Unfortunate Realities

My prayers go out to the people attacked and traumatized by the shooting at Fort Hood yesterday. It’s a dark day when a soldier turns on his fellow soldiers and kills them. The worst part of this was having to watch the different cable news channels discuss it. Once again, Fox News trumped the retarded list by immediately placing blame on his Muslim-sounding name before we had any details. And yet – somehow – Fox News is the most trusted news channel in recent polls. My country is full of empty-headed morons who like to watch Glenn Beck for the entertainment value.

Dick Cheney needs to go on a vacation. I mean, he’s clearly out of his league now, and it shows. Poor Dick – still wants to feel relevant in a world that’s passed by (and trying to keep a lawsuit against him from forming). I’m really ashamed of his horrible behavior.

Pakistan claims to be clearing out the Taliban, but that remains to be verified. I’m almost certain that this is all one giant propaganda campaign to keep India from getting involved. The US is clearly worried about India getting involved, since – you know – they haven’t signed a Nuclear Proliferation Treaty.

I sympathize with the gay people in Maine. But you people have to learn where to place the blame and focus when things don’t go your way. Be realistic – do you really think the President could have changed the course? I don’t – you had a very energized anti-gay organization using some very unethical and hateful tactics in your state. Go after those people, and earn some real sympathy.

If anyone doubted my previous sociological preaching that the rich get the most life choices in the US, here’s proof – the rich got the H1N1 vaccine ahead of the regular people who are at greater risk. I can guarantee this has to do with money and influence coming before pregnant women, young kids and at-risk elderly people. Which is embarrassing for the US and their claim that everyone is treated equally.

 

 

 

 

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying Game 3rd Edition

Time out from the blah blah blah of political douche-baggery that I normally write about to talk about something I’m involved in:

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying Game 3rd Edition

(or as some people are calling it, “Version 3″ or “WHRP v3″)

Apparently, there is a huge amount of purism pushing people to protest this game. Granted, it’s a new system and a new way of playing the game that draws from the successes of other popular RPGs in existence (D&D 4e, for example). What I’m seeing is a similar negative response from fanboys/girls that I saw in another re-imagined franchise.

Fallout 3

If you’ve read any of my previous entries about FO3, you’ll see that I basically was disgusted in the fantard reactions of old fans of the original series (for example, the negative Nancys of No Mutants Allowed). I’m starting to see the same problematic fantardism arise from the old WHRP fans. I understand some of the complaints, but there are others that just don’t hold water (and are basically people bitching about having to use a new system because they are old people sitting on their porch yelling, “Get off mah lawn!”).

Here’s what changed in WHFR 3e:

• Instead of percentile dice (2d10), it uses a lot of unique dice to generate results. Most of the action/result can be determined directly from what was rolled.
• Making a party an actual character with stats (and a meter to keep parties from bickering too much).
• Cards to indicate what actions or talents the PCs are presently invoking for the round. Cards can actually gain tokens that can be used to do different options on the cards.
• The four races available out of the core set is Reikland human, High elf, Wood elf and a dwarf.
• Careers are limited to the cards in the box.
• Skills work differently, much like the Dark Heresy system of progression (basic, trained, etc).
• There’s a Stance mechanism that allows players to determine how aggressive they are. Each class has a different stance set up. However, green always = calm and red always = fired up. It can affect how certain talents and actions work. Built out of small chits that link together, and tracked with a counter.

So, what are the issues that I see with the game (the legit issues, in my eyes):

• Price. The price for the core set is $100. Or $120 for the expansion that comes out at the same time that adds careers and more spells.
• Space. I see the space needed to play the game is restricted to a large area, with cards, sheets, dice and stance meters. Lots of parts involved.

And that’s it. Those are legitimate inhibiting factors when you look at WHFR 3e compared to all the other RPGs that use unique stuff. In fact, WHFR 3e isn’t even all that unique. So here’s the illegitimate complaints:

• It’s a boardgame. No it isn’t. There’s no boardgame mechanics in the game. You’re just bitching that it looks like one because you hate the fact that Black Industries isn’t producing the game and Fantasy Flight Games is.
• It’s fiddly (too many cards, too many counters, etc) to be effective/speedy. We don’t know that, since we haven’t tried playing it yet. What I see are tools – the GM only has to look at the table once to see what everyone is doing. New players can read from cards instead of having to bust out the rulebook and flip through dozens of pages to find out what which talent/power does what.
• The percentile dice system is better. I’ve never thought so, and a lot of GM’s agree with me. Here’s why – people who know the percentage of chance to succeed at anything will more likely weigh all their character’s decisions on that instead of roleplaying. Not knowing the chance of outcome forces players to instead rely on “what would my character do” decisions instead of “Oh, I have a 50% chance of failing so I’m not doing it.”
• It was great the way it was, why change it? Uh, that’s never an excuse for anything. Games Workshop and Fantasy Flight Games are businesses, and – like other RPG companies – move their games in directions of the money. Right now, card-driven, unique game systems that make it easier for new GMs and players to play are huge. So the games move that way. The old v1 and v2 of WHRP was not drawing in a lot of players, and was a bit of a pain in the ass for GMs.
• It won’t capture the gritty feel of Warhammer. That – again – is bullshit. GMs create and run the setting, so it’s the GM’s job to set a gritty feeling. Or maybe the players don’t want to play WHRP in the old gritty fashion, and want to run a more heroic, high fantasy version? GMs can do that as well. Even if the new mechanics are slightly tilted to a more dynamic, faster style than the old versions, it’s still the GM who sets the tone of the world and the other characters in it. The GM is also the final arbiter of the rules and how the world goes.

What kills me are all the “this is heresy!” and “it ain’t Warhammer if it has pretty bits and a more dynamic system” type complaints. These are aesthetic issues that have more to do with player and GM preference than anything else. Don’t like v3? Then play v1 or v2! You are the consumer, you tell the developer through your wallets! But don’t sandbag and boycott the fun of everyone else looking forward to v3. Stop being a complaining, threatening, annoying shitbird.

It’s not fucking rocket science people. It’s a role-playing game.

The GOP Needs to Get Rid of Mike Steele

Out of the three races I was interested in, there was only one GOP upset in my eyes. There was a Democrat upset, as well.

First, I knew Jon Corzine wasn’t going to win. He made so many errors as governor that I knew last year that he’d most likely lose to whoever ran against him, Republican or Democrat. Christie, no matter how much of a horrible politician he is, was a shoe-in.

Second, I was slightly surprised that Deeds lost as bad as he did. I had a hunch that McDonnell – who campaigned as a moderate – would win.

Third, I wasn’t sure that Bill Owens would upset Hoffman. I knew that Hoffman was an ultra-conservative businessman running for the Congressional seat, but I wasn’t sure that his hard right stances would hurt his chances. Apparently it did, and apparently the GOP should take a lesson from that.

But, as always, Mike Steele – GOP leader – thinks that the elections mean that they need to crank even farther to the right. It’s a WTF are you doing? moment. Someone needs to kick that asshole out. Again, Republicans refusing to see reality for their own ulterior motives.

And Bloomberg … fucking Bloomberg. What a hypocritical crook. Wins by spending $100 million after stating years ago that all politicians should have term limits (which, when it came time to give up the seat, helped remove the term limits so he could run again). Turning the NY mayor seat into something greasy like the Chicago mayor’s seat. If we’re lucky, he’ll choke on his own bile before he gets settled in for another term.

Also, fuck the anti-gay people of Maine. You may have won today, but I guarantee you’ll lose in the future. It’s inevitable, and being anti-gay is not preserving the institution of marriage in Maine and across the nation. What a load of crap that came out of the gay marriage opposition leader’s mouth.

 

 

 

Will Hoffman Hurt the GOP?

The more stringent conservative is running for NY’s senate seat today, but the fact remains – what kind of change does he spell for the GOP? Some? A little? A lot? None? It’s coupled with the Florida and Virginia governors races, but I really think this one election will tell the GOP what the regular Republicans want. It’s the fence-sitting, more moderate Repubs that will make a difference. And tell me if its even worth watching the party with any hope.

Iran is in an interesting position, and one we should all pay attention to. Civil unrest always speaks of a regime change in countries in the Middle East, mostly because the religious leaders require the support of the people to keep it together. Without religious leaders backing the current regime 100%, it usually falls to the opposition. This could be Iran’s chance for change.

Warren Buffett is sorta pulling a Charles Mitchell, trying to inspire investor confidence by buying a railroad. I’m not sure it’s working – as of right now, the market is slumping rather low.  I think Johnson & Johnson’s restructuring is a sign of more economic problems in the future, and investors feel it.

 

Clinton Gets Statue in Kosovo

They unveiled a statue in Kosovo honoring President Clinton’s decision to help bring peace to the former Republic of Yugoslavia. I feel proud by extension for having been a part of the military effort. We made a difference.

The GOP as a large organization has ceased to have any control over their own party. As evidenced in the NY Senate race, the more ultra conservatives are stepping up to push aside moderate candidates endorsed by Republican leadership. However, this doesn’t exactly work with a lot of NY moderate Republicans. This has put the GOP in a difficult place – without unity, they literally fall apart. If they try to force unity, there’s going to be a political bloodbath. I think the Republicans are in a very bad position, and it’s only going to get a lot worse before the elections in 2010.

Please ignore Nancy Goldfarb’s comments in my blog. I’m barely willing to dignify her with an answer, since she’s a troll and fairly ignorant on how politics – as a whole – work. I realized that I’ve already dealt with her once, and it was immature and basically name-calling from her side. I don’t know why she keeps commenting on my blog.

This 911 call is hilarious and sad. I think that I should get Lord Omlette a t-shirt that says, “I Am Them.” It’s a great Internet meme waiting to happen, and it’s a great saying for alcoholics everywhere. XD

Karl Rove – Great Deceiver

I don’t think it’s news to many people that Karl Rove is one reason President Bush turned out to be such a stupid dick. The guy is more slimey than most slugs, and his demeanor proves it more times than not.

So it’s no surprise that Howard Dean and many spectators called Rove on his typical line of bullshit during a panel. One thing that made me laugh – watching a video of the exchange – is how Rove twists a fairly open statistic to meet his thick-headed view. There is a Gallop poll that shows that most Americans still consider themselves relatively “conservative” compared to being “moderate” or “liberal.” Look – I have a lot of conservative views, and support a few conservative policies, but I’m pretty sure I’m a moderate. There’s a fine line where conservative becomes moderate, and then another fine line where moderate becomes liberal. And a rather obscure Gallop poll doesn’t do anything to determine where that line is – which is important when considering Rove’s point. I still think that a lot of conservative people are closer to moderate than ultra-conservative, and that’s the people that voted for Obama.

And saying that Obama’s more liberal than centrist? That’s a line of bullshit I have yet to see proven, given we’re still in Iraq and Afghanistan, wiretapping is still happening, half of Bush’s executive orders are in place, and Obama isn’t working to overturn anti-gay legislature. I think Obama is bordering on being more conservative than most conservatives feel comfortable admitting (because their stubborn, wrong viewpoint of politics begins to break down).

I don’t know if Iran realizes this, but turning down Russia is not a good way to win their support. Right now, the only thing keeping the US from actually condemning them to death in the UN is Russia and China. I think their elitist attitude will change as Russia’s attitude towards them becomes more hostile.

Most of the Midwest got snow, but not Omaha. Rain, rain and more miserable rain. The only happy thought I get from this is that Exmoure is now buried up to his eyeballs in snow somewhere. Take that, you non-communicating wanker!!!

Being a father, shit like this bugs me. So much so that if I was there when this guy kicked the baby, they would have had to restrain me from knocking his ass out and then dropping him in the river somewhere. It royally pisses me off. Seriously, Nebraska – WTF is wrong with you and all the child abuse lately?

Pretty Much Sums Up Work Today

Yes, I fucking hate slow traffic days!

Playing Online with One of the Gamerchix

Holy crap, I got my ass owned in Forza Motorsports. She actually lapped me although I had the faster car (the GTO special)

In the past, women may have had a harder time of keeping up with men in video games. That’s not an issue today. I think men are going to have a much harder time keeping up with women! Especially the Gamerchix on XBox Live. Those girls are HARDCORE.

Deviant Psychology and Video Games

MMOs and First Person Shooters with a second person view point + Girl Characters = Making Men Digital Transvestites since 1998.

I’m seriously considering writing an APA study on this. It’s a growing trend, and it’s one that I’m sure has an impact on men with transgender impulses (as in, it helps them express themselves better and be more open about their feelings).

Meanwhile, I’m playing Borderlands on the XBox 360. It’s fun, and I enjoy being the Soldier Roland – throwin’ up turrets, mowin’ down bad guys with a powerful fucking shotgun and basically using a SMG to pick off creatures 8 bazillion miles away. I may try the Siren next, just to stare at her ass.