Cantousent

I'm still against it, but I've had the same thing explained to me. The thing is, the government, particularly the NSA, doesn't have the resources to monitor everyone. I thought the hysterics regarding the issue were over-done, but I still disagree with the practice. This falls under the "laws of my country" idea I expressed in my previous post.

I voted for "breaking the law." My reason is simple, if I thought the actions were morally or ethically wrong, then I probably wouldn't join the outfit in the first place. Now, I'm sure there will be some things I find distasteful, but something would have to be truly heinous before I'd break a trust by ratting out my department. The question should also reflect that fact. What is bad enough to make you break the trust to which you've volunteered? Some specific cases which would cause me to break that trust would include: De facto or actively condoned use of torture. (I'm not going to engage in the mental masturbation of trying to catalogue what constitutes torture. I will, in all cases, use the reasonable person standard.) De facto or actively condoned use of violence on non-combatants. Any and every command that required me to break the laws of my country. No one, and I mean no one has the right or sanction to break our laws to protect our citizens. You think the laws don't work to serve our purposes? You'd best change the damned laws, then.

Bwhahaha I just wanted to be meanspirited to someone in a review and thought to myself, "Self, let's roast a Mothman." I saw the movie, by the way. It didn't do you justice. Okay, so, I've already said I'll do Blank. ...But, do I want to do my Child friend or Surreptishus next? heh heh heh

Durlogs Tower is my favorite area in any of the BG games. It was, for me, most like PS:T. I've played it using a wide variety of styles and combos. However, the stupid thing I used to do in every game was hold on to my potions, scrolls, charged items, etc. I wanted to save them all for that "really tough battle." I'd end the game carrying my weight in healing potions. Dumb. Now, I try to be careful with how I used potions, but I don't horde them like a dragon hording gold.

The subject of this particular roast is Mothman Before we get to the actual roast, I have one question: is he a moth

Would you guys stop deciding the thread is dying and stop blaming pixies for killing the thread which is still alive. Dammit.

Here's the spread. I can't find the shillelagh or the battle axe. I think I might have lent the cudgel to someone, but the axe is anyone's guess. At any rate, here's the rest of what I have. I should take a picture of what my sister has the next time I'm in Vegas. She's serious about this stuff. Costs too much money for my tastes. Notice the prop sword. It's actually got notches on the "edge" where a friend of mine and I hacked at each other with the damned thing. Ahh, seventeen years old. It's all rusty, but I never take care of it at all. In fact, it was in my closet when I pulled it out to take this picture. Also, it's the heaviest of all the blades by far. Anyhow, I would put a picture of what weapon I'd most like to own, but nothing really strikes me. Sorry, another bad pun. I'm not a big weapon nut, to be honest. EDIT: the prop sword is 20+ years old. I was seventeen when I filched it.

I wouldn't want to use anything to defend myself. If I thought I could frighten or, just as likely, persuade someone to leave quietly, I would. I don't want to kill anyone. For any reason. If I felt I had to use one, I'd gab the dagger or a kitchen knife before I grabbed some strange sword I don't know how to use properly. What's funny is that, regardless of all the weapon I have around here, I haven't ever bought one for myself. The closest I have ever come to buying a blade for myself is the fake broadsword, and I stole that from high school. You really have to see this. I'm waiting for the wife and family to get home from Legoland to take a picture of all this stuff. I don't know how I'll get it in the same frame, but I'll be creative.

Okay, I'll start up the pictures tomorrow on all this stuff. For the time being, I will catalogue the items: 3 piece Katana set, including the katana, wakasashi, and tanto 2 ball chain mace 1 dagger 1 battle axe 1 Shillelagh 1 broad sword 1 theater prop broad sword If I get a picture of nothing else on here, I really need to post a pic of the chain mace. It look kind of silly, but someone was playing around with it once and cracked a board with the damned thing. Heh. It's a bruiser, alright. The dagger is a pain, since I actually have to oil it from time to time and clean it. I have this little brush I use for the hilt. I wouldn't want to use the dagger to defend myself with it, but it could really put a hurting on someone. I have the paper-work for the broadsword somewhere around here. It's from badger blades, but it doesn't look like any of the ones on the webpage, so maybe my sister was had. Still, in terms of dimensions and shape, I'd say it fits the broadsword category. The theater prop broad sword I literally stole from my high school production of Camelot. It's a silly looking thing, but it's made out of stainless steel and has quite a heft to it. I shouldn't have stolen it, I admit, but that was some 20 years ago.

My sister bought one of my swords there. My wife is starting to get a bit irritated by my collection, however. Some of the swords are display pieces, but two of them are considerably more dangerous than kitchen knives. In addition, you're supposed to actually care for the damned things, which I do. Still, the odd year of Ken-do I took overseas probably didn't make me the swordsmaster I am today. For that, I can only thank my dreams and overactive imagination.

Back from the park, but getting ready for dinner, so still no time for a picture. Turned out it was a three blade set. I have quite a collection of weapons my family keeps getting me. The reason the folks here keep getting weapons, (blades; maces; bows) is simply because we're a bunch of RPG geeks. The reason Gabs doesn't them is because she's dangerous.

update: a katana. I should take a picture to show you, but I don't have time. The Nephews are here with me and we're going to a park.

I wish there were an "I'm not sure yet" option. I voted for the xbox-360, but that's mostly because, if I don't buy one for myself within the next year, I'm sure someone will buy an xbox-360 for me. In that case, I wouldn't be unhappy. On the other hand, I like some of what I see from the other consoles as well. If xbox live offers more content/games I play, then I'll definitely go for xbox. Other than that, I'm looking forward to muddling through all of the heated, crazy debate over the next several months. It's almost as entertaining to watch folks fight over the platforms as it is to play the games.

I thought the Soviets were only at early stages of socialism but certainly not communism since true communism abolishes the government. I always thought that the reason why the philosophy of pure commuism could never work is because that it voids the meaning behind our choices in life as they yield the same results. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That's my point. It's impossible to create a fully funcitoning communist system. Someone posted somewhere that communism won't work as long as someone wanted more than his neighbor, to which I respond, communism won't work as long as someone wants anything better. If someone wants to provide the best for his wife and children, he is the enemy of communism. It assumes characteristics about humanity that don't exist. The "it's a great idea but just hasn't been done right" idea is a lie. A stinking lie. Give me some more rum and I'm likely to tell you how I really fell about the subject.

I think I shall have to do a review of Blank after Mothman. Blank doesn't frequent these parts, so I can get away with virtually anything! bwhahahahaha! Time to dip my pen in the poison inkwell!

Let me tell you a story, Child, and not because I dislike you or look down on you. I don't. It's always easy to say it could be worse. That's really not any consolation, is it? Still, you're not poor, kid. If you're talking about getting a grand to buy a car, you're not poor. When I was a kid, I was poor. By the standards of the day, must tougher than the standards of today, we lived below the poverty line. My mother left the abusive man who was my father. She was poor, which is why I was poor. She wasn't used to being poor, but she forgot her pride and went on welfare and got foodstamps. She worked hard at menial jobs, cleaning and scrubbing. Later, she got a job as a secretary. They call that an administrative assistant now. She tried to return the remainder of her last batch of foodstamps. The clerk looked at her like she was crazy and told her to go use them. During the dark days, we had steak every Christmas eve because that was the day that we got to eat steak. No matter where I am, I still have steak on Christmas eve, not because it's my favorite meal, but because I don't want to forget. It reminds me of the time we had nothing but peanut butter the last few days before a payday. It reminds me of times we put flour in the soup because it added a little substance to it. Back then, if you'd have told me about the poor folks around the world who were starving, I would've have thought, so what? I wanted more for myself, not less for some other poor bastard. It's easy for someone to tell you about the less fortunate. It's a hell of a lot harder to care when it's some sanctimonious blow-hard who happens to have more money than you. Now, of course, people think it's strange that I insist on eating steak for Christmas. I very rarely explain the history to them. After all, it would sound self serving on my part and didactic in the worst sense of the word. Come hell or highwater, however, I have steak on the eve of Christmas. Most folks just chalk it up to my usual eccentricity. One year, I resolved to render all of my many, many gifts to charities. ...But it was hurtful to my family. So, I give to charity, and we are quite active in our donations, not only of our money but of our industry and skills as well. Nevertheless, I keep the lavish gifts my family gives me because they too remember. I think it's a way to say that we're not poor. We have good careers and good homes and money to buy things for each other. You've got some tough times, and you sure seem to like being a rebel without a clue, but you're not poor. You just don't have as much stuff as the rich kids, but don't be too hard on them. You didn't ask to be born into your family. They didn't ask to be born into theirs. Some day, some of those rich kids are going to be poor and you'll probably be quite comfortable, perhaps even rich. You'll have to get used to having money and they'll have to get used to being poor. It'll be a bit easier for you than it is for them. Some of them will be embittered but, to add insult to injury, you probably won't even know it. So, I have more sympathy for your family on account of your mom's stroke than I do your money problems. You're still in the game, kid, and that's a hell of a lot better than some folks I know. Now, that was a completely didactic rant, so I expect some folks to poke some fun at me. I accept it. I deserve it. ...But having folks make fun of you every now and then isn't such a horrible thing. With a full belly, in the comfort of your home, sitting at one of your three computers, living with a little ridicule, most of it good natured, doesn't really hurt all that much at all. As I sit here posting this, my wife just came up and gave me a piece of See

I also managed to get $100 worth of Best Buy gift cards. Damned convenient gift.

Well, here's most of the stuff I got for Christmas. Notice the "Classically Trained" T-Shirt with the old skool nintendo. My sister, who loves me more than I deserve, shelled out the cash for an ipod. I've been talking about it for a couple of years, but I've been too lazy to research what I wanted and too cheap to buy it. She also gave me the "30 Year Adventure" I cited earlier. Quite cool. That's yet another signed Terry Brooks novel. My nephews gave me the Scooby Doo bauble head. Funny. Here's more stuff. I was a huge Speed Racer fan as a kid, so my mom and dad sent me a shirt. The Wheelock reader and workbook are my wife's way of poking fun at my Latin. I make fun of the Wheelock set, so she bought it for me. Kind of a waste of money, but a lot of students use the Wheelock series. Some of you probably did. She capped it off with the funny Latin book. Of course, everyone knows that Latin is inferior when compared to Greek. Here's some of the cloths I received for Christmas. Not all of them. Cloths used to be boring as a kid, but I like getting cloths. That means I don't have to buy them. Anyhow, notable items in the whole bunch would be the George Foreman grill. I don't use my George Foreman often, but it comes in handy in a pinch. This one has a removable grill. The Toilet seat is set for my medieval motiff bathroom quite nicely. Yes, my parents bought me an $80 toilet seat for Christmas. My wife gave me the first seven seasons of Frazier. The Celtic cross is from the Franklin Mint. Once again, a gift from my sister who isn't religious but appreciates that Cath and I are. The drill bit set will come in quite handy. The mini electric screwdriver? Hey, I appreciate every gift someone gives me, even if I wonder why they gave it to me. Pretty much a boring Christmas by most folks' standards, but I liked it. My cat, of course, thought everything belonged to her and thus made a bed out of everything.

huh, Jedi? What are you on about? If it were against the law to teach the theory of evolution, would it be a just law? What if the law stipulated that killing Jews... or Christians... or Hispanics... or atheists was perfectly legal? Would that be a just law? I don't have a problem as such with the anti-nazi law, but it is the first step in taking away the right of free speech. I don't know that they'll take another step in that direction or not, but it is a step, nonetheless. Just as the famous case of making it illegal to yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater is also a step in taking away free speech. The truth is, we don't have universally free speech. The question, therefore, revolves around what speech should be curtailed and what should be free. Just saying it's the law of the land amounts to saying that a law is good because it's the law. Under that rule, slavery is perfectly just because it was the law. Slavery, however, is not just, regardless of what the law says. Then, of course, we have this argument about communism. Communism, as proposed by actual Communists, is a truly odious system. If the folks here who post were forced to live in a truly Marxist system, they'd be quite unhappy. They'd also be quite enraged at the conditions in which they'd be forced to live. That's not the worst thing about Communism, though. What is truly evil about the system is that the very idea lulls fools into thinking it would work. Those same fools will say something to the effect of, "Communism is great in theory, too bad people suck." How about this, if your theoretical system cannot work in practice, it's the theorectical system that's flawed, not the people. Mercantilism worked. it sucked, but it worked. Capitalism works. It's not the utopia everyone demands, but it works. Swedish socialism, such as it is, works. It's reliant on a whole slew of other factors, but it works. Communism? Ask the Soviet Union about that. Actually, ask the Chinese. They've got a communist system that works... because it's a capitalist system under a communist government.

Oh, I thought you meant overseer. If you're talking about Sawyer working on Fallout 3, I'm all for it. If the devs are going to post, however, I'd prefer they do it in their own persons.

No.

I'm sorry to double post, but I have to mention a gift I just opened: the 30 year adventure with a forward by Vin Diesel. Totally cool.

Well, last year I got some really novel gifts, the most obscure was probably the Attic Greek translation of Harry Potter. Awesome. This year, so far, nothing really weird, although I've been considering getting an ipod for some time and my beloved sister got tired of hearing me talk about it for over a year and finally bought one for me. I have to go open gifts and visit with the outlaws today, so I don't know what the wife's family will give me. For my birthday, however, I got a hip-flask from her brother and his wife. Nifty! I have my hopes for something truly novel from them this year. I gave my wife black pearl ear-rings and lavender pearl ear-rings. (Lavender pearls? Good Lord, you'd know my wife would want to have them!) She really hates Groundhog Day, so I took my DVD and wrapped it. hahahahaha. Of course, she's getting a boatload of good stuff, including 4CDs and other stuff, so she'll have to forgive me my little joke.

Oh come all ye faithful --- John Tesh

Eldar squeezes fresh lemons into a cup of hot tea, adds honey and a shot of Chivas Regal, stirs the mix, and hands it to Rosbjerg. Drink up and feel better, friend, he says. He then looks around the room and starts making drinks for the rest of the crowd. Egg nog with any combination of rum, brandy, or whisky passes around the room. Coffe and tea with a healthy shot or two of Bailey's Irish Cream appear in mugs from one corner to the next. Lattes, cappuccinos, and Mochas of every kind and flavor go from hand to hand as everyone chooses his favorite drink. The low rumble of friendly conversation fills the room and Eldar looks around himself with great satisfaction. Merry Christmas, friends, whoever you are, whereever you are, whatever your beliefs! Good cheer and happy day! He calls as he takes a sip of Irish cream and tea. May we all far well for another year and then celebrate again.