"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger."
-- Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials
Sunday, July 31, 2005
So scary, so true...
If you haven't ever read the quote, Snopes offers a very good digest.
The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers
Most people don't seem to remember this show for some reason. I do, and I think it has something to do with growing up in Texas (Texas Rangers, Galaxy Rangers? Hrm...). I just finished watching the last episode of the 4th disk. Some parts clearly show its age and target age group, but overall, I've gotta say it holds up pretty well compared to a lot of other cartoons from my childhood in the 80's.
It's funny how Goose ended up soloing in a lot of the episodes. I'm not sure if that was Koch's conscious decision or if it just ended up being a representative selection. Either way, he was my favorite character, so it worked out well. Mmm... Niko :)
It's funny how Goose ended up soloing in a lot of the episodes. I'm not sure if that was Koch's conscious decision or if it just ended up being a representative selection. Either way, he was my favorite character, so it worked out well. Mmm... Niko :)
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Half-blood Prince
SPOILERS! Highlight to see: |First of all, I thought Dumbledore's weakening was largely pointless given that Rowling never gave a reason that he had to drink the goop. Dumbledore said it couldn't be scooped, but clearly he "scoops" it up with his goblet. If Rowling just wrote in a goblet next to the basin, or maybe had Dumbledore say, "If I just dump it on the ground it probably won't work", his weakening himself would've seemed a lot less stupid.
And then, why was Dumbledore protecting Draco? I can see that he's the kind of guy that believes in the good of people, especially children, but come on! This was at the safety and lives of OTHER students and children. Not to mention his own life.
I've read it elsewhere, but I also think Harry is the last horcrux, whether Voldemort knows it or not. It sounds like the perfect way to tie things up, and also explains a few things like his Parseltongue and scar.
Also, I also doubt Snape is bad. I couldn't find where Snape and Dumbledore were arguing, but it was probably about Snape's Unbreakable Vow with Draco and him killing Dumbledore. We'll probably see Snape and/or Draco help Harry at the end. | END SPOILERS.
Anyway, it was a fun read and I look forward to the next one.
And then, why was Dumbledore protecting Draco? I can see that he's the kind of guy that believes in the good of people, especially children, but come on! This was at the safety and lives of OTHER students and children. Not to mention his own life.
I've read it elsewhere, but I also think Harry is the last horcrux, whether Voldemort knows it or not. It sounds like the perfect way to tie things up, and also explains a few things like his Parseltongue and scar.
Also, I also doubt Snape is bad. I couldn't find where Snape and Dumbledore were arguing, but it was probably about Snape's Unbreakable Vow with Draco and him killing Dumbledore. We'll probably see Snape and/or Draco help Harry at the end. | END SPOILERS.
Anyway, it was a fun read and I look forward to the next one.
Stealth (the movie)
Seriously, if you're at all thinking about seeing this (from all outward indications) raging crapfest, stop, go to your local video rental source and get Macross Plus the Movie (not the 4 episode version). Yes, it's an anime, but as the tag-line says, it really is the Top Gun of animation. It's tied in with the Macross (Robotech) universe, but mostly just for marketing purposes. It really has nothing to do with anything but itself. If you don't like it, well, at least it wasn't Stealth.
Sky High
Sky High sounds like it'll be a fun movie. Definitely geared towards younger children, but I'm mostly a sucker for superheroes. I just hope it doesn't detract from Invincible, a far superior superhero coming of age tale. Which is geared more towards high school aged people.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Grave of the Fireflies
Ever since I watched Grave of the Fireflies back when I was a teenager, I felt a great deal of disgust towards the brother character. How could a brother let such a thing happen to his sister? I couldn't appreciate Grave as a film, and I still wouldn't watch it again. To me, his actions were inexcusable. Besides which, I felt it was an exercise in bathos. Researching it a little today, however, I found this interview with Hayao Miyazaki regarding his interpretation of the film. Basically, "I think it's a terrifying movie which depicted deaths without a place to return to." In context (of the article and the war), it's quite interesting what he has to say.
Takahata himself also had a couple of things to say about Grave. While what he said has bearing on real world issues, I really don't think it adds anything to the story. What's worse is that it sounds like that was central to the film.
Grave is also based on a true story, sadly enough. One thing I thought about was how it was that a growing boy could survive the malnutrition that his much younger sister could not. There is the obvious answer which the author confirms. He hates himself (or he did), and that's good enough for me. I don't know, I'd like to think I'd do better in a situation like that, but who can say for sure?
As a story, I found it trite and disgusting. As a semi-autobiography, I found it sad and deplorable.
Takahata himself also had a couple of things to say about Grave. While what he said has bearing on real world issues, I really don't think it adds anything to the story. What's worse is that it sounds like that was central to the film.
Grave is also based on a true story, sadly enough. One thing I thought about was how it was that a growing boy could survive the malnutrition that his much younger sister could not. There is the obvious answer which the author confirms. He hates himself (or he did), and that's good enough for me. I don't know, I'd like to think I'd do better in a situation like that, but who can say for sure?
As a story, I found it trite and disgusting. As a semi-autobiography, I found it sad and deplorable.
China to overcome US
I just read a really good commentary section on Slashdot. It was filled with things that are wrong with the US right now. The immediately relevant topic was education and the environment of hostility towards intellect. There were comparisons to the Japanese competition scare of the 80's and 90's that prompted a comparison of populations. W and past and current foreign policy made an appearance as well. There were a lot of comments that were spot on.
But the one that concerned me the most was our culture of ignorance. That we have things like W as president and Christian fundamentalists pushing creationism into schools isn't the source of our problems (although they are huge sources of contemporary problems). No, it's that Americans don't like smart people. And that Americans prize athleticism above academics (oh the hypocrisy that we are a nation of lardasses). I think this produces idiotic things like conservatives vs liberals (in other words, people who can't think and rely on labels) and politicians latching onto easily grasped issues like video game nudity.
It would serve us right if China overcame the US, but in the end I don't think it'll happen. If anything, the US will defeat itself.
But the one that concerned me the most was our culture of ignorance. That we have things like W as president and Christian fundamentalists pushing creationism into schools isn't the source of our problems (although they are huge sources of contemporary problems). No, it's that Americans don't like smart people. And that Americans prize athleticism above academics (oh the hypocrisy that we are a nation of lardasses). I think this produces idiotic things like conservatives vs liberals (in other words, people who can't think and rely on labels) and politicians latching onto easily grasped issues like video game nudity.
It would serve us right if China overcame the US, but in the end I don't think it'll happen. If anything, the US will defeat itself.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Clapping at the end of a movie
There are friends of mine who are of the opinion that clapping at the end of a movie, as opposed to at the end of a play or a concert, is remarkably stupid. "Who are they clapping for?" they would ask. Others of like opinion would answer the question with "What a bunch of retards" and "Morons".
I, being of the clapping at the end type (but typically not when they're around), defend the applauders saying, "They're not clapping for the makers of the movie, they're clapping to show their appreciation for the movie; they're clapping for each other to show their enjoyment to each other." Well, at least that's what I think when I clap. I mean, I know none of the people responsible for the film are there. When I clap, it's because I enjoyed the movie, and if more people are clapping, that shows that the movie was well received by the audience and that I am affirmed in my opinion, all the while affirming the opinion of my fellow clappers.
I, being of the clapping at the end type (but typically not when they're around), defend the applauders saying, "They're not clapping for the makers of the movie, they're clapping to show their appreciation for the movie; they're clapping for each other to show their enjoyment to each other." Well, at least that's what I think when I clap. I mean, I know none of the people responsible for the film are there. When I clap, it's because I enjoyed the movie, and if more people are clapping, that shows that the movie was well received by the audience and that I am affirmed in my opinion, all the while affirming the opinion of my fellow clappers.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
mobiBLU Cube
I saw an mp3 player on Fatwallet that is supposedly the world's smallest. While I don't doubt that, I wanted to add some observations in addition to this review. First of all, it's a cube, so even if it's volumetrically the smallest, wearing it under your shirt probably will still be kinda conspicuous. The review didn't mention any file delete or marking features. The necklace is integrated with the headphones, so you probably won't be switching out for a better pair, and if you lose 'em, it might be hard/expensive to replace.
Still at $130 for a gig, it looks pretty sweet. I wouldn't get it, but it does have a lot of what I look for.
Still at $130 for a gig, it looks pretty sweet. I wouldn't get it, but it does have a lot of what I look for.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Friday, July 22, 2005
"If you haven't done anything wrong, what do you have to hide?"
This really bothers me because I'm a private person. Another question might be, "If you are hiding something, is it necessarily wrong?" And the answer is, "Of course not." On an individual level, a person may not want to divulge any number of things that might turn up in an investigation that has nothing to do with whatever's being investigated. On a national level, for example, because a country is hiding troop movements does it mean that it's somehow wrong? Of course not. Particularly in light of xenophobic/bigoted citizens and legislators alike, what is considered "wrong" is also a subject of concern.
So should the government be given the tremendous powers of the USAPATRIOT Act? If you've got nothing to hide... "A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take away everything you have." -Ben Stein
So should the government be given the tremendous powers of the USAPATRIOT Act? If you've got nothing to hide... "A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take away everything you have." -Ben Stein
First post!
This isn't the kind of blog where I post about things that happen in my life (I doubt you'd find them interesting anyway), but the kind where I talk about what I think about things. Well, that's the intent anyway. Mostly it's just because sometimes I have something to say and I want somewhere to say it, even if nobody hears it. If a tree falls in the forest... :)
