Of the American political landscape there are roughly four choices one can embrace when defining one's political beliefs. One can be a Democrat, a Republican, a niche party, or a true independent. Each has certain corresponding political beliefs when I compare the standard party platform to my own beliefs, and I've engaged in stringent introspection to answer the question of which of those four party choices best matches me.

My analysis turned primarily upon national political beliefs, because, at heart, the espousal of a party is an adoption of the national political platform.

But first I should introduce my reservations. I believe, fundamentally, that America would be best without any political parties. I believe political parties are a form of coercion wherein one adopts certain beliefs which run counter to one's individual beliefs in order that others of a similar affiliation will help one promote other more essential personal beliefs. Political parties are thus, innately, disingenuous because when one puts a letter next to one's name, one promotes an agenda in which one does not wholly believe. I am very aware of this. I have, thus far in my life, kept myself firmly as an Independent because of this.

I have decided to take on the Republican label in spite of my belief that political parties are not conducive to a free and independent nation and a healthy political dialogue.

I've chosen the Republican party because of my own personal social/political beliefs:

1. I believe that my fellow citizens should have as little government as they need for their health and safety. In essence, government is an evil which should be limited to the greatest extent possible.

2. I believe that a small local government is preferable to a large aggregate government in all issues which don't involve international relations. In essence, I believe that federal government overreach is a greater evil than local government overreach.

3. I believe that all forms of government have no part in defining personal choices regarding basic substantial freedoms such as the right to form social intimacies, the right to medical treatment and the consumption of substances, and the right to defend oneself. Or, in other words, I believe that Liberty is the most important social/political concept within modern politics.

Each of my four choices, when made within these spheres, have certain elements which alienate them among standard political platforms (except for my life-long choice to be a member of no political party and declare myself an Independent).

So, most importantly, I have to defend why I leave the realm of being an Independent and join any party. My answer has to do with prediction based on recent political events.

I state: in America, at present, that the Federal Government is the greatest single evil facing the liberty of her citizens. For the last decade fundamental personal liberties have been written out of modern law by the US Supreme Court. It is as a reaction to those decisions that I have determined that being an independent has robbed me of the political clout necessary to effect change and fight the usurpation of fundamental and inherent rights of the American citizenry. I wish to fight for local government.

I state: the 2010 Congressional election not withstanding, the Democratic Party will dominate the Federal Government in the near future, and be the party in control of the Federal Government. And that control will involve inordinate expansions in national spending and detractions of inherent local liberty. I believe unnecessary taxation is immoral coercion. I wish to fight that tendency towards rampant national spending in the majority party.

I state: the Religious Right notwithstanding, the traditional beliefs of local government, moderate and balanced spending, and the promotion of liberty by minimization of the government over citizens has generally been promoted by the Republican Party. Affirmative Action, and the creation of strong national control over individuals has generally been promoted by the Democratic Party. I wish to fight for personal freedoms.

I make this decision in spite of numerous national political personalities who are uninformed, dogmatic, sectarian, bigoted, and unyielding. I also make this decision in spite of certain historical accidents such as the fact that Thomas Jefferson was a Democrat and Abraham Lincoln was a Republican, both of whom have attractions and detractions in various measure which would encourage me counter to my decision.

I believe America needs each of her citizens to stand up and make their voice heard; I believe without a measured but informed discourse, our country will fail, and our fellow citizens will be left to the mercy of the wolves of anarchy. And, most importantly, I believe that all people deserve unrestrained liberty, and, therefore, the Republican Party is my best avenue to labor on behalf of freedom.

Been a while since I stopped by. How is everyone? Any of ya'll still gaming? Meurs is still around, right? He's gotta be in his 90's by now.

I also heard Mocker finally touched a vagina. Bravo sir. Also happy to see you continue to tag Gonzo's Mom in every thread. Her legend remains strong.

Anyone want to see MMA and futball combined? If so, I present to you Calcio Fiorentino.

Summarizes the sport:

YouTube Video

Promo for new league:

YouTube Video

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...xzz0yO9cJq 3Y

I have had to drive my sister to the hospital a few times because of bad asthma attacks. She was never as in as much peril as the child in the story, but if she was, it would be a cold day in hell before I would stop for the cop.


Unrelated story:

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?sec...bay&id=7639987

Did I ever mention I hate cops?

Following some related links and a couple google searches, I stumbled across this, which is apparently all the rage in Japan: Vocaloid



Obviously, it's not quite up to par with Ol' Blue Eyes but after listening to it a few times it becomes harder and harder to just dismiss it as a joke or aberration. There is something going on there... inflection... mood... feeling?



Strange... I had to backspace out the word "real" in the sentence "there is something going on."



None-the-less, I'm still creeped out... especially since I just watched "2001: A Space Odyssey" two days ago after picking it up on blu-ray:

She loves you yeah yeah yeah!

Only in Japan, Real Men Go to a Hotel With Virtual Girlfriend

East Coast Should Prepare for Hurricane Earl: FEMA
http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyl...ay/642653.html

By, yours truly.

1. Get off of your ass.

I biked all summer, and will never touch a cig again. I got to the point where I'd be heading in general directions, cutting my way through large swathes of the city and finding new stuff.


2. Do stuff in the rl instead of online.

Example : Vaniir can row a boat to Patmos instead of logging in to Angel Island every night. Maybe a hippopotamus kills him on the way and liberates his daughters. The world would be a better place.

I downloaded and played up a few chars in Warhammer's online beta twice in the past few months, and dropped them when I got bored with it. Got my fix and moved on.


3. Eat real food.

By real, I mean you can read the ingredients. No HFCS(high fructose corn syrup. shits poisonous.)

An even simpler rule of thumb is cutting out anything microwaveable.

These rules probably apply to beer as well. The fewer ingredients, the better.


4. Read a fucking book.

Maybe then you'll understand what those 'elitist' 'snobs' are saying when they talk to one another in one of the last enclaves they have.

You will also gain much situational perspective.


5. Jump off of a bridge.

gg.

...by the constant, account fishing spam e-mails notifying me that my WoW account has been locked for security reasons. I find it insulting that somewhere, someone, assumes I play WoW.

I don't have a WoW account. I've never had a WoW account. I will never have a WoW account. If I were a quadriplegic, and my last great chance at social interaction were to come through being cybernetically attached to a WoW server, I would blink out "FUCK YOU, unplug me."

This brand new post is brought to you by "The Oakland Athletics: September road to nowhere." The Movie.

Oh no, why didn't he post in the jumbo baseball thread?!!?

The A's will be swinging by to showcase their exquisite selection of pitching prospects to the Yankees.

They discourage posting, I think. Something vaguely uninviting about posting in the You Tube thread.

Are you people scared to post a link and get zero replies? Take a risk for once in your lives, damnit.

I started out in Guilin. I won't bore you with tales of the trip nor of any personal experiences nor life changing moments. Instead, I will bore you with uninteresting pictures. Clicky.

I used to eat these when I was a child, but never knew what they were called...

http://foragersharvest.com/autumnberry-autumn-olive/

A. I am glad you are alive.

B. Do you still have that allegorical story you wrote posted somewhere?