Cute Cartoon

Hat Tip to Muirin over at MMORPG.com

Happy Halloween, Part 3

Happy Halloween, Part 2

Happy Halloween, Part 1

It's Almost Halloween!

Democrat Speechwriter Defects

It seems another lifelong Democrat simply can't support the Obama campaign anymore. The supposed candidate of hope and change is actually once again shown to be the candidate of anger and division.

Wendy Button writes about her recent defection here.

So Long, Democrats

by Wendy Button
Since I started writing speeches more than ten years ago, I have always believed in the Democratic Party. Not anymore. Not after the election of 2008. This transformation has been swift and complete and since I’m a woman writing in the election of 2008, “very emotional.”

She gives an interesting story of her career and her growing disillusionment, until we get to the current situation, something I've commented on.

The final straw came the other week when Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher (a.k.a Joe the Plumber) asked a question about higher taxes for small businesses. Instead of celebrating his aspirations, they were mocked. He wasn’t “a real plumber,” and “They’re fighting for Joe the Hedge-Fund manager,” and the patronizing, “I’ve got nothing but love for Joe the Plumber.”

Having worked in politics, I know that absolutely none of this is on the level. This back and forth is posturing, a charade, and a political game. These lines are what I refer to as “hooker lines”—a sure thing to get applause and the press to scribble as if they’re reporting meaningful news.

As the nation slouches toward disaster, the level of political discourse is unworthy of this moment in history. We have Republicans raising Ayers and Democrats fostering ageism with “erratic” and jokes about Depends. Sexism. Racism. Ageism and maybe some Socialism have all made their ugly cameos in election 2008. It’s not inspiring. Perhaps this is why I found the initial mocking of Joe so offensive and I realized an old line applied: “I didn’t leave the Democratic Party; the Democratic Party left me.”

The party I believed in wouldn’t look down on working people under any circumstance. And Joe the Plumber is right. This is the absolutely worst time to raise taxes on anyone: the rich, the middle class, the poor, small businesses and corporations.

Our economy is in the tank for many complicated reasons, especially because people don’t have enough money. So let them keep it. Let businesses keep it so they can create jobs and stay here and weather this storm. And yet, the Democratic ideology remains the same. Our approach to problems—big government solutions paid for by taxing the rich and big and smaller companies—is just as tired and out of date as trickle down economics. How about a novel approach that simply finds a sane way to stop the bleeding?

That’s not exactly the philosophy of a Democrat. Not only has this party belittled working people in this campaign from Joe the Plumber to the bitter comments, it has also been part of tearing down two female candidates. At first, certain Democrats and the press called Senator Clinton “dishonest.” They went after her cleavage. They said her experience as First Lady consisted of having tea parties. There was no outrage over “Bros before Hoes” or “Iron My Shirt.” Did Senator Clinton make mistakes? Of course. She’s human.

Simply amazing. Not surprising, because anyone with intellectual honesty would be disgusted, but amazing nonetheless to read about someone with real integrity involved in politics.

then she talks about Palin's treatment:

Oh right, this story goes to the sincerity of her Hockey Mom persona. What planet am I living on? Everyone knows that when it comes to appearance, there’s a double standard for women politicians. Remember the speech Speaker Pelosi gave on the floor the day of the bailout vote? Check out how many stories commented on her hair that day and how many mentioned Congressman Barney Frank’s.

Here we are discussing Governor Palin’s clothes—oh wait, now we’re on to the make-up—not what either man is going to do to save our economy. This isn’t an accident. It is part of a manufactured narrative that she is stupid.

Governor Palin and I don’t agree on a lot of things, mostly social issues. But I have grown to appreciate the Governor. I was one of those initial skeptics and would laugh at the pictures. Not anymore. When someone takes on a corrupt political machine and a sitting governor, that is not done by someone with a low I.Q. or a moral core made of tissue paper. When someone fights her way to get scholarships and work her way through college even in a jagged line, that shows determination and humility you can’t learn from reading Reinhold Niebuhr. When a mother brings her son with special needs onto the national stage with love, honesty, and pride, that gives hope to families like mine as my older brother lives with a mental disability. And when someone can sit on a stage during the Sarah Palin rap on Saturday Night Live, put her hands in the air and watch someone in a moose costume get shot—that’s a sign of both humor and humanity.

But wait, there's more:

I can no longer justify what this party has done and can’t dismiss the treatment of women and working people as just part of the new kind of politics. It’s wrong and someone has to say that. And also say that the Democratic Party’s talking points—that Senator John McCain is just four more years of the same and that he’s President Bush—are now just hooker lines that fit a very effective and perhaps wave-winning political argument…doesn’t mean they’re true. After all, he is the only one who’s worked in a bipartisan way on big challenges.

Before I cast my vote, I will correct my party affiliation and change it to No Party or Independent. Then, in the spirit of election 2008, I’ll get a manicure, pedicure, and my hair done. Might as well look pretty when I am unemployed in a city swimming with “D’s.”

Whatever inspiration I had in Chapel Hill two years ago is gone. When people say how excited they are about this election, I can now say, “Maybe for you. But I lost my home.”

Impressive. Most impressive.

/hat tip to Libertarian Republican, which is where I heard of this first.

Don't Delete Me!

I thought this was pretty funny:

hat tip to Kazara over at MMO.fringe.com!

Media's Presidential Bias and Decline

Wow. Just when thought it would never be safe to read a newspaper again -- just when you thought that the toxic goo that goes for journalism days aren't safe to line the bottom of the bird cage because such toxicity just might kill your canary, along comes someone honest.

That man is Michael S. Malone in an opinion piece at ABCnews.com.

The traditional media are playing a very, very dangerous game -- with their readers, with the Constitution and with their own fates.
news
The media have covered this presidential campaign with a bias and that ultimately could lead to its downfall.

The sheer bias in the print and television coverage of this election campaign is not just bewildering, but appalling. And over the last few months I've found myself slowly moving from shaking my head at the obvious one-sided reporting, to actually shouting at the screen of my television and my laptop computer.

But worst of all, for the last couple weeks, I've begun -- for the first time in my adult life -- to be embarrassed to admit what I do for a living. A few days ago, when asked by a new acquaintance what I did for a living, I replied that I was "a writer," because I couldn't bring myself to admit to a stranger that I'm a journalist.

Dang. I must admit, I have been wincing for years, but he's right, it's gotten REALLY bad since the Obama anointing. I have found myself watching Fox more and more as the only place where anything remotely resembling journalism can be found -- if you can get past the fires, the manufactured outrage, and the kittens.

Malone gets it. He is part of it, but his true journalistic instincts still hold sway, and he can admit what so few out there will: they are corrupt, and what they are doing endangers our freedom.

Republicans are justifiably foaming at the mouth over the sheer one-sidedness of the press coverage of the two candidates and their running mates. But in the last few days, even Democrats, who have been gloating over the pass -- no, make that shameless support -- they've gotten from the press, are starting to get uncomfortable as they realize that no one wins in the long run when we don't have a free and fair press.

He goes on to discuss that it's not so much how they've gone after Palin, but how they have given Obama a pass:

No, what I object to (and I think most other Americans do as well) is the lack of equivalent hardball coverage of the other side -- or worse, actively serving as attack dogs for the presidential ticket of Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Joe Biden, D-Del.

If the current polls are correct, we are about to elect as president of the United States a man who is essentially a cipher, who has left almost no paper trail, seems to have few friends (that at least will talk) and has entire years missing out of his biography.

That isn't Sen. Obama's fault: His job is to put his best face forward. No, it is the traditional media's fault, for it alone (unlike the alternative media) has had the resources to cover this story properly, and has systematically refused to do so.

His take on Joe the Plumber is spot on:

The absolute nadir (though I hate to commit to that, as we still have two weeks before the election) came with Joe the Plumber.

Middle America, even when they didn't agree with Joe, looked on in horror as the press took apart the private life of an average person who had the temerity to ask a tough question of a presidential candidate. So much for the standing up for the little man. So much for speaking truth to power. So much for comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable, and all of those other catchphrases we journalists used to believe we lived by.

Why did this happen? His answer, which I am not sure is true, is almost frightening. First he goes on to blame the editors more than the reporters, which might be true, and his reason is interesting and compelling:

Why? I think I know, because had my life taken a different path, I could have been one: Picture yourself in your 50s in a job where you've spent 30 years working your way to the top, to the cockpit of power … only to discover that you're presiding over a dying industry. The Internet and alternative media are stealing your readers, your advertisers and your top young talent. Many of your peers shrewdly took golden parachutes and disappeared. Your job doesn't have anywhere near the power and influence it did when your started your climb. The Newspaper Guild is too weak to protect you any more, and there is a very good chance you'll lose your job before you cross that finish line, 10 years hence, of retirement and a pension.
In other words, you are facing career catastrophe -- and desperate times call for desperate measures. Even if you have to risk everything on a single Hail Mary play. Even if you have to compromise the principles that got you here. After all, newspapers and network news are doomed anyway -- all that counts is keeping them on life support until you can retire.

And then the opportunity presents itself -- an attractive young candidate whose politics likely matches yours, but more important, he offers the prospect of a transformed Washington with the power to fix everything that has gone wrong in your career.

With luck, this monolithic, single-party government will crush the alternative media via a revived fairness doctrine, re-invigorate unions by getting rid of secret votes, and just maybe be beholden to people like you in the traditional media for getting it there.

And besides, you tell yourself, it's all for the good of the country …

Damn fine piece, Mr. Malone. Thank you and my compliments.

1 Timothy 2:1-6

So, first and foremost, I urge God's people to pray. They should make their requests, petitions, and thanksgivings on behalf of all humanity. Teach them to pray for kings or anyone in the high places for that matter so we can lead quiet, peaceful lives -- reverent, godly, and holy --all of which is good and acceptable before the eyes of God, our Savior who desires for everyone to be saved and know the truth

Because there is one God
and one Mediator between God
and us --

The man Jesus, the Liberator,
who gave His life as a ransom for all
so that we might have freedom (VT)

1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.(KJV)

1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. (NLT)

Here we come to a wonderful piece of scripture. In it, Paul is describing what we need to pray for -- for EVERYONE. We should pray for each and every man, and even kings and people in government, so that our lives may be at peace and love one another in a peaceful society.

This is because God, our savior, WANTS ALL TO BE SAVED. Now, no matter how I look at this, I see that it is God's will that ALL BE SAVED, and unless I have decided once again in a apriori manner that not all will be saved, I can't see this in any way to mean anything other than god wants ALL saved. Can God's will be thwarted?

Why? because there is one God and one Mediator, Jesus, and he paid the price of ransom for ALL.

Sounds like a done deal to me.

A note on translation: I do so love this new "Voice" translation. Really dig that Jesus the Liberating King theme. That's MY Jesus.

By the way, sorry I am over a night late for this -- been really busy.

Winds Of Change

Seems that the entire world has learned from the mistake of Socialism -- everyone except us...

The Voice New Testament

I didn't really have time to do my usual Sunday Bible Discussion, and it's going to get harder and harder as we get closer to the holidays. Anyway, there's a new translation of the New Testament that I am liking very much.

It's called The Voice New Testament: The Liberating King and His Church, and so far I am enjoying it a great deal.

One might say it is from an Emerging Church perspective, with contributors like Brian McLaren. What they do is they do not 'clean it up," so that it sounds as if one person wrote everything. They carefully maintain the stylistic differences that are apparent in the original Greek manuscripts, to give the reader a real feel for the voice of the authors. Nice job.

I feel it is highly worth checking out :)

I'll post something using that translation later tonight if I can find the time.

Finally, Some Real Journalism!

For the first time in this entire campaign, we have been treated to some real journalism:
Predictably, the Messiah was extremely offended by the way the interviewer handled Darth Plagiarus, and has canceled all future appearances of either candidate. Detailed here.

Biden so disliked West's line of questioning that the Obama campaign canceled a WFTV interview with Jill Biden, the candidate's wife.

"This cancellation is non-negotiable, and further opportunities for your station to interview with this campaign are unlikely, at best for the duration of the remaining days until the election," wrote Laura K. McGinnis, Central Florida communications director for the Obama campaign.

McGinnis said the Biden cancellation was "a result of her husband's experience yesterday during the satellite interview with Barbara West."
WFTV news director Bob Jordan said, "When you get a shot to ask these candidates, you want to make the most of it. They usually give you five minutes."

Jordan said political campaigns in general pick and choose the stations they like. And stations often pose softball questions during the satellite interviews.

"Mr. Biden didn't like the questions," Jordan said. "We choose not to ask softball questions."

Jordan added, "I'm crying foul on this one."

Let the message be heard: Question the Anointed One or his chosen disciples, and be cut off!

Diddy Blog #26: Barack Obama Could Lose the Election

Diddy Blog # 25: State of Emergency! Attention Young America Time is Running Out

Been busy with other things, so I've missed two good ones from my favorite video blogger. Here's the first, and older one, but a good one:

Best Ad of the Campaign

By far this is the best ad in a campaign with a lot of crap:

But What About Star Wars Galaxies?

Many people are wondering what will happen to Star Wars Galaxies now that SWTOR has been announced. It seems, at least according to this very informative Gamespot article; that Lucas Arts feel there is no reason to shut it down:

The Fate of Galaxies
The amount of energy, resources, and enthusiasm being thrown at The Old Republic raises one obvious question: What about Galaxies? LucasArts was emphatic about the fact that there's enough room for two viable Star Wars MMORPGs to co-exist.

The ol' Sith standby Force Choke will be back.

"We're looking to continue to support Galaxies with high-quality updates on into the future," said Jake Neri, producer for LucasArts' online division. "We're focused on a chapter release around Hoth, where we're re-creating the battle at Echo Base. We'll allow players to get in groups and jump in and just participate in a very high-quality battle. We've just released a trading card game inside of Galaxies, and fans are eating it up. Looking into next year, we're going to revamp our droid system with something called droid commander." Neri also said that SOE Austin was working in conjunction with LucasArts on further additions to Galaxies for years to come, with no end to the game in sight.

We shall see. From what is being said about the new MMO, SWG may still be the more sandbox of the two, will still be the only one with non-combat classes, and will still have the more in depth crafting systems, and with it, player economy.

Always in motion is the future.

Birth of Freedom Shorts #8: How Did Christian Slave Owners Justify Slavery

Another good little piece from the folks at the Acton Institute:

Star Wars: The Old Republic -- The Video Intro

If they can pull this off, this just might be a great game:

Star Wars: The Old Republic official press release

here it is, as pulled from the new Official Site:

LUCASARTS AND BIOWARE
REVEAL STAR WARS: THE OLD REPUBLIC

OCTOBER 21, SAN FRANCISCO – LucasArts and BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced the development of Star Wars®: The Old Republic™, a story-driven massively multiplayer online PC game set in the timeframe of the Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™ franchise. Star Wars: The Old Republic, being developed and published by BioWare and LucasArts, represents an innovative approach to interactive entertainment, featuring immersive storytelling, dynamic combat and intelligent companion characters.

In Star Wars: The Old Republic, players will explore an age thousands of years before the rise of Darth Vader when war between the Old Republic and the Sith Empire divides the galaxy. Players can choose to play as Jedi, Sith, or a variety of other classic Star Wars roles, defining their personal story and determining their path down the light or dark side of the Force. Along the way, players will befriend courageous companions who will fight at their side or possibly betray them, based on the players’ actions. Players can also choose to team up with friends to battle enemies and overcome incredible challenges using dynamic Star Wars combat.

"Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is the most critically acclaimed Star Wars game in LucasArts history and a preeminent example of our company’s interactive storytelling heritage," said Darrell Rodriguez, President of LucasArts. "For a long time, we’ve long wanted to return to the franchise in a grand way, and we felt that the best setting for it was an online world that would allow millions of people to participate in the experience together. We knew that the developer capable of working with us to deliver an engrossing story with a fully-realized online world was BioWare."

"Traditionally, massively multiplayer online games have been about three basic gameplay pillars - combat, exploration and character progression," said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Co-Founder and General Manager/CEO of BioWare and General Manager/Vice President of Electronic Arts Inc., "In Star Wars: The Old Republic, we’re fusing BioWare’s heritage of critically-acclaimed storytelling with the amazing pedigree of Lucasfilm and LucasArts, and adding a brand-new fourth pillar to the equation – story. At the same time, we will still deliver all the fun features and activities that fans have come to expect in a AAA massively multiplayer online game. To top it all off, Star Wars: The Old Republic is set in a very exciting, dynamic period in the Star Wars universe."

Added Dr. Greg Zeschuk, Co-Founder and Vice President Development Operations, BioWare and Vice President, Electronic Arts Inc., "Star Wars: The Old Republic is set roughly 300 years after the events of Knights of the Old Republic, a timeframe that is completely unexplored in the lore. BioWare has been able to add to the Star Wars history in developing the game’s story and has created an overarching narrative that players can enjoy, regardless of their play style. Our goal is to offer players an emotionally rewarding experience that combines the traditional elements of MMO gameplay with innovations in story and character development."

Additional details on Star Wars: The Old Republic features, gameplay and release date will be announced at a later time. For more information about Star Wars: The Old Republic and to sign up for future product updates, please visit www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com.

A Few Words on Iraq

This is a cross-post from a thread I was discussing some current issues with over at MMORPG.com. yeah, politics on a gamers forum -- go figure. Anyway the guy was saying how he was against the Iraq war, and that Saddam Hussein didn't harbor terrorists there. This led me to make this post, which I thought was worth saving here:

Actually, Abu Nidal lived in Iraq. Saddam certainly harbored terrorists, just not Al Qaeda. He also backed terrorists in Palestine. Militant, or Political Islam is not one big monolith -- there are many rivals for the same prize -- a caliphate over the Muslim world. Some are more secular than others, Saddam Hussein and Momar Qaddafi come to mind; and others are more religious -- the mullahs of Iran and Osama bin Laden are fine examples.

All are, to a greater or lesser extent -- part of the Jihad. They may hate one another, but they hate us more. hate is mostly what they do, so if they are just mildly disgusted, that is akin to being friends in the West.

On 9/11, Palestinians hit the streets and cheered -- they didn't have anything to do with it, but we can see where their sympathies lie. sadam had a mural of it painted and celebrated it. In the last years of his reign he rediscovered his faith and got more religious, because he saw the tide turning.

Now, I feel you have it backwards. Bin ladin's biggest enemy (other than us, of course) is Saudi Arabia. By encouraging tyranny in any part of the Muslim world, we help him. By encouraging liberty, we harm him.

The old realpolitik is a failure. Desiring stable discatorships (there really is no such thing, but whatever) serves HIM. The Bush doctrine, while horribly applied and admittedly even more poorly sold by perhaps the worst communicator to ever sit in the White House, is sound. We need to encourage liberal democracy in that part of the world, since that is the only way to defat political islam.

That requires strength, patience, and deliberate action. Bin laden himself said, the people will follow a strong horse. He is right on that. Does this mean we go attacking dictatorships willy nilly without regard to prudence? No. Does it mean we bite off more than we can chew? No to that as well.

Should we rely more on trade and friendship to get this done? Of course.

Back to Iraq. Iraq was a convenient place to start this for several reasons: one, he was already in violation of the terms of surrender; two, he was a particularly nasty piece of work, and three, Israel needs a free fly zone if they are going to hit Iran down the road.

It served multiple purposes and what did it do as well? We defeated them, and only lost a few thousand men. Any loss of life is bad, but think how that looks to the world of the Jihad -- how many of THEM will have to die vs us?

That alone, had the press not been against the war and the Democrats openly seeking to undermine it, could have demoralized them. It did, at first, until the media and the left erased all that. Bush, had he been an effective communicator like a Ronald Reagan could have gone to the people and turned that around. Bush...well blech.

Anyway Iraq may not have been the wisest place to start this -- maybe Iran would have been better. But then, people would make the argument that Iran was Shiite instead of Sunni...and a bad place for that reason -- once again not looking at the big picture.

This is a generational war that we did not start. In fact this is a millennial war that has been going on since the 600s. We better get used to it, and stop dividing over it. It is true, them being divided helps US -- but US being divided helps them much, much more.

Today is the Big Day!

Well, here it is the day of the LA/Bioware announcement. I'm very excited about this. Here is a site where it will be liveblogged for those folks who are interested:

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3170784

This should happen at 2PM PST, which is 5PM EST.

WTF Joe Biden?

Who is this guy working for?

This was part of a speech Biden said to a fundraiser in Seattle:

"Mark my words," the Democratic vice presidential nominee warned at the second of his two Seattle fundraisers Sunday. "It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We're about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here if you don't remember anything else I said. Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy."

Woah. A "generated" crisis? Okay, discounting the obvious Grand Conspiracy angle -- meaning the new World Order will test the new leader...WTF is Darth Plagiarus saying? That by electing Obama, the fact of him WINNING will generate a crisis?

Hmmmm...in that case, says Mr. Normal American, I guess I'll play it safe and vote McCain.

Now, let's face it, if anyone knows how to miss an opportunity, it's John McCain. Obama isn't winning this election, McCain is losing it. That being said, if McCain doesn't cash in on this, he is a grade-A maroon.

Collosians 1: 15-20

15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (NIV)

15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (KJV)

15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,[e]
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.[f]
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. (NLT)

Okay, here we have one of the most universalist passages in all of scripture. We begin seeing Paul note that Christ is the visible image of the Invisible God. First, this is a clear description of two parts of the Trinity, so it cancels out Unitarianism -- Christ is DIVINE.

Then he goes on to say that ALL (there's that word all again) are created THROUGH Christ. This is a mysterious passage that implies (as we see in many other places) that Christ pre-existed before the incarnation. How Christ existed before everything else, and He holds all together.

This is among the highest Christology we find in scripture. He is not only the visible God among us, but he is supreme over all who rise from the dead -- and that God IN HIS FULLNESS, that means everything that is God in God -- was pleased to live as God in Christ and, now here is the kicker:

"and through Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with EVERYTHING in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross."

Can it get any clearer. We are forced here into the highest view of Christ -- he is 100% divine. He was there at the beginning, and everything existed and exists and always will exist through Him. Also, the entire universe -- all men, and MORE -- are reconciled through him as well.

Either the Apostle lies here or ALL are eventually reconciled to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Prophet Yahweh Declares the Aliens Support Obama

Well, surprise surprise, Obama has the extraterrestrial vote. Well, we all know they have some kind of galactic socialist utopia -- don't they always? Sure sounds like what Obama's preaching.

Anyway, the great prophet and UFO Summoner Yahweh says the aliens will land on or about October 31st, and declare themselves for Obama!

After that I imagine they'll do a little trick or treating.

"Cribs" Style Tour of the Big Millenium Falcon

Check it out, y'all:

McCain Speaks the Truth

Finally, McCain is speaking the truth about Obama, and on the most important issue this campaign. Obama is a socialist and wants to destroy America faster than anyone else in history.

McCain suggests Obama tax policies are socialist
By GLEN JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Saturday accused Democratic rival Barack Obama of favoring a socialistic economic approach by supporting tax cuts and tax credits McCain says would merely shuffle wealth rather than creating it.

"At least in Europe, the Socialist leaders who so admire my opponent are upfront about their objectives," McCain said in a radio address. "They use real numbers and honest language. And we should demand equal candor from Sen. Obama. Raising taxes on some in order to give checks to others is not a tax cut; it's just another government giveaway."

In a stunning show of leftist media bias, the reporter goes on to defend Obama by attacking McCain back for him. Disgusting.

McCain, though, has a health care plan girded with a similar philosophy. He proposes providing individuals with a $5,000 tax credit to buy health insurance. He would pay for his plan, in part, by considering as taxable income the money their employer spends on their health coverage.

Now, where have we ever seen a Democrat make a statement attacking the reft, and then the reporter, attacking back on behalf of the Republican with the old "pot calling the kettle black" redirect? NEVER. Only commentators do that, not "journalists."

I agree, McCain is slightly socialist as well, and to that extent, he sucks too. But no one, ever, in the history of American presidential politics, is as big or as consistent a socialist as Obama.

Obama has said his tax policies would cut payments for 95 percent of working Americans, while increasing them only for families making more than $250,000 a year. McCain has argued that 40 percent of Americans don't pay income taxes, either because they are seniors or don't meet minimum earnings thresholds, so the only way to cut their taxes is to give them various credits.

"In other words, Barack Obama's tax plan would convert the IRS into a giant welfare agency, redistributing massive amounts of wealth at the direction of politicians in Washington," McCain said in the radio address.

Well said, John McCain. Keep speaking the truth like this, and you just MIGHT win my vote back.

Obama Mocks the Small Businessman

Amazing that there are people who actually plan on voting for this mean-spirited, elitist jerk. Last night he said something to the effect that we can disagree about the issues, but we shouldn't make anyone out to be a bad person.

Barack Obama, you are a bad person.



Hat Tip to AtlasShrugs.com

The Next SWG Expansion?

Either it's a really good fake, or it's real. This was leaked, and is making the rounds on the internet, with the following story:

Fake or real? It appeared on YouTube on 15th October with this description:
"Quick explanation -

Last week, John Smedley sacked four of us at SoE using extremely unprofessional reasoning on his part. Basically he's looking to trim the staff down of those working on SWG now that KotORO is about to be announced soon.

We wouldn't of minded so much if he had just been honest about his reasons - but that isn't John Smedley.

So basically, this is my way of being unprofessional back at him. He'll never be able to discover which of the four of us snuck this out of the offices, so here it is John - your "careful timing" you are oh so precious about - ruined.

This is the project John Smedley has not been telling SWG players about. He's known for about a year now that Bioware is working on the Knights of the Old Republic MMO, and him and Lucasarts have been busy thinking up ways to squeeze the remaining SWG playerbase out of one final cash lump sum before everyone jumps ship - and this is it.

Star Wars Galaxies - City of the Skies. The 4th Expansion.

It's been in the works for the last 3-4 months, and basically is a mish-mash of material SoE has purchased from other Star Wars games with Bespin in it, to make the production process faster.

The ONLY part they are actually splashing out on is that they are really asking Billy Dee Williams and the guy who voices Kyle Katarn to do voices for it.

Smedley seems to think the idea of actually creating content from the era the game is set in, rather than more clone wars stuff is "original thinking".

I'm sure that'll give a good few of you a chuckle..."

We shall see. Hat Tip to MMOFringe.com.

Update: Valara over at SWG has said it's a fake. Bummer.

The Last Debate

Zzzzzzzzzzz. A tiny bit better than the other debates, but not good. The winner: Joe the plumber. Otherwise, it was about even, which means, Obama wins. McCain simply sucks as a candidate. Obama has so many vulnerabilities, is such a bad candidate himself, it is sad that McCain can't take on this loser.

McCain -- master of missed opportunities.

The debate still was a drag, either way. Bad political theater.

And speaking of John Galt....

I just found this really cool Flash movie:

Another "Who is John Galt" Moment

Well, now they've used this financial crisis as excuse to partially nationalize several of the nations largest banks.

This is bad, very bad. The great socialist George Bush, the president who has spent more money than any president in history, has now made perhaps the most socialist move in our history. He has promised that this is only temporary:

"The government's role will be limited and temporary," Bush pledged. "These measures are not intended to take over the free market but to preserve it." He said these steps and other related actions echoed similar bold moves made overseas in an effort to prevent a global recession.

Bush said that by restoring confidence in the system, the hope is to "return our economy back to the road of growth and prosperity."

Why am I reminded of this moment...



This does not bode well for our future. It won't help the economy, even if the markets rebound in the short term. It rewards failure, like the bailout, and also, will make investors not want to invest. Why invest when the government can take over at any moment?

This problem was CAUSED by big government and socialism -- in the form of GSE's Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Socialist bankruptcy can not solved with more socialism.

"Temporary" my eye. What is going to happen when a REAL socialist like Obama takes over? More of the same. Obama will be like four more years of George Bush, only more of the worst of Bush, and none of the good of Bush.

Ugh. Who is John Galt?

Birth of Freedom Shorts #7: What Happened to China's Industrial Revolution?

Without private property, there is no incentive to take risks and advance. From the Acton Institute.

100 Economists Trash Obama's Plan

It is hard enough getting TWO economists to agree, in that the only correct answer to any economic question is: it depends. Well, in a stunning moment of agreement, 100 economists have determined that Barack Obama's Plan for the Economy sucks.

Here is the statement, and you can find the link for the signatures here:

Barack Obama argues that his proposals to raise tax rates and halt international trade agreements would benefit the American economy. They would do nothing of the sort. Economic analysis and historical experience show that they would do the opposite. They would reduce economic growth and decrease the number of jobs in America. Moreover, with the credit crunch, the housing slump, and high energy prices weakening the U.S. economy, his proposals run a high risk of throwing the economy into a deep recession. It was exactly such misguided tax hikes and protectionism, enacted when the U.S. economy was weak in the early 1930s, that greatly increased the severity of the Great Depression.

We are very concerned with Barack Obama's opposition to trade agreements such as the pending one with Colombia, the new one with Central America, or the established one with Canada and Mexico. Exports from the United States to other countries create jobs for Americans. Imports make goods available to Americans at lower prices and are a particular benefit to families and individuals with low incomes. International trade is also a powerful source of strength in a weak economy. In the second quarter of this year, for example, increased international trade did far more to stimulate the U.S. economy than the federal government's "stimulus" package.

Ironically, rather than supporting international trade, Barack Obama is now proposing yet another so-called stimulus package, which would do very little to grow the economy. And his proposal to finance the package with higher taxes on oil would raise oil prices directly and by reducing exploration and production.

We are equally concerned with his proposals to increase tax rates on labor income and investment. His dividend and capital gains tax increases would reduce investment and cut into the savings of millions of Americans. His proposals to increase income and payroll tax rates would discourage the formation and expansion of small businesses and reduce employment and take-home pay, as would his mandates on firms to provide expensive health insurance.

After hearing such economic criticism of his proposals, Barack Obama has apparently suggested to some people that he might postpone his tax increases, perhaps to 2010. But it is a mistake to think that postponing such tax increases would prevent their harmful effect on the economy today. The prospect of such tax rate increases in 2010 is already a drag on the economy. Businesses considering whether to hire workers today and expand their operations have time horizons longer than a year or two, so the prospect of higher taxes starting in 2009 or 2010 reduces hiring and investment in 2008.

In sum, Barack Obama's economic proposals are wrong for the American economy. They defy both economic reason and economic experience.

Mark me down as Mr. 101. Hat Tip to Pat Dollard for this one.

Obama -- PWN'ed by a Plumber

One middle-class, small business person clearly spells out the socialist agenda of Obama -- totally nails him. The video goes onto another subject, but it's still worth watching. Let us hope this one really gets around.

Wealth
by luvnews

Another Quality Negative Ad from McCain.

This has all the marks of a good attack ad. One, it is true. Two, it makes a valid point. Three, it doesn't rely on cheap tactics to make that point. I'm still probably not going to vote for him as long as he keeps advocating socialism on housing, but as always, I'll give credit where I feel credit is due.

Maybe, just maybe, McCain doesn't really want to lose this year.

1 Peter 3: 18-22

18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom[d] also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge[e] of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (NIV)

18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. (KJV)

Okay, now it looks like we are starting to talk about Hell -- time for Baptists and Pentacostals to cheer, finally! he is talking about Hell!

But wait, we have here a very interesting discussion. Peter says that Christ, the Perfect One, suffered for sins -- the just (Him) for the unjust (the rest of us poor slobs), and that he died in the flesh but was raised in the spirit. Cool.

But what's next? We have the raised Christ going to some kinda prison, presumably HELL, and what does Jesus do? He doesn't burn them, he doesn't whip them, he doesn't torment them for all eternity...he PREACHES to them.

Now, look, I've listened to lousy preachers and, truth be told, some sermons can FEEL like eternal torment and damnation. But no, this is JESUS preaching. We know that dude could preach, after all, we have His sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes -- that dude brought the house down, as preachers go. If Jesus is preaching, well, Hell ain't so hellish anymore.

Not only that, but we have an interesting metaphor -- We, the believers are being compared with Noah and his family -- here's that special salvation again, complete with baptism in water for us again -- and the people in Hell that is Jesus' new underground church are the poor slobs who thought Noah was crazy and ended up dying in the Flood.

Sounds like all those people who think I'm crazy thinking Jesus died for all sin.

Scouts Doing Good Deeds...

Good to see the boy scouts are such fine, upstanding citizens. These two lads are truly an example for all others to aspire to:


12-Year-Old Boy Scouts Volunteer To Give Women Breast Exams

Darth Velveeta

And, my personal favorite, Darth Velveeta!

Auntisocial's Award Winner!

Aces High -- Winner SOE/LA Short Film Category Romance:

A New Video From an Old Friend (The MMO Strut)

Auntisocial is near legendary in her videos of Star Wars Galaxies. I've long admired and enjoyed her work. I used to enjoy her posts on the various gamer forums I frequent. She just popped up again in a thread over at MMOfringe.com.

In that thread she mentioned her newish video, so I decided to share it with you folks. HHere she experiments with rotoscope using the unbiquitous subject: the babes of WoW and SWG -- especially their dance moves and their strut. Enjoy!

Obama's Supporters: The International League of Supervillains

Cute Video:

The Stormtrooper Hoodie!

Gotta get me one of these real soon:


Available here:http://www.shopecko.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3054996&cp=3165999&view=all

Once again, hat tip to Kefkah over at MMOfringe.com!

The Second Presidential Debate

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Worst debate EVER. Brokaw could not have sucked more as moderator; not only did he select the worst questions which half of them were the same questions, he asked the worst follow up questions.

McCain definitely won on points, style and substance, but not enough to make a difference. Also, he probably lost any chance of ever getting my vote this year, what with his massive 300 Billion Dollar communist housing plan. Frak that, John McCain.

Now you have one, and only one chance, of getting my vote. If Bush comes out with bin Laden's head on a pike, claiming "it was all John Mcain's plan...thank HIM." You got that you communist creep? Otherwise, say hello to the guy who pals around with terrorists in the White House. Jerk.

Looks like I am gonna go for Mr. Libertarian come-lately Bob Barr. At least I know he's gonna lose, and some Republican with a brain is gonna say, maybe going commie loses us votes? maybe we should go for that limited government thing again?

Frakking ultra-maroon. Almost had me.

Kung Fu Election

http://www.atom.com/spotlights/kung_fu_election/
This game is hysterical; saw it covered on Fox News and got the link over at MMOfringe.com:

Don't Vote!

Best Voting PSA in the history of EVER!

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

/Hat Tip to Kefkah over at MMOfringe.com!

Obama National Anthem

Seems this was from Glenn Beck. Funny scary, and all too true:

Birth of Freedom Shorts: Christianity and Human Equality

Another great one from the Acton Institute:

Almost There...

October 6, 2008

LucasArts, BioWare Prepare To Announce Joint Project

LucasArts, BioWare Prepare To Announce Joint Project LucasArts' and BioWare's long-awaited, much-discussed joint development project -- widely speculated to be an MMO set in the Star Wars universe circa BioWare's own Knights of the Old Republic -- will be revealed to the press October 21, according to an invitation sent out to media outlets including Gamasutra.

It is likely that the official announcement will come shortly after the October 21 press reveal held at LucasArts' San Francisco offices; events of this nature are frequently subject to a media embargo.

The postcard, which proclaims "The wait is over" and promises "the official unveiling of the game that's been rumored about for years," makes no explicit reference to Star Wars. It is branded with the LucasArts and BioWare logos and depicts floating robots and hooded figures in futuristic interior locations reminiscent of the sci-fi franchise.

The alleged existence of a KOTOR-themed MMO is considered one of the industry's worst-kept secrets, with BioWare parent Electronic Arts' CEO John Riccitiello essentially confirming the title's existence.

Riccitiello called the BioWare/LucasArts effort "quite possibly the most anticipated game, full stop, for the industry," before acknowledging it as a KOTOR MMO.

Development of the joint project is being handled at BioWare's Austin studio, created specifically for MMO development.

Okay, there you have it. The wait is almost over. To quote Chris Matthews, "I got this thrill running up and down my leg..."

John 12:32

"And I, if I be lifted up,will draw all unto me." (KJV)

"And I, when I am lifted up, will draw all people to myself." (TNIV)

There's that world ALL again. Does all mean all? Once again, we have the crisis of literalism. If we choose to interpret certain scriptures literally, namely, the ones that seem to claim that not everyone is saved, then we are forced to once again believe that Jesus didn't really mean ALL when He says ALL. That he only meant some, his special dudes.

I'm sorry to those of you who favor either election (meaning, God has pre-destined a certain number of people to be saved, and the rest were sunk from the start; or those who believe in the free will doctrine, which in the end puts US in charge of the Universe and not God. If I get to CHOOSE to follow Christ, then God in Christ is NOT my savior -- I am. To me that doesn't make any sense at all either.

I choose to believe in MY version of selective literalism -- namely the one that makes God infinitely merciful, infinitely powerful, infinitely loving. But that'sjust me. You are entitled to another interpretation of the data.

Politics Brings Out the Worst in Us

Especially the kids...

A Perfect Attack Ad

High praise to Republicans for making a skillful negative ad that highlights democrat involvement in the recent financial meltdown. Thus far, Democrats have been lying day and night about how it was the past eight years of "Bush deregulation," without pointing to one Bush deregulation that was casual. It's just a blanket lie, and the media isn't calling them on it.

This ad brings out a bit of the truth on this. Now BOTH parties are guilty of what led to the current crisis, but not Republicans from the Bush era. The republicans who made the significant regulatory changes were of the Clinton era primarily, and had nothing to do with Bush.

Now, personally, I don't think deregulation really had much to do with what happened, but if one does, one ought not lie about who did the deregulating just so they can hurt Republicans and get elected. Once again the Democrats place political power over patriotism.

It wasn't Bush. Bush called for MORE regulation in this area not less.

Anyway, here's the ad. Enjoy:

Another Excellent Campaign Ad

A nice spoof of the reasoning behind many political ads these days:

Diddy Blog # 24 Sarah Palin Scares Me

Best debate commentary ever :)

Here we go, I really enjoyed this.

The VP Debate

Well, BOTH did fine, which means a win for Palin, since Democrats have been salivating, in their mean-spirited and nasty way, for Biden to destroy her and watch her screw up. She also got the line of the night, when she said 'Say it ain't so, Joe!"

Basically she redeemed herself, at least in my eyes, after that screw-up with Couric.

What this shows is that McCain made a HUGE mistake, not in picking her, but cloistering her and handing her over to the Bush people to coach her. He gave her to the people responsible for producing the most ineffective communicator who has ever sat in the White House.

Finally they let Sarah BE Sarah, and ya know what? She did fine.

Bob Barr on the Bailout

A new message from Barr on the bailout, well worth considering.

Why vote for more of the same with Obamacaine when you can vote for Hope and Change with the Libertarian Party?

Obama Youth?

Behold the Obama youth as they sing a Worshipful Praise Song for Dear Leader:


When we give up belief in a higher power, invariably we end up worshiping men. To me, this is scarier than Jesus Camp, because Jesus isn't running for anything.

Can We Trust the Polar Bear?

I thought this was cute...