*authors note* I plan on making a you tube video of this script, but I wanted to get it out there first
So there is a debate raging on in the Battletech community currently, and it is one that seems to pop up every once in a while. Should Battletech be considered a What You See Is What You Get style miniatures game?
The reason this debate has popped up again is three fold. First off the introductory box released a little over two years ago by Catalyst Game Labs contained 24 plastic Mech Miniatures. These Mechs were not made of the best quality materiels but provided a decent visual aid for new players to build interest in the game beyond the box set. There are now mutterings of a Clan Expansion box set to be released hopefully sometime in the next year, that will include more plastic minis.
Secondly Catalyst is working with a second Miniatures company, along with Iron Wind Metals to release relatively inexpensive, High-quality plastic miniatures. These minis are suppoused to be of even beter quality then those of Games Workshops Warhammer and 40K lines.
Finally Battletech is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Between people brought in from the Now Defunct Wizkids Mechwarrior Game, and converts from War Machine and Warhammer 40K, the Battletech player base has increased substantially over the past four or so years.
All of these are contributing to an ever popular demand to make it so that when playing Battletech on the table top, the minis you play with on the table are the Mechs you are actually using. But will this become the official way Battletech tournaments are played?
Before I begin my editorial on this subject I would like to say that catalyst has already officially spoken on the matter. At the beginning of every major rule book they state that the use of Proxies in their game, is not only allowed, but encouraged. While to some this means using any mini for any Mech, many catalyst have taken it a step further by suggesting coins, bottle caps, and even scraps of Post Its for game play purposes.
So really, the debate is moot and we should all give it up, and delay by an infinitesimal amount, the eventual heat death of the universe.
I on the other hand, wish to be a loudmouthed prick, and speak my mind about the practicality of Battletech as a WYSIWYG game.
What You See Is What You Get is a common practice in many table top war games. These range from the Warhammer universe, known for its players strict adherence to the WYSIWYG policy as it is for the expense involved in the game. There is Warmachine and hoards where Proxies are possible but not practical, and then we have a few games like Catan where WYSWIG is necessary but also not an issue thanks to the materials provided in the game.
Battletech however is inherently different. Like other games, the forces you can deploy are inherently fluid, and can even be determined randomly. There is also a hypothetical ideal in the universe that every faction involved has access to any and all war materiels that ever existed in the universe, provided you are willing to spend the right amount of in game money. That means that each nation has access to at least 500 different BattleMechs and over 2000 configurations alone. When we get into tanks, aircraft, space craft, and infantry the combinations literally get to numerous to count.
This makes Battletech unique in that it does not force a player to commit to one nation or faction in order to play. Unlike Warhammer 40K where it would cost a fortune to multi task, or Flames of War, were personal history and nostalgia, along with a love of flavor permit a person to commit to one nation or force, Battletech not only allows but ENCOURAGES the player to play as a nation one game, and then another nation the next.
The kicker is that most of the machines available in Battletech lack serious stylistic distinction. with that in mind, how can you even be certain that your lance fits the flavor of the Magistracy of Canopus, or the Free Rasalhauge Republic . The current bad guy of the Battletech Universe, if there ever was such a thing as a bad guy, the Word of Blake, not only have their own special war materiel, but they also use and abuse war materiel from every corner of the galaxy, even the Clans, who keep a pretty tight rein on their war machines.
The second issue I want you to consider is economics. Again I have to refer to Games Workshops properties in this case. A typical basic unit of soliders, like the Space Marine Tactical Squad, will cost you 35 dollars and buy you ten models. If we go to Iron Wind metals website, we find that the same amount of money will by you anywhere from 2 to 5 models depending on what you purchase. While a typical Battletech game is four Mechs on four Mechs, thus making this price point not a problem, it does not change the fact that you, under a WYSIWYG game would be forced to use those same four Mechs over and over. Then what happens if you want to use two of the same Mech in a game but do not have two of that Mechs miniature? Suddenly a game that is well designed for players on a budget becomes really expensive really fast, all because of the demands of a few nerds that do not care about thier credit score.
Now a Typical WYSIWYG player’s response is “man up, you are supporting the game.” I tend to hear this mostly from Games Workshop converts. This is where I want to point out that that statement is only half right. Battletech is produced, on a very real basis, by two separate companies. Catalyst game labs produces the rules, art, and fiction for the universe. A second company Iron Wind Metals, produces the Metal Miniatures for the game. Now I am a fan of both companies… But I would argue you support the GAME more by purchasing Catalysts books and rules then Ironwinds Minis. In either case Catalyst makes money from the purchase of either, thanks to License agreements, but the “man up” argument deserves a counter
After a 1100 dollar a month mortgage payment nearly 400 in associated bills (gas power water) and 200 in groceries, I have around 200 dollars a month in “free” cash, and on occasion that has to go towards things like buying clothes for my wife, son and myself, or fixing a car, house etc. I also have other hobbies like Video games and movies to feed, and a credit card I need to pay off. Sometimes “supporting the game” is a secondary concern.
It should also come to light that you are only really supporting the game if you buy from your game store or from Iron Wind directly if you buy minis. Purchasing from ebay, particularly older or out of date miniatures, usually means that Catalyst (or its predecessors FASA or Fanpro) already got their money out of it and you are lining a third parties pocket. Compund that with the fact that catalyst makes its money from the Game Books, and only gets a small residual from Miniatures sales, THAT argument is false out the gate.
Another piece to consider is a small bit of technology in the Battletech universe called Omni-Tech. First introduce by the Clans in 1991, Omni-Mechs, and later Omni-Tanks, and Omni-fighters (and to a limited extent Omni Battle Armor) gives a war machine completely modular capability, permitting a the same machine to be outfitted one way, and then over night be deployed with an entirely different load out the next day, much like how an F-15 can be equipped as a light bomber on one sortie, then an Air Superiority fighter the next. Under this prevalent technology, some players would either have to have upwards of nine copies of a single Mech to cover every different configuration of an Omni-Mech, and then need to do it twice or three times in case they want to field more then one of those Mechs.
As well there are variations of non OmniMechs that are done in factory (or sometimes jerry rigged in the field) are you going to force me to SHOW you that that Hammerhands mini is in fact the 5D as opposed to the 3D model? WYSWIG Gamers usually will bend about this and say “only so far as the base chassis.” But I call that a cop out to promote their ideology. But then the problem is compounded by another issue. There are many miniatures that have been out of production for years, sometimes over a decade. There are also several other designs that have been taken out of production, so that purchasing new means having to pay a premium.
Well what if I wish to play with one of these designs? Am I shit out of luck because I was not into the miniatures side of the hobby back then? If you allow me to sub, lets say a Dervish mini to represent an Apollo, then the whole WYSIWYG argument goes out the window to demanding that you play with miniatures only instead of paperboard cutouts, and that is another debate all together.
If all of these concerns were not enough, I have a practical matter for you. Battletech Minis are both fragile and heavy. I have lost count how often I have had to glue on the same damned arm to a Berserker mini of mine. Figuring out how to store and transport minis is a pain in the ass and carries its own expense with it. I for example have literally more Mechs then I have items to hold them in. Some are languishing in foam lined cardboard boxes as a result. I am not proud, but I have run out of materials to put them in. In a WYSIWYG play environment, the problem becomes compounded because I will need to haul it all to location A, in case I want to play a particular Mech on a last second whim.
For me the bottom line in the WYSIWYG debate is simple. We have a side of the Battletech player community who wants to show off their toys, and compare them to other peoples. It is part of the imaginary ownership that players and fan of any universe claim when they adhere to their random form of nerdness, and their desire to be offended that others do not take it seriously. The next step from WYSIWYG will be players demanding that other players claim ownership of a particular faction in the universe (where there are over 50 recorded factions alone), and then after that would be claiming and painting all of your minis in a particular military unit within the faction. While the argument is incumbent on the slippery slope fallacy, I would like to think I had already addressed well and good the ridiculousness of the issue at hand in order to indulge in it.
My personal take on the whole issue is this. Nothing supports a game better then playing it. That means butts in seats, dice in hand. Whether it is with miniatures, cardstock cut outs, or bottle caps and bobby pins I don’t care. Battletech is a game designed to be as simple or as complicated as you wish, so there is no real sense in trying to be exclusionary when someone wants to play the game with you, but has not shown the same kind of commitment you have. You could be missing out on making a good friend, or at the least a hell of a challenging game.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
BRUTAL LEGEND
I have been an avid video gamer since I was about 3 years old. I have previously waxed poetic about the fact that my childhood doctor prescribed a Nintendo to develop my fine motor skills, which were sub par in my youth. 23 years of solid video gaming under my belt I feel I have some chops to speak my mind about games.
Recently a man widely regarded as a Genuis of Video game writing name Tim Schaffer released a product called Brutal Legend. With Umlats over the U to show that the game does not mess around. The story revolves around a Rhoadie for a Punk/Metal/Pop fusion band who wishes to be part of a world where the metal was much more pure.
“You mean like the Seventies?”
“No man. Even earlier, like the early Seventies”
Anyway a stage accident occurs and stuff happens where he is transported to a mystical land that seems to be made off nothing but Motorhead, Black Sabbath, Metallica and Megatdeath Albums. Plot commences and it is good.
The game was met with a lot of anticipation, and the sales are through the roof. Voice acting provided by Jack Black, Tim Curry, Kyle Glass and Jennifer Hale are supplemented with the likes of such legends as Lemmy Kilmeister, Rob Halford, Lita Ford, and Ozzy mother fuckin Osborne. The script is excellent, even if the writing is suitable for a cheesy fantasy animated film.
What has gotten the game the most flak, after drowning out the religious nut-jobs who object to profanity and music in any form, is the game play. While nominally a third person adventure and exploration game, in order to advance the storyline you have to commit to these Real Time Strategy “Stage Battles” a portion of the game that was very well hidden from the press until review copies were sent out. Even I will admit that it is a tedious and overwhelmingly dull aspect of the entire game, BUT I am also a gamer who can ignore crappy game play if the story is good.
And this is the first game since Full Throttle that Tim Schaffer has done with a well thought out and excellent story (yes, I know about Psychonaughts, It did not do anything for me.) it is like the criticisms of the Halo series, who all have generic and mediocre game play, but make up for it in writing and music.
And I thin that is what is not connecting to gamers. The medium of video games has matured, and as a result we can now have complex and compelling stories that reach beyond “Thank you Mario, but our princess is in another castle.”
There are games out there where you can be good or evil, anti heros are praised , and in one series case (overlord) you ARE the bad guy. Some of the worst games of all time, like Bullet Witch, have had stories that compelled me to complete them, and some of the most repetive games ever, like Assassin’s Creed, milk those with certain educations and hobbies for all they are worth.
To often the gamer community is willing to label the title of “bad game” to something that plays poorly, or deviates from its predisesscors. Mario Brothers 2, Zelda 2, and Castlevania 2 all deviated from their predecessors, and had poor gameplay, but the so affected the mythos by their storylines that they provide certain Staples to their series.
Mario 2 brought the Shyguys, Birdo, and Mini games to their series. Casltevania 2 allowed for open world play, RPG elements, and Equipment menus that Dracula X and Rondo of Blood would not have existed without. Zelda 2 complete altered the mythology of the Zelda Series by introducing the idea of the Triforce as a Triple Entity, as well as permitting a completely bizarre timeline.
Critics need to back off the game play element and look at video games as a media experience. While once in a while we will get the next gen equivalent of Dr Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde, I think more and more often we will have hidden treasures like the Duck Tales on the NES, B.O.B or Zombies Ate My Neighbors on the SNES, or just about every Capcom made fighter on the Dreamcast.
Recently a man widely regarded as a Genuis of Video game writing name Tim Schaffer released a product called Brutal Legend. With Umlats over the U to show that the game does not mess around. The story revolves around a Rhoadie for a Punk/Metal/Pop fusion band who wishes to be part of a world where the metal was much more pure.
“You mean like the Seventies?”
“No man. Even earlier, like the early Seventies”
Anyway a stage accident occurs and stuff happens where he is transported to a mystical land that seems to be made off nothing but Motorhead, Black Sabbath, Metallica and Megatdeath Albums. Plot commences and it is good.
The game was met with a lot of anticipation, and the sales are through the roof. Voice acting provided by Jack Black, Tim Curry, Kyle Glass and Jennifer Hale are supplemented with the likes of such legends as Lemmy Kilmeister, Rob Halford, Lita Ford, and Ozzy mother fuckin Osborne. The script is excellent, even if the writing is suitable for a cheesy fantasy animated film.
What has gotten the game the most flak, after drowning out the religious nut-jobs who object to profanity and music in any form, is the game play. While nominally a third person adventure and exploration game, in order to advance the storyline you have to commit to these Real Time Strategy “Stage Battles” a portion of the game that was very well hidden from the press until review copies were sent out. Even I will admit that it is a tedious and overwhelmingly dull aspect of the entire game, BUT I am also a gamer who can ignore crappy game play if the story is good.
And this is the first game since Full Throttle that Tim Schaffer has done with a well thought out and excellent story (yes, I know about Psychonaughts, It did not do anything for me.) it is like the criticisms of the Halo series, who all have generic and mediocre game play, but make up for it in writing and music.
And I thin that is what is not connecting to gamers. The medium of video games has matured, and as a result we can now have complex and compelling stories that reach beyond “Thank you Mario, but our princess is in another castle.”
There are games out there where you can be good or evil, anti heros are praised , and in one series case (overlord) you ARE the bad guy. Some of the worst games of all time, like Bullet Witch, have had stories that compelled me to complete them, and some of the most repetive games ever, like Assassin’s Creed, milk those with certain educations and hobbies for all they are worth.
To often the gamer community is willing to label the title of “bad game” to something that plays poorly, or deviates from its predisesscors. Mario Brothers 2, Zelda 2, and Castlevania 2 all deviated from their predecessors, and had poor gameplay, but the so affected the mythos by their storylines that they provide certain Staples to their series.
Mario 2 brought the Shyguys, Birdo, and Mini games to their series. Casltevania 2 allowed for open world play, RPG elements, and Equipment menus that Dracula X and Rondo of Blood would not have existed without. Zelda 2 complete altered the mythology of the Zelda Series by introducing the idea of the Triforce as a Triple Entity, as well as permitting a completely bizarre timeline.
Critics need to back off the game play element and look at video games as a media experience. While once in a while we will get the next gen equivalent of Dr Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde, I think more and more often we will have hidden treasures like the Duck Tales on the NES, B.O.B or Zombies Ate My Neighbors on the SNES, or just about every Capcom made fighter on the Dreamcast.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The Biggest issue in Battletech.
As I have established in previous blog entries, I am a huge fan of a game called Battletech. I have been familiar with the game since I was six, and been a player/collector of stuff since I was eleven or twelve.
Battletech has over the course of its twenty five years of existence had one giant albatross hanging over it. The original artwork and designs for the giant effing robots that are the heart of the story were images that originally belonged to Japanese Manga and Anime properties. Most famously are a series of twelve designs from a show called Super-Dimension Fortress Macross, better known as Robotech in the United States. There were also other designs take from the Animes Crusher Joe and Fang of the Sun Dougram as well.
Most people would scream plagiarism at this, but keep in mind; these images were actually licensed by the game company FASA. However, in circa 1996, there was some confusion. In 1985 a company called harmony gold began airing episodes of Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, and Genesis Climber Mospeada under the united title of Robotech. Further Playmates was Harmony Gold merchandising partner in this endeavor, producing (often reproduction of Japanese toys) Robotech toys. There was little interaction between FASA and Harmony gold until 1996 when playmates started producing figures for a similar but entirely separate toy line called ExoSquad. FASA brought suit to Playmates indicating that many of the Exo-Squad toys were derived from or outright copies of Battlemechs FASA had made that were NOT part of the licensed images. Playmates countersued over the licensed images in turn.
The end result of this was that confusion over United States versus Japanese licensing and copyright protection put FASA in legal jeopardy. While no one really one the lawsuits, FASA had Resolved the issue of the licensed images by removing the artwork from the universe. Because of their status of “being there, but not visible” these images had earned the nickname “the unseen” by Battletech fans.
Fast forward to 2003, FANPRO, then the current Battletech holders, created a book called “Project Phoenix” as part of the games technical readout series. Instead of creating new mech, the artist Chris Lewis looked at the unseen and recreated them in a new way that paid homage to the original licensed artwork, but were original enough to avoid legal issue. This book, as far as I can tell, has been the most controversial in Battletech history (I could be wrong).
As a fan I loved these new looks of the old classics. I could see the natural evolution between new and old, just as I can seen the differences between an F-18, and an F/A-18G. not everyone in the Battletech community was grateful however. While most fans were at the least pragmatic, there were some who treated these “ReSeen” with open distain. For example here is a quote from the Battletech message boards dated 09/22/2009.
“The new ones simply should not have been named OST-ANYTHING.
Have the Damn factory that builds the designs destroyed in Universe.
Have someone steal and/or destroy the plans for the designs entirely.
BUT DON'T NAME SOMETHING OST THAT DOES NOT LOOK OST!
And they don't feel OST either. Completely changed Mechs!
New Armor, New internal Structure, New Engine, New Weaponsloadout.
So if i make a new mech that has Leg-Joints between Torso and Arms, i can call it locust even if it is 100t heavy and carries more armor and firepower than a Daishi?
I call shenanigans on most of the Phoenix-Designs. There are only one or two i like better i think. If you make something in the image of something else, it had better have SOME kind of semblance to the original!
Both in looks AND in Loadout . .
Don't get me started on the new Locust. I showed someone who has been with Battletech for over 10 years an image of one of the newer Locusts. And he said MARAUDER!
Because neither are the Legs Between torso and arms, nor is the laser BELOW the torso. The Laser looks like the Marauders AC-Mount AND the Legs look like the Marauder Assembly too!
The old Machines had a bit more clunky to them, even if they had more biological looking chassis partly. . The new ones just . . look competely wrong in my eyes”
This is a quote from over five years after the fact. And he was complaining specifically about these two images.
Old Ostol
New Ostol
Now let us jump forward to 2009. Catalyst Game Labs (the Current holders of the franchise) had been working secretly behind the scenes, negotiating what was supposed to be Ironclad license holds to re-obtain the unseen images. Not for replacing the new Project phoenix products, but to get them to exist side by side. Again I refer to my F-18 vs. F/A-18G comparison. They had succeeded in the Crusher Joe and Dougram properties, as well as a negotiation with Victor Music Industries for original artwork that was produced “out of house” but was otherwise original Battletech work. The Macross/Robotech properties are still out of reach however.
This has created a debate in the Battletech fandom with two great big sides. One side, which seems to be the larger, is calling for the original artwork to be fully reintegrated into the battletech universe. This goes from one extreme of the unseen existing in a period only time frame, to the other of retcon, or in story get rid of the reseen.
The other, smaller side of the debate is calling for caution. Generally they too wish to see the original artwork placed in its appropriate spot in battletech canon, whether it is reproduction of original book and novel covers, or other nostalgic products. This side stops short of saying miniatures should be reproduced, and the unseen placed in current storylines and illustrations. A pilot in the year 3075 should just not be piloting a Warhammer mech that was built in 2980. Once again this side of the debate has its hard liners. For example a quote taken after the announcement that the Macross designs could not be obtained.
“good lord you guys, did you not learn anything from this entire debacle? just let them go already... you know the second IWM tries to do something some other company is going to come out of the wordwork to bite them in the ass. the other mechs designed by other companies were proactively declared unseen to keep this whole thing from ever happening again, and we were even given fantastic new models to replace the original 80s machines we took from other universes. huzzah, now my beloved Thunderbolt's mini doesn't blind me with it's sheer fuglyness, and it's a CBT original! and as an added bonus, mechs that already looked pretty decent, like the Battlemaster, now look totally badass. oh happy day!
but then, years later (that would be today), we grabbed some feathers, a jar of wax, and tried to get the old machines back. and did. woppdie-frickin'-do. still a very questionable call in my mind. in my heart of hearts, i just knew it isn't going to last. and guess what.
*clang*
*clang* *clang*
know what that sound is? as LiaoFan would say, that's the sound of our franchise once again being sodomized with a crowbar. before you knew it everyone 'round here was totally depressed, wondering what could have possibly led to that unforeseeable move by Harmony Gold. and now you guys want to dig yourselves even further down the hole?
obviously i can't stop you from spending your money on what you want... but come on, let'em go already. they've been replaced. it would be different if all of the unseen models were back, and there was some fluff about how the desperate Inner Sphere was even down to using the crap Succession Wars models again. but now we're back to only using a could specific Succession Wars models? and not even the really famous ones? come on. there are so many new projects in the pipe, waiting for work, don't clog it with this. after all, there have been enough sculpts from 1980 to sate the appetites of players for, well, ever.”
Like with partisans during the United States health care reform debate, people exerting this behavior are really doing it not to express their opinion so much as to hear themselves talk. And it is such a shame to with an issue that could bring such good fortune to a game that has found itself on the ropes so often, only to bounce back. I find myself on the side that favors the new, but I see the old as having its place, putting me smack in the middle. What shocks me more then anything else is how fans of a fictional universe can be so passionate about a small (but not unimportant) part of their fictional universe.
Battletech has over the course of its twenty five years of existence had one giant albatross hanging over it. The original artwork and designs for the giant effing robots that are the heart of the story were images that originally belonged to Japanese Manga and Anime properties. Most famously are a series of twelve designs from a show called Super-Dimension Fortress Macross, better known as Robotech in the United States. There were also other designs take from the Animes Crusher Joe and Fang of the Sun Dougram as well.
Most people would scream plagiarism at this, but keep in mind; these images were actually licensed by the game company FASA. However, in circa 1996, there was some confusion. In 1985 a company called harmony gold began airing episodes of Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, and Genesis Climber Mospeada under the united title of Robotech. Further Playmates was Harmony Gold merchandising partner in this endeavor, producing (often reproduction of Japanese toys) Robotech toys. There was little interaction between FASA and Harmony gold until 1996 when playmates started producing figures for a similar but entirely separate toy line called ExoSquad. FASA brought suit to Playmates indicating that many of the Exo-Squad toys were derived from or outright copies of Battlemechs FASA had made that were NOT part of the licensed images. Playmates countersued over the licensed images in turn.
The end result of this was that confusion over United States versus Japanese licensing and copyright protection put FASA in legal jeopardy. While no one really one the lawsuits, FASA had Resolved the issue of the licensed images by removing the artwork from the universe. Because of their status of “being there, but not visible” these images had earned the nickname “the unseen” by Battletech fans.
Fast forward to 2003, FANPRO, then the current Battletech holders, created a book called “Project Phoenix” as part of the games technical readout series. Instead of creating new mech, the artist Chris Lewis looked at the unseen and recreated them in a new way that paid homage to the original licensed artwork, but were original enough to avoid legal issue. This book, as far as I can tell, has been the most controversial in Battletech history (I could be wrong).
As a fan I loved these new looks of the old classics. I could see the natural evolution between new and old, just as I can seen the differences between an F-18, and an F/A-18G. not everyone in the Battletech community was grateful however. While most fans were at the least pragmatic, there were some who treated these “ReSeen” with open distain. For example here is a quote from the Battletech message boards dated 09/22/2009.
“The new ones simply should not have been named OST-ANYTHING.
Have the Damn factory that builds the designs destroyed in Universe.
Have someone steal and/or destroy the plans for the designs entirely.
BUT DON'T NAME SOMETHING OST THAT DOES NOT LOOK OST!
And they don't feel OST either. Completely changed Mechs!
New Armor, New internal Structure, New Engine, New Weaponsloadout.
So if i make a new mech that has Leg-Joints between Torso and Arms, i can call it locust even if it is 100t heavy and carries more armor and firepower than a Daishi?
I call shenanigans on most of the Phoenix-Designs. There are only one or two i like better i think. If you make something in the image of something else, it had better have SOME kind of semblance to the original!
Both in looks AND in Loadout . .
Don't get me started on the new Locust. I showed someone who has been with Battletech for over 10 years an image of one of the newer Locusts. And he said MARAUDER!
Because neither are the Legs Between torso and arms, nor is the laser BELOW the torso. The Laser looks like the Marauders AC-Mount AND the Legs look like the Marauder Assembly too!
The old Machines had a bit more clunky to them, even if they had more biological looking chassis partly. . The new ones just . . look competely wrong in my eyes”
This is a quote from over five years after the fact. And he was complaining specifically about these two images.
Old Ostol
New Ostol
Now let us jump forward to 2009. Catalyst Game Labs (the Current holders of the franchise) had been working secretly behind the scenes, negotiating what was supposed to be Ironclad license holds to re-obtain the unseen images. Not for replacing the new Project phoenix products, but to get them to exist side by side. Again I refer to my F-18 vs. F/A-18G comparison. They had succeeded in the Crusher Joe and Dougram properties, as well as a negotiation with Victor Music Industries for original artwork that was produced “out of house” but was otherwise original Battletech work. The Macross/Robotech properties are still out of reach however.
This has created a debate in the Battletech fandom with two great big sides. One side, which seems to be the larger, is calling for the original artwork to be fully reintegrated into the battletech universe. This goes from one extreme of the unseen existing in a period only time frame, to the other of retcon, or in story get rid of the reseen.
The other, smaller side of the debate is calling for caution. Generally they too wish to see the original artwork placed in its appropriate spot in battletech canon, whether it is reproduction of original book and novel covers, or other nostalgic products. This side stops short of saying miniatures should be reproduced, and the unseen placed in current storylines and illustrations. A pilot in the year 3075 should just not be piloting a Warhammer mech that was built in 2980. Once again this side of the debate has its hard liners. For example a quote taken after the announcement that the Macross designs could not be obtained.
“good lord you guys, did you not learn anything from this entire debacle? just let them go already... you know the second IWM tries to do something some other company is going to come out of the wordwork to bite them in the ass. the other mechs designed by other companies were proactively declared unseen to keep this whole thing from ever happening again, and we were even given fantastic new models to replace the original 80s machines we took from other universes. huzzah, now my beloved Thunderbolt's mini doesn't blind me with it's sheer fuglyness, and it's a CBT original! and as an added bonus, mechs that already looked pretty decent, like the Battlemaster, now look totally badass. oh happy day!
but then, years later (that would be today), we grabbed some feathers, a jar of wax, and tried to get the old machines back. and did. woppdie-frickin'-do. still a very questionable call in my mind. in my heart of hearts, i just knew it isn't going to last. and guess what.
*clang*
*clang* *clang*
know what that sound is? as LiaoFan would say, that's the sound of our franchise once again being sodomized with a crowbar. before you knew it everyone 'round here was totally depressed, wondering what could have possibly led to that unforeseeable move by Harmony Gold. and now you guys want to dig yourselves even further down the hole?
obviously i can't stop you from spending your money on what you want... but come on, let'em go already. they've been replaced. it would be different if all of the unseen models were back, and there was some fluff about how the desperate Inner Sphere was even down to using the crap Succession Wars models again. but now we're back to only using a could specific Succession Wars models? and not even the really famous ones? come on. there are so many new projects in the pipe, waiting for work, don't clog it with this. after all, there have been enough sculpts from 1980 to sate the appetites of players for, well, ever.”
Like with partisans during the United States health care reform debate, people exerting this behavior are really doing it not to express their opinion so much as to hear themselves talk. And it is such a shame to with an issue that could bring such good fortune to a game that has found itself on the ropes so often, only to bounce back. I find myself on the side that favors the new, but I see the old as having its place, putting me smack in the middle. What shocks me more then anything else is how fans of a fictional universe can be so passionate about a small (but not unimportant) part of their fictional universe.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Hard to forget when the work is unfinished
In my continuing effort to state unpopular opinions that I truly hold, but also need to be said, I present these facts to you.
Eight years ago, on September 11th 2001 at 8:30 am Missouri time I was walking from the communal shows of my dormitory at Columbia College. A George Carlin skit where he was mocking the song “America the Beautiful” was going through my head, and I found myself singing it on my way back to room 202.
“oh Beautiful, or smoggy skies, insecticided grain
‘ore strip-mined mountains, majesty, above the asphalt plain.
America, America, Man sheds his waste on thee,
and hides the pines with billboard signs from sea to oily sea.”
As I was walking I saw people watching their cable news channel of choice each showing the same impossible scene. Both world trade center towers were on fire. I had obviously missed the planes being driven into them at this point, so I thought it was merely an accidental fire started by god knows what. I got Dressed and went to breakfast. Walking into the cafeteria and seeing it was empty was not unusual. That even kitchen staff was not at their stations disturbed me a bit. Still I grabbed a To Go box and my breakfast and returned to my dorm to eat. I had a good three hours before my first class of the day.
While eating my breakfast a guy who lived directly below me shouted “they crashed another plane into the Pentagon!”
That was how I was first brought to the attention of the Terrorist group al-queada’s attacks on American soil. Like others I was shocked, and my life brought to a standstill that day. I could barely muster the energy to go to class that day. I was one of three who attended my first class, and the only one my second.
Eight years later the President during those periods has, I can say (as a man who voted for him) that he fumbled the ball. A necessary war was perpetrated for the purposes of apprehending the surats (a science fiction based epitaph for “flying monkey”) that planned and initiated the attack, as well as the honor less cowards that gave them shelter and respite. We had the political capital of the world at our feet, and the will of iron to see things through. President Bush’s cabinet looked like a dream team of crisis managers.
Then in 2003 that political capital was wasted on an unneeded second war to a nation that acted like the United States version of North Ireland to the British. This stretched are resources to thin, and the idea of winning the hearts and minds of the conquered took over the idea of winning your objectives.
Now, every year on September 11th, the people of the United States of America come together to pay remembrance to those who have lost their loves at the hands of these barbarians. Bells are rung, prayers are said, and for every day that the fires burned, two pillars of light shine into the sky, seen from orbit, and from almost a hundred miles in any direction. It is a tragedy that such a thing does not strengthen the resolve to do what must be done, and what has been ignored for so long.
This gave rise to the same delusional peace movements that the Vietnam war spawned, and the foot soldiers of the Peace Movement era are now congressmen of the this era. We have lost sight of what armed conflict in this past eight years was supposed to be about. We were supposed to track down a Six foot seven inch tall Arab on dialysis. We were supposed to capture him, present him to the public, try him, and shove him in a dark hole of a prison and forget about him. His followers were to be annihilated, his homes and refuges burned to the ground, and the very principles on which he stood and justified the horrors he committed crumbled to dust.
In a fictional universe I escape too every now and then, such a thing is called a “Trial of Annihilation”, and amounts to basically lawful genocide. In this case, I feel such a thing is appropriate, I feel that anyone who would wave the banner of Al-Queda should be tracked down, captured then killed, or killed on the spot.
But now there is a movement to make the day of September 11th a federal holiday in the United States. I do ponder if there were similar calls for the Attacks on Pearl Harbor, or the Battle of Gettysburg in previous centuries. I do not like the idea of the September 11th attacks being a federal holiday for a few reasons.
First off, we have never made a holiday out of a defeat, let alone the first cannon shots. July 4th was made a holiday in remembrance of our separation from the rule of King George. However, the Boston Massacre is not a holiday, nor the Battle of Bunker Hill, both of which precede the Declaration of Independence. Likewise we do not make a holiday out of the attack on Pearl Harbor, where we received just as large of a slap to the face. Further, neither, V-E nor V-J Day are celebrated.
Secondly, we must examine the Culture of those of made the attacks and how such an commemoration would be perceived. Arabic culture is a study in confusing justifications for actions that westerners see as inconceivably incorrect. One need only look at the bombardment of Jordan by Israel in 2006 to see just how unusual the culture thinks. Jordan was shelled to holy hell, Billions of dollars in damage, with little effective reprisal against Israeli military. And yet the mere fact that the Israeli government said “stop, we think we got the point across” was declared as a holy victory to the Jordanian people (if not the government.) This Orkish attitude of military action shows a culture, at least to outsiders, seems bent on to the death battles, where one solider left standing, even if the war was lost is declared victory. That kind of unhealthy bent on genocide or suicide, which ever comes first could easily translate to seeing the making of September 11th a holiday as an acknowledgement of their victory. That is something we as Americans should not stand for.
Finally as I had stated, the fight is not done. Holiday’s are moments of celebration and remembrance. I personally feel it would be an insult to the 2998 killed and nearly 10,000 injured in the attacks, to have a holiday for a task that has not been completed yet. The towers are still fallen, the barbarians who knocked them down are still at large, and the sacrifices made to American culture are too great to celebrate now. A holiday is a day of rest, and there is to much work to be done.
Perhaps when we do capture Usāmah bin Muhammad bin `Awad bin Lādin, and kick him in that hole in Leavenworth where he belongs my perspective will change. Until then, I look to today and hope that my nation redoubles its efforts to finish what was thrust upon it. I can forgive my government for dropping the ball for six long hard years, so long as we make it count for something now.
Eight years ago, on September 11th 2001 at 8:30 am Missouri time I was walking from the communal shows of my dormitory at Columbia College. A George Carlin skit where he was mocking the song “America the Beautiful” was going through my head, and I found myself singing it on my way back to room 202.
“oh Beautiful, or smoggy skies, insecticided grain
‘ore strip-mined mountains, majesty, above the asphalt plain.
America, America, Man sheds his waste on thee,
and hides the pines with billboard signs from sea to oily sea.”
As I was walking I saw people watching their cable news channel of choice each showing the same impossible scene. Both world trade center towers were on fire. I had obviously missed the planes being driven into them at this point, so I thought it was merely an accidental fire started by god knows what. I got Dressed and went to breakfast. Walking into the cafeteria and seeing it was empty was not unusual. That even kitchen staff was not at their stations disturbed me a bit. Still I grabbed a To Go box and my breakfast and returned to my dorm to eat. I had a good three hours before my first class of the day.
While eating my breakfast a guy who lived directly below me shouted “they crashed another plane into the Pentagon!”
That was how I was first brought to the attention of the Terrorist group al-queada’s attacks on American soil. Like others I was shocked, and my life brought to a standstill that day. I could barely muster the energy to go to class that day. I was one of three who attended my first class, and the only one my second.
Eight years later the President during those periods has, I can say (as a man who voted for him) that he fumbled the ball. A necessary war was perpetrated for the purposes of apprehending the surats (a science fiction based epitaph for “flying monkey”) that planned and initiated the attack, as well as the honor less cowards that gave them shelter and respite. We had the political capital of the world at our feet, and the will of iron to see things through. President Bush’s cabinet looked like a dream team of crisis managers.
Then in 2003 that political capital was wasted on an unneeded second war to a nation that acted like the United States version of North Ireland to the British. This stretched are resources to thin, and the idea of winning the hearts and minds of the conquered took over the idea of winning your objectives.
Now, every year on September 11th, the people of the United States of America come together to pay remembrance to those who have lost their loves at the hands of these barbarians. Bells are rung, prayers are said, and for every day that the fires burned, two pillars of light shine into the sky, seen from orbit, and from almost a hundred miles in any direction. It is a tragedy that such a thing does not strengthen the resolve to do what must be done, and what has been ignored for so long.
This gave rise to the same delusional peace movements that the Vietnam war spawned, and the foot soldiers of the Peace Movement era are now congressmen of the this era. We have lost sight of what armed conflict in this past eight years was supposed to be about. We were supposed to track down a Six foot seven inch tall Arab on dialysis. We were supposed to capture him, present him to the public, try him, and shove him in a dark hole of a prison and forget about him. His followers were to be annihilated, his homes and refuges burned to the ground, and the very principles on which he stood and justified the horrors he committed crumbled to dust.
In a fictional universe I escape too every now and then, such a thing is called a “Trial of Annihilation”, and amounts to basically lawful genocide. In this case, I feel such a thing is appropriate, I feel that anyone who would wave the banner of Al-Queda should be tracked down, captured then killed, or killed on the spot.
But now there is a movement to make the day of September 11th a federal holiday in the United States. I do ponder if there were similar calls for the Attacks on Pearl Harbor, or the Battle of Gettysburg in previous centuries. I do not like the idea of the September 11th attacks being a federal holiday for a few reasons.
First off, we have never made a holiday out of a defeat, let alone the first cannon shots. July 4th was made a holiday in remembrance of our separation from the rule of King George. However, the Boston Massacre is not a holiday, nor the Battle of Bunker Hill, both of which precede the Declaration of Independence. Likewise we do not make a holiday out of the attack on Pearl Harbor, where we received just as large of a slap to the face. Further, neither, V-E nor V-J Day are celebrated.
Secondly, we must examine the Culture of those of made the attacks and how such an commemoration would be perceived. Arabic culture is a study in confusing justifications for actions that westerners see as inconceivably incorrect. One need only look at the bombardment of Jordan by Israel in 2006 to see just how unusual the culture thinks. Jordan was shelled to holy hell, Billions of dollars in damage, with little effective reprisal against Israeli military. And yet the mere fact that the Israeli government said “stop, we think we got the point across” was declared as a holy victory to the Jordanian people (if not the government.) This Orkish attitude of military action shows a culture, at least to outsiders, seems bent on to the death battles, where one solider left standing, even if the war was lost is declared victory. That kind of unhealthy bent on genocide or suicide, which ever comes first could easily translate to seeing the making of September 11th a holiday as an acknowledgement of their victory. That is something we as Americans should not stand for.
Finally as I had stated, the fight is not done. Holiday’s are moments of celebration and remembrance. I personally feel it would be an insult to the 2998 killed and nearly 10,000 injured in the attacks, to have a holiday for a task that has not been completed yet. The towers are still fallen, the barbarians who knocked them down are still at large, and the sacrifices made to American culture are too great to celebrate now. A holiday is a day of rest, and there is to much work to be done.
Perhaps when we do capture Usāmah bin Muhammad bin `Awad bin Lādin, and kick him in that hole in Leavenworth where he belongs my perspective will change. Until then, I look to today and hope that my nation redoubles its efforts to finish what was thrust upon it. I can forgive my government for dropping the ball for six long hard years, so long as we make it count for something now.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Fine art of Barbecue
Barbecue, the word means different things to different people. on the coasts and dessert it generall means tossing meat on top of a gas powered grill after seasoning the fuck out of it with salt and pepper.
I am from Kansas City Missouri however, and such activity is called grilling. Barbecue is sacred in my homeland, were we have a friendly but passionate competition with two other regions for what barbecue really is. Generally though People from Kansas City, Texas, and the Carolinas do agree one one thing.
Barbecue is a culinary art that involves slowly cooking meat over a low-tempuratre smokey wood fire for an extended period of time. beyond that there are specifics that get involved. in Carolina the use of coleslaw and apple cider vinegar is paramount.
in Texas the use of rubbed spices and a thick Mesquite wood for smoking is the primary goal.
in my homeland, which I am going to focus on, it is the sauce that is paramount. True Kansas City style "wet" Barbecue sauce is a mixture of Tomato paste, Molasses, usually (at least in homemade varieties) a beer of some kind, spices, and Garlic and Onion, and occasionally thinks like cucumbers, squash or other pureed vegetables. I am constantly disappointed at bottled sauces I find outside the grocery store that are meant to be a Kansas city style. most of the time they lack the proper flavor (though KC Masterpiece gets close) and almost always the lack of texture.
I can not help but warn people to stay away from Hunts, Heinz, or Craft Barbecue sauces, as they are almost completely generic, and most defiantly avoid Maul's St Louis Style like a plague. Contrary to what the food network says, there is no St Louis Style of Barbecue, just a horrible horrible sauce using Kansas City technique.
now in the Kansas City Area there are over a thousand (and some say as many as 4000) Barbecue restaurants in the area. almost all are worth examining, but to outside traveler a Kansas City Native will speak of "The Big Three" of which there are actually four members.
The first, and oldest is a place called Arthur Bryants. First opened by a man named William Perry from Memphis, and later bought from him by his cook Arthur Bryant, one could argue that this place of of 18th and Brooklyn is the father of Kansas City barbecue. thier meat and sandwiches are excellent, and the rack of pork ribs is well regarded. it was a place well regarded by p[residentr Harry Truman, and in 1974 was described in Playboy Magazine as "...possibly the single best restaurant in the world." their sauce is the most sour of the three Kansas City Brands, but the texutre is wonderful,m being thick but not heavy on sweet. Bryants needs to be the first and last stop for Kansas City Barbecue tourist.
the second place of the Big Three is called Gates and Sons, or just Gates. the establishment was born from a Braynt's cook seeking to make his own way. One of Seven Restaurants in the area are immediately recognizable for the giant red roof and the smell of smokers full of meat that permeate the area. Walking into the well lit place you are immediately besieged by the scents, and a large woman usually belting out "HI MAY I HELP YOU!" THAT is what a barbecue restaurant is all about. having eaten at every single gates location, the atmosphere hits the spot perfectly. it is also one of few places that i have found to have red creme soda on tap. Gates is mostly a barbecue sandwich place, with their double decker bread sandwiches or Beef, pork or Turkey, a side of pickles and wonderful french fries. you can of course get sliced meats and sausage, and their Presidential Platter (named for the sampler President Bill Clinton asked for in the 90's when he visited the 103rd street location) is a great treat to bring to parties. the real jackbot is the ribs, which are much more moist the Bryants for reasons I have yet to determine.
the third resturaunt of note is a place called Fiorella's Jack Stack. this place has already been nationally recongnized for its high quality eats. the setup of each location is nice and comfy, and has a look of a high end steakhouse more then a barbecue joint. in addition to typical fare you will find lamb ribs, hickry smoked seafood, and hickory and mesquite grilled steaks on the menu. thier sauce, which makes liberal use of molasses, is the sweetest in town, and smokes extremly well, leaving a nice sweet crust on thier crown prime ribs of beef (a signature dish that my wife craved heavily when pregnant) all of thier items are well worht the extra money if you pay a visit. I recommend their Burnt Ends myself.
now as I said, in the Big three there is a fourth member, this Dartanian of barbecue in my home town is very unassuming, and should be on the Food network show Diners Drive ins and Dives. Oklahoma Joe's, located in a Gas Station in Wyandotte County is a gold mine. Their barbecue sandwiches and fries are to die for, the beans are fantastic, and the sauces they offer are spot on for either Kansas City or Carolina style. I would argue that the place is the best kept secret of Kansas City.
of course there are a myriad of other BBQ joints in the city I have lived my entire life in. all are worth a try, and most are excellent in their own right.
if you are driving through or plan on visting, check these places out, they are worth the journey alone.
I am from Kansas City Missouri however, and such activity is called grilling. Barbecue is sacred in my homeland, were we have a friendly but passionate competition with two other regions for what barbecue really is. Generally though People from Kansas City, Texas, and the Carolinas do agree one one thing.
Barbecue is a culinary art that involves slowly cooking meat over a low-tempuratre smokey wood fire for an extended period of time. beyond that there are specifics that get involved. in Carolina the use of coleslaw and apple cider vinegar is paramount.
in Texas the use of rubbed spices and a thick Mesquite wood for smoking is the primary goal.
in my homeland, which I am going to focus on, it is the sauce that is paramount. True Kansas City style "wet" Barbecue sauce is a mixture of Tomato paste, Molasses, usually (at least in homemade varieties) a beer of some kind, spices, and Garlic and Onion, and occasionally thinks like cucumbers, squash or other pureed vegetables. I am constantly disappointed at bottled sauces I find outside the grocery store that are meant to be a Kansas city style. most of the time they lack the proper flavor (though KC Masterpiece gets close) and almost always the lack of texture.
I can not help but warn people to stay away from Hunts, Heinz, or Craft Barbecue sauces, as they are almost completely generic, and most defiantly avoid Maul's St Louis Style like a plague. Contrary to what the food network says, there is no St Louis Style of Barbecue, just a horrible horrible sauce using Kansas City technique.
now in the Kansas City Area there are over a thousand (and some say as many as 4000) Barbecue restaurants in the area. almost all are worth examining, but to outside traveler a Kansas City Native will speak of "The Big Three" of which there are actually four members.
The first, and oldest is a place called Arthur Bryants. First opened by a man named William Perry from Memphis, and later bought from him by his cook Arthur Bryant, one could argue that this place of of 18th and Brooklyn is the father of Kansas City barbecue. thier meat and sandwiches are excellent, and the rack of pork ribs is well regarded. it was a place well regarded by p[residentr Harry Truman, and in 1974 was described in Playboy Magazine as "...possibly the single best restaurant in the world." their sauce is the most sour of the three Kansas City Brands, but the texutre is wonderful,m being thick but not heavy on sweet. Bryants needs to be the first and last stop for Kansas City Barbecue tourist.
the second place of the Big Three is called Gates and Sons, or just Gates. the establishment was born from a Braynt's cook seeking to make his own way. One of Seven Restaurants in the area are immediately recognizable for the giant red roof and the smell of smokers full of meat that permeate the area. Walking into the well lit place you are immediately besieged by the scents, and a large woman usually belting out "HI MAY I HELP YOU!" THAT is what a barbecue restaurant is all about. having eaten at every single gates location, the atmosphere hits the spot perfectly. it is also one of few places that i have found to have red creme soda on tap. Gates is mostly a barbecue sandwich place, with their double decker bread sandwiches or Beef, pork or Turkey, a side of pickles and wonderful french fries. you can of course get sliced meats and sausage, and their Presidential Platter (named for the sampler President Bill Clinton asked for in the 90's when he visited the 103rd street location) is a great treat to bring to parties. the real jackbot is the ribs, which are much more moist the Bryants for reasons I have yet to determine.
the third resturaunt of note is a place called Fiorella's Jack Stack. this place has already been nationally recongnized for its high quality eats. the setup of each location is nice and comfy, and has a look of a high end steakhouse more then a barbecue joint. in addition to typical fare you will find lamb ribs, hickry smoked seafood, and hickory and mesquite grilled steaks on the menu. thier sauce, which makes liberal use of molasses, is the sweetest in town, and smokes extremly well, leaving a nice sweet crust on thier crown prime ribs of beef (a signature dish that my wife craved heavily when pregnant) all of thier items are well worht the extra money if you pay a visit. I recommend their Burnt Ends myself.
now as I said, in the Big three there is a fourth member, this Dartanian of barbecue in my home town is very unassuming, and should be on the Food network show Diners Drive ins and Dives. Oklahoma Joe's, located in a Gas Station in Wyandotte County is a gold mine. Their barbecue sandwiches and fries are to die for, the beans are fantastic, and the sauces they offer are spot on for either Kansas City or Carolina style. I would argue that the place is the best kept secret of Kansas City.
of course there are a myriad of other BBQ joints in the city I have lived my entire life in. all are worth a try, and most are excellent in their own right.
if you are driving through or plan on visting, check these places out, they are worth the journey alone.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Reconciliation my left Nut
Oh, crap, I am going to get political again, despite my better judgment. Please forgive me as I present my perspective in front of you folks. And to my Canadian fans, I do beg your forgiveness as well as you indulge me in American politics.
Late last night on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 I learned that Congress, and the Democratic party majority have been openly talking about using a parliamentary procedure called “reconciliation” to force health care reform through the Senate and become law.
Nominally in the United States Senate it requires a vote of Sixty members in order to pass a bill and present to the President. Reconciliation was introduce to permit a simple majority (51% of the votes present) to pass budgetary measures. This way no single senator could hold up vital legislation in indefinite debate.
This is not the first time a party in power has threatened to use a parliamentary procedure tog et something done, nor is it something that was proposed eons ago. In 2005 President Bush had numerous Appointees held up in debate by then minority democrats, using the filibuster to prevent judges from being appointed. It was Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) who suggested changing the senate rules to permit a simple majority for the “advise and consent” of the senate for approval of judicial nominees.
Democrats argued that they were holding up Bush appointees the same way that republicans held up Clinton appointees, often for the same spot. Thus the whole exercise became a whining match between two groups of kindergardners. It was only through the wisdom of Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) along with a dozen other like minded senators that this disastrous turn of events was prevented.
Now with the Democratic Party in power history is set to repeat itself, with ramifications much more immediate and obvious then forcing through judicial nominees. What is worse is that the Democratic Party leaders are doing this in response to dissent from within their own ranks, as opposed to partisan bickering. How soon it is that people forget history, and what it is like to have a gun pointed to you head.
My personal problem with the use of the Reconciliation tactic, or as it became known in 2005 the “nuclear option”, is that it makes partisan politics all the more likely to occur. Although one can argue, usually with success, that the slippery slope is not a legitimate debate tactic, the fact is that politics and the laws that are made from them are an exercise in precedent. If one group can justify the use of a parliamentary tactic for X purpose, then the other group can use it for Y purpose. So far it looks like mere threatening of Reconciliation is now going to be an accepted tactic in Congress. If it is actually used however, then American politics will be forever changed until the two major parties have permanently split into smaller groups.
“The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.” George Washington’s Farwell Address September 17, 1796
Late last night on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 I learned that Congress, and the Democratic party majority have been openly talking about using a parliamentary procedure called “reconciliation” to force health care reform through the Senate and become law.
Nominally in the United States Senate it requires a vote of Sixty members in order to pass a bill and present to the President. Reconciliation was introduce to permit a simple majority (51% of the votes present) to pass budgetary measures. This way no single senator could hold up vital legislation in indefinite debate.
This is not the first time a party in power has threatened to use a parliamentary procedure tog et something done, nor is it something that was proposed eons ago. In 2005 President Bush had numerous Appointees held up in debate by then minority democrats, using the filibuster to prevent judges from being appointed. It was Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) who suggested changing the senate rules to permit a simple majority for the “advise and consent” of the senate for approval of judicial nominees.
Democrats argued that they were holding up Bush appointees the same way that republicans held up Clinton appointees, often for the same spot. Thus the whole exercise became a whining match between two groups of kindergardners. It was only through the wisdom of Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) along with a dozen other like minded senators that this disastrous turn of events was prevented.
Now with the Democratic Party in power history is set to repeat itself, with ramifications much more immediate and obvious then forcing through judicial nominees. What is worse is that the Democratic Party leaders are doing this in response to dissent from within their own ranks, as opposed to partisan bickering. How soon it is that people forget history, and what it is like to have a gun pointed to you head.
My personal problem with the use of the Reconciliation tactic, or as it became known in 2005 the “nuclear option”, is that it makes partisan politics all the more likely to occur. Although one can argue, usually with success, that the slippery slope is not a legitimate debate tactic, the fact is that politics and the laws that are made from them are an exercise in precedent. If one group can justify the use of a parliamentary tactic for X purpose, then the other group can use it for Y purpose. So far it looks like mere threatening of Reconciliation is now going to be an accepted tactic in Congress. If it is actually used however, then American politics will be forever changed until the two major parties have permanently split into smaller groups.
“The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.” George Washington’s Farwell Address September 17, 1796
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Insensitivty Training
One of the things I hate is people trying to control language. for some reason people seem to think the First Amendment of the Constitution has the caveat "unless, of course, it offends a person's sensibilities."
The latest example of such is the "Think B4 You Speak" campaign. Do not get me wrong, I know that this campaign was created with the best of intentions, but trying to control language, and therefore thought goes against the very foundation of the United States and its origins. Simply put, people will always say things you do not like, and by extention, things you hate.
the solution is not to try and change people, but rather to change yourself. I am not saying that, in this particular case, gay people need to not be gay. that is like asking the sun to not be a giant fusion furnace, or for housefly's to walk from A to B. I am saying that people need to insulate their sensitivities to what they do not like. As a kid who got picked on and bullied A LOT growing up, I know it works. if you never want to be offended, you might as well not leave the house. that is not much of a way to live, but like abstinence preventing STDs it is garunteed to work.
What makes this campaign even worse for me is the silly tactics they use. right on the front page of their website you can see three examples of what someone COULD say about Jocks, Cheerleaders, and Gamers. that kind of passive aggressive stance takes something that could have been a clever "oh snap!" moment, and turns it into an image of a kid sitting on his bed crying and saying these things to his/her pillow.
I hate to quote the 2007 Film Transformers, but here is a great bit of dialogue to counter such things if a jock gives you crap.
Trent DeMarco: So, what are you guys doing here?
Sam Witwicky: We're here to climb this tree.
Trent DeMarco: I can see, it looks...it looks fun. You know, I thought I recognized you. You tried out for the football team last year, right?
Sam Witwicky: Oh, no, no, that...That wasn't like a real try-out. I was researching a book I was writing.
Trent DeMarco: Oh, yeah?
Sam Witwicky: Yeah!
Trent DeMarco: Yeah? What's it about? Sucking at sports?
Sam Witwicky: No, it's about the link between brain damage and football. No, it's a good book, your friends will love it. You know, it's got mazes in it, you know, little coloring areas, sections, pop-up pictures...it's a lot of fun.
A comedian named David Naster refers to such a tactic as a Humor Hand Grenade. the use of wit in an appropriate situation can stop a situation from getting unpleasant, or in this case, shut a bully down where all they can do is walk away grumbling under their breath. I would suggest that anyone who feels oppressed form "that's so gay." Try this before whining to a special interest group.
The latest example of such is the "Think B4 You Speak" campaign. Do not get me wrong, I know that this campaign was created with the best of intentions, but trying to control language, and therefore thought goes against the very foundation of the United States and its origins. Simply put, people will always say things you do not like, and by extention, things you hate.
the solution is not to try and change people, but rather to change yourself. I am not saying that, in this particular case, gay people need to not be gay. that is like asking the sun to not be a giant fusion furnace, or for housefly's to walk from A to B. I am saying that people need to insulate their sensitivities to what they do not like. As a kid who got picked on and bullied A LOT growing up, I know it works. if you never want to be offended, you might as well not leave the house. that is not much of a way to live, but like abstinence preventing STDs it is garunteed to work.
What makes this campaign even worse for me is the silly tactics they use. right on the front page of their website you can see three examples of what someone COULD say about Jocks, Cheerleaders, and Gamers. that kind of passive aggressive stance takes something that could have been a clever "oh snap!" moment, and turns it into an image of a kid sitting on his bed crying and saying these things to his/her pillow.
I hate to quote the 2007 Film Transformers, but here is a great bit of dialogue to counter such things if a jock gives you crap.
Trent DeMarco: So, what are you guys doing here?
Sam Witwicky: We're here to climb this tree.
Trent DeMarco: I can see, it looks...it looks fun. You know, I thought I recognized you. You tried out for the football team last year, right?
Sam Witwicky: Oh, no, no, that...That wasn't like a real try-out. I was researching a book I was writing.
Trent DeMarco: Oh, yeah?
Sam Witwicky: Yeah!
Trent DeMarco: Yeah? What's it about? Sucking at sports?
Sam Witwicky: No, it's about the link between brain damage and football. No, it's a good book, your friends will love it. You know, it's got mazes in it, you know, little coloring areas, sections, pop-up pictures...it's a lot of fun.
A comedian named David Naster refers to such a tactic as a Humor Hand Grenade. the use of wit in an appropriate situation can stop a situation from getting unpleasant, or in this case, shut a bully down where all they can do is walk away grumbling under their breath. I would suggest that anyone who feels oppressed form "that's so gay." Try this before whining to a special interest group.
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