Jerry! Jerry! Je... oh wait.

Yes if Jerry Springer wanted to have a in-the-gutter talk show about politics this scandal would be the first topic, followed by the O'Reilly/Coulter/Limbaugh threesome love fest. Now I haven't kept full up to date track on what has happened but here is my best guess on the story so far. When Barack Obama was elected President (whoo!) that left one vacant seat in the US Senate open from Illinois. Now in an event like this it is the job of the state's Governor to appoint a new person to fill that seat - in comes Blagojevich and he took over. Do I hear one million? one million? Two? I have two, do I have three? Going once, going twice..... busted. Yes turns out Blagojevich was going to appoint someone who "just would happen" to donate to Blago's campaign when he ran for re-election. And then someone told the press this and all hell broke lose. People were just a little pissed and wanted Blagojevich to quit, be arrested, and publicly stoned. Yet Blago is acting like a millionaire's son where he can't do anything wrong and even when he does do something wrong his morally deprived soul doesn't comprehend it and he goes back to combing his hair.

So while all the whole "we might arrest you and throw you in jail" thing is going on he goes ahead and names someone to the US Senate amidst all this controversy. AND then they guy he picked: former state Attorney General Roland Burris has the balls to accept the nomination from this guy. And the press conference announcing this was wild. Blago came up and told the press to shut up about me, this is Burris' day, Burris attempted to answer questions and failed so horribly at it he looked like a 6th grader who had been pulled from computer class and told to hack into North Korea's mainframe before the nukes went off in oh say, three minutes. Then Burris randomly called a US Congressman from Illinois up whose only thing he repeated was that this was a good choice because Burris is black and we need more black senators. Not being racist here but that sounds like bullshit to me. This isn't Walmart where you can hire/fire anyone at anytime to fill a set "see we are not racist" staff ratio. This is the US Senate, you know a place were people are VOTED in. If a black person doesn't run/get elected well sorry to say it but oh well not a whole lot you can do about it. In my mind the most qualified person should be in office regardless of race. Maybe he should take that argument of there not being any black people in power in politics to President Obama...

Sorry lost my train of thought there in that circus of a press conference but still the point is what Blagojevich is doing and what Burris is doing is wrong. ANYONE that is appointed to the US Senate from there is going to have a shade of doubt over them even if it is not Blago that sends them there. I think Senate Democrats should take the risk of not having 58 or 59 seat majority and allow a special election, it is the only fair and just way to go about this now.

NFL 2008 Playoffs 2.0

Well after those bolds pick it is time for me to tackle the AFC and see who will maybe most likely not really win but eh lets see. I must say this is going to be a lot tougher for me to guess at since I am a fan of an NFC team, hence I mainly see NFC games so I haven't even seen half of these teams in action so lets focus and go!

1. Tennessee Titans
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
3. Miami Dolphins
4. San Diego Chargers
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Baltimore Ravens


The first game in the AFC playoffs will come between two teams that can get really hot and go far in the playoffs, the Chargers vs. Colts. Now convention would say an 8-8 team that snuck into the playoffs and sucked a greater part of the year would lose to the Colts, but I can't see it. The Colts have had a shady season full of bad play and many injuries. They will be visiting a Charger team that is coming off a blowout game to get in the the playoffs. If the Chargers keep that same attitude this game there's no contest. My pick: Chargers.

Next we have the Dolphins at the...... wait what? The Miami Dolphins are the #3 seed in the AFC and the Patriots are no where to be seen? Someone get the weather report in hell for me. Yes we have the comeback kid of the decade. The Dolphins who were 14 games away from winning the AFC East last year have won it this year. Its just so sad the road will end so soon for them. I got to go ahead and give it to the Ravens here. Ravens beat them in the regular season so forget Wildcat surprises plus the Ravens have just dominated recently. Sorry fin fans, at least you have some Division Champ shirts to show off now. My pick: Ravens.


Now we get into hazy territory since these games might actually not happen but hey lets see.


Next we may have the Titans vs. Ravens and I have to say I don't know who to pick. Titans are the obvious since they are number one seed and have the best record in the NFL yet they don't impress me too much. Nothing about them strikes me as "oh snap its the Titans we are screwed". Other hand we have the sixth seeded team that seems to be rocking with a rookie QB and coach. However since they have do have that rookie QB in his first playoff game it is likely to see plenty on ints coming from the Ravens. My pick: Titans.

And if this match up happens it has the opportunity to be a great game, Steelers vs. Chargers. There is a big big big X factor to this game and that would be Ben Roethlisberger. He suffered a concussion in last weeks game and with a bye there is a good chance he'll be near 100% come game day. But is that going to be good enough? Chargers can be super explosive but even if Big Ben isn't all there I think the Steelers defense will do the job. My pick: Steelers.



And here we are at the AFC championship game and..... hmm like the NFC I have the 1 and 2 seed going head to head here. Either my thinking cap is going to be really good or I am totally uncreative and can't think. Anyhoo this one is a pretty easy pick for me, because as I said before I still don't bye the Titans. I think a lack of postseason experience might show here and lead to a really close game of the defenses but in the end the Steel Curtain will be too much. My pick for the AFC Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers.
__________________________________________________________

SO, if this is the case we would be looking at a Superbowl XLIII with the Panthers vs. Steelers which might be decent. And if that is the case I'm totally picking the Steelers to win it all since they have in my mind the better defense and I'm a sucker for those.

My pick: Pittsburgh Steelers.... Superbowl Champs?

A night with Hixon.

Now I should be posting here my AFC predictions for the playoffs, don't worry that is going to be tomorrow instead. The reason being something a lot bigger happened to me last night. Turns out for really no reason at all Domenik Hixon was near where I live last night so I took a drive to go out and meet him. He was signing autographs from 6-8 last night, I showed up thirty minutes early to see a huge line that stretched more than a block in a small town in the middle of no where. Bet Hixon wasn't expecting that, especially because at 7:30 I still hadn't made it in the door. Rumors started to swirl of will he/won't he stay but it wasn't a big deal for me since it wasn't eight yet and I was right outside the door haha. BUT.... as if in a huge nightmare I am right outside the door, a lady comes out and sticks her hand in front of my body and says "no more, were closing the door". Needless to say I went apeshit. THE NEXT person in line and boom I am cut off. The cops were called since there were about 200 Giants fans behind me who all the same reaction I did. For some reason the cops opened the doors up again since I guess Hixon decided to stay a little later so luckally I got in!

Him from like 5th in line away (cell phone, sry for the poor quality)

His autograph

So after standing out in the cold for 3 hours I was all done. It actually beet my previous "standing in line for a famous person" record of the 2 hour wait outside in the rain for Barack Obama... although I had to wait another 2 hours inside but I was sitting then so eh. He is a really nice guy, wasn't like a jerk or anything and I even spoke to him without getting nervous and sounding like an ass! I think the most amazing part of the night were the people in line. It is amazing how in any event when you are surrounded by people with that one common thing as you are brings you all together. Everyone I was around was great and everyone was so fun to be with. One lady ahead of me even took my pennant thing with her before they closed the door so at the very least I could at least get an autograph. Thank you again if you see this lol!

NFL 2008 Playoffs

Well 21 weeks after the start of the football year we have arived to the 2008 NFL Playoffs. Being a huge football fan this truely is the best part of the season... espcially because my team is in. So it is time for me to put on my magic hat and take a bold prediction on what I think will happen in this playoff sceinero. There is a good chance this will be pretty horrible, let me give you an example: pre-season, my imaginary Superbowl XLIII was Jaguars vs. Cowboys so you can tell how good this will be. I'll break this up over two days since I have eleven games to pick, so lets start with my NFC.

1. New York Giants
2. Carolina Panthers
3. Minisota Vikinings
4. Arizona Carnials
5. Atlanta Falcons
6. Philidephia Eagles

First game will be the battle of the birds - Carnials vs. Falcons. This is one of the easier ones for me at least because to me the Falcons should win this one no problem. The Cardnials started off extremely strong, strong enough to send Kurt Warner as the starting QB for the ProBowl. But after the loss to the Giants it seems as if they lost all their steam. My pick: Falcons

Next we have the Vikings vs. Eagles and this one poses a huge problem for me because it all depends on which Eagles team shows up. Will we get the team over the past few weeks that is dominating their opponets with ease or the team that was on the team that was one week away from firing Andy Reed and trading McNabb? But if they can stop the run like they have they have a good shot. My pick: Eagles.

Now we get into hazy teritory since these games might actually not happen but hey lets see.

Now we have the Panthers vs. Falcons. The Falcons are on a roll after one hell of a horrible season filled with bad playing, bad coaching, and everything with Michael Vick. Panthers are the NFC surprise this year in my mind since they flew under the radar most of the time until boom they are fighting for the number one seed. This should be one hell of a match up but in the end, I think the 2007 Falcons will start to bleed through to the surface and show up sometime this game. My pick: Panthers

Next we have an NFC bEast matchup of the Giants vs. Eagles. This will be played in the probabally the cold hard grounds of Giants Stadium in January. However the Eagles beat the Giants in the cold hard grounds of Giants Stadium in December. So what will be the differance this time? Brandon Jacobs. Last time Earth was only there 50% after coming off an injury but now after really two weeks off and a new game plan this one should go differently. My pick: Giants

Here we are at the end of the NFC road, and according to me we are having an epic week 16 rematch between the number 1 and 2 seeds: Giants vs. Panthers. What I am about to say here breaks my heart but I don't think the Giants will win this one here. In my mind the Panthers should have won that game week 16 and you bet your ass they are going to want payback. Giants repeating might get to their heads too much and get in the way. My pick for the NFC Champs: Carolina Panthers

One nation REALLY under God.

We are a little over three week to go before the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States: Barack Obama. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that he is going to be the President. After the past eight years of that guy who we for some reason called our President, George "shoe dodger" Bush is out! I think this is the perfect direct this country needs and I agree with everything Obama is doing.... well I did anyway. My first jaw dropping moment was during the Vice Presidential Debate when Senator Joe Biden said "Barack Obama nor I support redefining from a civil side what constitutes marriage. We do not support that". (source) Upon further review of that he goes onto say that it should be left up to your faith on what they call it so in a way I agree, but it started the train toward doubt-ville.

Now on January 20th, at the inauguration Barack Obama had to choose who would lead the nation in prayer to unite the nation.... and he chose an evil homophobic pastor who once compared homosexual marriage to incest and pedophiles. A man who whenever he can says he has tons of gay friends but then implies that they are evil gang-banging whores. This is the man meant to bring peace and calmness to the nation on this historic day. HUH? Okay sure thing Obama, bring people from 'across the aisle' and 'different views' but this is a little horrible in my mind. Why not bring a man with views that aren't so extreme and radical? You need a big name guy for this, really? This is starting to worry me a lot with what the Obama administration is going for LGBT rights and that train is picking up steam.

But I guess the very main note of this whole post is this.... why do we have a prayer for this event? This goes to my whole thing on why gay marriage should be legal too, we have in this country a separation of church and state!!! Why on Earth at a huge political and national event would we lead the entire country in prayer? Not everyone believes the same things religiously. Just look at atheists, why aren't their views being including in this event? In fact their views are being insulted in this. I'm no expert on any religions but I'm gonna take a bet that more than just atheist could be upset by the prayer in this event.

Christmas in review (part deux)

Hey looks like I forgot one gift to show you guys yesterday and it is by far the most epic gift of all time in the history of time. My grandmother decided that its about time I became a man and since and I quote "I am going off to college" (little to late btw...) I need this. I got to tell you it is great and a time saver. Like say I'm using my cell phone and I'm looking at my contacts list and I want to call someone on it. I just find the person's name I want to call in my contact list just to make sure I got the name right, then I go look it up in the new address book and tada! Yeah.............

Oh Pirates! update!!! Much more to the game than I thought because my pirate: Rick Astley just got married to some Governor's daughter. Oh and interesting thing about the daughters is that they come in three types: plain, attractive, and beautiful. The only difference is plains are flat as a board, attractives got some cleavage going, and beautifuls are about to fall out of their dress. Oh virtual boobs how you are for some reason so important in so many games.

Christmas in review.

Whoo Christmas came and I got stuff! Well okay most of the gifts got the reaction "do you even know me and what I like? But I thought I'd share with you my top three gifts I got in a huge review. I plan on doing some kinda review of something media related once a week so get used to it lol.


(The Dark Knight) - I haven't watched the DVD of it yet but I have already seen it in theaters and all I have to say is this. Grab a pen or something like that from your desk.

Go ahead stop reading to see whats gonna happen go get one.

Make a Star Trek - Spock hand salute and palace the pen between your ring finger / middle finger. Then with your other hand squeeze those ring & middle fingers together.

If you did this correctly you should be in an extreme amount of pain, congratulations that's the punishment for not seeing this movie. (if you did see this movie, sorry but you have to admit its a good punishment for those who didn't see it) This was the only movie I went to the theater by myself. I was always weirded out to go alone, fearful I'd be like a divorced father trying to pass the time before the weekend and his kids pretend to like him.... I'm not even sure if thats a correct sterotype of divorced dads but whatever lets run with it. It was worth it to see it then though and if Heath Ledger doesn't win the Oscar for Best-Supporting Actor I am going apeshit on that judging board. If he doesn't get nominated I am willing to do 5-10, maybe 15 if its a nice prison without the rape and such.
** (see below for citation)


(Prospekt's March) - Coldplay released this EP (what does that mean? I have no clue) shortly after they released Viva La Vida since they couldn't release this songs in time for Viva. I am a huge Coldplay fan by the way, I think their music is beautiful, breathtaking, and such an emotional roller coaster of badassery. And I am crushed to hear they might be breaking up after 2009. However the only thing I could say that is good about it is maybe its time for them to go, end on the top before they keep changing direction so far off of what they started off as. I love the new stuff a lot but their first 3 albums far surpass what they are doing now. As for this CD your not getting much, 8 songs - 2 of which are just remixed off Viva la Vida. One song even features Jay-Z which is horrible in my mind since he doesn't fit in with their style at all. Only song on it that I love is one of those remixed songs, Life in Technicolor ii. It is really beautiful.


(Sid Meier's Pirates!) - I can't stop playing this damn game. I have no clue what it is about or how to win but its great. The storyline is lacking. Pretty much all you get is some guy broke your family up into random cabins among the 100's of Caribbean islands and you become a pirate to ultimately find them while at the same time becoming the richest and most feared pirate on the seas. Saying it is open ended is an understatement. I've just been mainly sailing around, attacking any ship that looks at me wrong and tried in every city I have been at to get in the pants of the Governor's daughter who is showing off her gravity-defying chest in every cut scene. Still no luck there. One interesting mechanic of the game is you age. Every year you get older and your skills such as sword dueling slow with your age. So there is an intense pressure to find all 4 relatives and kill the man who did this to your family before your so old your chasing your oxygen tank across the deck.


-- **See here? Still not plagiarizing.
John Duke

Merry Christmas..

to all, and to all a good night.

-- Yes we can
John Duke

Fighting fire with fire.

Last night I posted my opinion on the recent comments Pope Benedict the XVI made regarding homosexuality. Now I didn't go insane on it or overboard but I did in a way rip into the church a bit my first few drafts. In the end I decided to take down the post all together because something didn't feel quite right. Was it in a way calling out a religion for being mean? Eh maybe but still they stand for something I disagree with entirely. Was it the fact that I don't want to offend anyone? Kinda but it sure would get more visits to my page. I think the thing that did it was if I ripped into the church it would be sooo hypocritical. In a way most protests including and other than the issue of gay marriage are kind of perplexing.

I'll use same sex marriage as an example. I am all 100% for same sex marriage and am against anyone who isn't and thinks its horrible and wrong. My argument against them is how dare they try to judge and enforce their will on others. BUT at the same time aren't I doing the same thing? Telling them 'NO, your wrong I'm right so shut up and listen to me. Things are going to be the way I want them'. Now.. it is no where as harsh as that but when you really think about it, it's almost the same fight on both sides.

Maybe instead of enforcing our will on others (which honestly we are, we think we are right yet still we are telling people who don't agree they have to in some ways) we should look at it from a different angle. Perhaps take a Gandhi approach of some peaceful protests and such. A way that won't hurt or offend anyone and show everyone that it's okay to accept and open your heart. We are after all on the side of love. <3 -- Happy belated Hanukkah John Duke

Yeah....

I totally just tried to unlock my front door using my car's automatic unlock button instead. Wow I know right lol.

Your kidding me...

Well it turns out today I finally decided to see when my classes start next semester and it turns out I go back on January 19th. Okay nothing wrong with that... except that means I will possibly miss some if not all of the Inauguration of President Barack Obama...... I cannot believe it! I might luck out though because after a bit of searching I have gotten some reports that the actual swearing in is around 11:00am or 12:00pm ish. If that is the case I'll be good since I have a gap in classes then. If not then looks like someones going to be skipping the first day of classes. Ironic thing is on Tuesday's my classes I have are State & Local Government and Ethics. Hmmm.

New York Giants are #1

Wow, no freaking way... the road to the Superbowl is going through Giants Stadium for the NFC (well if they don't lose that is) Sure was one heck of a game... the parts I watched anyway. I couldn't even have the TV on for most of the first three quarters since every time I looked the Panthers scored haha. Gonna be interesting to see how the rest of the division will shape out so I can start guessing on who they will play in the second week of the playoffs (My hope is for the Cardinals!.... hope I don't regret that) Oh well, here's to the Giants - the team that makes its goal to give me a heart attack and or panic attack every single game. Cheers!

-- The cake is a lie
John Duke

Portal

An amazing game I have to share to you guys. I have to say I am very very picky about which video games I like to play. In fact in the past year or two I've only bought like 3 games. All of which were just meh. But after my birthday I had a gift card to blow and lookie lookie what I found.

Portal was introduced as part of the Orange Box set released by Valve along with Half Life 2: episode 2 and Team Fortress 2. Now I couldn't give a crap about those other games so I was thrilled to find the game sold by itself for just $10. That's right folks the funnest game ever is just ten bucks. Hold off on that dime bag and buy this instead.

What really sold the game for me was a review by the best game reviewer ever - Zero Punctuation. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation. I have to say it is the best puzzle/comedy game you will find and I am just itching for when they are going to release a new game which they better be soon. All I have to tie me over is an independent game a couple of people in France made using the engine Valve used to make the game. The unofficial prequel is called Portal: Prelude and omg it is impossible lol. I guess the only thing I hope you take away from this is BUY THE DAMN GAME!!!

-- The cake is a lie
John Duke

Whoo my first post, ahh the cherry is popped.

Greetings!!!!... no one? Eh yeah my expectations for this blog are low. Maybe might get the occasional reader who is bored at three in the morning like yours truly and glance at this. But hey who knows, I could be starting the greatest thing ever to hit the Internet since virtual sliced bread! My hopes for this post is that after I make it big in the blog-o-sphere that this will be the "oh I wonder what else he wrote" post. I sure have come along way haven't I?

So what the hell are my blogs gonna be about? Well really nothing, just whatever the hell I feel like talking about for that day. I will say that for the most part it might revolve around politics -because I am a nerd and love that stuff and LGBT rights since I feel it is horrible we are still treating people like second-class citizens in today's world.

Hopefully it will be a good old fashioned, hoot-hollering, ho down, hootenanny, rip-snorting, extrrrrrrravaganza of a time for you all. Hope to make you all laugh, nod your head in agreement, or just wonder what I smoked before I wrote that.

-- The cake is a lie,
John Duke