Hurlshort

Maybe I should try a different tact, since the 'don't pirate because it is wrong' argument isn't getting through. Don't pirate because you will regret it some day. On this board are a lot of older gamers, and most of us probably partook in the ways of piracy when we were younger. But eventually you will get older, and your conscience will get the better of you. You will realize that it wasn't worth compromising your morals for a bunch of video games. I realize we are talking hypothetically here and no one pirates on this forum, but that is the message I would like to see spread about piracy.

The Expendables - Pretty much what was expected, a lot of good action scenes. It just seemed like it could have been a lot more. They really only go into Jason Statham's character in any detail. Ah well, still a solid shoot em up.

Take it easy on the poor girl guys, with a face like that, her father was clearly a shovel.

Some of these arguments are dripping in weak sauce here. Why is this important? Are you trying to argue that it is a victimless crime? That isn't going to get you very far, you have a person creating content, and they are a victim when their work is pirated, regardless of profit/loss statements.

Uh, what? I don't think this is a hard concept. A person spends a bunch of their time creating something, they ask for payment for it. When you take it without paying, even if it is digital, how is that not completely wrong? What does this have to do with the Middle East again?

This is why it is hard to understand your viewpoint. Not a big deal to whom? We've had two developers come in here and tell you otherwise. We've had a writer tell you it is a big deal to copy their work. These are people with invested interests telling you it is a big deal. So who are you talking about? It's not a big deal to the pirates? Of course it isn't, they have no invested interest. Copyright infringement is also a crime. In many countries the penalties are identical to theft. I'm not sure why you are so hung up on that.

GD, I think you'd be surprised at how many people really do read your posts and appreciate your different viewpoint. Also, Krezack is clearly a patriotic guy, so you two have that in common. I just don't see how big government would have prevented the BP spill. The only part I can really agree to is the cutting down in fossil fuels, but I wouldn't say going nuclear is the best alternative either.

Isn't BP in gigantic trouble right now because of this whole thing? Like, major financial losses kind of trouble? I thought I remember Exxon also nearly going belly up after the Valdez incident as well and had to change a bunch of their environmental stuff in order to recover. What I'm saying is I think it is in their best interests, but unfortunately it takes a big disaster to remind them of that.

Happy Birthday! Ah, 22, I remember it fondly. That was the age I met my wife. Enjoy it!

I golfed with my Dad for his birthday. It has been quite a few years since I have done so. I hit the range a couple times earlier this week to try and prepare, but it was still a pretty sorry performance. I was pretty happy I got par on one of the par 3's, but double and triple bogies were the norm.

I don't think he's a hypocrite because of his religion or beliefs, it's the because of the way he conducts himself. edit: Maybe there is a better term than hypocrite? I think there is, but I'm tired and I can't think of one.

I'm pretty sure he's gone, guys. That's another part of his MO, when more than a few people start to tell him about his hypocrisy, he disappears for awhile. Which I suppose is a bonus for us.

I might have come across as too severe with the whole 'can't afford, don't play' argument. What I really should be saying is 'can't afford brand new games, find another alternative for games'. That's the thing, there are a ton of alternatives out there for people on a budget. There is oodles of shareware and freeware on the internet, and most games hit the bargain bin after awhile. So to stick with my analogy, instead of going skydiving, you go to one of those simulated wind tunnel places. Or you just jump off a tall building To go with your ice cream analogy, I never buy Ben and Jerry's ice cream at the store unless it is on sale. It is too expensive for me to buy at full price all the time. If I was really budget conscious about ice cream, I'd buy the cheap kind on those plastic tubs.

Isn't that pretty much all of this forum ? Not at all, there are quite a few folks here that are humble, care about others, and can carry on genuine conversations. Sure, we all have our quirks and hot button issues, but it's a pretty solid community.

So is bible bleeding heart not a personal attack? Maybe I misunderstood, I thought that was what we were going for here. If it was meant differently, you have my apologies.

There are a lot of hobbies I would enjoy doing but find cost prohibitive. I'd like to go skydiving, but that doesn't mean I'm going to sneak onto planes and jump out of them because it is too expensive to take a class. Video games are just not essential or even all that important, and stealing them because they are overpriced is why the 'entitlement' buzzword gets used so often. Of course I'm making this argument while rolling around in my bed of money, so there ya go

You got me! You are just too intellectual for me, I have been overpowered by it. I definitely don't think it is a waste of time to discuss this stuff with you. You are so well-educated on this stuff that I really feel it is like a gift when you impart your wisdom upon us. Some might feel that it is dripping with condescension and arrogance, but I see the purity of your message and I bask in it.

I think we can stop here then. That was pretty funny though.

I always thought Thanksgiving was in February - (reading about it on wikipedia).. seems a little late for a harvest festival? Most of the harvesting is over in October.. But happy Thanksgiving to all Americans and Canadians who celebrate it. We just finished up the harvesting in my area last week. I live across from a food processing plant, so I'm pretty happy that the 24/7 schedule they have kept in the last month will be ending. But I'm sure each region is different, we also only had our first cold day yesterday.

I've never heard of these. Are they new games? Which console are they on?

Garrus was my favorite NPC. I used him a lot on my second play through of ME1, so he was a natural choice for me in ME2. I also was trying to stay away from Cerebrus influence, and Garrus and Tali were the only two I felt were trustworthy.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm always thankful for this community, you guys make me smile, laugh, and think on a daily basis. I need to go for a walk now with the kids and build up my appetite.

Defendor - Woody Harrelson plays a learning disabled superhero. It was surprisingly heartwarming. I enjoyed it a lot.