Wednesday, June 06, 2012

We the people...


I would like to talk to you about some of the things that are on my mind lately. It's going to be politics, so if you would rather keep your head in the sand and let your Hamiltonian overlords continue to dictate to you what you can and cannot do in these United States, then you should probably look away now.

Here are the things that you need to understand about me before we begin this conversation:

  1. Until the last few years, I considered myself a “Liberal” but that was before I started paying attention and realized that Liberal means something completely different in the General Government of the United States than it does anywhere else. Now, I consider myself a republican. Not a Republican, but an actual republican.
  1. I believe that The Union of the States of America, as envisioned by the Founding Fathers was the greatest form of Government put forth by man in all of history.
  2. I believe in the power and strength of the individual.
  3. I believe that each man (or woman) is solely responsible for their own welfare and the duties and responsibilities they have placed upon themselves, either voluntarily, or as a consequence of their actions.
  4. I believe in charity and kindness to our fellow man, where possible.
  5. I believe that all men are created equal, and endowed with certain inalienable rights by their Creator; among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
  6. I believe in equal opportunity, equal pay, equal rights, and equal responsibilities, but not necessarily equalization of results.
  7. I believe in free markets, sound money, and secure borders.
  8. I do not believe in multiculturalism; it is a policy that has failed every country that has ever instituted it.
  9. I believe that collectivism is anathema to innovation and advancement. Collectivism removes individual incentive. Without great incentive there will be no great effort.

There are many more things I could enumerate, but I think this is a good place for us to start. I intend to write an article for each of these points, and I would love to foster discussion, especially with those who disagree with me, about my beliefs, the nature of our political system and possible solutions to the problems that our country finds itself in.

The main thing I am tired of in our system is the lack of honest discussion. Lets limit the emotional involvement, swallow our pride and listen to points of view that we don't immediately agree with. Zealotry for a cause without reason and balance has ever been the road to extremism and intolerance. Those two things are anathema to liberty, freedom, and any form of open society.

I'll be back in a day or two with my first article. Feel free to hate on me... that means I've struck a nerve and we're on our way to a solid, if somewhat heated, discussion.

Thursday, May 03, 2012

Reviewed: Defenders #6


So, I read Defenders #6. First of all, I am a fan of Doc Strange, Iron Fist, Namor, and Red She-Hulk. (Red She-Hulk fandom is a new phenomenon, but we'll get to that later). Not so much a fan of Silver Surfer, but I'm willing to give him a chance because he is such an odd character, so alien to humanity.

Alright. So, six issues in, and still I have no real grasp on what is going on. Since it's Matt Fraction, I have been giving it the benefit of the doubt, but my patience is wearing thin. Plus, after this issue, I was actually mad at the writer. Having read all of The Immortal Iron Fist, and being a fan, some of the things that happened in this issue really made me angry.

Not that the issue didn't have it's high points, the dynamic between Danny and Misty is always fun to watch; Doctor Strange was, well, Doctor Strange. The story feels like it will be great eventually, but so far it all seems like build up. The clash with Nul a few issues back seemed anti-climactic. There was a great build up of hype before the series started, and then poof, the Prester made Nul just disappear.

Add that together with the fact that She-Hulk and Namor were no where to be found in this issue, and it was a little bit of a let down. I wish that Fraction would get to the point... I understand it is supposed to be mysterious and weird, but the story is almost obtuse. But still I have faith in Matt Fraction, and I'll stick around until it makes sense. Or until I can't stand it anymore.

The art, as usual, was great. I just wish that the story would catch up to it's greatness.