Megalo Polis: An Election Day 2016 Review

     After the entire last year of Presidential campaigns and their ridiculous shenanigans- we can make light of this extremely absurd election process with a wonderful satirical game called Megalo Polis.  The game tosses you into the role of one of this year's candidates with the seemingly simple goal of becoming the next President of the United States of America by going out on the political trail, and it becomes our job to convince the public to vote for us... by any means necessary.

     To start, you choose whether you want to run as a Republican or Democrat.  Each party gets a special bonus the other doesn't.  Republicans earn an extra $5,000 a minute while Democrats have a higher population conversion rate.
     Then you get to choose who to run as, and any character can run as either party.  For the playable characters there's the big two, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, but there's also Bernie Sanders, Ted Cruz, and inexplicably, Obama himself, attempting to run for an impossible third term- and what better way to show support for your candidate than campaigning as them?  Each character receives their own pros and cons aiding or hindering the ability to sway certain social classes.  Trump has a harder time convincing the educated, but gains an extra aggressive bonus to the speed in which he can take over opponents' district, and Hillary has a tough time convincing people due to trust issues, but starts with a lot more funding.

     Players need to go from district to district, and state to state in a race to the White House gathering as many supporters as possible and locking them down.  The more districts loyal to you, the more money you make, and in turn the more you can spend on gaining even more followers.
     To help garner even more support players can complete challenges to earn cards that act as special abilities like jailing your opponent for a short time, developing a smear campaign, or creating a scandal to hinder other candidates.

     The caricatures of the candidates and their silly-voiced soundbites are a comedic treat, and the way developer Black Sheep Studios handled them all is fantastic.  Though the highly repetitive nature of the same handful of lines over and over does become a bit grating over time, the bright and colorful cartoonish visuals never get old.  They were just as good at the end of my playtime as they were at the beginning.

      Overall, Megalo Polis is a hilarious RTS strategy game that holds quite a bit more depth than I first gave it credit for.  Attempting to gather new followers and thwarting the opposition might be the surface game, but understanding all the types of classes and districts you need to influence really alters the game.  Add on top of that the fact that you can both interfere with others and they can impede your progress through all manner of small ways with the cards you collect- and the game does fill out with nice complexity.  I must also point out that there's also a lot that isn't spelled out in the tutorial that you must learn on the go, such as the fact that to receive money from your districts you need to walk back to them- it isn't automatically added to your campaign fund.
     Megalo Polis is definitely not something anyone might play for days on end, but it is a surprisingly great binge treat to waste a few hours playing while we await the election results.  Who knew it was so fun to play as a manipulative, corrupt, and patronizing politician trying to persuade the public I am the prime choice?

     Official site [ Megalo Polis ]

     Megalo Polis is available on [ STEAM ]

*Review copy provided, thank you!

Street Fighter V: Thoughts on Why R. Mika's Butt Slap was Removed

     After about a month of fan speculation as to the reason Capcom removed R. Mika's trademark booty smacking taunt animation from Street Fighter V, we get producer Yoshinori Ono's thoughts.

     Ono claims the change was not due to external pressure, leading people to think it is not censorship, but rather, going on to explain:

"These changes have arisen internally. We decided to remove it because we want as many people to play, and we do not want the game something that might make someone uncomfortable."

     Coming from my own perspective as a long-time Street Fighter player this is absolutely ridiculous.  Rainbow Mika's butt is still in full view throughout matches, and whether she slaps it or not as a taunt, it's a move that is completely and without a doubt within her character's personality.  It makes sense, if Cammy or Chun Li were to do it, it would be outrageous, but not for Mika's silliness.  This is taunt is from a move where she literally sits on someone's face.  Her tag-team wrestling partner, Yamato Nadeshiko, and Mika fly ass first at their opponent smashing their face between their cheeks and then into the ground.  I would also like to note that Mika's partner, Yamato's name is derived from a Japanese phrase for the idealized perfect woman.  Regardless, this hilarious move is part of her wrestling style and flare.
     And for those that would find this one peculiar move "uncomfortable," you might want to reconsider the rest of the entire game.  The game is about beating the ever-loving crap out of people.  If beating someone up makes you less uncomfortable than seeing someone slap their own ass, that's on you.
     Even if you were to find that one small thing uncomfortable, would that mean you wouldn't play the game at all?  Probably not.  So those that would be uncomfortable to begin with most likely are not even playing the game any ways.  This feels more like they're trying to prevent the current outrage culture in video games from having something to latch on to and complain about.  I mean they've already altered Cammy's entrance shot to something more appropriate, but they've not yet addressed all the funny boob jiggling.  It just seems like it was a decision that while not censorship, may have been done for fear of incurring some that would cry foul.

     Sources [ UOL Jugos ] via [ [ Destructoid ]

Christmas Cards 2013: Megyn Kelly is An Idiot: Dreaming of a White Christmas

     With all the wonderfully absurd and highly controversial statements by Fox News' Megyn Kelly, I really couldn't help myself in making this "Christmas Card."  It's mostly a stupid meme, but I hope someone laughs at it...  and Miss Kelly gets a good lesson from it.  (The lesson being don't be a idiot.)

     Santa Claus can be what ever people want.  Hell, make him a lady, as long as Santa is teaching kids to be good I don't give a crap.  Make Santa a pile of dirty socks that deliver gifts and joy!  I'd still like it/him/her/other.  I mean isn't Christmas about being "good for goodness' sake?"  It's about generosity and caring about well being of everyone, not about petty squabbles- like Gretchen Carlson's comments about a Festivus pole ruining her Nativity scene view.  I may go put one up now myself...

Topher VBlog Responds to Russel Brand vs Paxman Interview

     Ok, I posted a great Russel Brand BBC Newsnight video a few days back, and I wanted to clarify- I totally agree that government needs to change.  But as I know just about nothing of how things work, here's a video of someone that does know how to change things.



In my opinion Russell has correctly identified some serious problems, but has recommended completely the wrong 'solution'. I go into the reasons why in this video.

      Thanks to author Neal Asher for Tweeting this, otherwise I would've missed it.  Also check out his books, they are Science Fiction gold I tell you!  (I would immediately recommend The Technician and The Skinner series)

Russell Brand Speaks About Politics- and I Like it!?!

     It isn't often that I can say I like what Mr. Brand is saying, but he has great points here.  There is a need for revolutionary change.  Too much greed and not enough responsibility from the super rich.  Where's the accountability?  We've become used to a system that doesn't work, but people scoff at suggested methods of diverting it.  Change needs to be incited, and this is a start- with people that recognize that simple fact and begin doing something about it.

     BBC Newsnight Full interview:  Jeremy Paxman and Russell Brand:

     I have voted every time there's been an election, and admittedly, I've regretted some of those votes.  It's true, we tend to see that regardless of who gets voted in it's the same crap being recycled over and over.  Change requires motion- all this political stagnation and complacence needs some people with a bit of power to come in and stir the pot.  Get things moving and hopefully momentum will carry it to more people, who will carry it to others and so on.

     I am looking forward to what he has to say about this in the future.  Change is not only necessary, but on the way.  I only hope that my generation can start shifting things for the better soon.

The Daily Show: John Stewart and FOX News' "Bullsh*t Mountain" (Also Al Franken vs Renee Ellmer and Paychecks)

     I'm not going to lie, this is absolutely amazing.  FOX News tends to be quite blind in their idiocy, but this really takes the cake.  Sure, less government would be great, but shouldn't all those individuals saying it just quit?  Oh, wait... they have...  sort of, as they are still getting paid for all that not working they are doing.



     And on the subject of getting paid, I love the difference in views- in my own state, MN, Senator Al Franken (D) is donating all his salary to Second Harvest Heartland for the duration of the shutdown.  While the Republican NC Rep. Renee Ellmers will not let her pay go- "I need my paycheck. That’s the bottom line."

     Really?  She makes a base salary of $174K and her general surgeon husband makes (on average) $260K.  If the average federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour- that's, sorry my math skills are not up to par, almost $15,100 a year.  So adding her and her husband's yearly pay together and taking 25% off because they've got less than a quarter of the year left that's about $325.5K, which is only almost 22 times more than minimum wage.  How can they even live on that much!?!?  ONLY into the triple figures!  Must be some awfully rough living standards for the Ellmers.

     Funny that she is shutting many poorer, more in need families out of their jobs, but still wants to draw an income for her well off self.

The Daily Show's Jason Jones on Obamacare: featuring Harvey Keitel and Johnny Knoxville

     These wonderful examples of interviews from both sides of the Obamacare fence are continually entertaining.  Jason Jones can't even keep in character when discussing it with "Conservative Analyst" Gina Loudon. 



MSNBC's Thomas Roberts Makes Fool of RNC Reince Priebus

     I can't help but post this video.  Priebus cannot defend against Roberts' questioning and I actually cringed because it felt like watching a puppy get kicked.  This is painful and hilarious.  Well done Mr. Roberts.

Michele Bachmann on the Government Shutdown

     I really love reading these things.  Michele Bachmann, the Political Queen of Ineptitude herself has a great thing to say about the shutdown:

“We’re very excited.  It’s exactly what we wanted, and we got it.”

     Of course the shutdown is what the GOP Tea Party wants.  Who doesn't want more paid time off?  It's far more beneficial to get paid to not do your job from home instead of getting paid to not do your job at work.  Maybe they should restort to the tried and true method of holding their breath like an angry little kid until they get their way.
     If I recall correctly- what happened was, during the last 18 months of this bill, Republicans did nothing.  Now that the bill passed legislature, they are somehow doing even more nothing and "getting what they wanted."  What they seem to want is more free money for themselves and all the not working they've been doing.  Then again, wasn't conservative Rep. Marlin Stutzman quoted saying, “We have to get something out of this. And I don’t know what that even is.”?

     Unfortunately I get to not only live in the same state as her, Minnesota,  I also have the curse of living in her district.  Who keeps voting for this woman?!?  And, more importantly, how does she maintain any credibility?!?  She is constantly outdoing herself with even more dimwitted statements than the last, and this is another wonderful example.  Once again she is embarrassing not only our state, but I'm pretty sure our country as well in the larger picture.

Source [ Mediaite ]

Perfect GOP Shutdown Quote From Rep. Marlin Stutzman

     With all the stupid Government shutdown crap being flung around, this one quote seems to be a wonderful example of the childish nature of the current Republican mindset:

“We’re not going to be disrespected,” conservative Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., added. “We have to get something out of this. And I don’t know what that even is.”

     I think I know what they'll get- fired.  They should be cut off from their steady streams of cash and be forced to rely on the help from the communities they've been denying it to.

     A mere 4 days in and there's already been admissions that they don't know what they want.  So essentially the House Conservatives, with great resolve and even greater confusion, aren't backing down from this, and they want something in return for it.  But what that "something" is anybody's guess.  It certainly won't be respect at this point- because if they want respect, don't they first have to earn it?
     If they want to act like children, we should treat them as such.


Source [ Washington Examiner ]

Republicans Shut Down Federal Government... and Make Jokes About It!

     This was something many people saw coming.  Especially since this current batch of House Republicans are more dead-set on doing absolutely nothing than all others that came before.  They only have a 10% approval rating!  Way to go Tea Party.

     Well here is a nice little joke from Marsha Blackburn, Rep. (R) of Tennesse:



"You know, I think you may see a partial shutdown for several days. But Steve [Doocy], people are probably going to realize they can live with a lot less government than what they thought they needed," -Marsha Blackburn (R- TN)

     Must be rough getting more paid vacation time and be in no rush to fix the problems created by not doing your jobs up on those Republican high horses.  Seriously, it's disgusting to know they are getting paid to not work.  The joke is even funnier because she is commenting on us not needing her.
     The GOP shouldn't be allowed back in if this is how they want to play.


The Reason for the shutdown:

     A fellow named Kevin Drum has summed up the reason behind this childish congressional tactic of holding their breath and throwing an extraordinary tantrum:

The Republican Party is bending its entire will, staking its very soul, fighting to its last breath, in service of a crusade to.... 

Make sure that the working poor don't have access to affordable health care. I just thought I'd mention that in plain language, since it seems to get lost in the fog fairly often. But that's it. That's what's happening. They have been driven mad by the thought that rich people will see their taxes go up slightly in order to help non-rich people get decent access to medical care. 

That's a pretty stirring animating principle, no?

     Ezra Klein over at the Washington Post had a similar thing to say:

This is all about stopping a law that increases taxes on rich people and reduces subsidies to private insurers in Medicare in order to help low-income Americans buy health insurance. That's it. That's why the Republican Party might shut down the government and default on the debt.

     As a professional Health Care worker this is frankly disturbing.  The USA is in the upper 30's according to the World Health Org.  Despite John Boehner saying the "U.S. health care system is the best in the world," this is simply not true. 
     Anyone wonder what the one thing all 30-something other countries with better systems have in common is?  It would be universal coverage.  There isn't the overlord insurance companies with a massive incentive to deny any and all coverage possible just to save a buck hovering over people.
     We can spend almost $730 BILLION a year to end lives with military and defense, but we can't ensure the safety and health of citizens?  Staggeringly absurd.

     I generally hate talking about politics, but this is just dumb.  If I don't show up for my job, I get fired.  If I refuse to do my job, I get fired.  In all honesty, these "Government Workers" are huge leeches that need to be cut off.
     They aren't doing their jobs, so they need to be cut off.  We should band together and put in to effect the Warren Buffett method:

"I could end the deficit in five minutes. You just pass a law that says that any time there's a deficit of more than three percent of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election. Yeah, yeah, now you've got the incentives in the right place, right? (Laughs)

     Which could be done without congress through means explained on a link here if you care to read it- [ CNBC ]


     And as a nice last touch here is a list of 9 ways congress needs to be punished for their shutdown from The Washington Post.

Michele Bachmann is NOT Running Again!!! Minnesota Rejoices.

I added the thought bubble for effect.

    In a wonderful bout of news our Minnesotan Republican embarrassment, Michele Bachmann, released a video saying that she won't be running for re-election in the 2014 elections.

"I fully anticipate the mainstream liberal media to put a detrimental spin on my decision not to seek a 5th term."-M. Bachmann (MN- Public Idiot)

     No, Mrs. Bachmann, that is ALL you.
     How disturbing is it that we are being represented by delegates like Bachmann? There's a million voices crying ou today in celebration and relief, for the future looks brighter already.I don't know how she got elected in the last election, as NOT A SINGLE PERSON I know voted for her.   Bachmann's voting base is rapidly dwindling while her opposition's voters are increasing rapidly.  Young new voters are coming in and we are slowly starting to weed out those governmental hindrances to the future.
     It's absolutely hilarious that she completely believes she would win in her next election, when she only won by like 4,000 votes last time.  Or the fact she claims to "work 100hr" weeks.  HHAHAHAHAHA what a joke.

     It's only in the last decade I've taken an interest in politics, and Bachmann is highly counter intuitive them.  If Minnesota wants to maintain being a state that leads the country, getting rid of "traditional values" (limited rights) and focus more on equality (for EVERYONE), education, and health care.  Our state should be leading the entire damn nation in a small Renaissance.  We must take a stand with creativity and opportunity.  I personally believe that we've lost the sense of community and family as a country that was so prevalent in the 80's.  Too much selfishness bogging down the system, a return to optimism could be world changing. 
     That change starts simply with individuals.  With us.

A much more well written piece: New York Times article.

Politicrap.

I'm Pro Obama.
PrObama.

Here's the short of it summed up by someone called "GiantPanda" from the comments on the page:
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/10/29/the-whatever-presidential-endorsements-add-yours-here/
(I changed it very minutely, but they should still get the credit)

Obama
Because life is not solely about money.
Because human rights include getting married, getting health care, getting an education, and getting assistance when in need.

These things are what we as a nation should be working towards.
This is what we should be striving for.

 

I made this a while back and forgot about it, so here it is.

Vice Presidential debate humor.
Enjoy. 

 

With all due respect, that's a bunch of...

 

(I believe the original photo was from Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo)

Some Political Crap

     With the elections coming soon, I feel I should post a little bit on my personal standings.

     My apologies in advance- I would like to state here that I am prObama.  Mitt Romney seems like a terrible choice, and Paul Ryan makes him even worse.  Because I am not a writer I will post links and pics, with a few comments.  This is really scatterbrained and all over the place, but that's ok, you don't have to read on.
    
     First up: Mr. John Scalzi is an excellent writer and has a post that says far more than I ever could.  Please read it:
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/10/29/the-scalzi-endorsement-obama-for-president/
And a follow up post, with many comments that I'd recommend be read:
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/10/29/the-whatever-presidential-endorsements-add-yours-here/
     A Side Note:  If you're a fan of Scifi- buy his books- particularly Old Man's War.  Top notch stuff.

This fellow, from the last link's comments, hits the nail on the head, this is why I'm voting Obama:

Giant Panda says: Because life is not solely about money.
Because human rights include getting married, getting health care, getting an education, and getting assistance when in need.

     These things are what we as a nation should be working towards.
     This is what we should be striving for.

     Second:  Many examples of what are mostly Republican flubs.  How are these people maintaining any kind of power in government?  These people make me fear the path our country is heading into.  It is, quite frankly, a horrifying thought that these people are governing lives.
http://io9.com/5954568/12-facepalm-moments-when-us-politicians-talked-about-science-and-technology

Here's a pic of some of the above quotes:
I must say I am absolutely disgusted by how foolish some of these people are.  This is a PERFECT example of why EDUCATION should be a MUCH larger priority.

Now a Pic that shows the actual GROWTH of private sector jobs that Mr. Romney still believes isn't actually increasing. :

A gif of Paul Ryan's thoughts for money distribution:

     Personally I know debt is a problem, it won't magic itself away, it'll take lot's of time, and it'll get worse before it gets better.   

     There seems to be a tendency for many Americans to believe that initiated plans need to work with immediacy, and that is quite impossible.  Things take time.  The pace is slow going, but it IS going.  The economy has turned towards the better and Obama is steering it that way.  There are reasons to believe Romney would slam dunk us back into recession.

     I believe Mitt Romney only understands that wealth means power, but he has no clue how to use it. The GOP has become a mythological dragon- hoarding wealth for wealth's sake. 

 

     The GOP in general has seemingly lost their minds- focusing on NON-ISSUES-

NON-ISSUE 1) Gay marriage should NOT be an issue, two consenting adults should be allowed to wed.  How can idiots like Miss Kardashian get a marriage that lasts only 72 hours, and it is considered sacred, but 2 loving homosexuals being married isn't?  I hope my generation remedies this.  They deserve FULL RIGHTS!  Plus- regardless of what some religions think, the CONSTITUTION promotes freedom of religion- so I'd say start a church that promotes gay marriage.

NON-ISSUE 2) Women's reproductive issues...  should be handled BY WOMEN.  This shouldn't be even close to a problem.  Sure, throw a couple males in if you want, but IT SHOULD BE DECIDED PRIMARILY BY WOMEN!  Not by old males living with an outdated world's ideals.

     If someone stabs or shoots you, are you then forced to live with the blade or bullet stuck there for 9 months?  No, it is stupid.
 

     I truthfully believe Mitt Romney is detached from real life.  How can he run a country when all he wants is power.  Nothing he, or the GOP, has said recently makes me believe they know ANYTHING about a majority of America(middle and lower class).  The GOP is full of unscientific claims, blatant stupidity and infighting.  How can they even expect to run something when all their old policies(George W. Bush's) ran us into the ground and are now being blamed on Obama, who is actually doing some good.  I have to say that I am not "for" all the things he's done, but honestly Romney is a monster and will only drive us into a worse situation. 

     We are on the verge of a disastrous hurricane, and Romney think governmental disaster aid programs are “immoral.”  REALLY?!?  That this problem should be on the state, and then on to the private sector?  Romney needs to be slapped.

     His stances on issues waiver, he says things simply because it could possibly get votes, and he bashes Obama on the birth certificate, but won't release his own taxes information.  I can't trust someone that feels like a robot.  As near as I can tell Romney's campaign is- "Vote for me, I have lots of money, and a secret plan that I can't tell anyone."

     I mean there are Republican House and Senate members who vote against perfectly conservative policies because it is more important to oppose Obama than to look towards the fixing of problems.  No compromising?  How can that help America?  Absolutely absurd.  These extreme right wing conservatives need to be flushed out with a younger and more thoughtful, educated group.

     If Mitt Romney becomes President, we might as well have elected the Joker from the Dark Knight Returns.  With the whole of the "Conservative" powers behind him things would look ominous indeed.   The only good thing about that is we can impeach if necessary.

     Even if you don't agree with me, please vote.  I'm done for now. 

First day of Obama as President...

... Or as I like to think of it:
George W. Bush's first day as an unemployed American!

Ah-hah, he made his American bed, now he has to sleep in it. W having to slum it after 8 years of pretending to run the country. Well, all right, maybe he isn't going to be hurting for money, but I can dream.
Oh yes, I can dream.

It's good to see Obama has begun to limit lobbyist powers, working on better ethics and openness, and is has sought McCain's advice. It is a good sign to have the President actually working with the other party's candidate while also attempting to get the entire nation off to an amazing start.

Obama Inauguration!

Hurray for the INOCULATION of JOE BAMA!
Who's this Joe Bama anyway???

Just kidding.

Seriously, this celebration of change in political leadership is a big deal. Hopefully the inspiration Obama radiates leads this country to an all time high, in both economics and in the general atmosphere of America's well-being.
Of course it will take years of plodding to achieve goals for everyone. There will still continue to be trouble, continuing turbulence. Life will still be a struggle, but things WILL get better. It just takes a lot of hard work and an even larger amount of time. Patience is a necessity in this era, but given the state of this country, we can definitely afford to be methodical and slow moving.
Change happens. I anticipate the future Obama paints. He invites us all to participate. We all need to lend a hand in its creation.
Step by step change will happen and we are all partly responsible for it.
Support the change for good.

I eagerly await what lies ahead.
Peace.

Probably my last election post

This is exactly what my poorly expressed, previous post about McCainasaurus should have read.

from Time Magazine(Nov. 10, 2008 issue), Inbox:

TWO CANDIDATES, TWO STYLES:

RE "DOES TEMPERAMENT
MATTER?":

Throughout his career, John McCain
has shown himself willing to put others at risk to advance his career or his
causes[Oct. 27]. Like President Bush, he is a person who shoots from the hip,
invites conflict and sees compromise as a sign of weakness rather than a path to
progress. His impulsiveness has been evident this fall in rash decisions such as
selecting Sarah Palin and suspending his campaign. While his supporters call him
a maverick, I call him reckless. And as the past eight years have shown,
recklessness is not what we need in a President. We need someone with
intelligence, composure, discipline, and restraint.

-Robert J. Inlow, Charlottesville, VA.

On a funny note, every time someone calls McCain a maverick, I picture him as a really old Tom Cruise in "Top Gun", with the Highway to the Danger Zone song playing over the image in my head. Quite entertaining.

Here are a couple links you may like to read:

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/23638322/block_the_vote

please read THROUGH this next one before judging the title

http://www.patrickrothfuss.com/blog/2008/10/psa-why-you-shouldnt-vote.html

More Presidential Campaign tomfoolery

One day after my last post someone McCained my yard.

Coincidence? I think so actually.
But, don't worry, I fixed it.