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Decentralized Government
A friend of mine is, like me, a pretty big politico. Before gaming each week we usually end up talking about U.S. politics, world events, or history while the GM gets ready. Earlier this week, I gave a classmate of mine from India who I am working on a project with a 45 minute crash course on U.S. government, because she didn't understand how the ( Read more... ) -
Immigration Law- it is what it is
Under Title 8 Section 1325 of the U.S. Code, "Improper Entry by Alien," any citizen of any country other than the United States who:
Enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers; or
Eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers; or
Attempts to enter or obtains entry to ( Read more... ) -
Nationality Quiz
One of my Deviantart watchers http://blood-red-x.deviantart.com/ posted a 'nationality quiz' that I found rather amusing. I certainly hope it was authored with the intent of being amusing, because it's pretty insulting and stereotyping (especially to Americans and Asians). Somehow, I have the feeling that the author was some borderline racist, ( Read more... ) -
My New Toy
Well.
I've had my old 9mmx19 Beretta it for at least 10 years- I don't even remember when I bought it now- but I've been wanting to upgrade it for awhile. The old 1951 Berettas are tried and true, having been used as military sidearms since, well, 1951, but it's an old single-stack magazine design and there's some question about the stopping power ( Read more... ) -
Fair Trade Products
There was an interesting piece on Rock Center this evening (NBC's newest 20/20 slash Nightline slash 60 Minutes type show). It was about a dedicated physician doing a lot with a little in Honduras, but it was also about lobsters and fair trade products.
Apparently a lot of men of the Mosquito Coast tribes of Honduras make a living by diving for ( Read more... ) -
SWtOR: the Big Damn Review
My first intent was to post this right after the NDA was lifted shortly after Thanksgiving. However, I decided to wait until I could actually play the game 'for real' first, to see if my initial impressions were correct. So- here they are.
( Read more...IF YOU DARE! ) -
Writer's Block: Career paths
Musician? No- they work a lot harder than people realize. Big Business CEO? No- they don't have souls. Hollywood star? Oh Hell no- Hollywood eventually drives them all insane (or into perpetual rehab ( Read more... ) -
Christian Calendar
Something tashiro posted on his LJ page got my attention earlier today- and not in a good way. He didn't mean anything by it, I know- but I've seen this issue pop up a lot this holiday season. The issue of the actual significance of Christian holidays.
The first point is: they have no real significance. Even the most fundamental sola Scriptura Christians ( Read more... )