Saturday, March 15, 2008

More Helpfulness

I looked for a Youtube video for this, but couldn't find it.

Mr. Beers, here's a bit more help for you. It's a quote from a rather good movie.

Judge Slade: According to the provisions of the statutes of our territorial commonwealth, you gentleman of the jury have been selected as representative citizens of our fair community. We want to see that the public's faith is justified. So when you boys retire to consider a verdict, stay out awhile. Mr. Kent will see that you are plentifully provided with liquid refreshments. And after you have deliberated sufficiently, weighed all the evidence fair and square, and brought in a verdict of not guilty, you will be amply rewarded. You understand?


It's from here. Amazon carries it if you wish to buy it. It's also available from Netflix. Please pay attention to Judge Slade when he speaks. You will learn something.

Good Advice

Because I am kindly soul and am in a particularly good mood today (I bought a new toy!), I have some advice for David Booth Beers as regards to his debacle earlier this week.

Tacite inepte.

And I mean it. Your damage control is only making you look even more mean spirited, foolish and incompetent. Even some of your most committed supporters do not believe you.

You went after two old men, shaved the rules to do so and got caught.

My advice, and it's even free, is call a special meeting, get the necessary super majority and do it over again. It's not as though they are going to fight you over it. This time bring your A game, because you are going to be eaten alive when you sue Bishop Schofield if you don't.

In the mean time, stop. Just stop.

Tornado

Downtown Atlanta was hit by a tornado last night. No one is believed to have been killed, but two buildings were at least partially demolished and the Georgia Dome lost part of its roof.

More:

Friday, March 14, 2008

Friday Afternoon Cheese

You've been warned.....

A Light Amidst the Darkness

Anthony Sacramone discussed Christ Church NYC in a recent post. Visiting their website, I almost, almost wished I lived in New York City. What a wonderful church!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Thursday Morning Classical Music: Opera!

Thursday Morning Classical Music

Feeling Homesick for the Mountain....

Durufle: Requiem, Op. 9, Agnus Dei

Just FYI

I Am A: Lawful Good Halfling Wizard (7th Level)


Ability Scores:

Strength-13

Dexterity-14

Constitution-12

Intelligence-15

Wisdom-15

Charisma-13


Alignment:
Lawful Good A lawful good character acts as a good person is expected or required to act. He combines a commitment to oppose evil with the discipline to fight relentlessly. He tells the truth, keeps his word, helps those in need, and speaks out against injustice. A lawful good character hates to see the guilty go unpunished. Lawful good is the best alignment you can be because it combines honor and compassion. However, lawful good can be a dangerous alignment because it restricts freedom and criminalizes self-interest.


Race:
Halflings are clever, capable and resourceful survivors. They are notoriously curious and show a daring that many larger people can't match. They can be lured by wealth but tend to spend rather than hoard. They prefer practical clothing and would rather wear a comfortable shirt than jewelry. Halflings stand about 3 feet tall and commonly live to see 150.


Class:
Wizards are arcane spellcasters who depend on intensive study to create their magic. To wizards, magic is not a talent but a difficult, rewarding art. When they are prepared for battle, wizards can use their spells to devastating effect. When caught by surprise, they are vulnerable. The wizard's strength is her spells, everything else is secondary. She learns new spells as she experiments and grows in experience, and she can also learn them from other wizards. In addition, over time a wizard learns to manipulate her spells so they go farther, work better, or are improved in some other way. A wizard can call a familiar- a small, magical, animal companion that serves her. With a high Intelligence, wizards are capable of casting very high levels of spells.


Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)

Liberality

I have a natural tendency to take the opposite side in any debate. My disposition is to play "Devil's Advocate". So, outside of family, very few of my friends and acquaintances have a take on my politics. If anyone is curious to know what I really believe, David Mamet says it far better than I can.

That's is what liberalism truly is about.

And he is right about Thomas Sowell. When our generation has passed, he will be remembered.

{H/T The Anchoress}

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Wonderful

The Subprime Lending Crisis Explained

In pictures, no less.

(H/T Denny)


Addendum, in the 'for what it's worth' department: I'm opposed to any extensions of repayment, easing of interest rates or debt forgiveness as relates to the current real estate crisis. That sort of thing makes the politicians feel better, helps the lenders out and does little to nothing for the debtors or more to the point for the nation at large. Government interference in economic corrections, which is what this is, very much tends to draw out the agony (See Stagflation and Great Depression). Far better just to get it all over with (See Savings and Loan crisis).

Monday, March 10, 2008

Retro Goodness

Back in my youth I was a role player. We would play Dungeons and Dragons as well as lesser known games such as GURPS, Twilight 2000, Traveler, Star Wars, Paranoia (my favourite) and TORG. TORG was a meta role playing game in the sense that you could use the same system in several different settings. You could play in the medieval fantasy setting, pulp horror, Pellucidar, cyberpunk and others.

The setting we kept returning to was straight pulp fiction. One of the characters I ran was 'Fighting Father Bob McGarrity', founder and head of Kidsville. Old movie buffs will have spotted what genre of black and white movies I ripped off for that character.

So, imagine my delight when I saw this gem at the book store today. I don't care if the characterization is thin. Pulp fiction is a joy all of its own and I for one intend to wallow for a while in purple prose and airborne fisticuffs.

Inspirational, Isn't It?



It's rather important to know where the parade is headed before joining in.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Zombie Attack!

Good thing Teller is on watch in Vegas.

Hmmm

Blogger has eaten every post I've made since the fifth. I'm not quite certain what may be done about it. Posting should resume shortly.