SavageDoc's Meatwagon

Lookatthat

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:41:14 GMT

Maybe global warming and polar ice melt is a big deal after all, we might find things that Man Was Not Meant to Know(tm).

http://petermerel.newsvine.com/_news/2008/03/31/1399411-ancient-city-exposed-by-melting-ice-shelf

Wright is Wrong

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:40:44 GMT

According to the Chicago Tribune, Rev. Wright demonstrated commendable civic virtue and loyalty through volunteer military service during wartime, and pain me though it does, I agree.

I cannot criticize the man himself, nor his patriotism or sense of duty. These are proven. I can however criticize his ideas; that the US was morally responsible for 9/11, that the US government is conspiring to use AIDS and drugs against a specific genetic/cultural population (ie "black" people), Liberation theology, "black" or "African-centric" values which include a rejection of "middle-classnes", class warfare, or identity politics. I reject his ideas, his philosophy, I find them repugnant and without merit.

In my opinion, his world view is un-American (and without a doubt incompatible with my own) and I would venture false and self-destructive. I am certain he sees himself as telling the uncomfortable truth. This does not make him correct nor forgive these ideas. In a way I pity the him. How does a man get so wrong?

The real question is, of course, does his parishioner of twenty years share this philosophy, and if so what does that mean?

Democrats, wrong again

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:56:49 GMT

Via the Lidless Eye, recommended for all.
So the Surge was a failure, huh? Bloody Copperheads trying to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory.

Washington Times

Study's rankings indicate a more-stable Iraq

March 25, 2008

By David R. Sands - Iraq does not even crack the top 20 in an
authoritative new ranking of the world's most unstable places, to be
released today by the London-based private intelligence firm Jane's
Information Group.

The survey, an advance copy of which was provided to The Washington
Times, rates the Palestinian territories as the world's most unstable
country or territory, with Afghanistan, Haiti and seven African
countries filling out the top 10.

Despite an insurgency and sectarian strife dating back to the 2003
U.S.-led invasion, Iraq is listed by Jane's risk analysts at 22nd
among the world's 235 countries, territories and political entities,
on par with countries such as Burundi and Nigeria.

"There's no doubt that Iraq right now has perhaps the world's most
virulent insurgency within its borders, but the country has its
strengths as well," said Christian Le Miere, managing editor of Jane's
Country Risk, the journal that compiles the rankings.

"Despite its problems, the central government enjoys effective control
of large sections of its territory, and the economy is doing
relatively well in many sectors," he said. "Contrast that with, say,
Afghanistan, where the central government is very weak, the drug trade
is undermining the economy and the government cannot assert its will
over warlords who run much of the hinterlands."

The Jane's survey differs from a number of other recent global
rankings on the prospect for instability in Iraq.

The latest annual survey from Foreign Policy magazine and the Fund for
Peace put Iraq second, behind only Sudan, among the world's failed
states. A ranking by the University of Maryland's Center for
International Development and Conflict Management listed Afghanistan
and Iraq as the two countries at the highest risk for political
instability.

Iraq's oil exports have begun to recover just as world prices are
setting new records. Despite all its troubles, Iraq is looking at a
massive budget surplus in the coming years as its seeks to finance the
country's reconstruction, officials in Baghdad said yesterday.

Jane's, now owned by Colorado information company IHS Inc., is more
than 100 years old and has long provided private intelligence services
and risk analysis to clients on a private basis. This is the first
time it has made its global instability rankings public.

Mr. Le Miere said his firm's analysts rate a country's vulnerability
by measuring 24 factors across five broad categories â€" politics,
society, economy, military-security and external threats.

"In some ways, it's very difficult to define what a 'failed state'
actually is," he said. "We try to focus on objective factors that make
a country more or less likely to be unstable."

The Palestinian territories in Gaza and the West Bank are particularly
vulnerable for a number of factors, including a lack of border
controls, a violent power struggle between rival Palestinian factions,
crime and poor levels of public health.

Afghanistan comes in third, behind Somalia, where the central
government again has little functional control, borders are
unsupervised and public services almost nonexistent.

Pakistan is listed at No. 28, North Korea at No. 45 and Iran 69th in
the Jane's list, though the company acknowledges that getting reliable
data from a closed society such as North Korea makes the analysis more
difficult.

Mr. Le Miere said some countries that have caused U.S. policy-makers
concern score well on his firm's analysis. The small Gulf states,
including Qatar, Kuwait and Oman, rank high in a number of stability
factors in the Jane's survey, ahead of many central and Eastern
European countries.

At the top of the Jane's spectrum, Vatican City, the papal enclave in
Rome, is listed as the most stable place on earth, followed by Sweden
and Luxembourg.

The United States rates 22nd from the top, tied with Canada in the
survey, with the "porosity" of American borders and the prevalence of
guns keeping the United States from a higher score.

Snarf!

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:04:31 GMT

Killed me a commie for me and you!

Oh snap!

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:12:57 GMT

Newsflash: evidence mounts that Global Warming is Junk Science.

Mwahahahaha, take that dirty hippies!

What do ya got? Nothing!

Science News Flash

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:25:45 GMT

Say hello to data crystals; Today scientists at the University of California and the Dept. of Energy have made major advances related to quantum computing, using lasers and diamonds, 'Welcome to Babylon 5!'

Ants ARE perfect communists after all; In other news, a team of scientists from the universities of Leeds and Copenhagen have discovered that the classic model of communitarian utopia, the ant colony, is in fact a rigged game for certain royal or elite genetic lines. The Nomenklatura strike again!

That is all, continue with your day citizen.

Obama says 'Disarm America'

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:33:33 GMT

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives2/2008/02/019891.php

I rest my case. Whatever happened to 'Millions for defense, not one penny for Tribute?'

Fuck Obama, Fuck Obama with a trident. War and defense are the reason we have a state, they are one of the FEW functions that are directly supported by the Constitution of the United States. Bread and Circuses are not. Cutting procurement while in the middle of fending the new jihad is once again a bad idea. Fucktard. Gawd I hate copperheads, I can count the issues Dems have been right about since 1776 on the fingers of one hand.

I have Returrrrned

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:14:31 GMT

Sorry about the long absence my loyal readers (yeah right.) I had a spot of bother recently and had to quit my job and I ended up losing my apartment. But I'm back on my feet, and still engaged, so things are looking up. I might end up getting hired back, and I have an interview to look into IT courses at the ITT campus here in Big D. It's not gun smithing, but would you know it, there aren't a lot of formal gun smithing courses available. Huh. Anyway, the GI bill should help a bit there.

So What's New?

ManXome Foe by John Ringo was pretty good, if a bit predictable.

The Ice Bitch is going to loose the nomination, wow!

I'm not voting FOR McCain so much as voting AGAINST Jimmah Carter 2... I mean Obama.

I understand you folks who say they would rather see a four year disaster followed by Republican majorities, but hey, we got lads in harms way right now, crippling the forces during WWIII might not be such a great idea. Besides I still have inactive reserve time left, I don't want that man as my CiC, kay?

Well, there you have it.

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 04:02:52 GMT

I'm so sorry Aly, I know you feel a terrible compassion for those caught in the unintended consensuses of closing the border, but terrible news reported in the Washington Times shows that there IS a security risk to our southern border.

I'm all in favor of both economic aid and investment to assist Mexico, and setting up an Ellis island type gateway for unlimited legal immigration (properly vetted and documented of course), for our country should be the beacon of hope for all, "Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free..." should be as true today as it was then.

But we cannot, must not, cease to be vigilant until both our ragged borders are repaired and we have seen the forces of despair and terror, the barbarians at the gates, crushed beyond all hope of recovery.

Remember to take great assurance in the unfairness of the universe, wouldn't it be horrible if we deserved the terrible things that happen?

As always, Love.

That's it.

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:34:14 GMT

I've avoided saying it, I've even avoiding thinking it, I've been extraordinarily patient in extending Democrats the benefit of the doubt. No more. Congressional Democrats have proven that their party has learned NOTHING since the Sixties and Seventies. What Do I see in my news pile, that Congress has realized the error of their ways and funded the troops who are sitting in the sandbox attriting the terrorists who must have Americans to shoot at. No, their treason knows no bounds the Democratic party of the United States is using the payroll and the supplies for the Army of the Republic as a way of fighting with the executive branch, during wartime no less. Is this not Treason?

It doesn't matter how close we get to stabilizing the sandcastle over there, the Left doesn't want to. No, a victory for the United States would just ruin their day.

Keep in mind, these are the ones that could elected, that means the Democratic base is more Treasonous, more PinkoGreenieCollectivist Leftard-y. It will come to fighting in the streets, mark my words.

Arrrrgh!

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 04:17:56 GMT

Maybe reading the news is bad for my blood pressure. Anyway, thanks to melvin_udall I now know that shooting armed robbers in my house is racist. I guess that makes me a racist, or at least a sympathizer.

Oh, and I'm also racist for celebrating Thanksgiving, at least according to the Seattle School District. Assholes.

I'm a bad man.

But you know what, when the nanny welfare bread and circuses gravy train stops, I'm going to be armed. Then I'll be alive.

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:10:55 GMT

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/texas-birdwatcher-on-trial-for-killing/20071114092209990001

huh?

we're spending money on the trial of man who shot a cat? WTF?

Aaaaaaaaande your moment of zen.

http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/2005/10/03/

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 08:56:25 GMT

You know what, I'm not sure I care what he believes. I have a fever, and the only prescription is...

http://www.walken2008.com/

Ahahahahahaha!

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:06:10 GMT

Many thanks to akin for spreading this meme. If you ever wanted to know the manliest firearms, refer to this list. I own 3. Hmmm, I need more guns.

Actually I would quibble a bit with #5, for that position, and that weapon type, I would say that either the Single Action Army or .455 Webley were used by more warriors in war, and thus are more manly. The Webley even had a bayonet attachment during WWI!

However this is a mere quibble on my part, and not to be taken as a disagreement with the list overall. It has the SavageDoc Stamp of Approval.

What the hell, after following links and doing the fact finding for you, my readers, the website to which you will travel to view the above list, Arthur's Viking Hall is also approved by SavageDoc.

Yar!

I'm SavageDoc, and I approved this message.

Hmmm, links for viewing

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:55:58 GMT

First up, library pr0n for you bibliophiles.

http://curiousexpeditions.org/2007/09/a_librophiliacs_love_letter_1.html

And a workplace romance webcomic with snarky snipes at low hanging political fruit.

http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/2002/11/01/

Hilarity ensues. Thanks rann

In other news, I had today off from work. I mostly slept, and I'm still tired. Shit. Well, maybe some Company of Heroes tonight will be just the thing I need. That or Civ IV. Watch out Mecca, I can get nukes in @1900 fairly reliably now, mwahahahaha.

Oh and one more Day by Day, crap, I've got Another Webcomic to follow now!

http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/2002/11/18/

REBOOT!

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 08:32:12 GMT

Avast ye primitive folk, I have returned!

Assuming my attention doesn't git distracted again, I will resume posting to the Meat Wagon!

Huzzah!

What am I tracking right now?

Fallout 3
The Scourge of God
The Golden Compass
Indiana Jones 4
Iron Man
In the Courts of the Crimson Kings
ManXome Foe
When the Tide Rises
163x
CthulhuTech
GURPS 4th books
Twilight 2013
And as ever News, Politics, Policy, the War, Philosophy, and whatever catches my eye

And Let it be Knowne far and wide, I have found truth and happiness in an other human being. I love you Aly!

Yar!

PS I just figured out that A) my parents read this and B) I can view a summary of viewer comments without tracking individual threads, doh!

Hi Mom!

Philosophical musings #2

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:47:57 GMT

Random thoughts vomited onto the page:

We always believe ourselves to be good, and doing the right thing can mean doing the unspeakable to achieve that right thing. Even if the ‘right’ thing isn’t, and we really know it isn’t. As long as we can convince ourselves it is then we feel good, and we all want to feel good. So we lie to ourselves, and let others lie to us. It is easier that way. We remember those who refuse to let others define their good as heroes and villains, but we remember them.

Only when the good we are fighting to achieve is actually good, can we be righteous, but how to know? No one said life would be easy. You can’t know, that’s the kicker, because there is no impartial observer, because there is no absolute standard in a constantly changing world (and it is), you have to do your best, and hope for the best. The vikings knew this as the ultimate doom that befalls even the gods, and found glory in doing anyway. The existentialists know this as the ultimate farce mocking our meaningless existence, and find an excuse to do nothing. I know which I prefer, where's my axe?

I put my faith in men not gods, for how many divisions has the Pope? Ok so the Ayatollahs have plenty, to bad (for the Ayatollah) they all suck. Middle eastern infantry, getting our asses kicked since Thermopylae, and haven't stopped since(TM)

News

Sat, 09 Jun 2007 06:04:28 GMT

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6696205,00.html

Good news; more missile defenses, this time forward deployed in Poland. It's about effing time we got on with it. Ballistic missiles are too easy to intercept, if we would just build the equipment. Once we've negated ICBMs as threats, maybe we can bring back the B-70.

Bad news; more money from US taxpayers to subsidize failed countries. Instead of requiring the world to change its fucked up systems, we just subsidize failed economic policies. Why?

In other News, I saw the new Star Wars RPG at work the other day. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=starwars/article/rpgsagaed

She's a beautiful piece of work I'll give her that. The format is amazing, the cover, the paper, the font, the layout, the art, everything. Well the binding seems second rate, but that's nit picking. Flipping through at lunch reveals many changes. They've adapted much d20 modern here, for the better. Unfortunately while being a MUCH better game overall, and one that stays closer to its source material in feel, it's still d20. Auto-fire still sucks, the force is clumsy (and now its AD&D magic, compleat with spell memorization), classes and levels still shoehorn your roleplaying, hit points are still divorced from injury, and still go up with every level, armor still makes you harder to hit, and skills take an even further back seat to feats and the new modern style class talents.

The good:
-Broad Classes with variation
-swift actions give combat more flexibility
-Droid characters available out of the box

The Bad:
-D20

The Ugly:
-one attack per round, that's it.

Random Musings #1

Tue, 29 May 2007 01:23:01 GMT

Well, I can't find anything snarky to say about the news, so I'll throw out some of my recorded wit and wisdom. Such as it is.

The world is. It is self existent, self evident. The world could be an illusion, false, but that would not matter; for we are a part of the world, therefore equally illusionary. The un-reality of our world would seem just as real to us as its reality. “I am not part of the world,” this is the first philosophical untruth. Strike the man, does he not fall down, prick him does he not bleed?

“I am part of the world, and yet am also not part,” the existence of the self, pure mind, the soul, the I, immortal consciousness, life energy, is a great mystery, a great story even; but without form and void, full of sound and fury and signifying nothing. It could be, it could not be, we have no evidence for existence or non-existence and to argue either way is pure folly. There is no way of knowing without evidence, no evidence without measurement, and no measurement without tools.

If souls are real, and we have them, great, and if they are false, mere superstition, then also great. Does the non existence of super-natural, meta-physical phenomenon somehow make us less than we are, how so? If it is true then it was always true, and our doubt only evidence of our reason. If it is false then it was always false, and our faith evidence of our imagination. And reason and imagination are nothing without each other, a world with one and not the other could not be as sweet.

language is not reality.

mathematics is not reality.

reality is reality.

reality is beautiful, and you get one lifetime to notice, then you die.

which is meet and right.

Language and mathematics are useful for describing reality but have none of their own. Saying 'water' does not quench your thirst, calculating the calories required to operate your organs does not feed you. Only food and water can do these things. Assigning labels to them is merely descriptive, not creative, and counting them in various amounts and units through a multitude of operations the same.

Dude!

Tue, 22 May 2007 09:42:50 GMT

Mad props to this miniatures artist.

I wish I had the conversion and scratch-building foo to attempt stuff like this.

Check it bitches! 25mm Tachikomas!

http://www.dminis.com/Scratchbuilder_Christian/images.html?galleryId=1685&from=Cyberpunk

ha-hah!

Mon, 21 May 2007 03:01:42 GMT

http://www.schlockmercenary.com/index.html

"You want to have your cake and eat it too."

"Well yeah! That's what cakes is for!"

lol

quoted for truth!

Fri, 18 May 2007 19:39:20 GMT

So I didn't go take my CCNA today.

Instead I sat for a casting session for the new season of Beauty and the Geek. It tickled me a bit. Weirdest thing. This lady comes up to me at work, and, already knowing my name, asks me to come by her studio and try out. Sometimes one doesn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Hey, I won't pretend to have dignity when 250,000 is on the line. Ok 125,000 after I split it with the looks pretty and smiles half. And then taxes... still and all.

Sat, 12 May 2007 10:20:47 GMT

I am:

Robert A. Heinlein

Beginning with technological action stories and progressing to epics with religious overtones, this take-no-prisoners writer racked up some huge sales numbers.

Which science fiction writer are you?

I'm Back!

Sat, 12 May 2007 08:36:45 GMT

Snoochie Bootchie bitches! I'm back from no-internet land!

Fuck yeah!

Empire

Sat, 09 Dec 2006 02:58:29 GMT

Just finished Orson Scott Card's Empire. I can't recommend this book enough, it is an important, relevant, work. It makes up for the novelization of Ender's Game, and even its sequals. Orson Scott Card is readable again. It really covers our present Political situation in the US, and the near future possibilities that the present situation entails. He gets everything right. A civil war is almost inevitable. The present organization of American state is unsustainable. This is how Empires begin. The only other real option is a new Isolation. Shit or get of the pot.

I don't care much, one way or other what our foreign policy ends up looking like (although an Empire would tickle me), but I'll be damned if the 'progressives' win a civil war. The Republic is dying, and taking a part of me with it, but I'll not stand by for the tyranny of the masses and group entitlement.

I wont start this, but by God I will fight to finish it.

Read, and weep for the future:
Amazon Listing for Empire