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16
General Discussion / So, I Had This Interesting Dream...
« on: September 06, 2010, 11:12:19 pm »
No, not me. Not at the moment, anyhow. Rather, this is the thread you can post in when those words apply to you. This topic is Sajainta Approved and endorsed over The Other Leading Topic by four out of five Radical Dreamers.
Remember, the dreams we have when we are asleep are not like the ones we have when we are awake, with some exceptions in instances of heavy fixation. When we wish for our dreams to come true, that's the waking ones we're usually talking about. The world would be an interesting place if it were the other kind.
*is eagerly awaiting Dream VR*
Anyhow, this is the place to write about your sleeping dreams.
Remember, the dreams we have when we are asleep are not like the ones we have when we are awake, with some exceptions in instances of heavy fixation. When we wish for our dreams to come true, that's the waking ones we're usually talking about. The world would be an interesting place if it were the other kind.
*is eagerly awaiting Dream VR*
Anyhow, this is the place to write about your sleeping dreams.
17
General Discussion / The Most Beautiful Thing You Ever Did
« on: April 07, 2010, 12:49:17 am »
Well, what is it?
18
General Discussion / Ask A Liberal
« on: March 05, 2010, 07:29:00 pm »
A thread for the politically curious of all ideological stripes, from a bona fide liberal...
Q: Josh, what are the four most important things I can do to better the country without inconveniencing myself?
1. Join a union, or support the unionization of your workplace if none is available. There is not a single more significant act you can take to better the economic wellbeing of the lower and middle classes than joining a labor union. When you read history, you will understand, but until then you can still do the right thing without necessarily knowing why. To learn more, focus on the historical period between 1880 and 1940, and take a look at what working conditions used to be like and what industry and government used to do to defiant workers.
2. Read history. Yeah, you saw that coming. My great recommendation of the moment is The Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life and Legacy of Frances Perkins, which finally came out in paperback last month. I know I can count on Thought's support for the reading of history, and he's not even a liberal. Up From Slavery, the autobiography of Booker T. Washington, is also worth a read. You can find it at your local library. Simply put, your ability to understand the nation as it exists today (and thereby change it for the better) is directly tied to your understanding of the nation's history, and to a lesser extent of world history. When George Washington turned over his sword and walked away from the chance to become King of America, that was a turning point in history--and he repeated the same show of humbleness by walking away from the presidency after only two terms. But why did he give up power like that? Read his farewell address (you may remember it from school), and go from there.
3. Vote, and vote Democratic. Okay, so this is "ask a liberal," yes? To make a long story short, the Republican Party is evil and the Democratic Party is incompetent. If you crunch all the numbers, you will probably find, as I have, that voting Democratic is the best way to change the country--better than not voting at all, better than voting for the Republicans to purify the Democratic ranks, and better than voting for a third party. But! There's a caveat: You must vote in primary elections as well as general ones. The key to everything is the primary election, when sucky Democrats can be replaced by better one. You must not vote for the incumbent unless he or she has explicitly earned your vote.
4. Read the news. It's hard for me to tell you in a short space what exactly you should be looking for when you read the news. Just read it with a critical eye, and you will eventually figure it out for yourself. Do not waste your time reading cable news websites (like cnn.com); read news websites that originate from print newspapers, the BBC, or international news agencies. These are where you will find "real" news. Note: News is not necessarily supposed to be entertaining. It is supposed to be informative. If you're reading a story about the world's largest cupcake, or the latest 5,000-person nude photo, you're not really reading the news. Also be sure to read your local newspaper, if you have one.
Q: Josh, have liberals ever met a tax they didn't like?
Yes. Liberals tend to oppose regressive taxes that disproportionately affect the lower classes. A sales tax, one of the major forms of taxation, is an example of a regressive tax, because material quality of life purchases (like groceries) consume a much larger percentage of a poor person's income than a rich person's, and thus the sales tax's relative rate becomes higher the poorer you are. A sales tax is also heavily dependent on the health of the economy, and is one of the weakest broad-base taxes during a recession, which is the worst time for tax revenues to become depressed. As such, liberals tend to disfavor the sales tax--although most will support it over nothing, as is the case here in Washington State, where in the absence of an income tax it is the most important revenue stream in the state. There has been some sentiment for Washington to replace its sales tax with an income tax, but the conservatives are against it and most everyone else doesn't understand the issue well enough to favor such a radical change to the system.
Q: Josh, do liberals hate America?
Some liberals do, yes. There is a great deal of guilt and contempt in the American ethos. Our history is a brutal one and even today there are serious injustices throughout the land. At the same time, our material quality of living is extraordinarily high by historical standards, which seems insensitive to generations past, to all those peoples who we displaced, and to the people worldwide who are still gripped by poverty or tyranny. Thirdly, ours is a very powerful nation--still the most powerful on Earth and in history--and has exercised that power over the will of other nations. Thus, to simplify it all down, we're powerful, we're brutal, and we live the good life...and we did it all at the expense of the weak. That, in a nutshell, is the nature of liberal hatred for America.
Of course, not all liberals hate America. Many if not most liberals don't hate it at all. All of these criticisms of America are valid, but one needn't conclude that hating the country is the correct response. Americans who go so far as to hate their own country tend to be conflicted people, filled with self-doubt, aggression problems, and fundamentalist-style thinking. They draw their hatred not so much from a reaction to America's injustices, but from a larger contempt for all existence. Of course, if you ask them, they'll usually say that they have a desire to fundamentally change the prevailing economic system.
There is room to legitimately hate America, however. There's an old saying, which goes something like "The real scandal isn't in what's illegal, but rather what's legal." If you a true lowercase-D democrat, or a true humanitarian, or a true populist, then the injustices committed with impunity by the wealthy and powerful are an abomination sufficient that I wouldn't stand in somebody's way if they decide that America warrants hatred. But I wouldn't be comfortable around that kind of person, because in America you can change the system without inciting a revolution, and that's impressive. In America you have opportunity: you get a K-12 education and the right to vote at 18. That's impressive. You can start a businesses and plausibly make money from the enterprise. That's impressive. Those three things--access to the law of the land, civil liberty, and economic opportunity--make it impossible for someone like me to hate the country so long as they remain operational, because they are the keys to progress, and if you give up on them entirely, on principle, then you are pretty much giving up on humanity.
It's worth noting that "America-hate" is not a liberal phenomenon. It transcends the political spectrum. One of the reasons patriotism was so highly regarded in times past is that it was an antagonist to the treasonous sentiments which naturally arise in a public body. Today patriotism is regarded as antiquated and childish, but it served an important purpose. Beyond the presently benign grousings of the left is the much more dangerous behavior coming out of the Tea Party right, among whom America-hate is rampant, and the rest of us no longer have the sword of patriotism to wield against them.
Q: Josh, what are the four most important things I can do to better the country without inconveniencing myself?
1. Join a union, or support the unionization of your workplace if none is available. There is not a single more significant act you can take to better the economic wellbeing of the lower and middle classes than joining a labor union. When you read history, you will understand, but until then you can still do the right thing without necessarily knowing why. To learn more, focus on the historical period between 1880 and 1940, and take a look at what working conditions used to be like and what industry and government used to do to defiant workers.
2. Read history. Yeah, you saw that coming. My great recommendation of the moment is The Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life and Legacy of Frances Perkins, which finally came out in paperback last month. I know I can count on Thought's support for the reading of history, and he's not even a liberal. Up From Slavery, the autobiography of Booker T. Washington, is also worth a read. You can find it at your local library. Simply put, your ability to understand the nation as it exists today (and thereby change it for the better) is directly tied to your understanding of the nation's history, and to a lesser extent of world history. When George Washington turned over his sword and walked away from the chance to become King of America, that was a turning point in history--and he repeated the same show of humbleness by walking away from the presidency after only two terms. But why did he give up power like that? Read his farewell address (you may remember it from school), and go from there.
3. Vote, and vote Democratic. Okay, so this is "ask a liberal," yes? To make a long story short, the Republican Party is evil and the Democratic Party is incompetent. If you crunch all the numbers, you will probably find, as I have, that voting Democratic is the best way to change the country--better than not voting at all, better than voting for the Republicans to purify the Democratic ranks, and better than voting for a third party. But! There's a caveat: You must vote in primary elections as well as general ones. The key to everything is the primary election, when sucky Democrats can be replaced by better one. You must not vote for the incumbent unless he or she has explicitly earned your vote.
4. Read the news. It's hard for me to tell you in a short space what exactly you should be looking for when you read the news. Just read it with a critical eye, and you will eventually figure it out for yourself. Do not waste your time reading cable news websites (like cnn.com); read news websites that originate from print newspapers, the BBC, or international news agencies. These are where you will find "real" news. Note: News is not necessarily supposed to be entertaining. It is supposed to be informative. If you're reading a story about the world's largest cupcake, or the latest 5,000-person nude photo, you're not really reading the news. Also be sure to read your local newspaper, if you have one.
Q: Josh, have liberals ever met a tax they didn't like?
Yes. Liberals tend to oppose regressive taxes that disproportionately affect the lower classes. A sales tax, one of the major forms of taxation, is an example of a regressive tax, because material quality of life purchases (like groceries) consume a much larger percentage of a poor person's income than a rich person's, and thus the sales tax's relative rate becomes higher the poorer you are. A sales tax is also heavily dependent on the health of the economy, and is one of the weakest broad-base taxes during a recession, which is the worst time for tax revenues to become depressed. As such, liberals tend to disfavor the sales tax--although most will support it over nothing, as is the case here in Washington State, where in the absence of an income tax it is the most important revenue stream in the state. There has been some sentiment for Washington to replace its sales tax with an income tax, but the conservatives are against it and most everyone else doesn't understand the issue well enough to favor such a radical change to the system.
Q: Josh, do liberals hate America?
Some liberals do, yes. There is a great deal of guilt and contempt in the American ethos. Our history is a brutal one and even today there are serious injustices throughout the land. At the same time, our material quality of living is extraordinarily high by historical standards, which seems insensitive to generations past, to all those peoples who we displaced, and to the people worldwide who are still gripped by poverty or tyranny. Thirdly, ours is a very powerful nation--still the most powerful on Earth and in history--and has exercised that power over the will of other nations. Thus, to simplify it all down, we're powerful, we're brutal, and we live the good life...and we did it all at the expense of the weak. That, in a nutshell, is the nature of liberal hatred for America.
Of course, not all liberals hate America. Many if not most liberals don't hate it at all. All of these criticisms of America are valid, but one needn't conclude that hating the country is the correct response. Americans who go so far as to hate their own country tend to be conflicted people, filled with self-doubt, aggression problems, and fundamentalist-style thinking. They draw their hatred not so much from a reaction to America's injustices, but from a larger contempt for all existence. Of course, if you ask them, they'll usually say that they have a desire to fundamentally change the prevailing economic system.
There is room to legitimately hate America, however. There's an old saying, which goes something like "The real scandal isn't in what's illegal, but rather what's legal." If you a true lowercase-D democrat, or a true humanitarian, or a true populist, then the injustices committed with impunity by the wealthy and powerful are an abomination sufficient that I wouldn't stand in somebody's way if they decide that America warrants hatred. But I wouldn't be comfortable around that kind of person, because in America you can change the system without inciting a revolution, and that's impressive. In America you have opportunity: you get a K-12 education and the right to vote at 18. That's impressive. You can start a businesses and plausibly make money from the enterprise. That's impressive. Those three things--access to the law of the land, civil liberty, and economic opportunity--make it impossible for someone like me to hate the country so long as they remain operational, because they are the keys to progress, and if you give up on them entirely, on principle, then you are pretty much giving up on humanity.
It's worth noting that "America-hate" is not a liberal phenomenon. It transcends the political spectrum. One of the reasons patriotism was so highly regarded in times past is that it was an antagonist to the treasonous sentiments which naturally arise in a public body. Today patriotism is regarded as antiquated and childish, but it served an important purpose. Beyond the presently benign grousings of the left is the much more dangerous behavior coming out of the Tea Party right, among whom America-hate is rampant, and the rest of us no longer have the sword of patriotism to wield against them.
19
General Discussion / The Education System
« on: December 07, 2009, 09:52:12 pm »
This thread is for any and all discussion pertaining to the current state of, and desired betterment of, the American education system in particular, and all education systems generally. It is a thread whose time is due.
20
General Discussion / The Vector of Humanity
« on: December 07, 2009, 09:46:21 pm »
In another thread, somebody wrote:
Discuss. I'll chime in later...
Quote
As the centuries have passed, mankind has grown more ignorant and selfish.
Discuss. I'll chime in later...
21
Welcome / Birthday / Seeya! Forum / Happy Thanksgiving!
« on: November 26, 2009, 04:29:10 pm »
Happy Thanksgiving! Today, as with all the days in your life, you can choose how it's gonna be. But today is one of those days where the choice really stands out. Will yours be a Horn of Plenty?
Or will it be...
Have a good day!
Or will it be...
Have a good day!
22
General Discussion / Park Your Amusements Here
« on: November 16, 2009, 12:23:50 pm »
We have a Love thread, a Hate thread, and a Frustration thread. Not only is that a bit negatively balanced, but there are all kinds of things that doesn't quite fit. I've been thinking on and off for months on what kind of thread could catch most of what's left. Now I have it: an Amusement thread! It can be any kind of amusement, from joyous to grim.
I'll start us off...
I find it amusing that so many people don't understand blogging, think it's a fad, and are nevertheless so eager to get in on it. The ones from the traditional media are the worst. With their influence, they actually are making a fad out of it. But it'll still be here long after they've lost interest. I think this whole cultural mentality that everything is a fad is, itself, a fad. (Actually, I suppose they won't "lose interest" so much as lose the notion that blogging is here today, gone tomorrow. Now Twitter, that's another story...)
I am frequently amused by acronyms and other telltales of lazy language. I was reading a list of assignment titles when I came across "How is diabetes correlated with CAD?" My first thought was, "Computer-aided design? That can't possibly be right." So I scoured my memory banks for a couple of a seconds before a second moment of amusement struck, this one accompanied with the ol'
"Coronary artery disease. But of course!"
(All good eureka moments and exchanges of fine mustard should be announced with "But of course!")
On a much warmer note, I am greatly amused by the Pineapple Express. It's about fifteen degrees warmer now than it was a couple of days ago at this hour, and the wind is nature's own gentle caress. Of course, this being nature, "gentle" means limbs are falling off trees and waves are lashing the coast.
I also find the British terrifically amusing, what with their lorries and crisps. We even have a British Compendium member named "Dunce."
I'll start us off...
I find it amusing that so many people don't understand blogging, think it's a fad, and are nevertheless so eager to get in on it. The ones from the traditional media are the worst. With their influence, they actually are making a fad out of it. But it'll still be here long after they've lost interest. I think this whole cultural mentality that everything is a fad is, itself, a fad. (Actually, I suppose they won't "lose interest" so much as lose the notion that blogging is here today, gone tomorrow. Now Twitter, that's another story...)
I am frequently amused by acronyms and other telltales of lazy language. I was reading a list of assignment titles when I came across "How is diabetes correlated with CAD?" My first thought was, "Computer-aided design? That can't possibly be right." So I scoured my memory banks for a couple of a seconds before a second moment of amusement struck, this one accompanied with the ol'
"Coronary artery disease. But of course!"(All good eureka moments and exchanges of fine mustard should be announced with "But of course!")
On a much warmer note, I am greatly amused by the Pineapple Express. It's about fifteen degrees warmer now than it was a couple of days ago at this hour, and the wind is nature's own gentle caress. Of course, this being nature, "gentle" means limbs are falling off trees and waves are lashing the coast.
I also find the British terrifically amusing, what with their lorries and crisps. We even have a British Compendium member named "Dunce."
23
General Discussion / Serious Theories
« on: November 15, 2009, 01:20:03 am »
This is a thread for theories which may be far-fetched at first glance, but to which you actually subscribe! Here are a few of mine:
1. I think humanity's obsession with disaster porn (e.g., 2012) and dystopian societies of the future is a subconscious expression of their frustration at their lack of understanding of the world around them, and of their perceived powerlessness in it. The world is a big place now. Technology is increasingly hard for laypeople to understand. The social power structure seems as inaccessible as ever. Pop culture is as devoid of insights and patience as it ever was. Yet there are no mass die-offs. The world doesn't end. Life continues every day. For the powerless, the disenfranchised, the superficial, and the willfully ignorant, it must feel a little bit like Hell. I think they think destruction is the only change that humans are really good at. It transcends the political spectrum. It seems to be a symptom of Western success, success in which many individuals feel they do not share and cannot trust.
2. I think fat-bashing is so bad in our society not because being fat is actually as terrible as we make it out to be, but because the worst bigots are, variously, jealous of fat people's perceived freedom and satisfaction, or actually find fat people to be attractive and are in the throes of sexual denial. (And sexual denial, of course, is one of the most virulent sources of human hatred.) In both cases, the bigotry against fat people actually makes things worse for the bigots. Hatred is often like that: It doesn't just harm the innocent. It is self-destructive too. Notice, also, that bigots never scrutinize themselves the way they scrutinize their victims. It's always about health, economics, and the environment for them...all of which are red herrings. Never is there any outward indication of the jealousy or denial which I theorize to be most bigots' true motivation, which would make sense.
3. Western society will, in this century, leave behind the consensus-driven philosophy which has seen our power structures increasingly hindered in recent decades by the dilution of executive authority into committees, councils, panels, and boards. This will reverse a trend that is now half a century old. The reason we will leave it behind is simple enough: It doesn't work. Deceptively, at present the trend is only intensifying and there is yet no obvious sign of a retreat. In the meanwhile, what will not change is the growth of networking which has accompanied the growth of the consensus-driven executive. New construction, for instance, will continue to have to get environmental approval.
1. I think humanity's obsession with disaster porn (e.g., 2012) and dystopian societies of the future is a subconscious expression of their frustration at their lack of understanding of the world around them, and of their perceived powerlessness in it. The world is a big place now. Technology is increasingly hard for laypeople to understand. The social power structure seems as inaccessible as ever. Pop culture is as devoid of insights and patience as it ever was. Yet there are no mass die-offs. The world doesn't end. Life continues every day. For the powerless, the disenfranchised, the superficial, and the willfully ignorant, it must feel a little bit like Hell. I think they think destruction is the only change that humans are really good at. It transcends the political spectrum. It seems to be a symptom of Western success, success in which many individuals feel they do not share and cannot trust.
2. I think fat-bashing is so bad in our society not because being fat is actually as terrible as we make it out to be, but because the worst bigots are, variously, jealous of fat people's perceived freedom and satisfaction, or actually find fat people to be attractive and are in the throes of sexual denial. (And sexual denial, of course, is one of the most virulent sources of human hatred.) In both cases, the bigotry against fat people actually makes things worse for the bigots. Hatred is often like that: It doesn't just harm the innocent. It is self-destructive too. Notice, also, that bigots never scrutinize themselves the way they scrutinize their victims. It's always about health, economics, and the environment for them...all of which are red herrings. Never is there any outward indication of the jealousy or denial which I theorize to be most bigots' true motivation, which would make sense.
3. Western society will, in this century, leave behind the consensus-driven philosophy which has seen our power structures increasingly hindered in recent decades by the dilution of executive authority into committees, councils, panels, and boards. This will reverse a trend that is now half a century old. The reason we will leave it behind is simple enough: It doesn't work. Deceptively, at present the trend is only intensifying and there is yet no obvious sign of a retreat. In the meanwhile, what will not change is the growth of networking which has accompanied the growth of the consensus-driven executive. New construction, for instance, will continue to have to get environmental approval.
24
General Discussion / What Is "Justice"?
« on: October 21, 2009, 11:34:43 pm »
This is a thread to discuss the nature and significance of the concept of justice, to each of us personally and to all of us collectively as denizens of Civilization.
One bit of advice: Don't give a dictionary definition. Anyone who gives a dictionary definition will be met with the utter disgust and disappointment of all. If you have to use the dictionary definition, use it supplementarily.
One bit of advice: Don't give a dictionary definition. Anyone who gives a dictionary definition will be met with the utter disgust and disappointment of all. If you have to use the dictionary definition, use it supplementarily.
25
General Discussion / What are Your Thoughts on the Pledge of Allegiance?
« on: October 15, 2009, 09:28:29 pm »While we're on the subject, I hate the American so-called "pledge of allegiance". It's one of the first "speeches" children are coerced into memorizing, before they can understand the meaning of the words they're saying. In fact, I very clearly remember when I first learned it that I thought it was something likeQuote"Iplejaleejentoodaflag Ofthunitedstatesofmerica. Andtoothreepublic Fourwichisands. Wonationundergod Indibisible for liberteenjustice for all."I had no idea there were way more words than that. Let alone that I was basically saying "I am ready and willing to die for the U.S. flag." Every day for several years.
That's an interesting, and not at all uncommon, point of view. It might be interesting to have a discussion about this in another thread? Can someone split this off into another thread, and I'll post some thoughts later?
26
General Discussion / Compendiumites of Washington, BY OUR POWERS COMBINED...!!
« on: October 09, 2009, 03:17:16 pm »
This is a thread for the high number of Compendiumites who live in Washington State. It doesn't have any single topic. Anything which relates to life in this state is fair game. Out-of-staters can participate too, but I'd like the discussion to turn mainly on things that are relative to the people who live here!
27
General Discussion / Should Prostitution Be Legal?
« on: September 16, 2009, 04:08:45 am »
Reading about sexual slavery in the Fuck Sexism thread got me to thinking about the subject of prostitution and the question of its legality. I don't have a strong opinion on the matter yet, mainly because there are some powerful arguments both for and against prohibition, and I've never reconciled them.
Nonetheless, it's probably a fair bet that some of you have opinions. So...what do you think?
Nonetheless, it's probably a fair bet that some of you have opinions. So...what do you think?
28
General Discussion / Anyone Interested in a Compendium Card Group?
« on: August 29, 2009, 01:18:36 am »
I enjoy card games like hold 'em poker, big two, hearts, and crazy eights, but I don't get the chance to play very often. So, question: Is there enough interest here in the community for us to put together a card group and play from time to time? Say, once or twice a week?
29
General Discussion / The Record of Right-Wing Crazy
« on: August 28, 2009, 08:31:20 pm »
Attention New Readers: If you've got something to add to the record of right-wing crazy, then this is the place to put it! You're welcome to post a bit of commentary along with your links, but mostly the links should stand on their own. Do not open up debates on other people's posts. If you want to have a debate...make another thread.
One of the differences between the leading left-wing media pundits and the leading right-wing ones is that, at worst, the dishonesty coming from the left is rhetorical or negligent, whereas on the right they just make shit up as they go. They really don't give a damn. They just say whatever they want, facts be damned, logic be damned, reason be damned.
Consider Glenn Back, the Fox News host who was most recently in the news for calling the president a racist. This caused dozens of advertisers to flee his show, so Fox sent Beck on vacation for a week to cool down. When he returned this Monday, fresh and sober, he dedicated all his shows this week to proving that President Obama is plotting to overthrow the government and turn us into a Nazi state.
Here are some clips from this week's episodes:
http://www.dailykostv.com/w/002087/
Go ahead and watch the full twelve minutes, if you can. It's...well...it's ludicrous, is what it is. He's either genuinely crazy or he's the best actor on Fox News. I was going to put this link in the Frustration thread, but it doesn't really frustrate me, because Beck's show has gone so far over the top that nobody would take it seriously except the viewers in his audience who are already, themselves, crazy. I was going to put it in the Love thread, but, fun as it is to watch a right-wing blowhard implode on national television, what he's doing is massively irresponsible, and I take no pleasure from it.
Then it occurred to me that the right is always up to something crazy. Granted, Beck has set a standard of crazy this week that elected Republicans and conservative mass media personalities would be hard-pressed to match, but they do excel in their own way often enough, I think, to warrant a running tab here at the Compendium for all those who think that liberals are simply being partisan when they say that the conservative movement has been hijacked by lunatics. So, this thread is to document the Crazy coming out of prominent conservative figures.
P.S. If you're one of the people who actually believe the stuff Glenn Beck is saying, this thread definitely isn't for you. =P
One of the differences between the leading left-wing media pundits and the leading right-wing ones is that, at worst, the dishonesty coming from the left is rhetorical or negligent, whereas on the right they just make shit up as they go. They really don't give a damn. They just say whatever they want, facts be damned, logic be damned, reason be damned.
Consider Glenn Back, the Fox News host who was most recently in the news for calling the president a racist. This caused dozens of advertisers to flee his show, so Fox sent Beck on vacation for a week to cool down. When he returned this Monday, fresh and sober, he dedicated all his shows this week to proving that President Obama is plotting to overthrow the government and turn us into a Nazi state.
Here are some clips from this week's episodes:
http://www.dailykostv.com/w/002087/
Go ahead and watch the full twelve minutes, if you can. It's...well...it's ludicrous, is what it is. He's either genuinely crazy or he's the best actor on Fox News. I was going to put this link in the Frustration thread, but it doesn't really frustrate me, because Beck's show has gone so far over the top that nobody would take it seriously except the viewers in his audience who are already, themselves, crazy. I was going to put it in the Love thread, but, fun as it is to watch a right-wing blowhard implode on national television, what he's doing is massively irresponsible, and I take no pleasure from it.
Then it occurred to me that the right is always up to something crazy. Granted, Beck has set a standard of crazy this week that elected Republicans and conservative mass media personalities would be hard-pressed to match, but they do excel in their own way often enough, I think, to warrant a running tab here at the Compendium for all those who think that liberals are simply being partisan when they say that the conservative movement has been hijacked by lunatics. So, this thread is to document the Crazy coming out of prominent conservative figures.
P.S. If you're one of the people who actually believe the stuff Glenn Beck is saying, this thread definitely isn't for you. =P
30
General Discussion / PAX Event Schedule Online & Compendium Meetup(s)
« on: August 13, 2009, 05:58:57 am »
The PAX schedule is now online:
http://www.paxsite.com/schedule.php
Note that this year they're starting at 10:00 am on Friday, so it's a full three-day event now.
I've created this new thread to avoid some confusion that might be caused by organizing our meet-ups in the other PAX thread. This is your definitive go-to center for organizing meet-ups with your fellow Compendiumites! Feel free to arrange your own, individual or small group meetings here.
In addition to smaller meet-ups, I think it would be cool if we did something as a combined group, more formal than just nodding and winking at each other. Maybe lunch? Or dinner? There are many good restaurants within walking distance. There are many non-food options, too, both at PAX itself and in Downtown Seattle. We could see a movie (I'd kind of like to see Ponyo), or check out Pike Place Market, or do the Seattle Underground Tour, which I hear is pretty cool. Or, at PAX, we could play games, organize tomato-throwing at the Square Enix booth, or conceivably kidnap Gabe and Tycho and order them make PAX a never-ending wonderland of fun, sort of like what Chevy Chase did in Wally World at the end of National Lampoon's Vacation.
I think it would be a good idea if everyone who wants to meet up would post their availability times. Then we can compare notes and see what works best for the most people. If there are many scheduling conflicts, or if we just get along so darn well, we could potentially have two big group meetings!
I'll post my own availability times as soon as I've figured out my schedule. It's a big friggin' expo!
http://www.paxsite.com/schedule.php
Note that this year they're starting at 10:00 am on Friday, so it's a full three-day event now.
I've created this new thread to avoid some confusion that might be caused by organizing our meet-ups in the other PAX thread. This is your definitive go-to center for organizing meet-ups with your fellow Compendiumites! Feel free to arrange your own, individual or small group meetings here.
In addition to smaller meet-ups, I think it would be cool if we did something as a combined group, more formal than just nodding and winking at each other. Maybe lunch? Or dinner? There are many good restaurants within walking distance. There are many non-food options, too, both at PAX itself and in Downtown Seattle. We could see a movie (I'd kind of like to see Ponyo), or check out Pike Place Market, or do the Seattle Underground Tour, which I hear is pretty cool. Or, at PAX, we could play games, organize tomato-throwing at the Square Enix booth, or conceivably kidnap Gabe and Tycho and order them make PAX a never-ending wonderland of fun, sort of like what Chevy Chase did in Wally World at the end of National Lampoon's Vacation.
I think it would be a good idea if everyone who wants to meet up would post their availability times. Then we can compare notes and see what works best for the most people. If there are many scheduling conflicts, or if we just get along so darn well, we could potentially have two big group meetings!
I'll post my own availability times as soon as I've figured out my schedule. It's a big friggin' expo!