocentric nanny-school
system, and, as a consequence, are becoming mentally and physically fragile and
unable to face adversity and confront challenges head on without retreating
into “safe spaces.” It is insidious and it is deliberate. Gone, are the halcyon
days of cowboys and Indians with pop-guns, roughly playing tug of war in the
mud; ‘Nerf guns’ are now shunned by school systems even during recess and
radical leftist parents aim to repress normal male behaviors from manifesting
themselves in any healthy or positive way. Even drawing pirates wielding guns
or ninja’s wielding swords on a piece of paper during class gets young boys
traumatized by being forced to undergo ‘evaluation’ sessions in many grade
schools’ detention programs; code word for sensitivity training which is just a
form of mental indoctrination that strives to recondition them toward emulating
passive female behaviors which is now set as the gold standard which they are
expected to meet. There is no wonder that millions of men have come to the
understanding that masculine behaviors are looked upon poorly by our society.
What we have been witnessing is a complete re-structuring of gender roles: It
starts early, and there is no turning back to traditionalism. This has led to
the rise of a generation of SJW’s and special snowflakes that require trigger
warnings when confronted with opposing viewpoints and take to virtue signaling
at the earliest sign of distress.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Masculinity is being heavily eroded in all aspects of life
for the modern man and there are now many rising internet personalities
bringing attention to these issues. This degradation is brought under scrutiny
by Youtube commentators such as Sargon of Akkad, Sandman, Paul Elam, Stardusk, Thinking
Ape, and Barbarosa and also parodied by comedians such as Bill Burr and Patrice
O’Neal; we now have men that are providing easy access to non-conventional
information in the form of well thought out memorandums and video segments that
would have otherwise been hidden away under troves of psychology textbooks and
science journals discussing human behavior and gender dynamics in the most
inane and convoluted jargon possible. This is information that the mass media does
not have any inclination to share with the general public on any of their popular
broadcast channels, nor would it fit into the machinations of their liberal agenda.
Much of this information is coming from movements such as MGTOW (Men going
their own way) that strive to walk away from what they rightfully see as a corrupt
system by grasping the realities of how male/female gender relations truly work
and have come to the conclusion that the deck is greatly stacked against them. For
this realization they use the metaphor “Taking the Red Pill”, in reference to
the first Matrix movie in which the protagonist (Neo) chooses the harsh
realities of life over an existence of delusion. Whether it comes to understanding
how women are greatly favored in divorce court proceedings and child custody
battles or becoming aware of how often men are considered disposable and taken
to the cleaners by manipulative women, they are now waking up to witness the consequences
that each increasingly fanatical wave of feminism has had on their lives and
they are washing their hands of it and by doing so they are achieving a completely
liberated state of mind. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As an ideology, MGTOW is one among many movements that
have appeared in recent years in response to combat radical feminism; it allows
millions of young men to emerge victorious against it by becoming educated on
female nature and understanding the hypocrisy of our gynocentric society that women
of the most poisonous varieties thrive in. These commentators provide valuable content
which seeks to address these issues in logical and clear-headed manners,
thwarting the ‘progressive left’ by pulling down the curtain and exposing the
charade of for what it really is: Cultural Marxism, misandry, and emasculation.
When this happens, their integrity is often bought into question by these
leftists and their masculinity is exigently attacked. They are vilified by
liberal media outlets and shunned for even intelligently shedding light on these
issue. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>While MGTOW and MRA (Men’s
rights activism) is one of the more radical philosophies which evolved to counterbalance
the decade’s onslaught of feminism, I do not believe it is a viable long term
strategy to achieving successful and harmonious gender relations. Freeing
oneself from the plantation of marriage (in its current form) and a lifetime of
government oversight is essential for male liberation in modern times but it
also presents a challenge because when men are not reproducing and existing in
stable relationships it creates the problem of racial disintegration and the
problem perpetuates itself to the next generation. So in order to change the laws
and social structure in such a way that men are restored to their natural roles
as leaders rather than followers, these men’s rights movements must therefore become
a tenable political movement.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, allow yourself to conduct a quick thought experiment: In
a world where almost anything can be bought and sold you must ask yourself, what
is the one thing that now comes at a premium in western society and, in purely
conceptual terms, maintains its weight in gold?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Exclusivity.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is this idea that by belonging to an exclusive group, one
has the ability to bend the rules of the society. This sentiment is as old as
human history itself; nay older. This persists today in the form of elitism and
it brings along with it a sense of Self-righteousness that seeks to compensate
for an otherwise fragile ego. One who belongs to a certain privileged class by
having used this elitist method of social manipulation to put oneself into a
position of power attains a Machiavellian sense of accomplishment by first gaining
the necessary social status to garner approval from the society at large. They
then use their ability of status to render control over anyone they consider beneath
them in the hierarchical structure. This is how power has always worked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We live in the digital age where entire libraries of
information lay at our fingertips. In a connected world where anything can be
learned by anyone, one need only study hard to achieve levels of intellect and wisdom
that was at one time available only to scholars. We even have access to “hidden”
and “occult” information that was at one time considered forbidden and
discussed only amongst the social elite. Higher Academia has been deeply
infiltrated by ultra-left-wing radical professors that are sympathetic to fringe
organizations and movements such as 3<sup>rd</sup> wave feminism; black lives
matter, social justice (SOCJUS) and they are offering curriculum's which have attracted
a host of leftist students that have been all too willing to further contribute
to this ongoing social decay. Take for example, ‘Womens studies’: Classes like these
focus on granting a false sense of legitimacy to its student base by
perpetuating a culture of self-victimization <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and ‘empowering’ women by brainwashing them
about the evils of the patriarchy (which has built, brick by brick, the very
world we live in, mind you) and the perils of ‘rape culture’ as though it is
some insidious undercurrent in western society orchestrated solely against
women when in fact the numbers of actual rape statistics are drastically
overinflated. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rape is a horrible crime no matter which gender it is
committed against, but we must also keep in perspective also, that males are
far more likely to be victims of rape than accused of it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1-6 boys experience sexual assault by the age
of 18, according to 1-6.org. But of course, by painting a narrative of women as
the only victims of this crime it becomes an avenue to conveniently ignoring males
plight as they are just as likely to be victims of it if not more so, because
they are less likely to come forward.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
College classrooms in the postmodern world have become nothing
more than institutionalized breeding grounds for “progressives” and cultural
Marxists. There are even institutions such as Merrimack College, for example, that
offer courses on so called social justice studies (SOCJ 1100) as well as
liberal arts. By sitting through lectures and rote memorizing a series of
powerpoint bulletins and statistics cooked up for standardized tests, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>anyone with basic literacy can pass one of
these courses while contributing very little in terms of critical thinking
aside from parroting hyperbole they heard coming from Andrea Dworkin’s
disgusting pig lips. Many up and coming social justice warriors crave this validation
through obtaining paper qualifications to reinforce the exclusivity of their
elitist worldview with the intent of looking down upon anyone that has not
attained the ‘standards’ of their “academic success”. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
College is in fact, a racket. It is a rigged system that
many economists have begun to question in regards to its practical ability to
grant the majority of graduates’ financial independence after the tremendous
burden of debt in the form of student loans with added interest is saddled upon
them. Funneling graduates into a job market where six figure salary positions have
become an increasingly scarce prospect has been a recipe for disaster due to
the low growth of our slowing economy. If the lucky few with trust fund parents
don’t pay for their college tuition, then in most cases these graduates effectively
wind up paying off their debt for decades while working as wage slaves in the
service sector. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many young women
today seek to become ‘sugar babies’ to older men driving BMW’s to pay off their
tuition in exchange for sex, further relying on the hypo-agency of their bodies
as the only valuable asset they possess. This dynamic extends towards many
relationships today occurring between men and women where the “romance” of the
affair gets invariably reduced to little more than transaction for women in a
bid to attain resources. A woman of this caliber does not love a man: she only
loves what he can do for her, and she is often shameless about this fact, when
in the past, women with this intent were shamed by other women whereas today,
they are encouraged for this behavior and they wonder why it is backfiring.
These types of relationships are detrimental in the long term as they are taking
advantage of desperate men who are eager to show off these young women as trophies:
It is objectification in the purest sense and the men that indulge in them are
often ignorant to the superficiality of their arrangement until it is too late
when their trophy wife leaves her beta-male provider for a younger and/or
wealthier man at no consequence to her whatsoever. In addition to this, Universities
have become debt-factories producing legions of disenfranchised youth clutching
a piece of paper while not even guaranteed a job. While it is true that there
are many courses offering advanced degrees in specialized fields such as
engineering, law, physics, medicine, chemistry and many other noble pursuits
that grant success for some, it also provides pathways for radical leftists and
disciples of SOCJUS to exploit by obtaining credentials in pseudo-intellectual
classes which require the absolute minimal amount of effort to complete. They
then use this token of exclusivity in their adult life which transfers into professional
settings.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“The aim of public
education is not to spread enlightenment at all; it is simply to reduce as many
individuals as possible to the same safe level, to breed a standard citizenry,
to put down dissent and originality.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>-H.L.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mencken</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Coming soon</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Part Two: Debunking the myth of male privilege.</b></div>
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11796730950647146245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823129256246919853.post-39259007081708727472016-03-15T20:28:00.002-07:002016-03-24T14:45:24.189-07:00Why I am endorsing Donald J Trump for president of the United States of America.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Having decided to weigh in on the current political debate, I’ve
found it necessary to make a clear case for why I support Donald J Trump for
President. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An Election year in the
United States of America is always one brimming with great fervor and
intensity. This one is especially paramount. For the sake of brevity, I am
going to keep this article concise and to the point. You may be a Trump
supporter yourself. You may be undecided, indifferent, or even curious about
the rationale behind the minds of people who support him, especially when there
are many out there that consider him so divisive and polarizing. My aim is to
summarize the calculus of the policies he’s put forth and hopefully make them
more transparent to those who wish to grasp the thought process of a member of
his support base.</div>
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Personally speaking, I have admired Mr. Trump <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">long</i> before he decided to run for
office. Donald Trump is unequivocally, a tactician of the highest order when it
comes to striking business deals, creating strong partnerships and building
wealth with a name brand that is synonymous with success. These are all traits
that lend itself well to the role of commander in chief. Despite a handful of
failed ventures, he’s not afraid to try and fail only to try his hand again; fighting
harder and emerging even stronger due to his sheer determination and capitalist
business savvy. He is emblematic of the American spirit and has become this patriotic
tour de force generating the sort of unfiltered yuppie bravado of late 20<sup>th</sup>
century America that we have all but lost. A populist leader in the truest
sense, Mr Trump clearly speaks to the silent majority that is demanding <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real </i>change in this country. He has
tapped into the vein of anger we feel at bureaucratic corruption, and, although
he is certainly bombastic, he is channeling it smartly into progressive reforms
and bold new policies with the red-blooded vigor and macho dynamism of the
great leaders of old like Theodore Roosevelt and generals like Douglas
MacArthur and George S. Patton. Only the persuasive, firm, measured aggression
that Trump exudes will be enough to accomplish the sweeping political
priorities that Trump has vowed to make precedent in his administration and I believe
America is in tremendous need of this kind of definitive transformation. </div>
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For a long while I was undecided regarding my political
affiliation. Some might label me a swing voter because I am convinced in
supporting a candidate by having first come to a consensus regarding their
appeal through a host of many factors, including: Great personality, political values,
speaking presence, and substance of character, something which Mr. Trump
possesses in spades along with a plethora of game-changing policies and ideas
that he brings to the table. I do not believe any two parties can thoroughly
encapsulate the complexities of the American voter base. Many are just
mystified by the Phenomenon of Trump because he is attracting support from a
wide ranging base outside of the establishment of hardline Republicans. For
example, I am socially liberal and accept the legitimacy of man-made (Read:
carbon emission altering) climate change, support birth control, women’s right
to choose and believe in maintaining a social safety net for those who are
struggling and in dire need of help for basic needs, but I don’t share many of the
fundamental, underlying policies typical of left wing democrats.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Although Senator Bernie Sanders makes many salient points
and I especially share his vision of being socially liberal, raising the
minimum wage and embracing equality for all races, genders and orientations, I
could never vote for a candidate that advocates what essentially amounts to socialism
and support the communist ideologies that he espouses. On another note, I
certainly have no love for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">religious</i>
right: Evangelical ‘values’ and bible thumping zealotry that discriminates
against the LGBT community and that publically shames women who have had abortions
and attacks planned parenthood deserves no <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>place in the governance of 300+ million
people. However I speak strongly as a conservative on the issues of national
fiscal responsibility, 2<sup>nd</sup> amendment rights*, foreign policy, and
shoring up our military forces. Mr Trump has shown he will do everything in his
power to take care of our veterans. He has the gumption to tackle overspending,
eliminating the festering corruption in Washington and has the greatest skill
in bringing back jobs to our country and levying penalties on corporations that
export labor and manufacturing overseas. He has the experience necessary to
reinvigorate our lagging economy and the decisiveness to help put us back on
top of the globe where we belong.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*<span style="line-height: 115%;">In an
earlier article I discussed gun control in great detail in which I support
effective background checks, gun training courses and expanding mental health
facilities while respecting that our 2<sup>nd</sup> amendment rights remain
intact and unmolested.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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He is not controlled by the political elite: He manages his own
wealth. As countless pundits and bloggers have pointed out, anyone can agree on
the fact that Trump is not a career politician by trade and therefore he is not
being made to dance under the purse strings of lobbyists and special interest
groups. This is a major point of appeal for me as well as other Trump
supporters.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Donald Trump is the only candidate capable of building a border
wall under budget and ahead of time that would help put a stop to illegal
immigration, human smuggling, and drug-running. What many don’t understand is that
the “Wall” he refers to is just as much a philosophy as it is an engineering
project on the southern border (That Mexico will pay for!) The “wall” is an
expansive series of enhanced security measures and checkpoints barring illegal
immigrants from any port of entry into the United States. The “wall” is buffing
up security patrols on our borders and on our coasts, making sure that if there
are any refugees flooding in from the Middle East, they will be thoroughly
screened because, unlike many liberals, conservatives do not delude themselves
with naiveté when it comes to immigration. We know that ISIS and other
terrorist factions are just itching to embed themselves in the destitute masses
of refugee crowds and wish to slip through by taking advantage of our
sympathies…and if they cannot infiltrate the refugees directly, they will do
everything in their power radicalize those who make it through and influence
their extended families to join terrorist cells within. </div>
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You better believe it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Allow me to address a couple accusations that Mr Trump’s
opponents mindlessly spew:</div>
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“Donald Trump is a bully!”</div>
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<br /></div>
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Mr Trump has shown he can be very presidential and is a
unifier when he is not being attacked on all sides by his opponents. Is he an
entertainer? Absolutely, and that makes him <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">interesting.
</i>Donald Trump has shown he has a great sense of humor and knows how to work
a crowd. He has unparalleled people skills and persuasion in getting his ideas
across. Let’s not forget that the great <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ronald
Regan</i> was a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hollywood actor</i>
before he became President. If Mr Trump is being attacked, he has every right
to defend himself, something which he does magnanimously and the country needs him
in power.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Donald Trump is racist/fascist/sexist/White Supremacist!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">*Substitute any two of the four to fit your personal narrative, get a
side order of <i>Bullshit™</i>, absolutely FREE
of charge!</span></span></div>
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Wrong. Utter sensationalist swill. Believing in any of the previous ‘ist’
buzzwords in the quoted statement is a clear red-flag that you have
been thoroughly conditioned by the liberal agenda of many mainstream media
outlets and/or you have been genuinely misinformed. What is the worst possible
thing to accuse someone of in this day and age? </div>
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<br /></div>
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Racism. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Fortunately, Americans are <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">usually</b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>clever enough to understand
when something is taken out of context by the liberal media. In the commentary
made during his conference on 06/16/2015, it is evident that Mr Trump was
referring to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">illegal immigrants</i> from
Mexico, and is absolutely correct in calling out the fact that many of these
illegals <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>are</u></i><u> </u>indeed
rapists, murderers and drug dealers financed by the cartels. This does NOT implicate
Mexican nationals as a whole, which are indeed a wonderful people with a rich
history and culture. Many of my friends are of Mexican and Latino descent (I am
of partial Latino descent) and they are dearly loved. Conflate this with the
epidemic drug problem south of the border that the cartels are taking advantage
of and you have a recipe for a sensationalist cake baked by the biased media, decorated
with swastika icing. With the U.S currently maintaining a 58 Billion dollar
trade deficit, Donald Trump will ensure that the construction of the U.S/Mexico
wall will be financed by Mexico, either through a trade embargo, deportation
taxes or through some yet other undetermined means of expenditure, it will get
done come hell or high water. After Dr Ben Carson’s endorsement and
a fantastic introduction from Pastor Darrel Scott, Donald J Trump has shown he is in touch
with leaders in the black community as well as addressing race relations in
America and is very much concerned about the unemployment rate, particularly
among young African American males and how to help them obtain better jobs,
escape poverty and achieve success.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Mr Trump is the hero we need driving a stake into the sordid
heart of political correctness. He is an avenger in pointing out media bias and
the propaganda of the press; and while we do have a ‘free’ press, it is very
much a biased one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recognizing the
Muslim friends he is partnered with in the Middle East, particularly in Egypt,
Jordan and Saudi Arabia, Donald Trump will work with Gulf powers in rooting out
the fanatics and extremists that are so delusional in their zealotry that they
are insidiously attacking civilians in Europe and abroad. With a stable
power-base to flourish in, ISIS, Boko Haram, and other terror networks will be
in the perfect position to carry out a series of catastrophic attacks on the
scale of 9/11 or worse upon the free world if they aren’t eradicated. As a
war-hawk president, Donald Trump will vigorously destroy the scourge of Islamic
terrorism. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s keep in mind that we
are coming out of an era where President Barack Hussein Obama did not even have
the stomach for labeling recent terrorist attacks committed in the name of
radical Islam for what it is: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Radical Islam</u></i><u>.</u></b>
Instead, he began his presidency by embarking on a worldwide apology tour and went
ahead with a trade deal lifting sanctions on Iran without getting our prisoners
back. The Iranian deal he formulated makes no guarantee that thorough
inspections will be carried out with any degree of certainty and now there is
nothing stopping Iran from supplying nuclear arms to Hezbollah. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this (among many other reasons, namely, throwing
Israel under the bus), I believe he is the absolute worst president in U.S
history. In my opinion, Obama’s legacy is one of tremendous shame and despair. Let
this be known for posterity: The Obama presidency is a filthy stain on the
history of this nation. In 2008, at the age of 21, I voted for the first time
in a presidential election for John McCain and I do not regret that decision to
this day.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Opposition groups have resorted to the despicable tactic of
attacking Mr Trump’s support base, casting an aura of shame upon them. They would
love nothing more than continue labeling them as merely uneducated,
unwashed masses that simply have no grasp about what’s going on in the world
around them, more or less ignorant sheep in the grand scheme of things. They exploit
this clearly broken narrative to change the tone of the conversation in an effort
to help suit their own twisted agenda, wielding opinionated rhetoric with such
smug arrogance, as to be rendered pathetic and desperate for validity. They
attempted to affiliate Mr Trump with the Ku Klux Klan and his supporters with
white supremacy, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">even after</b> Mr Trump
repeatedly disavowed any endorsement from David Duke. They are so utterly desperate
in justifying their polluted worldview that many of these ‘protestors’ are
little more than agitators that have introduced a level of violence into our
political process yet unseen. These groups either represent (or are partnered with)
subversive groups such as Black Lives matter, 3<sup>rd</sup> wave feminists,
and cultural Marxist organizations that have gone completely off the rails. </div>
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What we are seeing in the 21<sup>st</sup> century is that
fascism has taken the form of extreme anarchist, cop-hating radical leftists groups
behaving like Orwellian thought police against those they disagree with, inciting
violence at events hosted by Mr Trump which would have been otherwise peaceful
rallies. Sabotaging events and then decrying self-victimization while
simultaneously using intimidation tactics and claiming victory afterward is an act of cowardice
and it’s a shameful spectacle to behold. Stifling Donald Trump’s platform is
stifling the political process itself and prevents him from exercising his first
amendment rights. Trump did the smart thing by shutting down the rally event on
3/11/16 for public safety. However, I believe this works in his favor and he
can turn it around by garnering media exposure. In the McCarthy era, these
groups would have been investigated for communist treason and as far as I’m
concerned, they are traitors to the liberty of this nation. We have a media cycle
that has given a speaking platform to a mentally deranged individual who rushed
Mr Trump on stage. If an individual had rushed Bernie Sanders or Hillary
Clinton on stage, no news network would have interviewed that individual. It is
exactly this sort of outrageous double standard that only reinforces my support for Mr Trump.</div>
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<br /></div>
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For the vast majority of US citizens who can see through the
media smokescreen and their blatant lies, I believe we will make the right
decision come November. The numbers don’t lie: Trump is a force of nature and he is reaching across the aisle
and bringing in new voters. If the Republicans expect to win in November against
Hillary Clinton they must rally behind Trump or the party is going to fracture and split in
two. I sincerely believe Donald Trump loves this country and desires to see
prosperity and strength reign once again, particularly for those willing to
work for it. Small business owners and entrepreneurs will benefit greatly from
his policies. The minimum wage will be raised and that will bolster the service
sector and the standard of living for the average American. Taxes incurred on
imports from China and elsewhere will help repair our failing infrastructure.
Manufacturing will be brought back to the homeland under Trump and many
products will be cheaper to transport and of superior quality when these
changes gradually take effect. Mr Trump will oversee a unified America where
racial and gender division will be put in the past where it belongs and usher
in a technologically advanced, egalitarian and prosperous nation with a
stronger military force.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It is for these reasons that I can state with pride and
absolute conviction, that Donald J Trump is the right man for the job of
holding the highest office in the nation and is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>only</u></i> candidate that will make America great again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11796730950647146245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823129256246919853.post-42066637501707548362016-01-11T18:05:00.000-08:002016-01-11T18:13:36.745-08:00David Bowie isin't dead<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Rarely have I seen such an outpouring of grief and remembrance
go forth toward an artist and cultural icon as much as I’ve seen lately with
the recent passing of David Bowie, especially resonating from the ranks of us
snarky ‘Millennial’s’ who maintain an appreciation for his greatest works which
occurred largely ‘before our time’. Rarely do celebrity deaths have such an
impact on me personally as well. The deluge of mass media coverage we are
seeing is not a trivial ritual, because, in his heyday, Bowie was so far ahead
of his time in so many ways that he speaks to us directly even though he made
his mark on the world 40 some odd years ago.</div>
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David Bowie epitomized the essence of what it means to be an
artist. Constantly re-inventing himself and changing with the times, he dissolved
gender lines, generational lines, racial lines, and genre lines. Upcoming
artists and musicians need to take note and study Bowie like Beethoven studied
under Mozart and Sinatra studied under Crosby. Even in the throes of death, Bowie
managed to somehow encapsulate a dramatically artistic fugue with ‘Blackstar’
his final album that is as haunting as it is euphoric; with his swan song ‘Lazarus’
representing an unnerving portrayal about coping with cancer and keeping it
hidden away from the world. He was a class act right up until the very end of
his life. What strikes me most is how rare artists of his caliber are today,
and it would be fair to argue that he defied caliber and classification
altogether. Otherworldly and alien, creating alter-ego’s that were real rather
than gimmicky, Bowie shaped a cultural legacy that will always endure. What we
are now seeing is that the pool of talent reaching anywhere near Bowie’s
magnitude is fast dwindling. There is still great talent and unique sound in
the music world today, though not nearly in the same way as it once was: There
lacks a certain panache and musical finesse for real ingenuity in the vast majority
of the mainstream music scene.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The old Gods of Rock are dead and dying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because he was a musical polymath with an
uncanny ability to span so many echelons of talent, acting and performance art and
pull it off so authentically, the next generation desperately needs to understand
how unique Bowie was and realize just how much talent this planet lost this
past Sunday. The kind of seismic, musical witchcraft that Bowie produced will
never, ever come groomed from some record label executive whose sole purpose is
mass manufacturing a brand attached to a photo-shopped face. In the long term,
people will always see through the charade of the short lived one hit wonders
with obnoxiously perfect hairstyles and synthetically altered voices. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although Bowie was never above profiting from
his works, like any true artist, his music and performances came from a heart
of great inspiration and zealous artistic creativity; and although his music
and image can be promoted and marketed, talent of his nature can never be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">replicated</i>. The Thin White Duke had a
great impact on my life as it did countless others. Let’s not forget Labyrinth,
either. How awesome was that movie?</div>
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<br /></div>
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David Bowie isn’t dead; he’s immortal and simply fell back
into outer space.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11796730950647146245noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823129256246919853.post-65263076155444355302015-12-24T17:34:00.000-08:002015-12-24T20:49:18.252-08:00Star Wars: "The Force Awakens" a review.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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WARNING: This review contains spoilers!</div>
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The following article is intended as a post-theatrical
release full review of Star Wars: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Force Awakens.</i></div>
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If you have not yet seen the movie, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">stop reading now</b>.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Introduction:?</b></div>
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Star Wars needs no introduction. </div>
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It’s as ubiquitous as sliced bread and quoted more often than
Richard Nixon delivering his keynote resignation speech. It’s been parodied by
more late-night comics, magazines and TV serials than perhaps any other popular
relic we have in our cultural arsenal. “Star Wars” has become the ideal vehicle
for Hollywood to partake in selling <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mythology
lite</i> to the cynical, post space-race western masses. It embodies the
perfect blend of Kurosawa film technique; Zen traditions, totalitarian fascism,
WW2 Era ace pilot bravado and a “Black and white” mystical dichotomy that dares
to begin venturing yet further into the questionable grey areas of our materialist,
postmodern morality. The latest entry in the saga meets the anticipated nostalgia
quota that gives a degree of fan-service that everyone from the general
audience to the true blue fans, of which I am proudly one, will appreciate.</div>
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The core premise of ‘The Force Awakens’ is about reclamation:
This is the grand, overarching theme that runs throughout the course of the
movie. The very future of the Star Wars franchise hinged entirely on J.J.Abrams
ability to distance it from the recent memory of the prequels and establish
vital, binding links with the original trilogy while pumping in new blood and
applying a fresh coat of paint. There is no doubt he succeeded brilliantly. ‘The
Force Awakens’ is, from a canonical perspective, less of an extension of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jedi</i> and more a reboot of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A New Hope.</i> This is pulled off with precision
detail and finesse thanks to its ardent cast of characters, engaging score,
pulse-pounding action sequences, and of course, it’s trademark quirky humor and
campy one-liners. All of these factors complement one another. It’s the first
Star Wars movie since ‘83 that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">truly feels
like a Star Wars movie.</i></div>
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On to the review!</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acting: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The cast carries the film, as it should in
any great production. Their performances are invigorating and the cast feels
excited to be there. (Well, most of them). Poe Dameron and Finn are total bro’s
and their energy radiates genuinely on screen. The hotshot ace pilot is a young
Solo incarnate, and perhaps my personal favorite new character. Oscar Issac
could have been granted a bit more screen-time as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dameron</i>, but gave an otherwise outstanding performance. Daisy
Ridley steals the show as Rey, a force wielding savant with riveting screen
presence. She’s also a natural actress and a convincingly force-powerful female
lead that has been pulled off perfectly. Finn's enthusiasm is infectious, embracing the light side and his newfound role as the reluctant hero. Han and Chewie have the ‘grumpy old men’ vibe going that provides comic relief while still displaying a gun slinging chivalry reminiscent
of the first films. Leia mutters a few forgettable lines. Luke Skywalker has
transformed into a grizzled Ben Kenobi and stares intensely for about 10 minutes
straight delivering one of the best wordless cliffhanger endings in cinema
history.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Staging and special
effects:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>They finally did it right
this time. The usage of physical sets and models combined with real costume
design and strategic use of CGI made all the difference. The atmosphere is quintessentially
Star Wars down to every last detail. Maz Kanata is a wonderful new character brought
to life through CGI and motion capture thanks to the talents of Lupita Nyong’o,
which is exactly the kind of new character that the new trilogy deserved. She had perhaps the most unique and original role in the film, I felt, despite her cantina/castle drawing yet more obvious parallels to ANH through the setting being a facsimile
of the Mos Eisely Cantina. The full IMAX sequence of the Millenium Falcon being chased down by TIE fighters across the dunes of Jakku and through the bowels of a
scuttled Star Destroyer should be more than enough to make a Star Wars fan out of anyone.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Score: </b>A thematic
John Williams score never fails, as it simply wouldn’t be ‘Star Wars’ without
one. Each track is utterly flawless. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cinematography: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Panning, sweeping shots lend themselves to
some of the best scenes yet featured in any of the Star Wars films. Most
notably, Finn and Rey running away from the TIE fighter bombardment all in one
take, referencing a certain ship hidden off screen as ‘garbage’ as they sprint
toward a vessel off in the distance in hopes of escape only for it to get
blown to pieces in front of them, turning back round before the camera swiftly pans to the left unveiling
the Millennium Falcon draped in tarp, was, in my opinion, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">brilliantly
executed</b>. Rey’s speeder racing across the dunes of Jakku amidst the wreckage
of Imperial and Rebel ships both in foreground and background gives a breadth
of scope that is nothing short of jaw dropping. The shot where the nose of the
Star Destroyer Finalizer begins hovering over the crowd in IMAX was simply
glorious. The Light saber battle which takes place toward the end of the film was
absolutely incredible; feeling authentic and haggard like a novice medieval
sword battle would play out, rather than a highly choreographed showboating
dance number that was the bane of the prequels. I needn't go on. We never feel out of the action
within any of these sequences. There is no blurry, telescopic focus on the characters
as they fight, no cutting rapidly in and out of takes which plagued many action
movies of the past. We feel involved in the battles, and can hone in on the
rich detail of all the characters as they square off.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Plot:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Simultaneously its weakest and strongest feature.
It’s the strongest because it’s essentially a retelling of a new hope. It’s the
weakest because...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it’s essentially the
retelling of a new hope</i>.</div>
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This of course, is the film’s most pressing concern. It is
light years past the point of homage when every pivotal plot point is an echo bounce
off the hallowed halls of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ANH</i>. This
can be absolved, however, as the fundamental plot of ANH was a superb modern adaptation
of the Hero’s journey and the monomyth that resonates with audiences to this very
day. The obvious parallels, however tenuous they may be at times, are pulled
off so incredibly well that despite Abrams stratagem of playing it safe by having
gone this route purposefully, we are yet left with a plot that still amounts to
a Re-hashing. When it comes to the integrity of the storyline, what it suffers
from the most is unoriginality regarding the story arc, most notably in the
development of the protagonist (Rey).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rey
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">is</b> Luke. She follows in his
footsteps and inerrably leads right back to him. She also does this wonderfully
and with magnanimous screen presence. Star Wars needed to come back its roots,
and it has done just that. ‘The Force Awakens’ may be a rehashing, but it is a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">great</i> re hashing.</div>
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Genuinely funny moments abound: cheeky puns and quirky humor
are essential to the Star Wars experience. BB8 giving an ambiguous “Thumbs up”
or “Middle finger” to Finn was pure gold. By virtue of existing in its own
galaxy, Star Wars can bend the integrity of its storyline by never taking
itself <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">too</i> seriously. This is one of
the defining features that make Star Wars unique.</div>
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The villain, Kylo Ren, is something of a mixed bag. Having
found his calling in being seduced to the Dark Side by Darth Smeagol and his ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Attack on Titan’ </i>Sized hologram, he is far
less menacing and confident as Vader appeared in the 1970s by an order of
magnitude, Kylo appeals to the sensibilities of the current times: The
untrained villain, while powerful, is genuinely <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">emotionally unstable</i>. Self-doubting, self-conflicted, and
irrational to a fault, his litany of flaws and weaknesses are purposefully exacerbated;
verging on the whininess of Prequel Anakin. Yet Driver delivers a solid
performance through Kylo harnessing his distinct psychopathy and contempt for
the light which result in his inevitable patricide. We now have the father/son
redemption dynamic in reverse. Evil is portrayed as delirium, a spontaneous
force lashing out of control.</div>
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Though predictable, I am not ashamed to admit I found Han’s
death scene to be the most emotionally compelling part of the film. Han <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">knew</i> stepping onto that catwalk would
spell his doom and that his chances at saving his son were slim to none. Harrison’s
expression of anguish upon sacrificing himself followed by pity for his son at what
he had done to him was brutal, still caressing his face before he fell to his
death. Chewies utter ballistic outrage and Finn and Reys horrified look of
shock after their more naïve hopes at Kylo’s redemption were dashed to pieces drove
the scene home. Despite all this, it had to happen to give the film the impact
it needed. Ford wanted this for over 32 years.</div>
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Han Solo will always be a cultural icon. He’s the original
space cowboy preceded only by the likes of Flash Gordon. The backdrop of his
death scene resembled the Bespin Shaft where Vader revealed his fatherhood to Luke.
Han’s death itself was a throwback to Obi Wan becoming one with the force right
before being ‘struck down’ by Vader. These are just a couple of the many
parallels Abrams ties with pretty red bowstrings to the original trilogy.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gripes: </b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Captain Phasma </b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I am not a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Game of Thrones</i> fan, I have a legitimate bone to pick here. Gwendoline
Christie’s character was the most underwhelming of the entire movie for me. She
was primed to be the next ‘Boba Fett’ and did <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">absolutely nothing</i></b>.
Knocked upside the head, capitulated to the Resistance while muttering an idle
threat, and dumped into a trash chute without as much as putting up what could
have been an epic fight in an exciting scene. It doesn’t get more humiliating
than that. She ended up about as relevant to the plot as Dannik Jericho. Don’t
know who that is?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither do 99.9% of
moviegoers who aren’t die-hard SW fans. She’s pure ornamentation. She could have
stood on the bridge of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Finalizer </i>throughout
the entire movie as a set piece in her shiny chrome armor and the plot would
not have changed one iota. Ok sure, maybe Han and Finn could have abducted one
of the other ten billion storm troopers aboard the Starkiller to lower the
shields (Oh, like THAT hasn’t been done to death…).</div>
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What an utter waste of a fresh character with a badass
costume design.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Suspension of disbelief</b>:
The film stretches itself a bit too thin at times. Coincidence to the point of
absurdity can and will be written off as ‘The will of the Force’ in any Star
Wars film. Jumping out of light speed eight hundred feet off the surface of the
Starkiller? A perfect rift opening up within the span of 30 feet right in
between Ren and Rey at the exact moment there's a lull in their saber fight?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kudos, Abrams!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leia</b>: While
appearing matronly and reserved, her bittersweet reunion with Han was
believable but she did not project the aura of a Resistance general. She seemed
bored to be there, and sounded like a woman named Blanche after pulling an
all-night binge in Vegas playing slots and smoking menthols.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Upon escaping Jakku and being towed in by the freighter <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Eravana</i>, Finn and Rey hide out in the
smuggling compartment of the Millennium Falcon expecting to be boarded by storm
troopers. Upon which, they plot to flood the Falcon with poisonous gas to take out
the storm troopers coming on board while wearing re breathers of their own. Finn then has some dialogue with Rey in reference to the threat of invading storm troopers which leads
us to:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Dumbest line in
the movie award! Which goes to:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Their masks only
filter out smoke, not toxins!"</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Uhhhh...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yeah, no.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That whole idea is dumb and should have been scrapped.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Conclusion</b>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Overall, the movie was excellent. Little else needs to be
said on that front.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I now feel to be the most crucial function the next two
installments must accomplish is for the screenwriters to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">take risks</b> and head in a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">completely
new direction</b>, introducing a fresh plot with more twists and turns that
keeps people guessing. Anyone with two brain cells to rub together can
anticipate how Ep VIII will flesh out: It’s going to get dark. Luke will train
Rey. Snoke will train Ren. There will be a pivotal battle. Light sabers will
clash. SOMEONE is going to be related to SOMEONE else. Yawn. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">needs</b> to be
a variety of highly exotic elements coming into play with the following films.
Ep VIII <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">cannot </b>emulate <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Empire’,</i> else it should become stale
and fall back into prequel mediocrity. ‘The Force Awakens’ was a veritable
success in recapturing the essence of Star Wars and did it so well that it can’t
afford to let the series simply repeat itself like a broken 8-track thinly
disguised as an iphone6, even though the theme of coming full circle is quite charming
and underscores the locus of thought that Abrams felt necessary to execute with
this film, the series now needs to branch out into unknown territory and truly
surprise us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ah…who am I kidding? Even if Ep VIII clones ‘Empire’ frame
for frame it’ll still rake in billions. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Much of the script is likely already written and may already
be in pre-production. Let’s hope it breaks the mold and gives us something completely different.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Audiences at large don’t sincerely expect <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars</i> to wax philosophic on some
profound soul searching pastiche; delivering deeply intellectual melodrama through
black & white art-house performances by academy award winning actors and
actresses: its pseudo-science and space aliens. It’s about munching on popcorn while
watching laser cannons blasting apart Star fighters to smithereens and receiving
little tidbits of wisdom from sagely old masters in cloaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about licensing and toy companies. It’s
especially about toy companies. It’s about them selling veritable ass-loads of
action figures to your kids. This is all a great thing, of course…though maybe
not for your checking account if you’re a parent…or a 30 something year old
‘collector’ in a subterranean living situation <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">your</i> parents.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars </i>is this
wonderfully crafted modern cultural vessel that ties people together and spans entire
generations through the enduring mythos of a fantasy space opera that has stood
the test of time, but the whole thing now desperately needs an injection of
ingenuity straight to the heart like Uma Thurman getting pumped full of
Adrenaline after overdosing in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pulp
Fiction</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am incredibly satisfied with ’The Force Awakens’, and can
strongly declare it a worthy successor to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jedi</i>.
Despite a series of minor flaws and a singular glaring one, The Force Awakens
deserves its global success and positive critical reception. The Force has been brought
back for a whole new generation to enjoy. It’s as nostalgic as it is entertaining,
and it left me smiling in my theater seat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most importantly, it feels <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fun. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Final score</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9/10</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11796730950647146245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823129256246919853.post-10667834777355880952015-10-13T03:47:00.000-07:002015-10-13T19:20:31.566-07:00Why "Undertale" is Game of the year: A game review.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(Though I would consider this review "Spoiler Free",its much better to play this game without hype or expectations, if you agree, stop reading now.)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coming from the likes of a jaded, life-long gamer, I can
honestly say that “Undertale” is a game that came completely out of left field for
me. Having been recommended by a friend, I went dubiously into this game with
an open minded critique expecting a typical RPG experience and came out emotionally
moved with a whole new outlook on video gaming as a hobby and as an art medium.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It reels you into its world immediately and you won’t want
to let go until it’s all over. Visceral and emotionally charged, one cannot
help but find that it's heartfelt plot development, offbeat sense of humor, and
gripping musical score are nothing short of compelling. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The hype is real.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You play as a human child who has fallen into an underground
world inhabited by monsters that were sealed off by humans during a war long
ago. You strive to escape the Underground, but soon learn you weren’t the first
to fall in. Simple, right? Things aren’t as they seem. Your every choice has
consequences, and every character you meet along the way has their own complex agenda
and distinct psychopathy. The incredible amount of painstaking attention to
detail that went into making this game is impressive alone. This is a game,
which, 20 some odd years ago, would have required an entire Dev team of coders
and graphic artists to make, along with a marketing team to promote it and a
major publishing company to release it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Among
my first thoughts during my initial play through was “This game was made with heart.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On to the review!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Graphics:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a game that prides itself on being an ‘NES’ style
throwback. It fully embraces the Indie doctrine of ‘Story and substance’ over
the ‘Pomp and circumstance’ we have come to expect from over-the-top,
salaciously rendered pixel-porn that has become the norm of mainstream gaming; often
some well-established heavy hitting franchise that has overstayed its welcome or
a tie-in title with some multi million dollar movie series. Undertale’s
graphical styling gives us a revival of the classic era, and it does so not for
the sake of playing on our nostalgia, but out of sheer candor. The monster
encounters are like wistful, black & white pantomiming silhouettes, each
one crafted with care and detail. The simplicity of the world design is almost ‘Zen’
like in execution, and its charm and exquisitely rendered sprites hearken back
to the 8-bit era without patronizing it. This serves us well by further
emphasizing we should never judge a game by its polygon count.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soundtrack:<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
The melodies in this game are riveting and
expertly composed. The themes run the gamut from heartwarming and bold, to foreboding,
somber, or just plain bizarre. It is perfectly synchronized with every character
encounter, and creates ambiance that make the underground world truly ‘live’. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The catchy chip-tunes typical of the 8-bit era
are born anew through the original composition by TobyFox who cut his teeth creating
tracks for Homestuck and playing piano by ear. Playing Undertale is worth it for
the soundtrack alone; it elevates the game throughout its progression and
drives the story sequences home in such a way that is wholly uplifting to the soul.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Game play:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Implementing ‘Bullet
hell’ gameplay mechanics lends itself to Clever, quirky, and at times
delightfully challenging monster encounters and boss fights that keeps the
pacing fresh and interesting. Although many of the map puzzles are too easy, it
intentionally uses this cliché as a point of parody. It never takes itself too
seriously, which ultimately lends itself all the credibility it requires. It’s
got glamour, it’s got style….You can even date a skeleton! This is a game that
needed to be made. I once pondered long ago what it would be like playing a
game where you do not have to kill a single enemy, and if it would even be
remotely enjoyable: Undertale answers that with a resounding <span style="color: lime;">“Yes.”</span> Each character
encounter offers you a unique way of dealing with them that does not require outright
slaughter. You can finish the entire game without killing a single enemy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Plot:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is where Undertale shines the brightest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">(Hurr hurr hurr!) </span>Toby Fox takes a seemingly simplistic story
that anyone can follow within the first few minutes, then masterfully adds
layer upon layer of depth and emotionally charged story progression that
ultimately results in a climactic Apotheosis of both player and protagonist that
shatters all conventionality, right at the decisive moment, when it spawns a <i>Deus Ex Machina, </i>goes<i> </i>full
‘Meta’ and bulldozes through the fourth wall in flames while popping a wheelie at
full throttle.<br />
<br />
In any other game this would have proven catastrophic to its integrity.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I find it immensely difficult to deliver a complete
assessment of the story without introducing spoilers critical to the plot,
which is something I refuse to do. It’s such a pure story that needs to be
experienced rather than being subjected to an over-analytical TL’DR fanfic-esque
dissection.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Its clever pop-culture references and amalgamation of internet/anime/meme-centric
humor speak to the sensibilities of the modern gamer in 2015. Undertale is
really a horror game masquerading as a benign, cute JRPG style adventure. It disarms
you with humor, only to confront you with a slew of ethical challenges and eldritch
abominations. It forces you to think of your own consequences in a game world
as a reflection of how you’d behave in the real world. It deals with androgyny
and sexual undertones in such a brilliant manner, as to render it a harmless
burlesque. The characters are so deeply flawed in their nature, yet so lovable,
and that is exactly what gives them mass appeal. Whether or not Tobyfox set out
with this in mind, the base elements of the ancient theme of Greek
Tragic-comedy are alive and well in this game, and it is made adaptable for the
modern generation in the form of a video game. It may even seem absurd to some
who refuse to believe that such a twisted creation can even exist or that works
of Art can take on so many variegated forms. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Conclusion:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In all fairness to the critique, it was clear to me right
from the start that the game mechanics and graphical style are reminiscent of
the Earthbound (Mother) series, and that it even draws upon some of its oddball
charm, however, Undertale cleverly strikes out on its own volition and delivers
a unique brand of quirkiness that sets it apart without directly 'imitating'
anything before it. Despite how much TobyFox was influenced by the EB series,
Undertale is by no means an ‘Earthbound clone’; it stands on its own two feet
proudly, sallies forth, and delivers a homerun. The torch has been passed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That being said, it’s very true that ‘Undertale’ is on the
short side. Depending on your style of play, this game can be completed in a
matter of hours, or over the course of a few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially, I felt as though the maps could have
been more expansive in breadth and scope and more fleshed out…but I digress.
For a game that costs only 10USD, having been developed by a very small dev team,
this is a non-issue for one major reason: Toby Fox has embarked on this incredible venture and woven an intricate tale
for us: Undertale delivers its message. It says what it needs to say, and I’ve
come to realize it’s absolutely perfect as it is, short though it may be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It throws typical RPG tropes out the window.
It rejects the doctrine of completionism <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the mundane task of requiring hours and
hours of mindless grinding typical of virtually all RPGS, or setting out to
obtain some pointless ‘McGuffin’ in order to advance progress. It utterly
redefines what it means to be a gamer by examining the relationship between the
player and the character. In the same way that the Legend of Zelda series
realizes the significance of the monomyth and the Heroes journey by allowing
you (the player) to ‘Link’ to the Hero, Undertale reinforces that connection
through embracing the core message of hope, forgiveness, redemption, and above
all else: Determination.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
If you don't....well, let's just say you're in for a <b>bad</b> time.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those who truly ‘understand’ the game will require a degree
of empathy and the ability to feel unhindered emotion and project their
thoughts outside of themselves by ‘letting go’ and therefore engaging with the
interactive medium of gaming to vindicate the art form to its highest potential,
helping to understand the nature of others who have different perspectives. The
powerful emotional impact this game possesses will result in a cathartic experience
that has been described by many as nothing short of intense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are unable to feel ‘something’ after
completing one of the 3 possible endings, you may be just as repressed and internally
tortured as the game’s “antagonist”.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I haven’t felt this way playing a video game since I was a
child playing the NES classics back in the day. It was something I thought that
I had lost and would never feel again. Undertale embodies the re-awakening of
something so very familiar, but also something refreshing and so very unique,
and I am sincerely thankful that someone out there still ‘gets’ it. In a mainstream
world full of Halo’s, Metal Gears and Madden sequels, nothing could have
prepared me for this experience. There’s so much hate right now in video games,
so much division between gender, class, and corporate fanboy-ism pledging allegiance
to their respective camps that many of us have lost focus on what a pure gaming
experience truly is. Undertale comes along in all its lo-fi, 8-bit glory, and
resets everything.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
In a way, we are all like the child fallen into a world of monsters.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is hands down game of the year, and in my humble opinion ranks among one of
the greatest games of all time. I am not saying this lightly, either. Don't mind the haters: Undertale is the true
underdog of retro-classic gaming in 2015.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reading this review fills you with <b>Determination</b> to play
Undertale.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11796730950647146245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823129256246919853.post-38659492529516844882015-09-09T18:47:00.002-07:002015-09-09T22:42:09.285-07:00Gun Control means using both hands...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The phenomenon of mass shootings has become a routine
fixture in modern America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Few hot-button topics evoke the kind of strong sentiments and
staunchly held positions in people like the issue of gun control. The liberal
Left often views it as an ideology fit to undergo legislation and be adopted across
all states, while the conservative Right tends to support gun ownership as a
constitutional right for all, not a privilege for some, often cowering away from
any legislation to curb the widespread availability of firearms. Foreigners are
especially prone to greatly underestimating as to how deeply entrenched
gun-ownership is to the American identity. The brevity of the 2<sup>nd</sup>
amendment is its master-stroke, placing crystal clear emphasis on the token responsibility
of the public at large to act as a militant counterweight against the possible
outcome of a radically oppressive federal government.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the constitution,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amendment II:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of
a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be
infringed.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What many often fail to realize, is that the constitution is
a living document with the inherent capacity to be amended to suit the needs of
the nation as it advances, should the general consensus of those in power deem
it a necessary course of action. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This document was written in an era when the most powerful
firearms available consisted of single shot muskets that fired lead balls with
great inaccuracy and were clumsily inefficient in their reloading process, brandished
by soldiers who went up against Red-coated opponents that marched on the open
battlefield in perfect rank and file. The very concept of gas-operated, full
bore machine rifles with 30 round magazines were as scarcely imaginable to the
18<sup>th</sup> century psyche as the notion of an unhinged individual set
loose in a civilian tavern possessing the magnitude of firepower in a rifle or
pistol that could claim dozens of lives in a heinous act before being gunned
down by minutemen or taking his own life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll say it loud and clear: The dogmatic interpretation of
the 2nd amendment is the preferred ‘catch all’ shield gun-fanatics of every
stripe use to hide behind while they remain unwilling to adapt to the necessary
changes of our time and accept that it is a document 224 years overdue for a
revision that would keep pace with the issues of the 21<sup>st</sup> century,
specifically, mass shootings and gun-violence.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is explicit, not just in granting a proliferation of
firearms to a ‘well-regulated militia’, but to the public at large with
absolutely no discretion as to how this was to be implemented once the nation
matured. The founding fathers were some of the wisest men humanity has produced,
yet we cannot delude ourselves into thinking that they had the foresight to
anticipate the technical and sociopolitical challenges that the country would
face hundreds of years into the future. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The inclusion of the
second amendment is predicated entirely on anti-authoritarian sentiments that
play on the layman’s fears of state-run tyranny by levying firepower in the
hands of the masses to keep the balance of power in check. This may have been
relevant in an 18<sup>th</sup> century group of colonies forming a new nation
from scratch, though it is now outmoded without legal safeguards that can
quantify an individual’s ability to properly handle a firearm. Congress has
long been influenced by the NRA and the gun lobby. They have this nation by the
balls. They’ve consistently lobbied against any progressive legislature that
proposes enacting restrictions on gun ownership.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
___________________________________</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gun Violence is a cultural problem.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make no mistake: mass shooting events are not simply going
to dwindle in occurrence. This trend is only going to perpetuate and it’s going
to fester, because we live in a violent, tribal, gun fetishist culture that
browbeats any iconoclastic dimwit that challenges the prevailing worldview
upheld by the majority of gun enthusiasts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These people fail to recognize the rampancy of gun-culture and the
unmitigated availability of weapons poses a threat to almost everyone, and
they let it get in the way of their better judgment. Sadly, this is a direct
consequence of a whole host of factors, the least of which, being congressional
ineptitude, bureaucratic red tape, and the backing of a militant gun-lobby
which panders to a crowd-source that is ultimately fearful of their ‘liberties’
coming under scrutiny in any way shape or form. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am a supporter of a citizen’s right to own guns. I support
open-carry as well as concealed carry. As a responsible gun owner, I am by no
means in favor of abolishing firearms (Not that it would ever happen in the U.S),
although I strongly believe there should be a rigid system of safety measures in
place to help ensure that fire-arms are maintained by responsible and well-disciplined
citizens.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Can there be anything more hilarious than that idea? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Responsible and well disciplined citizens.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just think about that for a moment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Consider the millions of gun-owners in this country: just how
many of them realize what an incredible responsibility owning a gun truly is? The
amount of power one has over life and death is immense, and the mental discipline
necessary to not only wield a gun properly, but to fully grasp just how extremely
slim the margin of error one has in a circumstance where they could be found
justified using it against another human being in accordance to the statutes of
self defense in their state.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This isn’t even yet taking into account the sheer amount of training
and mental fortitude necessary to prevent accidents and mishaps when even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">handling</i> a firearm, loaded or not. To
shirk the responsibility of the kind of mental fortitude I refer to is to
embrace a level of idiocy that would make the ghost of Charles Darwin cackle
with glee should you ‘accidentally’ plug your best friend in the nads with a hollow-point
round.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or, you know, your three year old nephew taking one to the forehead.
Whoever happens to be in the pathway of the bullet at the time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An effective system of gun control would drastically reduce
the instances of gun related violence. Other countries have statistically
proven this to be the case. Enacting such a system into law will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> prevent mass shootings and gun
violence, but it would represent headway in the right direction. Having these
countermeasures in place will alleviate the problem, though nothing can ever
truly prevent it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fact of the matter is we are not in control. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We never will be and the wiser among us know this to be
true.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere, in the
back of our minds, lurks this undeniable logical conclusion, even if some of us
are reluctant or unwilling to face that fact. It’s a hard pill to swallow. So
long as we live in a civil society that is armed to the teeth with individuals
who possess free-will, it is utterly impossible to completely prevent these
treacherous events from occurring. If a deranged individual is determined to
get a hold of fire-arms, they’re gonna get em no matter what the cost because
they have nothing to lose. And when one has nothing to lose, the very notion of
cost becomes meaningless. Whether through the black market, theft, 3D printing,
or self assembly, that craven individual, possessing enough resourcefulness, will
find a way to acquire an arsenal no matter how hard our society makes it for
them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the price we pay. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Allow me to cite an article from the National conference of
state legislature:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Under 18 U.S.C<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>§
922(d): It is unlawful for any person to sell or otherwise dispose of any
firearm or ammunition to any person knowing or having reasonable cause to
believe that such person “Has been adjudicated as a mental defective or has
been committed to any mental institution.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By more actively prosecuting and convicting any
individual(s) found complicit in selling or giving fire-arms to a person who is
mentally deranged, we will be putting pressure on negligent sellers and private
owners where it is needed , and that should give enough incentive to help provide
a drop in the overall rate of gun crimes and mass shooting events. State law on
fire-arms restrictions varies, though heavy-set uncle Jim-bob with his
moustache-goatee and Camo-cap scowls and spits his chewing tobacco in disdain
at the idea of any penalties or restrictions put in place. He’s probably
packing more firepower in his Chevy Silverado than Washington had in an entire
regiment. Hunters and sports shooters alike will hide behind their hobby to
legitimize their cause while avoiding the implications unfettered gun access
has on society at large. Many of these hunters are indeed well trained,
responsible, and are no happier to see gun-violence occur than your average liberal
arts major dwelling in downtown Manhattan, but they would rather see a Columbine
happen every year than take steps to support gun control.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When machine pistols and rifles are so easily accessible to
disturbed hormonal teenagers, gangbanging thugs (Yes I said it) and
schizophrenic post-teenage angst males with a score to settle against their
peers, then the outrage and condemnation should be especially vocal within the
ranks of NRA members. Many of which, are trophy hunters, sports shooters, and gun
collectors. The gun-lobby needs more people calling for change within its own
support base, and we don’t see this happening.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following bullet points have been re-iterated by many a
left of center gun-control advocate. Sure, skip ahead to the last paragraph if
you feel you probably aren’t reading anything new. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My resolution methods pertaining to gun control are
fourfold:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1: Require federal criminal background checks along with
standardized mental health evaluations in place as standard protocol when
purchasing ANY firearm with a pass/fail outcome. Establish a waiting period of
several years if failed. Prosecute, to the fullest extent of the law, those who
have either given or sold a gun to someone with an established history of
criminal felonies or known mental disability severe enough to hinder their competence
in handling a firearm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2: Mandatory gun training classes and gun safety course with
a certified instructor. Again, employ this on a pass/fail basis.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All firearms should then be registered and a Federal firearm
holder’s license would then be obtained. Increasing fines with severe penalties
leading up to prison time should be on the table for judges to sentence
transgressors as they see fit. Mandatory minimums are a terrible idea, and only
serve to tie the hands of judges and fill up our already overflowing prison
system. Enforcing these licenses would be a logistical nightmare to the bloated
bureaucracy of our federal government, but it represents steps in the right
direction.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We require licenses to drive several thousand pound motor
vehicles at high speeds so why not issue licenses to own firearms? I am not
referring to a concealed carry permit, but a certified license issued just to
possess a firearm whether bought from your local Wallyworld, the flea market,
gun show, or a hand-me-down rifle from uncle Jim-Bob wearing his mossy-oak camo
cap. Is this going to stop Jim-bob in rural flyover-country from giving a hunting
rifle to little Aiden on his fifth birthday without a license or training
course? No Sirree, but I would damn well support his incarceration for gross negligence. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3: Amend the constitution to include the mental competency
of citizens seeking gun-ownership.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Whoa there! How extreme and un-american! How dare you
attack the Second amendment and my God given rights!’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not so fast, Jim-Bob. This isn’t NASCAR. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s very clear the Second amendment has a built in failsafe
that accepts the implementation of gun control legislation. I’ll get to that in
a second.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the same way that chattel slavery and Women’s inability
to vote were considered inconsequential during the formation of this country
and would later become blights on our nation’s history, some of the most
pressing issues were purposefully neglected to be dealt with at a later date. I
would successfully argue that the widespread gun violence we are experiencing
today is the unforeseen crisis that the second amendment has provided a
proverbial shelter for without specifying the extent of its reach. It is a pressing
crisis that we need to deal with in our day and age. Amendments have been made
to the constitution to keep up with the times when our civil liberties reached
a boiling point, and it is high time that gun-control be addressed in the same manner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, let us also draw attention to the fact that the 2<sup>nd</sup>
amendment contains an inherent bid for revision by examining its first four
words.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A well regulated
militia…”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A militia? Regulated by whom? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lets look into the Miriam Webster definition of the term
‘Regulated.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Full Definition of REGULATE:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>transitive verb</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 a :<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to govern or
direct according to rule</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
b (1) :<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to bring
under the control of law or constituted authority (2) :<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to make regulations for or concerning
<regulate the industries of a country></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to bring order,
method, or uniformity to <regulate one's habits></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to fix or adjust
the time, amount, degree, or rate of <regulate the pressure of a tire></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to the constitution, if we expect our gun carrying
citizens to be a militia then they must be regulated like one; and regulation on
firearms means strict adherence to a set of rules, protocol, and above all else,
‘mental competency’ with severe penalties for those who transgress the law. I
propose that the amended clause be very specific as to the nature of regulation
stated in the 2<sup>nd</sup> amendment so that it applies ONLY to those
individuals with the mental faculties who have proven themselves, under a standardized
evaluation, to be worthy of possessing a firearm. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4: Better mental healthcare systems in place to treat those
at high risk and prevent these incidents before they happen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This one’s crucial. Perhaps the singular most important solution
in putting the brakes on gun violence and mass shootings is to help prevent
them before they even begin. Detractors will often state “Oh no! The ‘Mentally
ill’ are wrongly accused, and are far more likely to be victims of violence
themselves!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While our nation pours billions into the military industrial
complex, our healthcare system has become a barely functioning mess. There isn’t
nearly enough community outreach that could catch a lot of these incidents in
their early stages. There aren’t enough programs to fund counselors and mentors
who can see the warning signs and the red flags in young people and help set
them straight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a direct consequence of our healthcare system’s
inability to properly diagnose and treat these people. Instead society goes
about labeling them as dangerous sociopaths and lumps them all in with the
others that Americans consider ‘undesirables’ with disabilities which run the
gamut from PTSD, ADHD, to anxiety and depression. Our healthcare system has
proven utterly hapless at the task of weeding out the minority of maliciously
mentally ill from the majority of innocuous mentally ill who just need proper
care and treatment and can barely help themselves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
_________________________________________</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To those against adopting any measures that restrict
gun-ownership, I say you are outmoded and on the wrong side of history. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need a wakeup call to become enlightened
on this issue. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For many across the
country, firearms represent one of the last bastions of masculinity in modern
America. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But wait! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just opt for the model with the pink handgrip and it is now
a symbol of female empowerment! Yes ladies, you too can help fight the
patriarchy by keeping your hot-pink AR-15 locked in your chifforobe!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the notion of
fostering a discussion on enacting gun-control is unthinkable to some of these screaming
man-children who feel threatened that their shiny toys are going to be taken
away from them. This paranoia masks deeply rooted insecurities within the ranks of gun
proliferation advocates and is one major reason why meaningful measures fail to
even get off the ground: The pushback and mass-rallies following the
introduction of a gun-control bill would shake the nation. Having the FBI seize
Jim-Bob’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>rifle collection, should he be
found guilty of an unrelated federal crime without a possessing a firearm
holders license would be lethal affair for agents making the bust because you
better believe he wouldn’t go down without a fight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We would see hundreds of WACO style incidents play out across
the country. Fact is, there are millions of Jim-Bob’s out there, and many of
them would rather perish in a blaze of glory rather than surrender firearms if
convicted of a felony, which is why they petition the gun-lobby which funnels tens
of millions into the NRA which are then ‘distributed’ into the coffers of local
Politicians that agree to veto any restrictions on their racket. This is asymmetrically
costing lives. Instead, much of the news media and politicians choose to shift
the focus on the turban-wearing Boogiemen half a world away instead of
confronting the enemy within. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
obvious reasons for this:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A) To prevent a massive popular uprising and/or riots.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
B)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its simply not
profitable to target the gun industry in America. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If it is not a willingness to act against the gun lobby,
then what are we left with other than to conclude the brutal truth that the political
elite in charge of the country would prefer to let these events run their
course to help thin the herd? There are fewer resources to go around now
anyway. Just let the little people kill each other off. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After all, the richest 1%, as well as our senators and
congressmen remain immune to the public interest since they have bodyguards and
mercenary forces often amounting to the size of a small army that protects them
at all times. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Political figureheads,
presidential candidates, and even Billionaires and some CEO’s have what equates
to a private platoon protecting them, except they wear business casual with
black ties instead of jungle fatigues. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The public at large is susceptible to its own monsters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The victims have been High school students. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
College students.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Movie theatergoers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amish schoolchildren.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Innocent first-graders and teachers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elderly African American churchgoers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
TV News reporters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These are the events that make headlines on the news
networks. They get the ratings. They bring in the cash. What evils society
turns a blind eye towards are often those which hit closest to home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I often wonder how many Americans realize
that the vast majority of gun violence incidents consist of drive-by shootings
in ghetto slums, confrontations on the streets, college campuses, and domestic
violence disputes that occur every single day while working class America
conveniently ignores them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of these
incidents do not even qualify as “Mass shootings” yet underscore the same
pivotal problems we face, and add up to a far greater statistic than the sensational
incidents that grab the headlines.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until effective methods are in place that help restrict
firearms possession to competent law abiding citizens,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>these types of events will only perpetuate in
an endless cycle of violence and we will grow numb and impotent every-time a
maniac with a lead dispenser decides to go on a killing spree after posting a
rambling Manifesto on livejournal while their actions make the primetime drama circuit
where the talking heads toss around buzzwords like “shocked”, “appalled” and
extend ‘heartfelt condolences’ that go out to the victims families as they try
to pass it off as “breaking” news to their jaded, cynical audience; their
actions analyzed ad-nauseum at Nine’O clock Eastern Standard by bearded old men
wearing wireframe glasses to help ease our collective guilt. Our nation’s ethos
is as hypocritical as it is incapacitated. So much so, that the mind balks at
its absurdity. If this is the future that we are inheriting, it’s going to make
the ‘Hunger games’ look like Sesame Street.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can think of no better example to illustrate the profound dementia
of our mass media and modern American culture when faced with gun violence than
how we react to it when it hits the nightly newscasts: When it comes to
enacting effective gun control legislation, we see the epitome of ignorance
coupled with bureaucratic paralysis in our Capitols and courts, ritualized and
watered down to be suitable for primetime programming and made tragic comedy to
satiate the discriminating palates of God-fearing, white American suburbanites
that will squabble for fifteen minutes amongst each other while our senators,
congressmen, and their lawyers are laughing all the way to the bank with their
NRA endorsed cheques after having accomplished nothing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gun control means using both hands: It also means making a
fucking effort to help keep them out of the wrong hands.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The recent SCOTUS ruling that gay marriage is now legal in
all 50 states is, beyond all doubt, a monumental achievement, and is truly one
of the defining historical highlights of the year 2015. The LGBTQ community now
possesses the inherent rights that should have been granted to them decades ago
during the civil rights era of the 1960’s and 70’s. In the eyes of the law,
LGBTQ individuals are no longer second-class citizens. Alas, the bravura and pageantry
of the white house lit up in rainbow veneer is something I never expected to
see. The world is changing at breakneck speed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is a fantastic time to celebrate human rights, yet it is
imperative to be aware of the opposition. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for the blustering bigots who are blowing their
collective fuses in the aftermath of the SCOTUS ruling, I can only say my levels
of Schadenfreude have never been higher. Let’s be honest here: their real world
encounters of actual homosexual activity will be limited to witnessing Jacob
and Steve holding hands with matching rings as they shop for fabric, and dropping
their spectacles aghast into their decanters of sherry as they open their
morning papers to see Suzie-Q and her lezzie Lulu having posted their glorious
wedding reception in the Mainstreet Gazette. The vast majority of their
exposure to gay marriage is what they are indoctrinated into on Sunday morning
by their hate-filled preachers and the hyperbole that is spoon-fed to them in
the afternoon by over sensationalized Fox news commentators. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The demographic of
old, church-going white republicans has been shaken to the core. It should be
pointed out that the landmark ruling for the legalization of marriage for LGBTQ
citizens is not the only mitigating factor that distresses them, it is that
homosexuals are now, by virtue of this ruling, viewed as EQUAL citizens on
EQUAL footing to them. This is the underlying, subconscious ‘threat’ that rocks
the foundations of their warped psychology. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, when the next major natural disaster hits (and
trust me, it WILL happen, it’s a FUCKING part of nature) be it hurricane, earthquake,
or rising floodwaters (Global warming made this a certainty long before the ruling)
conservative pundits along with fire and brimstone preachers will rejoice and be
all too eager to be putting the blame solely on “TEH GAYS” getting hitched. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But alas, we should pity them. Their reptilian ape-brains do
not possess the capacity to differentiate between arbitrary natural processes
conducting themselves according to plate tectonics and the volatile weather
patterns of the tropics. This mode of primordial thinking is barely a notch above:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“URRG URRGH VOLCANO FIRE GOD ANGRY! URRGH!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sheer arrogance that they claim to speak for ‘G-d’ is
audacious as it is erroneous, for they speak only for themselves and their prejudiced
ilk that helps reinforce their confirmation bias. They will continue to rant,
rave, and project their ‘hate’ and ‘wrath’ onto ‘God’, while claiming that they
are free of guilt for harboring the aforementioned hate within their own
hearts. This tired tactic will not absolve them in the eyes of future generations;
as much as it has spared us the ire of the fanatics who organized the witch
hunts of the 17th century. The tide of history is against them, and they will
be left behind as future generations move forward toward the shining beacon of egalitarian
progress both societal and technological, since the dogmatic control of the
Judeo-Christian establishment is losing its stranglehold on humanity faster
than they can grasp. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And yet, we must remain vigilant, for the momentum of this
ruling must be maintained. The LGBTQ community still has a long, tough road
ahead of them, especially in underdeveloped countries around the world that are
still governed by laws mired in the dark ages. The triumph of the 26<sup>th</sup>
of June cannot be understated: It was a remarkable event whose aftershocks will
be felt for decades. Although we have yet to confront the challenges that remain, I am confident that the up and coming generation being raised today
will meet these challenges and carry the torch another mile further.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
I would also like to add that it is not a proper course of action to hate or dehumanize those bigots who, in turn, hate and dehumanize gays, for it would make the LGBTQ community no better than they are.There are a great many issues concerning the legal framework of how this ruling will be implemented across each state, though ultimately I believe the legacy of this ruling will help reinforce the separation of church and state and therefore define marriage in the context of a legal and civil union that can be carried out in a secular institution without the authority of the church to oversee it's consummation. It is my hope that this ruling will become a social catalyst that will inextricably lead to greater emphasis on equality in the workplace so that anti-discrimination laws regarding sexual orientation will become a federal mandate that protects LGBTQ individuals from harm and injustice. The intolerance of a corporation firing someone because they are Gay is just as antiquated and derisive for firing someone because they are Black. Possessing religious liberty does not grant individuals or groups of individuals the right to discriminate others based on their inherent faculties. What we are witnessing is civilization reaching maturity with growing pains.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My message is clear: The right wing spewing their religious
vitriol and ultraconservative rhetoric cannot curb nor hinder the success that
has been achieved here in this great country. This was a milestone step forward
for human rights, human dignity, and love.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
#lovewins</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Fox Crimson</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11796730950647146245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823129256246919853.post-79260697388088560202015-05-28T16:42:00.001-07:002015-05-28T16:46:17.160-07:00Unheard from beyond the Kitsune cloud<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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As a longtime flight enthusiast and a trainee pilot, I’ve
maintained a fascination with unusual aircraft and aviation in general since I
was a child. It is one of my foremost passions in life, and I fondly reminisce upon
the past-time of spotting commercial airliners with my father as they came in to land while he parked just outside the Miami airport tarmac fences back in the early
90s. Nowadays, I live relatively close to Hartsfield Jackson International
airport, one of the busiest airports in the world. Air traffic is ubiquitous, and
on any clear night, the blinking beacons of many commercial jetliners on a
typical flight path is a very common sight indeed as I sit upon my bench on my back
porch at night and stargaze with the occasional cigarette in hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meteors are more uncommon, but still clearly visible,
particularly the Perseids of August and the Leonids that shower down around November.
There is one outstanding incident which I’ve kept largely silent about that I feel
compelled to share with any who read this article.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following anecdote describes the night I saw a UFO.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am entirely without concern upon running the risk of sacrificing
any notion of credibility upon revealing this story, since I stake my word on
it with complete and total confidence. Many skeptical ‘UFO hunters’ pay no heed
to anecdotes that do not provide some form of photographic or video evidence,
and to that end, I simply do not care. What I saw remains one of the strangest
events I had ever bared witness to.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was a passenger aboard the ‘Cormorant’ Catamaran, a dual
hulled vessel on an expedition venturing throughout the Galapagos Islands. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the night of July 19<sup>th</sup>, 2012,
our charter was sailing en-route from Isla Santiago (San Salvador), to Isla
Genovesa (AKA: Tower Island), a remote shield volcano boasting a dormant crater
lake called Darwin Bay. There is nothing but open ocean between these two
islands, and it should be noted that the Galapagos Islands are a ‘dead zone’
for international air travel, with the only exceptions being flight paths
between southern California (Typically LAX or SFO) and Lima or Santiago, which,
if referenced on any world flight path chart, do NOT cross directly over the
island chain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were crossing the Equator for the second time on our
course (0°0′N)north, and my fellow passengers were busy carousing with the crew
on the bridge. I left my camera bag behind in my cabin to make my way up to the
upper deck to stargaze and relax on the outdoor chaise lounge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I am sitting on the lounge bench, winding
down from a long day of diving and hiking, I gaze up into the night sky. It is
truly remarkable to see the stars in the night sky in the Galapagos due to the
complete absence light pollution. One can see the spiral arm of the Milky Way
with unparalleled clarity arcing across the midnight expanse; and all our nearby
star systems shine with a vividness that all but made my jaw drop. It’s an
amazing spectacle in and of itself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After about 15 minutes of stargazing, I saw a bright,
bluish-white, pulsating light appear high in the skies directly above me,
unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“…What the F*ck…” were the only words that came out of my
mouth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The pulsing light seemed to travel at a constant speed as it
headed due north, in the same general direction that our craft was heading. I
knew what I was seeing was extraordinary, having never seen anything even
remotely like it. I stared in rapture as the pulsing light raced across the sky
and started to veer east on a smooth, parabolic orbit, now speeding toward the
horizon. I got up and hurriedly made my way to the ship’s railing, and watched
the pulsing light continue onward at a steady speed, descending down to greet the
horizon far to the east as it got dimmer and dimmer the further away it
traveled. It did not leave a trail of any sort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Within a minute of having first seen this spectacle appear in the skies,
it had disappeared over the horizon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I stared over the railing of the ship into the dark expanse
of roiling, empty sea and dusky grey clouds, my mouth agape. I stared out to
sea for several minutes facing east where the craft disappeared and then raced
down below decks, dashed into my cabin, snagged my camera bag, and ran back to
the top deck with my heart racing. I pulled out Nikon D5100 with haste and turned
it on, forefinger hovering over the shutter release, eager to capture anything
I could.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I must have spent the next hour and a half up on that deck,
camera clutched in my hands while hoping to see something else again, anything
at all, but nothing else appeared: Just gazing up into the cosmos and trying to
comprehend the magnitude of what I saw. I didn’t’ tell anyone on-board the ship.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the years gone by since I witnessed this event, I mulled
over many explanations. I’ve gone to great lengths using all available
contemporary logic to rule out what it ‘wasn’t. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rate of speed at which this object traveled was
hypersonic and maintained more than enough velocity to have broken the sound
barrier many times over, causing a series of sonic booms if it was within
atmosphere, so it was certainly in orbit above the planet. The entire experience
was utterly silent. Contemporary Supersonic jet fighters travel within the
atmosphere and emit sonic booms as they push past the sound barrier. Smaller
meteorites streak across the sky and typically burn up within a second. Larger
meteors (which are very, very rare), most notably the ‘Chelyabinsk’ Meteor that
impacted Russia the following year, will however, burn up steadily as they descend
to earth. Due to the laws of thermodynamics they will burn in the ‘orange-yellow’
spectrum (burning sodium & or iron) as they descend on a downward tangent. These
natural phenomena do NOT travel on parabolic orbital paths, nor do they pulse bluish-white.
Thus, these natural phenomena have been ruled out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The international space station, however, can be seen with
the naked eye. It is as ‘slow’ as molasses compared to what I saw, and simply
cannot change paths with such incredible maneuverability, appearing directly
overhead, turning on a dime, and then disappearing beyond the horizon within
the time span of one minute. While the low orbital path of the ISS is indeed curved
along the Earth’s axis, it is a very broad-sweeping orbit and does not delineate
from its course at such a sharp trajectory from the vantage point of an
observer standing atop a ship on the surface.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The object witnessed did not change course at a sharp right
angle, but plotted a very rapid elliptic curve east. I’d estimate the course
change was between 80-90 degrees, something which the ISS is simply not capable
of making within the time frame of being observed for less than a minute during
one of its orbits. The total duration of the craft I witnessed from its Zenith
directly above me to its disappearance over the horizon was roughly one minute,
with the course change taking around only about 6 or 7 seconds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Re-entry vehicles such as the Jules Verne ATV do emit a
bluish-white glow, but are designed to burn apart over remote swaths of the
Earth’s oceans in a shower of sparks, heading in one direction on a downward
plunge. It’s a one way trip. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There exists only a scant few possibilities which present
themselves to me, and as such, offer the likeliest explanation: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the few types of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>craft capable of fitting the profile of what I
saw would be a highly classified suborbital scram-jet vehicle, such as the SR-75
Penetrator, AKA “Project Aurora” which has been rumored to exist since the
1980s, supposedly as a surveillance vehicle and a successor to the SR-71
Blackbird which was introduced in 1966. We’ve come a long way since then. There
have been numerous claims by many enthusiasts who believe the “Aurora” to
exist, even though the U.S government never fully acknowledged its existence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could have also been an as of yet unknown ‘Skunk
Works’ vehicle, a true ‘Black Project’. But we all know we can trust the
government completely, word for word, right?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s not forget the U.S government has a history of
misleading the public with its experimental military aircraft, since the F-117 ‘Nighthawk’
Stealth Fighter and B-2 Spirit Stealth bombers were both formally denied as existing
back when they were classified as ‘black’ projects until they were unveiled
publically in the late 1980s.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Classified reconnaissance vehicles of a similar nature
originating from Russia or China would also plausibly fit into the criteria. Yet
another plausible explanation is that the craft was an unmanned scram-jet drone
such as the Boeing X-51 ‘Waverider’, or an experimental hypersonic vehicle such
as the NASA X-43 or some other, newer variant thereof. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to the X-51’s Wikipedia entry, its
scramjet engine utilizes ethylene fuel, which as it turns out, glows
bluish-white when ignited at full burn. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As farflung as it may be to others, these types of classified
military or experimental crafts are what I believe to be the most logical
conclusion to describe what I observed. I would even venture so far as to say
that the craft I saw behaved in a manner that was not entirely beyond the
bounds of the laws of physics as we know them, nor did it perform in a such a way
that would have made it entirely incapable of being built by human hands (as extreme as it was),
especially with today's sophisticated aerodynamic technology.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The only other possibility that remains is that what I saw was not of this
world. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11796730950647146245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823129256246919853.post-38901786204797486782015-02-19T13:09:00.000-08:002015-02-19T13:09:25.955-08:00Saving the World and the Earth<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a message for the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On June 15, 2015 at 2:00 am Eastern time,
adjusted for where you live in the world, I want at least 8 MILLION people to
join me in a concentrated, world wide prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever you believe; Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish,
Agnostic, New Age, pagan, however you put your energy into a single idea, I
want everyone to join me in pushing back negative Entropy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This world is plagued with wars, famine,
pestilence, greed, indifference; all of these are only <u>symptoms</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The disease is Entropy.</div>
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Our world is on the cusp of
transitioning into a higher vibration ... or a lower one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many entities both here on Earth
and in the varied spiritual realms who want us to die out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who want us on that lower vibration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are millions of “Light Workers” on
Earth right now, trying to make this a better place, but they are focused on
the “problems” they can see, not the CAUSE of the problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>June 15, 2015 at 2:00 AM Eastern Time,
adjusted for where you live, I want to change from the “nursing” work all Light
Workers are doing to “Warrior” mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
want to attack the CAUSE of the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That cause is 'spiritual' Entropy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We CAN
push it back, in all levels of vibration, if we work together.</div>
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One person can not turn the tide,
put maybe, just maybe, 8 MILLION can.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Join me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>June 15, 2015 2:00 AM Eastern time, adjusted
for where you live.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11796730950647146245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823129256246919853.post-60155892374888797532014-12-17T19:12:00.002-08:002014-12-17T19:12:43.626-08:00Sony drops the bomb: 'The Interview' <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b>Sony drops the bomb: ‘The Interview’</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, I really wanted to see the upcoming Seth Rogan movie
‘The interview’ in theaters sometime after Christmas. Would you believe my
dismay upon finding out the movie was pulled and/or postponed due to hacked emails and bombastic threats coming from a hacker group? Can you fathom my sheer agitation upon finding out that Sony
thought it would be a good idea to allow the stuffed shirts in the theater biz to start
conforming to terrorist demands threatening moviegoers in retribution for its release, and that these fat-cats decided yanking the flick was an acceptable course of action? Simply appalling! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back in November, thousands of emails were hacked and
subsequently leaked by a group calling itself ‘Guardians of Peace'. Ironic name
for a terrorist org!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This group,
believed to be affiliated with the DPRK, apparently pulled this stunt as
retribution for Sony’s upcoming release of ‘The Interview’ since the plot deals
exclusively with the assassination of their ‘Dear leader’. This group then
proverbially crapped itself by releasing warnings stating that ‘The world will
be full of fear’ and then proceeding to wave the boogeyman of 9/11 over our
collective heads, warning people to stay away from<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>theaters showing the film despite there being
no credible evidence of an upcoming attack by our intelligence agencies and
homeland security.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This just goes to show how pussified we have become as a
society that we allow ourselves to be swayed by fear and terrorist threats
issued by the gutless agents of a rogue nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shame on the major theaters (Regal Cinemas, AMC Entertainment and Cinemark
Theatre) for their cowardice and for the smaller chains in following suit like dominoes,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>excusing the
postponement of this film under the guise of ‘public safety’ .This is exactly
the kind of meek sensitivity and apologetic political correctness that is
fraying at the fabric of our American society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I find it audacious how Sony has responded to this threat, and stooped
so low. Sony knew the consequences this film would have, and I highly suspect
this coordinated turn of events was staged to drum-up hype and increase revenue
for a comedy whose production budget was (holds up pinky finger to corner of
mouth) 44 MILLION dollars. That is a lot of dough for a comedy. It’s as though
the DPRK’s propaganda films about destroying America and turning Washington D.C
into a crater are any worse than a Hollywood comedy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that the major theaters have been
swayed by this double standard only enforces the position of DPRK loyalists,
who will view this as a triumph and a great victory in their eyes. This
therefore sets a precedent by enemy regimes: Hack, threaten, instill fear!
Surely we will get Americans to shut the hell up and give in to our demands if we scream
loud enough! 9/11! Fear!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Now, consider that there is a deeper political and/or
corporate motive behind Sony having the plug pulled on this movie’s release that is
not being publicly stated: The two main actors in the movie are journalists
that are employed by the CIA to assassinate Kim Jung Un.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While it is true that any western Journalists
who manage to enter the DPRK already face immense skepticism, many argue that
this movie will only increase the paranoia and mistrust of future journalists
and political negotiations.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I say screw them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did the USA kowtow to Adolph Hitler during WW2? No, Walt
Disney made a parody with Donald Duck depicting him as a lunatic buffoon and
told him to shove a missile straight up his Austrian kiester. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe Seth Rogan and James Franco will make a straight to DVD follow up film based on actual events about how Kim Jung Un murdered his uncle? That'd be grand! </div>
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<br /></div>
Even if there
is a political and financial motive behind the scenes of this debacle, even if
Sony is somehow encouraging pulling and postponing the film to increase
audience demand to see it in a bid to make up for the losses suffered in the
hack remains to be seen. Although this seems very suspicious, it doesn’t make
much financial sense at all for Sony Corp, since they would surely be facing tens of
millions of dollars in penalties, lost marketing costs, lawyers fees, et al.
All for, what, <span style="font-size: small;">increasing public hype for Amurricans to see a Seth Rogan flick? Costs of the breach are already being estimated between 150-300 million dollars. It could very well be that Sony's postponement is just making the best of a bad situation. The film is going to get spread one way or the other now that it has a political stigma attached to it, and I feel this is exactly what Sony wanted.</span><br />
<br />
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Personally, I wanted to see the movie before this drama unfolded. Would it be a crappy comedy? Sure, probably, thought I, however cliche it might be.I liked the premise and the dark humor. People are talking (and writing) about it now that there is hype surrounding the film.The fact remains that this fiasco bears a testament to how
radicalized the DPRK is, and that Sony (and the theater corps) are responsible
for putting a dent in American bravado, somehow suggesting that we are at fault
in this idealistic clash of nations and cultures for having the nerve to parody a tyrant
who has killed millions of his own people while engorging himself on
Swiss cheese. We are combating a rogue regime with comedy, and it is no
less debasing than Matt and Trey Parker releasing ‘Team America: world police”
back in 2004.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How times have changed.</div>
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11796730950647146245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823129256246919853.post-40918101127314907962014-11-02T18:54:00.000-08:002014-11-03T16:04:41.715-08:00On #Gamergate and what it means to be a modern Gamer<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back in the 1990’s when video games were under attack from
the media and landmark titles like ‘Doom’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Mortal Kombat’ and ‘Quake’ were all the rage,
many concerned parents were wetting their collective panties regarding the
overt violence and gore exposed to their fragile, sheltered youth. The target
audience of your average gamer was between the ages 8-24, male, and either hung
out in Hot Topic at the local mall or Chuck’E Cheese.<span style="color: red;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>The popularity of mall arcades were dying,
while PC and gaming consoles were ubiquitous trappings in the cheetoh’s coated
realm of the common nerd. Many characters were often over-sexualized and
overtly macho to the point of parody. Duke Nukem wantonly swung stacks of
Benjamin’s at skimpy dressed pole dancers while spouting crude one liners
(Gasp: Objectification of women!) and Leisure suit Larry introduced us to the
art of seducing two dimensional broads with artistically rendered bosoms
(Simply Abhorrent!) all the while, the bloodletting effects in your arcade
style fighting games had more pixelated red squares than a Minecraft server:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am taking this opportunity to weigh in on ‘Gamergate’ as
well as segueing into the progression of video gaming and the direction of
the industry as a whole.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Running the spectrum</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The proliferation of console gaming into truly mainstream culture
really began in the late 90’s early 00’s and delineated a shift from a mere
child’s ‘toy’ and curio-gadget of the niche hobbyist to a fixture of the social
nexus essential to any modern home entertainment center. Video gaming itself is
one of the hallmarks symptomatic to what so called ‘social psychologists’ have
dubbed the ‘Millennial’ generation. Along with the internet, social media ,
smartphones, and the influx of anime and Japanese culture injected into the
veins of the Western adolescent,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it
represents one of the underpinnings our generation just inherently ‘get’s’ without
having to exacerbate its significance. While all of the aforementioned
technologies and cultural assets were developed in the mid to late 20<sup>th</sup>
century by preceding generations, they weren’t embedded into the social fabric of
their upbringing in quite the same way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The term ‘gamer’ has also changed. To put this in
perspective, your average six year old playing angry birds in mom’s minivan
could be considered a ‘gamer’ just about as much as your average senior citizen
playing video poker in Vegas while wearing black oversized shades and a
sun-visor: Both examples are a radical departure from the grizzled gaming
enthusiasts leveling up their Paladin to level 80 in DOTA 2. So sure, the
prevailing stereotypical tropes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>will
enjoy the medium of gaming to their own degree, just as much as your average
Joe-moviegoer<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>chortles on his extra
buttery popcorn while watching ‘Jackass’ appreciates cinema in the same way as
a jaded, balding film-buff does while critiquing the finer points of ‘Citizen
Kane’ in his studio chair. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This only becomes a problem to the self-identified ‘gamers’
who have adopted the title as an identification label, nothing more than a
dispute of terminology that they have made exclusive to themselves which is largely
irrelevant outside of their social strata. No longer is the traditional core
audience being targeted by the major marketing developers: Therefore affecting
the sensibilities of hardcore enthusiasts who have been playing video games for
their immersive plots, creative gameplay, artistic visuals and moving
soundtracks or just for the thrill of competition, stress relief and escapism,
or to vent frustration and anger playing GTA5 rather than recreating the
missions on the streets, pacified by the warm glow of their LCD screens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the inevitable repercussion of
gaming going main-stream and appealing to a far wider audience which was once
largely the realm of young male teens, and 20 something’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, there persists a relevant analogy
that can be applied to any other form of entertainment media: The more
widespread it becomes, the more it becomes oversaturated with content that the
initial audience cannot relate to as it garners a fan-base that is just as
estranged.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Attack of the 50 foot
SJW</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, along comes a small but growing group of very vocal fringe
feminists that seek attention, publicity, and most importantly of all, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">money</i>, by lambasting the gaming
community and exposing what they perceive as misogyny in gaming by putting it
on par with its history of violence and sexist portrayal of women. In
opposition to this, actor Adam Baldwin coined #Gamergate to rally gamers
against this onslaught, witnessing that their inclusive hobby (and some may say
life-style) is under attack by outsiders. For anyone already familiar with the
debacle, Gamergaters have long touted that the integrity of gaming journalism
is the core issue and the legitimate talking point, not misogyny in gaming; further
confusing matters since both issues overlap. But this has been overshadowed by the
accusations of misogyny, in particular, those made by Anita Sarkeesian, an
active critic and blogger. These involve harassment and trolling of female game
developers and game ‘journalists’ in the workplace, objectification of women in
games, and general violence toward women, claiming that the gaming industry is
inherently sexist against them. A small part of the self-professed
‘Gamergaters’, who, in actuality, represent a pretty insignificant portion of
‘Gamers’ as it stands, have responded in kind by posting death/rape threats to
Anita and other ‘feminists’ involved in the over-arching scandal including Zoe
Quinn and Brenna Wu, giving them exactly what they wanted: The fuel for the
media outrage they needed to acquire talk-show appearances on TV, dialogues with
radio hosts, and publications with magazine editorials giving them the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">money </i>they wanted. The seedier
underbelly of the internet has spawned endless flame-wars on chan-boards,
twitter feeds, and tumblr forums in response. This form of online harassment
has been ongoing since the internet itself went mainstream, and has been
directed at every single race, ethnicity, gender, orientation and subculture
that has ever existed. It is nothing new, it is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not </i>excusable to those making the threats, but it is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> exclusive to women. These threads
are highly effective at attracting the lowest common denominator of both Gamer
and SJW (Social Justice warrior) alike who thrive off conflict and drama, festering
like flies on a shit-pile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gamers have awakened to the fact that they do not have
traditional news media outlets to represent themselves; only a handful of
crackpot websites, blogs with PC police pushing personal agendas, youtube video
commentaries, and a smattering of community forums which provide the only real platform
for them to voice their concerns. There is no legitimate foundation for gaming
journalism or reputable news sites to cover what is now a multi-billion dollar
a year industry. I personally feel the ‘core’ gaming community provides an easy
target for radical left wing social extremists that harbor a quasi-political
feminist agenda to spew their vitriol without much backlash, mainly because the
traditional ‘Gamer’ stereotype is quite negative, and that young, ‘privileged’
white males represent the core audience of that stereotype are at a
disadvantage when addressing these issues because their inherent attributes are
used against them by these fanatics much like a race-card is used when hot-button
issues about race are discussed. Conversely, some of the ‘Gamergaters’ are to
be just as reviled since they have brought out the worst aspects of the gaming
community. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the harassing tweets
made by some Gamergaters have proven counter-effective and have played right
into the hands of these radical feminists who have used this broad-stroke victimization
as a PR example to justify their accusations and vilify Gamers as a whole.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">All in all, this is further marginalizing the adherents of a
hobby that has been under siege for decades now. The result is typical of human
behavior, as we are using overgeneralizing labels to describe sweeping social
ideologues that pander to the simplistic human dichotomy of an ‘Us-Vs-them’ mentality.
The fact is, some ‘social justice warriors’ as well as some ‘Gamergaters’ are
equally repugnant, and are to be held just as responsible for souring the well.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the details of the scandal, I refer
to the following youtube videos for those interested.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRaAJBKmi5I"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRaAJBKmi5I</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F7Xze27wKE"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F7Xze27wKE</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The gaming industry is being hijacked by con-artists and
feminist radicals, and this is bad.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once predominately male, the title of ‘Gamer’ is far more
encompassing now than it was in past, and now many Gamers are women. This is a
great thing, all told. I feel that female gamers and developers have every
right to voice their input and participate in the industry, putting their
unique talents and perspectives into the fold. Many women in this field have
sided with Gamergate, realizing that the radicalized absurdities vomited by
Sarkeesian and her ilk are generally reviled by sane individuals. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sure, straight men tend to enact a ‘power fantasy’ of white-knighting
for a damsel in distress. It’s an inherent, embedded genetic trait for masculine
archetypes to protect women, and appeals to the tribal, hunter-gatherer male
psyche when we apply this to entertainment. There is nothing wrong with this.
Sex sells, and women have been catering to this since the dawn of time. Straight
men view women as sexual beings, and radical feminists believe this somehow
enforces objectification, in the same way that cheerleaders on the sidelines of
the football field are ornamentation to the male libido. This drive is expressed
in typical heteronormative dominance over women, viewing them as something to
be seduced and conquered: This is what radical feminists hate. They can’t stand
healthy, straight, male energies projected toward females in any form, seeing what
they view as enforcing a patriarchal hegemony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is the heart of the issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ethics in Gaming journalism, while just as valid in hindsight, ties into
the issue because Zoe Quinn used her gender to have affairs with numerous men
in gaming journalism. A writer for Kotaku is the notable example and she <i>allegedly</i> did this in exchange for positive reviews of her game ‘Depression quest’, and
was exposed by her Ex boyfriend for her wrongdoing. Gamers have seen the
ongoing corruption taking place in gaming journalism and realize that it should be
exposed for what it is. The SJW’s want the public to believe this has provided
a false flag to cover for their supposed misogyny toward women, but the fact
remains that bribery for biased gaming reviews, while little more than a
sideshow for an already overinflated issue, is a serious problem that is undermining
the industry. This has been widely arraigned by the entirety of Gamergaters ,
touting “Ethics in gaming journalism!” as their battle cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Am I a Gamer?
Absolutely. I love games, and always have. The Metroid series, featuring female
protagonist Samus Aran, is one of my favorite franchises of all time. It is
refreshing to see plot directions take a different twist from the ‘save the
princess’ re-hash not for its own sake, but because it is crucial for character
development and unique storytelling and that is what should be explored in this
day and age. Games like Bayonetta, Remember me, No one lives forever, Tomb Raider,
Beyond good and Evil, and Portal all possess female protagonists, and can
appeal to male and female Gamers alike.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I grew up playing video games; it was a joyful part of my
childhood as much as it was a part of those awkward, angst filled adolescent
years where retreating into a virtual world was the most appealing option when
faced with dealing with the life of a high school student and the social
hardships that come with it. Being a teen outcast is something many past
generations can identify with, and although I used gaming as form of
self-imposed virtual isolation and escapist therapy, it had its merits in helping
me cope and eventually become more social and branch out. Only those who have
experienced this form of alienation will find sympathy in the plight of young
gamers today, where others will merely scoff, abject to their own ignorance and
lack of empathy for the issues that teenagers must struggle with.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We must collectively realize what is at risk; the backlash
from the current Gamergate controversy has the potential to alter future game
content through political lobbying and enact content laws that would put more pressure
on the gaming industry should this SJW movement gain any more momentum, destroying
mainstream gaming as a realm of virtual experimentation and fantasy. This would
inhibit artistic creativity in gaming by forcing more concessions by game
developers to appease fundamentalist social extremists, as well as further stigmatizing
gamers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rather, I’d advocate on behalf of gamers of all stripes to
be able to enjoy a socially acceptable hobby without the unwarranted ridicule
or hostile preconceived notions projected at them by contemporary society and
feminist fanatics, partaking in a past-time that is generally shared in the
collective social unconscious typical to their peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interpreted in the context of communication
and media theory, video gaming would have been termed a ‘Hot’ medium by Mr
Marshall McLuhan, a renowned philosopher of the digital age. Objectively, video
games are immersive, interactive entertainment that engages all the human
senses at once save for smell, and this mode of interaction externalizes the
psyche into a transmigrated state while reducing awareness of surroundings to
varying degrees. Gaming can tie people together, expand their imagination and
horizons, and provide rejuvenating escapism and avenues to vent negative
feelings, sharpen deductive powers and problem solving skills while honing
situational awareness, hand eye coordination, timing, and mental reflexes
outside of the game.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While I strongly advocate artistic freedom, I validate the
safeguards keeping violent and sexual themes from being viewed by underage
players are quite necessary as well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
the kangaroo court of public opinion, fact checking and credibility are thrown
out the window and decisions are based on emotionally charged, knee-jerk
reactions. This is a dangerous prospect to those who push the boundaries of
artistic creativity for shock-value and for adults who can appreciate adult
themes. This only helps to levy strength in the hands of powerhouse publishers
such as EA, which exploits these issues to their benefit by launching ad
campaigns that will play both sides of the field for profit, since their bottom
line is to outperform the competition through any means necessary. This is also
highly polarizing in an industry where Indie developers simply do not have the
funds and backing necessary to compete with the big house publishers, and while
they may not possess crack-dev teams and the massive licensing agreements and capital
investment that the major houses get, indie developers are crucial to keeping
the industry fresh, and producing truly unique content for the modern gamer to
enjoy. Some of the best games in recent memory are indie titles, and this is a
breath of fresh air in a industry bogged down by innumerable 'variations on a theme'.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">State of the Industry</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is small wonder that today’s youth are more familiar with
the mythology of the Kingdom of Hyrule rather than that of Troy and Athens. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Video games spin intricate lore that speak to
the modern psyche in a way that the old tales cannot, and yet these interactive
stories often possess powerful symbolism that used to be expressed in these old
stories that still taps into that subconscious mind, continuing the proliferation
of modern myth in different form. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gaming has changed drastically over the
years. It has become ‘piecemeal’ since the advent of DLC <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(downloadable content) for profit that has
been milking as many intangible virtual commodities from a game as possible.
This tactic has been successful in maximizing revenue for the gaming houses even
on titles that may be incomplete, only to be patched at a later date. This is
very much a double edged sword with positive and negative consequences. DLC
(and expansion packs) are often met with mixed reactions by gamers, but can
also be used as an excuse for developers to cheapen the initial release of
their game with sparse content and hook the core audience of a popular game
while dishing out an endless stream of virtual trinkets, maps and updates.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is also no question the US military has embraced video
games and see’s their value as a propaganda tool, loosely using the ‘Call of
Duty’ and ‘Battlefield’ series to glorify warfare and help boost their ROTC
enlistment numbers in high schools around the country, preparing the American
youth for combat scenarios. How hyper-realistic will first person shooters get
until they stop being a game and start becoming a gore simulation that would
make even the most hardened players flinch as they pump virtual bullets into a
virtual hooker? Where do we draw the line?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If there is one major shift that underscores the ‘au
courant’ of modern gaming, it is the fact that it has become predominately mobile
to the ever growing mainstream audience: The vast majority of mobile, java and
flash based games on smartphones are more popular than ever, providing highly
accessible, cheap, and, most of all, extremely addictive distractions: little
more than a delivery platform of a Pavlovian reward mechanism flooding the
primitive ape-brain with bright colors and gratifying sounds and jingles for advancing
game progress, thereby hooking the deductive centers of the mind and providing
only the illusion of input, ala ‘Candy Crush’, or ‘Tetris’. Many of the
gameplay factors in these types of games are completely left up to pure chance
in the same way gambling does in making addicts out of players.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Perhaps this could also be said of the early titles like
Pac-Man and Donkey Kong, which are just as stimulating and repetitive, yet we
hold these titles in high esteem as the cornerstones of classic gaming.
Granted, this was mostly due to the novelty of gaming during the early 80’s and
the fact that there were many technical and graphical limitations at the time.
Doubtless to the sensibilities of your seasoned gamer, that it would seem though
desecrating a masterpiece to compare them to something as pedestrian as Candy
Crush, yet they all essentially fuel the same reward centers of the brain while
triggering the same addiction pathways, and influx the conscious mind with a
façade of immersive escapism.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I would venture that video games can be as moving and
emotionally charged as a feature length film or a book of prose; and yes, some
works in particular I would strongly consider have so elevated their craft and
inspired us that they invoke the senses as a work of Art. This may be contrary
to what some feel is accurate to their worldview, but I digress. This, however,
can be exemplary of any consumption media which requires active participation,
(Film, books, music, graphic novels) and it is noteworthy that Gaming in
particular has one Achilles heel that robs the end-user of a certain virtue: Video Games have the peculiar quality of forming chronic addiction, and
a very wide range of personality types are susceptible to it. Procrastination
and eventual stagnation is the inevitable product of this type of addiction,
and those who have succumbed have found themselves squandering away their lives
away playing video games in a sordid cycle that they might not even consciously
realize they are trapped in: Perpetually consuming media rather than creating
it.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11796730950647146245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1823129256246919853.post-32298654063062601672014-10-03T20:46:00.001-07:002014-10-03T21:48:20.075-07:00Are you prepared for your cyberpunk future?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While many of us
are familiar with the notion of ‘cyberpunk’ from having read or heard about novels
such as ‘Snow Crash’ and ‘a scanner darkly’. Many more are introduced through
cinematic landmarks such as ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘The Matrix’ series, as well as
graphic novels and animation such as Transmetropolitan, Phantom 2040, Aeon
flux, and Ghost in the shell. While some of the precepts explored in these
dystopian sagas of our popular culture are already in place, we begin to ask
ourselves just how many of the defining elements presented in them may come to
pass within our lifetime. To most of us, they simply exist as an artistic
extrapolation taking the guise of entertainment media, though they often serve
as a portent of what has yet to come: Our world is in the throes of pivotal
changes and it is taking place at breakneck speed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps one core theme that underlies the
notion of a truly cyber-punk future is the establishment of a corporate
technocracy controlling the population at large. We already live in a
postindustrial world of increasingly volatile socio-economic instability, and
this stratification has already resulted in two separate economies and social
orders running in tandem: The ultra rich controlling the vast majority of the
population at large, since the richest 1% has obtained 95% of the wealth and 90%
of the US population has become poorer since 2009. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Since then,
the richest 10% currently own 86% of all the wealth in the United States, and
this trend is increasing: stifling the masses in an endless loop of low-wage
service sector positions, unable to crack the top 20% of earners. In a future
where this class division will only become more stark, we will see the
disappearance of the “Middle-Class’, which will ultimately become one of the
defining events of the 21st century. The emergence of the global market has
tapped a substratum of workers in the third world, providing the elite with
even greater control of cheap labor markets. This is due to a simple fact:
Resources are scarce, and monetary privileges allow only the truly affluent to
direct the flow of wealth. In a dystopian future, government surveillance will
continue unabated against grassroots organizations and individuals promoting
change to this social order, and the poor and disenfranchised will continue to
fight our wars and become ‘heroes’, a favorite term of the propaganda machine,
when they are injured in combat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A nation’s
wealth is directly consistent with the overall power of its manufacturing and
industrial bases and the natural resources that they can access. With corporate
lobbyism and cronyism already firmly entrenched in our nations governments, the
cornerstones of a corporate technocracy, a ‘boardroom government’ are already
well in place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the current state of social evolution
in America today. We have gone from an archaic, agrarian based economy to an
industrial manufacturing economy which has since transitioned into a service
sector economy. The economy of the future will further delineate into a
techno-centric hierarchy that will be controlled by those who can manage the
flow of data and engineer creative solutions to uphold this progression and
invest and develop the applications that fuel automation, particularly in the
fields of renewable energy, heavy industries, and the emergence of
hyper-sentient artificial intelligences.</span> The
introduction of bit-coin, a crypto-currency, will have significant impact on
our future as well, and attempts will be made by congressional lobbyists to subject
it to taxation and FDIC regulation because of its innate ability of generating
monetary power to the masses anonymously. Access to information will also be
regulated. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Increasing
integration of technology into bio-mechanical synthesis:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With
smartphones and tablets already a common facet of everyday life, the seeds of a
bio-electronic revolution has already been sewn. If a cyberpunk dystopia were
to come to pass, and,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>one can argue that
it is inevitable, we would begin to see the fusion of such devices integrated
into cybernetic constructs that we will be interacting with at the speed of
thought. This bio-synthesis is the inevitable and logical evolution of such
devices gaining increasing importance into our lives. These changes will take
the form of neural implants, whereby access to a neural cloud-net will become
as routine a task as a simple cell phone activation. Physical augmentations,
grafting, and advanced bio-mechanical implants will become increasing
sophisticated, thus, the line between man and machine will only continue to
blur. The blind will see through the eyes of photoreceptors and the deaf will
hear with cochlear implants composed of advanced silicates and circuits. The
physically disabled will soon become stronger than the average man, retrofitted
with bionic limbs capable of feats of strength that would appear all but
superhuman by today’s standards. This progression will only be further enhanced
by the introduction of holographic displays and user interfaces that will
become commonplace as 3D projecting technology becomes feasible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Too far’</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A prominent
concept explored in the dystopian futurist’s repertoire is the dysphoria of
complete virtual immersion by neural interlace, which is most commonly
portrayed as a central plot device in the ‘matrix’ films and ‘Ghost in the
shell.’ The concept is predicated upon the circumstance of 4D graphics rendering
and quantum computing technology becoming so advanced and articulated that all
sensory perceptions would be re-routed as an avatar ‘rezzed’ into a digital
construct of a fabricated virtual reality. If all sights, smells, audio and
tactile sensations could be replicated in an artificial environment, then it
would follow that such perceptions would be indistinguishable to the human mind
, which, in theory, would blur the distinction between waking reality and a
computer generated world. The consequences of such a concept, if feasible, are
as profound as they are disturbing: the administrators of such a world could artificially
keep the physical body, (or merely the brain matter) alive whilst creating a
living hell or a never ending loop of sheer bliss for the end user to
experience at their discretion. This does draw certain parallels to the
allegory of Plato’s cave, a parable over 2500 years old; but there are a few
loopholes in the virtual immersion scenario which are entirely dependent upon
our understanding of the immaterial human mind (not physical brain matter):
That being, that even if the aforementioned technology were possible, highly
cultivated minds capable of piercing through procedurally generated fantasy and
deception would be capable of shattering the grand illusion and attain
knowledge of the physical waking reality as we know it. While this does raise
metaphysical questions of philosophical concern, such that the reality that we
believe we are experiencing is already little more than an illusory Ferris
wheel of never ending joy, but that’s another matter best saved for another
topic post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another
defining standard of a cyberpunk dystopia will be the gradual introduction of magnetic,
or possibly anti-gravitational forms of transportation that will radically
alter our lives. While the prospect of “Flying cars” has become as cliché as a
1950’s vision of ‘tomorrow’, the limitless possibilities associated with
anti-gravitational systems are manifold, if not just for the construction engineering
potential, but also for mobility in a highly urbanized world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The land
will become increasingly denuded and the air quality will only continue to
degrade. In order to paint a picture of this landscape it would be crucial to
understand the factors attributed to these trends that are underlying:
Overpopulation, and man’s unceasing demand for energy and natural resources.
Without the advent of carbon scrubbers, urban centers will become stark
wastelands of pollution. Cities like Beijing are already toxic to breathe in
without masks, and this trend will continue elsewhere as developing megacities
are fueled by the burning of coal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As the
world’s great cities continue to expand, physical space within those cities
will become increasingly limited. This will result in the exponential growth of
mega-skyscrapers throughout the world’s major cities .Niche species clinging on
to life will become extinct due to continued poaching and habitat loss.
Siberian Tigers, Panda’s, Orangutans, Rhino’s, and Polar bears will become
extinct in the wild. These species will be confined to game reserves and zoo’s,
preserved only in small pockets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Global
warming will see the worlds coastlines changed dramatically. Oil drilling and
emissions will further warm the tropics, trapping greenhouse gasses and further
altering the biosphere. The oceans will rise, lapping at our concrete shores as
the polar caps continue to melt, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of millions
from coastal cities. The diaspora that would follow such a cataclysmic and
slowly unfolding event would be followed closely by disease, famine, and war
for the remaining resources. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humanity, of
course, will respond with levees, dam’s and gates to slow the inevitable
change. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rioting, social unrest,
religious zealotry and fanaticism, corporate cronyism, and class warfare are
all but a myriad of pressing issues that our world is facing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
challenge will be how we adapt to this brave new world, while maintaining economic,
social, and cultural homeostasis, despite the gradual decay that faces our
generation, and those to come.</span></div>
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