Dear Boston Globe

Dear Boston Globe, 

your job is to report the news or provide commentary. This is neither, this show your biased political agenda. This why the US news media should be second, to China and North Korea, in how horrible they are at reporting anything resembling news. Let people decided rather than telling them. Provide them with facts and intelligent facts rather than let your morons go wild with their biased political reactionary agenda. Plus, have you looked at Ted Cruz or Hilary Clinton, a religious zealot and a Neocon. They are going to keeping us at the status quo or make things worse. Trump is no perfect candidate, but all the good ones are are gone because people listen to the American media, and the media ignores who they think won't make a sensational candidate, and now look at what we have. Either report the news or shut your doors for good.

An annoyed American Citizen

Source:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/10/473709316/boston-globe-runs-fake-front-page-detailing-a-donald-trump-world?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20160410

XBox One: A Review

I've tried to write this review a number of times, so I'm going to be blunt about it, I really don't care for the Xbox One (xbone). Most these reasons are entirely personal, central to that being I had built a gaming PC (& Hackintosh) prior to purchasing it. That, and the taint from the DRM incident (linked below).  In all honesty, it's not a terrible system, this is no "Nintendo Virtual Boy", nor is it like the "Playstation 2" and all it's glory. It does do what it was designed to do with little to no issues, though I do have a few.

For one, that is installation of games on a console. Now, I understand that games are much bigger than they used to be and the graphics are tip toeing the edge of the uncanny valley, but game consoles are supposed to be about ease of use, not waiting for a game you just bought to install. I except that this is a fact with digital copies, but not with games on a disks. At that rate, I might as well just use my gaming PC because of better graphics and more options, such as mods. It's basically a more affordable gaming PC that will be outclassed by something better in the next few years.

Basically, my complaints are just small points from my own perspective, my own pet peeves. I don't like that it the campaign for this machine was based around "TV", if I want that, I'll buy a cheaper Apple TV or a Roku. As well as the lack of front facing ports and non upgradeable storage like it's predecessor (though can hook a hard drive into it). Most games now work cross platform, consoles are now just for exclusives, cost, and convince. That, and there is a lot of social media and gaming community stuff that I wish I could just uninstall, I could care less about MLG and "twitch" (unless they are showing a marathon of Bob Ross).

I won't adamantly, not recommend that you not buy this machine, but if you ask me I'll recommend that you look else where. However, the controller is solid, the interface is good, and console looks nice. The only reason I purchased one in the first place was to play with friends, rarely much for anything else. If you want a "Halo" machine, then get one, you got games to play and plenty of multiplayer or shout obscenities at. The only part of this system that I would praise is the controller, it's better then the "360" version, just buy it for your PC.

There you have it, my thoughts on the Xbone. Not a terrible system, but buy a Playstion 4 or a gaming PC, better investment.

Thanks for reading!

A Quick Update and Thought

A Quick Update...

No, I haven't forgotten about the blog, life just likes to creep up and put a dozen items on your plate. Work, bills, life events, ect... Well, that and I have had a massive spark of inspiration for the series I'm writing. So I'm planning post a new articles that are in the works over the next couple of weeks.

I will also be setting up a second blog. Yes, one might ask why when can't update this one on a regular basis. However this one will be a more focused one, art and my work at the print shop. The the "Printed Rambler" articles will be posted there from now on. I will post a link once I get that setup. I should setup a writing one at someone point, surrounding my future novel series, but maybe later.

So... A Quick thought....

The news is reporting today that North Carolina and Georgia (USA) are putting forth LGBT discriminatory laws. Georgia is call theirs a Religious Liberty law, but in basic terms they allow business to discriminate against LGBT people, deny them business. Now, what I am going to say may not be the popular idea, but let them pass it, don't punish business for that practice. My reasoning this that they will go to businesses, like my family's, who could care less what your sexual orientation is and just want to make money. In this case, money is not the root of evil but an equalizing factor. Their discriminatory practices is a benefit to those of us who only care about the money. Let karma be the punishment. 'It's a bitch, ain't it!'

Society usually corrects it's self in one way or another, and it's really only a small amount of people who feel like their religious rights are threatened. The Constitution grants you the right to worship as you chose and speak your mind. No one, only yourself, can take away those rights. LGBT people don't threaten the foundation of this society, only people chasing make-believe phantoms do. The real threats are out there in the world, try to kill us and destroy our way of life, liberty and freedom, and we shouldn't curtail our rights to save ourselves from them. 

So, in conclusion, carry on and karma will take care of the rest.

Quick Thought: The Pope Vs. Trump

Once again an issue has developed that has everyone yelling like intwits in a burning building. The Pope, in reference to GoP candidate Trump, that those who "ONLY think about building walls, and not bridges" are unChristian. Trump has retorted by saying saying that "No leader (espcially religous) shouldn't question another man's religion." So let me put my prespctive on this.

First off, the Pope's comments probably should looked at in more of a metaphorical way. He's not against literal walls, but probably the idea of barring someone from your country because of who they are, and not extending a "bridge" of friendship. While Trump as said that he plans to build a wall on the border, but with a "large golden door".

To often we misinturrpret what people say and what they said loses it's true meaning. Take  a 7/8th's aporoach when reading thia kind of statements, bemore informed than the average blind follower.

A Conflict of Interest

The death of Supreme Court Judge Antonin Scalia has left a major political battle in it's wake, the appointment of his successor. According to the Constitution, the President appoints Supreme Court Judges and congress approves them. However, in this, the last years of Obama's administration, the Republicans have said that they will do whatever they can to block his appointment, this could potentially mean violating the Constitution, however, apparently there is no set time upon which they have to approve a successor. This had had led to a major "conflict of interest" in  the government.

For myself, this is also a "conflict of interest." On one hand I want them to follow the  Constitution as it is written, as it is the source of our rights and the foundation of our government. It provides checks and balances in the government to prevent any one organization or person from taking to much power. But I also have no faith or trust that President Obama will place a judge who is Constitutional, and merits the appointment. His last few seemed to be based more on race and gender than anything else, and the same goes for his appointments to other government positions. I almost support what the Republicans are doing in the interest of the Constitution, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

 I'm no supporter of the Republican party, however I do tend to vote their way because they field more candidates that have a grasp on reality. I can only hope that Obama's appointment is thought out carefully and with care, and Congress does what it can, Constitutionally, to make sure that happens.

Liberty Will Fight on

As of yesterday, February 3rd, Rand Paul dropped out the race for the Presidency. After starting out strong, he floundered under the weight thrown around by Donald Trump and his name. After his last debate (minus Trump ) and his boycott prior, there seemed to be hope, a possible turnaround in his campaign. However it was not to be so, the religious right of Iowa turned out and voted Cruz as the caucus winner. Paul was left in fifth place with a single delegate. After that, he suspended his campaign to focus on his senate race in Kentucky.

It is a devastating defeat for the movement of liberty and the push for small government, but it's an understandable one. His voice and the voice of the people who believe will still be heard, his work can still be done in Congress. It's a defeat, but not an end to the fight. Rand Paul has said, "We’re not trading our liberty. Not now, not ever. Hell no. Liberty will live on. We fight on.” Four years from now, there will be another chance in 2020, and as an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) he better take advantage of that year, "2020 vision".

What is most troubling and frustrating though is who do we vote for now? Some have said that it should be Cruz because he supposedly has had a libertarian streak. One person I saw even posted that Paul supporters should vote for Bernie Sanders; a communist, I'm pretty sure that's the opposite of the liberty movement. As for me, I'm going for the libertarian candidate Gary Johnson in the main election, no he's not a major candidate, but I'm tired of choosing between who I dislike the least. As for the primaries, I may just flip a coin.

But it's up to all of you to decide for yourself. Look at the issues and not just the party the candidate is  from. Keep up the fight!

Destiny: A Review

Can a bad game be good? Could you appreciate a game that was less than what it should have been? These are the questions that are asked about the game “Destiny.” Bungie, well known for “Marathon” and “Halo”, is a game company that has pushed the limits and taken risks making some of the best games ever made. They have taken games, relegated to the category of children’s toys or hardcore PC gamers, to the level of major films and a multiplayer environment that revolutionized gaming. While I will always praise id Software overall, there is no denying by anyone of Bungie’s contributions to gaming as a whole. When it was revealed that after Bungie left Microsoft and put “Halo” behind them that they had a new project in the works, hopes and expectations were high, but as recent hipped have shown us, do not always hold to hope.

The problem with so many of the recent MMOs is that they promise a lot, but give you little; “Destiny” is only one in a long line of these games. But is it really as bad is people say it is? The glaring problems with the game are it’s lack of a compelling and “non-confusing” story line, issues with it’s lack features, such as player trading, “sparrow” racing (a vehicle that lets you travel around the map) among other missing features. However, what it lacks in features and story, it more than makes up for in gameplay; in a firefight, the mechanics feel like a blend of “Call of Duty”, “Halo”, and “Metroid Prime.” Mostly playing as a hunter class, mind you, I found mechanics fluid with the ability to attack multiple targets very quickly. This certainly is not a clunky and slow game, and with each upgrade you get, the more fluid your game play is. This is what will keep you invested in the game play more than the story,  because, to be honest it's fun, and that's whats important. The combat system allows you to change between melee and gun, and gives you plenty of options when your in a "flight or flight" situation, unlike many other shooters. With the hunter class for example, you have a combat knife, throwing knives,  grenade (depending upon type you are equipped with), and your "super ability" allowing you to blast your way out of a enemy mass, or course, when your combat meter fills up.

The game is not an easy one, this is definitely a game that provides a challenge, and it does it well. Each new area that you open provides a world that allows you roam around as you wish, fight as many enemies as you like, and do small missions to earn points. Each area scales up providing greater challenge for those who unlock them. I know that's probably a feature in most games, but I still think it's nifty. The raids and strikes also add an added challenge, again common to most MMOs', but the increased difficulty, and forcing you to use teamwork to accomplish goals  is defiantly not a bad feature.

The issue with the game has most do with the DLC, story, and rating. The game went into development after Bungie left Microsoft and stopped developing the "Halo" franchise, but in all honesty, they should have stayed with them, and gave "Halo" to the new studio 343 Industries. Bungie unfortunately signed a deal to publish the game with major game developer Activision. The one thing to realize about some of the large game developers is that, they like to play to safe, put out something they know will sell, they don't like big risks. So with the deal in hand, "Destiny's" story was scaled back and modified to get a "T" rating, and the game would be released in parts as the initial release and DLC (in 3 parts). DLC has it's good and bad points, and has been around for longer than you may think (I'll go more in depth later); but in this case, it was a poor choice. Obviously for Activision, this good idea because it means extra revenue, but for the gamers, it means having to wait a year or two to play the full game. If you want to DLC properly, look at how Bethesda does it, that would have been a better way.

But the controversy surrounded the DLC was that supposedly the full game was already on the disk. Gamers would have to spend $60 on the game alone, and $20 or more on the additional content, which is already on the disk. That is unfair to gamers when in the past, you would get the full game with the full price. It's a very maniacal and dishonest tactic of making more money. This, I think most believe, was the actions of Activision creeping it's way into Bungie, telling them what to do. Bungie should developed the game under Microsoft, which, considering  the history between the two, the later would have let Bungie develop the game how they choose.

There is also controversy surrounding the game's soundtrack composer, Martin O'Donnell; also known for the "Halo" soundtrack. The Controversy recently come to light (link below) , his departure from Bungie was not only with a falling out with the senior people of the company, but also seems to be Activision's creeping in once again. To put it in short, the linked article does better justice to explaining the issue, Activision stomped over the hard work of this artist, while the people whom he had worked for and helped build the company with seemingly abandoned him, eventually leading to his departure. A rather sad ending to a creative and successful career with Bungie.

However, once again looking at the brighter side of "Destiny", recently the DLC "The Taken King" was released, and it has much improved the game play. For one, the game now feels like it has an actual story and characters, not occasional light cut scenes and characters that seem non existent and undeveloped. Mechanically nothing had really changed in the combat system, but level systems have changed for the better. Light now measures your defense and attack, combing the scores of your armor and equipped weapons, meaning it can vary upon what your using and the upgrades on them. Players now also have a regular level system like on RPGs and MMOs, probably helping to level the learning curve for the game. Overall, the game is much better than it's release version, except I still Peter Dinklage as the voice of my robot, just saying.

I'll finish with this, "Destiny" is a good game, but take into consideration everything before you purchase it. Bungie hasn't treated it's fans nor the people who they work with the respect they deserve, and their continued partnership isn't going to allow them to make the games you would expect for such a highly regard game company. I enjoy playing "Destiny", especially with friends, but it's doubtful that I will buy a potential sequel, or at least not at full price. Again, it's one of those bad games that can good.