12-year term limits for National Office

People stay in office way too long. Over a hundred members have served for more than thirty-five years, forty members of Congress have served at least FORTY YEARS in their seats, with half a dozen over FIFTY years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_members_of_the_United_States_Congress_by_longevity_of_service

Citizens born after they were first elected can have grandchildren in that amount of time.

Likewise, more than a dozen Supreme Court Justices have been in office more than thirty years, with William O. Douglas lasting more than 36! Way, way too long.

Conversely, Presidents (i.e. POTUS) are only elected twice before term limits kick in. This means that for half the time they are in office, they are unaccountable directly to voters. HALF! Think back on the presidencies of Bush, Clinton, Reagan, and Nixon. When they at their worst? Last term. Because they didn't have to worry about being reelected.

So, I propose that, by amending the Constitution, all National Elected Offices be restricted (or in the case of POTUS, extended) to exactly 12 years concurrent. This would ensure much, much more turnover in Congress and the Supreme Court (thereby making them more representational and accountable). Ideally I'd like the Chief Justice to be an elected office as well (as the tie-breaker); the other 8 (12?) Justices would be still appointed for 12 years at a time, but there should be at least some direct representation by the people.

The President would also be more accountable, since we would have two chances to throw him/her out of office instead of just one. They'd only be directly unaccountable for a third of the time, instead of half. I also propose decoupling and staggering the Vice-Presidential election so that if the POTUS is screwing up, we can elect his main rival to VP.

So here's what my election cycle would look like (assuming term limits for all):

Year 00: New POTUS, all new House of Representatives, and 1st third of the Senate up for election.

Year 02: New Vice-President, New Chief Justice, the House, and 2nd third of the Senate.

Year 04: POTUS, the House, last third of the Senate.

Year 06: VP, Chief Justice, the House, and 1st/3rds Senate (last election for them)

Year 08: POTUS (last election), the House, 2nd/3rds Senate (last election for them).

Year 10: VP (last) & Chief Justice (last), the House (last election for '00 class), last 3rd Senate (last).

Year 12: New POTUS, new House and new 1/3 Senate (all from '00 election term limited).

Year 14: New VP, New Chief Justice, House, new 2nd third of the Senate.

Year 16: POTUS, House, new last third of the Senate.

And so on.

This amendment (12 years for all) would make the government more representative, dynamic, and, oddly, more contiguous because the VP and POTUS change power at different times. Seniority as a perk would be all-but-gone, and voters would be more inclined to send the best (or at least the most representative) officials to create laws respecting the will of the people.

Of course, I'd also like all laws to expire after 12 years as well...

Low Population Realms in World of Warcraft

People are complaining lately about low population servers in World of Warcraft. Once the number of players gets below a certain level, people start transfering away, and fewer people decide to join that realm. These realms should be shut down and replaced.

For years, players have been opining about the good old days of classic vanilla World of Warcraft, Burning Crusade, now Wrath of the Lich King, and eventually they will remember Cataclysm fondly. And there are a number of players who artificially limit their character level (called twinking), often just so they can play thru that classic content at the level it was designed for.

So, we have two problems. I say we can solve both! Lets take the seven worst realms in population and transfer all the characters out. Then we rename them, and open them back up with whole new identities and purposes:

Pandaria PvE Realm. Open it the first day Mists of Pandaria comes out. Everyone starts out at the same level, flood of new people coming on to level the content together, would instantly be a first-rate realm.

Cataclysm PvP Realm. Permanent level cap of 85. Pandaren playable, but transport to Pandaria disabled. Not available unless players own everything up to and including Cataclysm.

Northrend RP-PvP Realm. Permanent level cap of 80. Mage portals reinstalled in Dalaran. Revoke Flight Master License (for Kalimdor and Eastering Kingdoms). Not sure what to do about level 80 Cataclysm zones. Realm not available unless players have purchased Wrath of the Lich King.

Sunwell PvE Realm. Permanent level cap of 70. Mage portals reinstalled in Shattrath. Boats to Northrend Disabled. No Death Knights allowed, but I see nothing wrong with Goblins, Worgen, or Pandaren. Open to all paid players, since BC now comes with vanilla game.

Azeroth PvP Realm. Permanent level cap of 60. The Dark Portal is deactivated. Flight Master License @ 60, no need to worry about Cataclysm zones. Absolutely no Death Knights allowed.

Valley of Trials RP Realm. Permanent level cap of 20. All Free Trial players would be directed here. This realm should be open to Goblins, Worgen, and Pandaren, regardless of whether Cata, MoP, or even regular WoW are owned or not.

Scholomance PvP Realm. Permanent level cap of 40. Okay, so this realm is the least likely to happen. I propose that this realm be free-to-play for any player who has already purchased WoW, but has allowed their subscription to lapse. This would prevent free-to-play twinkers from being tossed in the same pool as genuine trial players. I'm fine with limitations: no Blood Elves, Draenei, Goblins, Worgen, or Pandaren; only classic WoW race/class combos; no realm transfer, ever... as long as we can have guilds, mail, and/or an Auction House. One permanently available realm would be a very good enticement to lure millions of former players back into the game again.

There we go. Seven low population realms transformed into active realms with their own distinct identities. Plus people would stop bugging blue posters about vanilla or BC realms. Play the game however you like it!

Lurker

More National Elections

For all the power the Federal Government has, there really is only one national office elected nation-wide, and that is only once every four years. That office is the President (with the VP as a package deal). Not nearly enough input from the voters, in my opinion.

Therefore I suggest that the office of the Vice-President be voted for separately, and every TWO years. So, instead of just voting for your congressmen (or not) on off years, a national vote for VP can be a national referendum on the party in power. Plus, it would add power to the office as a real heir-apparent, next-in-line, president-in-training. And it would be hilarious to split tickets.

The third national office (after POTUS and VP) would occur every four years, but staggered two years off from the POTUS. That office should be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Yes, really. But, like the VP, he/she would only be allowed to vote in the case of a tie. Now at the moment there are 8 normal Justices plus the Chief, but 5/4 votes happen all the time. I also propose bumping up that number to 12 Justices plus the Chief Justice, making him the tie-breaker less likely. Could still work either way. Anyway, there are just so many issue voters (Abortion, 2nd amendment, gay marriage, etc) and all that weight is thrown behind Presidential selection, for good or ill, and his potential appointments to the court. Voters should be more directly involved in the process.

So, we have the President as the head of the Executive Branch, the VP as the head of the Senate and ostensibly the Legislative Branch, and the Chief Justice as the head of the Judicial Branch. And 2/3 elected every election year. These tweaks would make the national government much more representative and subject to the will of the American people. We are supposed to be a democratic republic, after all.

World of Warcraft Free-To-Play Twink Tiers

This week Blizzard did something profound, and almost no one noticed:
They went Free-To-Play.

Well, kinda. People could sign up for free-trials to level up to a max of 20, but now those trials no longer expire. What does this mean? For starters, that I'm going to be playing again (mostly for Achievements). But also there will be a number of new twinks at level 20 (and possibly 19). Unfortunately there are a number of limitations that discourage twinking (profession caps, no trading or mail, etc) the main impediment for brackets under level 20 is the 10gold cap, the exact amount required to turn-off experience. I'm sure it can and will be done though

But, they should expand their free-to-play level-capped tiers beyond 20 to people who have actually bought the game:

Level 40 for Vanilla and Burning Crusade owners (since they combined the two anyway). Let them log in and play any character Level 40 and below. They would still have fast land mounts, BC enchants, and many armor sets from Scholomance to collect.

Level 60 for Wrath of the Lich King owners. There are still a few awesome level 60 raids and actual Tiers of armor sets. High incentive for BC owners to upgrade. And Death Knights for all!

Level 70 for Cataclysm owners who let their subscriptions lapse. This is the lowest level for Arena and to get to the bottom of talent trees. Tons of raids and armor sets at this level. Will whet the appetite of most WoW players and get them to pay for current end game content if they so choose.


The only difference between twinking and normal playing is that players choose the level cap instead of the developers.

No TV series should last longer than 2 prez terms

Television shows continuing past their prime is a sad thing to see, almost like watching a beloved family member slowly succumb to Alzheimers or some other degenerative neurological disease.

So, I have a new rule: no fictional TV series should see more than two presidential elections. That way, no show would last more than 8 years, and some would last as little as 5, depending on when they started. After I list some examples, you will definitely agree with me.

Simpsons: 1989-1996(ongoing). Last season starting with "Who shot Mr. Burns". Peak!
E.R.: 1994-2000(2009). Season 6 was the last for most of the original cast.
South Park: 1997-2004(Ongoing). End with "Woodland Critter Christmas". Peak?
M*A*S*H: 1972-1980(1983). Last season with Radar. Peak.
Frasier: 1993-2000(2004). Season 7 ends with Niels and Daphne running off together. Peak!
Happy Daze: 1974-1978(1984). Season 5 coined the term "Jumping the Shark". Peak.
Smallville: 2001-2008(ongoing). Season 7 ends in the Arctic. Peak?
Stargate SG-1: 1997-2004(2007). Season 7 ends with battle in the arctic. Peak!
Friends: 1994-2000(2004). Season 6 finale- Chandler and Monica get engaged. Peak.
X-Files: 1993-2000(2002). Had it ended here would've been the best US Sci-Fi. Post peak.


Look at the above list of overlong series and I dare you to disagree with me on the majority! Possible exceptions not included above MIGHT be Cheers and Spongebob, and maybe not even then.


Lurker

Nebula, granddaughter of Thanos

(Comic book lore discussion ahead, not for the faint of heart)

Alright, so Nebula (Space Pirate and would be galactic conqueror) was introduced decades back as the supposed granddaughter of the mad titan Thanos, lover of Death incarnate. This was immediately dismissed by Eros, Thanos' brother, as it was unthinkable that Thanos would create life since he was so obsessed with death.

Many years later, we learned that Nebula's father was (according to her) the Luphomoid villian Zorr that killed the predecessor of Nova and disappeared immediately after, presumed dead. Zorr also had a brother named Kraa that fought Nova, and should still be alive. And apparently a sister named Xira aka Spirit, according to http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/spiritdm.htm

Alright, so if we no that Nebula's father (and aunt and uncle) are all Luphomoids. Since Thanos is even less likely to have three kids than one, lets assume that Nebula is related to him thru her mother...

Who is the only character in the Marvel Universe that could possibly be described as the 'daughter' of Thanos?

Gamora.

Yes, that Gamora. Member of the Infinity Watch, sometime lover of Nova. Taken from the future and raised by Thanos to be the ultimate assassin way back in the 70's Adam Warlock series when Zorr was last seen alive. Assume a little accelerated aging due to alien physiology, and suddenly it all makes sense.

Nebula is the daughter of Gamora, adopted daughter of Thanos.

Mystery solved.


DH the Lurker

Last time around, we fundamentaly changed elections with new tactics:

Money Bombs
The Blimp
Viral Youtube videos
Our own convention
Birth of the Tea Party
Virtual Marches (in World of Warcraft)
and so on and so on.


We need to reproduce this zany and creative grassroots tactics if we want to overthrow the Neocons and save our country!

Ideas:
November 5th (Guy Fawkes day) V for Vendetta event
Sky writing
Formal alliance with Log cabin republicans. San Fransisco march?
Declaration of Independence II
Ron Paul democrats in primaries (challenge Obama?)
Infiltration of sporting events and tv show audiences
crop circles and mazes
coast to coast march
underground comic book
Bar-hopping mobile debate groups
Fleet of Ron Paul vehicals: cars, semi-trucks, airplanes, train cars
Tap into the Arab Spring revolutions
Ron Paul Submarine to sail from Texas to New Hampshire


See, those are just off the top of my head. We can make this election feel like an actual revolution if we put our minds to it.

Ron Paul is no ordinary politician, why should he have an ordinary campaign?

Courting OBAMA voters by hook or by crook

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?287761-Courting-OBAMA-voters-by-hook-or-by-crook

If we [I]honestly[/I] want Ron Paul to [I]win[/I] the Republican nomination, we need Independants... and Democrats.

This means we need to go after former (and current) Obama supporters, and convince them to vote for Ron Paul in the Republican primaries.

There are two methods to do this. The first is to convince them Ron Paul REALLY WILL bring the troops home from Iraq and Afganistan, legalize drugs, close Gitmo, restore civil liberties, and all the other things Obamaniacs hoped to change.

The second (and more controversial) method is recruit democrats to sabotage the Republicans by nominating the "worst" canditate that Obama could "easily" defeat. Want to assure a second term for Obama? Register as a Republican and vote for Paul! He has no chance at all!

These primaries hinge on such a small percentage of the population. We need every possible vote we can, and we have an extra half of the electorate up for grabs. This one-two-punch strategy can shift the balance further in our direction.

THE REVOLUTION CONTINUES!

Move US Capitol to Three Forks, Montana

Washington D.C. is a monument to governmental waste, fraud, and abuse. If we really want revolutionary change, we need to abandon the Washington culture altogether and start over in a new location. We've already moved the Capitol from Philidelphia, to New York City, to it's current location.

I propose we move the new capitol out west, close to Three Forks, Montana. It is named after the three rivers named the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatain that converge to form the headwaters of the Missouri (Mississippi) River. Already well named. Plus high in the mountains (already full of tunnels and secret bases) and far from the coasts, it is very defensible very hard for potential foreign armies to march upon. Unlike DC, which the Brits burned once already.

There are already three important freeways that converge on this area: I-90, I-15, and US Route 287. I-90 connects the northwest coast at Seattle to Spokane (Washington), Billings (Montana), Sioux Falls (South Dakota), Madison (Wisconsin), Chicago (Illinois), Cleveland (Ohio), Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany (New York), Worcester, Springfield, and finally Boston (Massachusetts). Already a very important trade corridor.

I-15 connects the southwest coast at San Diego to Riverside and Los Angeles (California), Los Vegas (Nevada), Provo and Salt Lake City (Utah), and eventually up north into Canada. This a newer corridor with lots of growth in recent years.

US Route 287 connects the the southeast coast at Port Arthur to Fort Worth, Dallas, and Amarillo (Texas), Denver (Colorado), and Yellowstone (Wyoming). It would require the most upgrading to serve as a national corridor.

The New US Capitol's proximity to the Yellowstone super volcano is quite intentional. Some terrible day in the next thousand years or so, the caldera is doomed to erupt once again, leveling everything within hundreds of miles. Our new capitol would share the same fate as Atlantis, instead of succumbing to corruption and decay, it would transform into a mythical ideal. Then we can create an even better capitol.


Lurker

Carving out New States from old ones

We haven't added any new states for more than sixty years. While most of our states are 4 million or less, a few are monsterous in size (California is 37 million!). Most of these bloated giants have vast expanses of lightly populated territories governed by distant urban centers with completely different populations and lifestyles. And subject to the tyranny of the majority. We need to prune some of these giants down to a more reasonable size, more easily governable and representable by Governers, Senators, and other statewide offices.


So, proposed new states:

Southern California (Capitol: Los Angeles)
22.4 million

Northern California (Capitol: Sacramento)
13 million

Jefferson (Capitol: Redding)
1.75 million
Counties north of Sacramento: Del norte, Siskiyou, Modoc, Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Lassen, Mendocino, Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Plumas, Lake, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, and El Dorado.


Long island (Capitol: Brooklyn)
7.5 Million

New York (Capitol: Albany)
from 19.4 to 11.9 million


Everglades (Capitol: Miami)
7.9 million
Counties south of Tampa: Manatee, Highlands, Okeechobee, Saint Lucie, Martin, Sarasota, Desoto, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, Palm Beach, Collier, Broward, Monroe, and Miami-Dade.

Florida
formerly 18.8 million, now 10.9


Chigago
8.2 million
Counties: Cook, Dupage, Lake, Will, Kane, Kendall, Grundy, and McHenry.

Illinois (Capitol: Springfield)
formerly 12.8, now 4.6 million


Philadelphia
3.85 million
Counties: Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Deleware, and Chester.

Pennsylvania (Capitol: Harrisburg)
formerly 12.7 million, now 8.9


Cleveland
3.2 million
Counties: Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, Lake, Geauga, Portage, Cuyahoga, Summit, and Lorain.

Ohio (Capitol: Columbus)
formerly 11.5 million, now 8.3


There we go, this splits most of the states over 10 million in population, carving out 7 new states with distinct identities already present in one form or another.

Of course, the glaring omission is Texas, the second largest in population and area. Unfortunately, not only is there a rather strong identity in the state, but there are also over 200+ counties, making partitions frustratingly difficult.

Proposed Congressional Yearly Schedule

One of the major problems with Congress is that it's members spends too little time with their constituents and too much time in Washington DC creating more and more laws they don't even have time to read.

So, I think we should revise the yearly congressional schedule that keeps each house in session for a week (5 workdays) at a time every other week, encouraging it's members to return home on a regular basis. Here's what it might look like:


Month, Week, (Holiday), Session.

Jan wk1 (3rd or later) Joint Session.
Jan wk2 Congressional Recess.
Jan wk3 (MLK Jr. Monday, Jan 20 inauguration) Joint Session.
Jan wk4 US House.

Feb wk1 US Senate.
Feb wk2 US House.
Feb wk3 (Monday: President's day) Recess.
Feb wk4 US Senate.

Mar wk1 US House.
Mar wk2 US Senate
Mar wk3 US House.
Mar wk4 US Senate.

Apr wk1-2 (Spring District work Period) Recess.
Apr wk3 Us House.
Apr wk4 (Arbor Day) US Senate.

May wk1 Us House.
May wk2 US Senate.
May wk3 Us House.
May wk4 US Senate.
May wk5 (Memorial day) Recess.

Jun wk1 Us House.
Jun wk2 US Senate.
Jun wk3 Us House.
Jun wk4 US Senate.

July wk1 (Independence Day Work Period) Recess.
July wk2 Us House.
July wk3 US Senate.
July wk4 Us House.
July wk5 US Senate.

Aug wk1 Joint Session.
Aug wk2+ (Summer District Work Period) Recess.

Sept wk1 (Labor Day) Recess.
Sept wk2 Joint Session.
Sept wk3 Us House.
Sept wk4 US Senate.

Oct wk1 (Target Adjournment) Joint Session.
Oct wk2 (Columbus Day) Recess.
Oct wk3 Joint Session.
Oct wk4 (Campaigning) Recess.

Nov wk1 (Elections) Recess.
Nov wk2 (Veterans Day) Recess.
Nov wk3 Joint Session.
Nov wk4 (Thanksgiving) Recess.

Dec wk1 Us House.
Dec wk2 Joint Session.
Dec wk3 US Senate.
Dec wk4+ (Holidays) Recess.


US House of Representatives and Senate in session 21 weeks max each, usually on alternating weeks. Any week with a Federal Holiday was given off for both Houses, or attempted anyway. This should maximize input from citizens, and minimize influence from Washington DC culture, since Congressmen would rarely stay for the weekend.


Lurker

Next Star Trek Series Crew

By rank, gender and species:

Captain- Female Human: Must be better than Janeway
First Officer- Male Andorian: Founding member of Federation
Chief Operations Officer(s)- Androgynous Bynar twins: Ultimate Techies!
Chief Engineer- Male Human (Mirror Universe): Divergent timeline nobody uses?!?
Chief of Security- Male Romulan: Long history against Fedaration and Vulcans.
Chief Medical Officer- Male Human (Former Q): God complex built in!
Chief Science Officer- Female Cardassian: Major race w/o starring role.
Ship's Counsellor- Female Orion: Green woman with pheremone powers!
Helmsman- Female Human (Augment): Descendant of Khan!

Push it another hundred years past Voyager, and start exploring the Beta Quadrant. Federation civil war (rebellion by the descendants of the Maqui) would also be nice.


Lurker
(the show was entirely about sociology)

1583BCE: Year of the Santorini Eruption

There is this ominous theory that tidal forces from the sun and moon can trigger earthquakes and volcanic eruptions:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Wikinaut/Moon-Earthquake-Theory

As some of you know, I have been working on a fantasy/mythology book titled Bastard Heroes. Anyway, I've been doing quite a bit of research on the Minoan Eruption of Santorini/Thera, one of the worst volcanic eruptions since the end of the last ice age. The volcanic island is just north of Crete in the middle of the Aegean Sea, and has some extraordinarily well-preserved ash-covered ruins that seem eerily Atlantean (they had running water and everything).

The date of the eruption is one of intense scientific debate, somewhere around 1600 BCE +/- 50/100 years. Quite a wide window, especially considering the effects it may have had on Greek, Egyptian, and Middle-Eastern histories. However, using the Tidal-Earthquake theory, I have found that the eclipse that occur ed on July 31st 1583BCE to be extraordinarily promising, since it goes right over Thera and Crete (zoom in on the Mediterranean):

http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/xSE_GoogleMapFull.php?Ecl=-15830731&Acc=1&Umb=1&Lmt=1&Mag=0


A total solar eclipse right over the supervolcano, within 17 years of the rough estimate of the date of the eruption? Good enough for me.


Lurker

Wheel of Time Arc Reading Guide (WoTARG!)

Alright, so if you're like me you've read Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series many times over. It's insanely long (book 13 just came out), has waaay too many plotlines (6 major, 20 minor, and hundreds of sub-plots), and there are just 'some' sections you would rather skim over at times.

Well, I have a solution! During my last re-read, I broke down each book into 50,000 word segments, focusing only on 1 or 2 character/plotlines at a time. WoT made simple, as it were.

And this guide not only makes the reread a completely different experience, but it also functions as a timeline. Very handy for a quick reference.

Lastly, if the powers that be ever decided to put this massive story on screen as a long-form television fantasy drama series (the only possible way to make it work), each segment would be one episode, with a beginning, middle, and end. Total of four seasons, composed of about 4 books each. Much faster than Legend of the Seeker went. Anyway, here's the guide:

Episode(season/book/#) Title chapters
Lead- Plot
co-star- subplot(s)

s1b01e1 Emond's Field Prologue, ch01-ch09
Rand- intro, trollocs, history lesson

s1b01e2 Baerlon Ravens, ch10-17
Rand- on the run, Min, Nynaeve catches up, dreams, escape at gate
Egwene- becoming aes sedai

s1b01e3 Shadar Logoth ch18-20, 24, 26, 31-32
Rand- dagger, river, Whitebridge, Four Kings, exploding wall

s1b01e4 Wolfbrother ch21-23, 25, 27-30, 37-38
Perrin, Egwene- Elyas, Tinkers, Aram, Whitecloaks, captured
Nynaeve- tracking Rand, rescue Perrin

s1b01e5 Camelyn ch33-36, 39-41
Rand- Darkfriends, Loial, Logain, royal family, reunion

s1b01e6 The Eye of the World ch42-53
Rand- Ways, Fal Dara, Fain, Blight, Forsaken
Lan- Nynaeve, Malkier

s1b02e1 Fal Dara Prologue - ch06
Rand, Moiraine- Amyrlin arrives, horn stolen
Jaichim Carridin- Whitecloak plots

s1b02e2 The Great Hunt ch07-11, 13-17
Rand, Perrin- Quest, goodbyes, hunting, portal stones, Selene
Bayle Domon- flight from Illian

s1b02e3 Flight from the White Tower ch12, 18, 22-24, 29, 38-40
Egwene, Nynaeve- joining Aes Sedai, testing, ways, damane
Moirane; Bayle Domon- research; Seanchan

s1b02e4 Cairhien ch19-21, 25-28, 30-34
Rand, Perrin, Thom- got horn, get to safety, Illuminators, reunion, party
Padan Fain- Gives horn to Seanchan

s1b02e5 Falme ch35-37, 41-50
Rand- Stedding, realities, strategy, Mat blows horn, fight in sky
Egwene, Nynave, Min, Bayle- free Egwene, escape

s1b03e1 The Dragon Reborn Prologue - ch09
Perrin, Rand- Rand leaves, chaos wake
Nial, Carridin- Whitecloak fallout

s1b03e2 The Black Ajah ch10-23
Egwene, Siuan, Verin- consequences, healing, test
Mat- awakening, Lanfear

s1b03e3 The First Ship ch24-32, 37-39
Egwene, Nynaeve- dreaming, off to Tear, Aiel, captured
Mat- escape Tar Valon, Thom, gray men

s1b03e4 Illian ch33-36, 40-47
Perrin- Remen, Faile, frees Gaul, forsaken in Illian
Mat- Fireworks, letter, rescue mission

s1b03e5 Tear ch48-56
Mat, Nynaeve- captured, storming the Stone of Tear
Perrin, Rand- Faile trapped; Callandor and Belal

s1b04e1 Playing With Fire ch02-08
Perrin, Mat, Rand- Lord Dragon, bubbles of evil, Berelain, researching, romance
Elayne, Egwene- questioning Black Ajah

s1b04e2 Into the Doorway ch01, 09-15
Mat, Rand, Egwene- Lanfear, Trollocs, dead girl, dreamwalkers, news from home, Ogiers Oath, 3 questions
Min; whitecloaks; Seanchan- Elmindreda; Taren Ferry; The Return

s1b04e3 The Shadow Rising ch16-20, 27, 47
Perrin, Elayne, Thom- goodbyes to Lan and Moiraine, Sea Folk ship, attacked in the Ways
Min, Siuan- Breaking of the White Tower

s1b04e4 Rhuidean ch21-26
Rand, Mat- 3 wishes, history of the Aiel
Moirane, Egwene- manipulations; wise ones

s1b04e5 Homecoming ch28-35
Perrin- family dead, trollocs, whitecloaks
Egwene, Rand- Car'a'carn, dream meetings

s1b04e6 Revelations in Tanchico ch38-39, 46, 51-52, 54-55
Egeanin, Elayne, Nynaeve- a'dam, Seeker, new friendships, Compulsion, storming the palace
Jaichim, Liandrin- sieze Panarch's Palace, Black Ajah

s1b04e7 Goldeneyes ch40-45, 53, 56
Perrin- general, defending Emond's Field
Aram- Tinker's sword

s1b04e8 A Breaking in the Three-fold Land ch36-37, 48-50, 57-58
Rand- Imre Stand --> Cold Rocks Hold --> Alcair Dal; vs. Asmodean
Mat- The Hat, battle leader


s2b05e1 The First Sparks Fall Prologue, ch02-07
Rand, Egwene- Rhuidean, darkhounds, leaving
Elaida, Fain, Rahvin- Fain in the Tower, Forsaken meeting

s2b05e2 A Small Room in Sienda ch08-10, 13-18
Nynaeve, Elayne, Egwene- Forkroot, Sienda, dreamworld, circus
Liandrin- Mogedien

s2b05e3 Sallie Daera ch01, 11-12, 20-22, 26-28
Min, Bryne, Siuan- Persuit, Lugard, Nine Horse Hitch, Salidar
Rand, Mat- Jangai Pass

s2b05e4 The Far Snows ch23-25, 29-35
Rand- Shaido's trail, Avienda in Seanchan
Egwene- dreamwalker training

s2b05e5 Band of the Red Hand ch19, 41-46
Mat, Rand- The Second Battle of Cairhien
Morgase, Padan Fain- Escaping Rahvin, dagger in tower

s2b05e6 Encounters in Samara ch37-40, 47-49
Elayne, Nynave- Birgitte, Uno, Prophet, Galad, riot, boat

s2b05e7 The Fires of Heaven ch50-56
Rand, Mat, Egwene Lanfear vs Moirane, Caemlyn raid
Nynaeve, Elayne- Salidar, Mogedien captured, used

s2b06e1 The First Message Prologue, ch07-08
Elayne, Nynaeve- stilled allies, embassy, new weaves, dream lessons
Faile; Gawyn; Morgase; Forsaken- Two Rivers; Younglings; Amadicia; Shayol Ghul, Tel’aran’rhiod

s2b06e2 Lord of Chaos ch01-04, 06, 10-11, 16
Rand, Verin- Taim, seal, farm, Two Rivers girls, bonded
Sammael, Graendal, Semirhage- politics, truce w/Sammael

s2b06e3 Fire and Spirit ch05, 12-15, 29-30
Elayne, Nynaeve- bubble of evil, stilling study, restoration
Mat- dead tinkers

s2b06e4 An Embassy ch17-21, 23-28
Egwene, Rand- school, Ogier, waygates, embassy, Gawyn, Sea Folk

s2b06e5 Journey to Salidar ch22, 32-40, 44
Egwene- summoned, toh, journey, raised, consequences
Mat- Olver, Salidar

s2b06e6 The Crown of Roses ch09, 31, 41-43, 45-46, 49
Rand, Perrin- Min, Perrin, Loial, confrontation, fled
Morgase- Whitecloaks, plots

s2b06e7 Dumai's Wells ch47-48, 50-55, Epilogue
Perrin- Faile vs. Berelain, hunting Rand, gathering army
Rand- captured, boxed, breakout, AS bow

s2b07e1 The Butcher's Yard Prologue, ch01-06
Sevanna, Perrin- aftermath, return to Cairhien, worried for Faile
Elaida- reports, Black Tower, Fortelling

s2b07e2 The Figurehead ch08-12, 25-26
Egwene, Moghedien- Moggy' escapes, Lan sent to Nynaeve
Morgase- renounciation

s2b07e3 Swovan Night ch07, 13-19, 21
Avienda, Elayne, Mat- sea folk, sharing info; racing, ring, Bors, Tylin, Birgitte
Rand- expecting Elayne in Camelyn

s2b07e4 Promises to Keep ch22-24, 28-31, 37-39
Mat- apology, used, finding, golam, deal, Olver, Seanchan
Elayne, Nynaeve- apology, Kin, leading, Lan, golam, leaving

s2b07e5 A Crown of Swords ch20, 27, 33-36, 40-41
Rand, Min- Cadsuane, w/Min, seclusion, Sea Folk, rebels, fog, cut, bed, Illian
Sevanna- dispersal of the Shaido

s2b08e1 Unweaving Prologue, Ch01-06
Elayne, Avienda- Travel, conflicts, farm, bowl, seanchan, nuke
Ethenielle; Verin- Borderlanders; mind alteration

s2b08e2 The Path of Daggers ch12-14, 22-24, 27
Rand- versus Seanchan, Calandor, Casdsuane
Grendael; Cadsuane- New Alliances

s2b08e3 An Unwelcome Return ch15-20, 25-26, 28
Egwene; Seaine- camp, war declared, prep for siege, new Accepted; hunting Black Ajah
Elayne- murders, Camelyn

s2b08e4 Beginnings ch07-11, 29-31
Perrin, Faile- banner, Morgase joins, queen swears, Prophet, gai'shain
Rand- renegade ashaman


s3 (The World of Rober Jordan's) The Wheel of Time
Loial- the story thus far....
notes- before the breaking

s3b09e1 Winter's Heart Prologue, Ch01-06
Perrin, Faile- captured, robes, Aiel, Prophet
Siane; Elayne; Toveine; Rand- BA hunters; first sisters; Black Tower factions; false trails

s3b09e2 The Streets of Caemlyn ch07-12, 26-27
Elayne- damane, Black Ajah, assassin, dreamwalk, bonding, windfinders, Borderlanders

s3b09e3 Daughter of the Nine Moons ch14-21, 28-31
Mat- Looking for Inn, Golam, Tuon, escape plans
Tuon, Bethamin, Egeanin- Veiled; Seeker; escape

s3b09e4 With the Choedan Kal ch13, 22-25, 32-35
Rand, Cadsuane- Far Madding, trap, prison, negotiation, cleansing

s3b10e1 Time to Be Gone Prologue, ch01-04
Mat, Furyk- circus leaving, courting Tuon
Rodel; Valda; Gabrelle; Yukiri; Gawyn; Davram; Sumitsu Domani; whitecloaks; white tower mysteries; assasination attempts

s3b10e2 A Cluster of Rosebuds ch10-15, 28-29
Elayne- recruiting, bath, sea folk leaving, young lord and ladies, spies
Mat- Egeanin attacked

s3b10e3 Crossroads of Twilight ch06-09, 23-27
Perrin- chasing shaido, darkhounds, Aiel in Malden, So Harbor, ax in tree
Rand, Cadsuane- Resting, Loial, Logain, treaty w/Seanchan

s3b10e4 The Subject of Negotiations ch16-22, 30, Epilogue
Egwene- negotiations, cuendilar, investigations, black tower, dreams, captured

s3b11e1 Embers Falling on Dry Grass Prologue, Ch01-03
all White Tower- hunting BA; forkroot and novice; dissent; egwene's commands;
Galad; Rodel; Suroth; Galina- kills Valda; uprising; meets Perrin

s3b11e2 A Hell in Maderin ch06-11
Mat- Tuon, Zebra, Dead walking, the letter, gambling, attacked in street

s3b11e3 Siege ch13-20
Elayne, Arymilla- siege of camelyn, new forces, wet, avienda leaves, borderlanders
Rand, Loial, Nynaeve- marriage, 100K trollocs, Lan's long ride

s3b11e4 Knife of Dreams ch21-25
Romanda, Egwene, Tarna- bonding ashaman; seeds of dissent
Rand, Harine; Mat- Illian, logain vs windfinders; kissing Tuon, found by Band

s3b11e5 In Malden ch04-05, 12, 26, 28-30
Faile, Perrin, Galina- Seanchan alliance, escape plans, weak tea, betrayal & rescue
Tuon- Band of the Red Hand

s3b11e6 Prince of the Ravens ch27, 31-37, Epilogue
Mat, Tuon, Suroth, Furyk- seanchan after Tuon, marriage, battles;
Rand; Elayne, Birgitte- captured by BA, rescue, besiegers captured, becomes queen

s3b12e1 The Gathering Storm Prologue, ch01-06, 09
Rand, Avienda, Cadsuane- hard lessons
Egwene, Perrin- tactics in the tower; leaving Malden

s3b12e2 The Plan for Arad Doman ch07, 10-11, 14-15, 17, 21-23, 26
Rand, Avienda, Cadsuane- preparations, Semirage freed, true source, wise one
Perrin, Faile- remembering Brotherless

s3b12e3 Unexpected Encounters ch08, 12-13, 16, 18-19, 24-25
Siuan, Egwene- embracing pain, Egwene vs. Elaida
Gawyn; Tuon- desertion of Younglings; consolidation of power

s3b12e4 Night in Hinderstap ch20, 27-29, 31-33
Mat- zombie attacks
Nynaeve, Rand- trail to Grendeal

s3b12e5 The Tower Shakes ch30, 34-36, 38-41
Egwene, Gawyn, Siuan- Verin's legacy, raid by the seanchan
Mat, Tuon- help from Verin; meeting with Rand, raid launched

s3b12e6 Dragonmount ch37, 42-50, Epilogue
Rand, Min, Nynaeve- balefire, Tam, revalations
Egwene- aftermath, raised


s4NSe1 It Begins ch01-11
Moiraine- Fortelling, Elaida, searching, pranks, testing
Lan- Aiel war ends

s4NSe2 New Spring ch12-26, Epilogue
Moiraine, Siuan- Ajahs, flight, Cadsuane, warder
Lan- Kandor, pond, first love, Bukama, warder


Towers of Midnight and A Memory of Lighty to follow, about 7 arcs/episodes each, for a grand total of about 84 or so, depending on if more prequals are written.

And we're done! I plan on using this guide myself for my next read through. Also quite handy for determining what happened where. Feel free to steal and modify for your own use!


Lurker

Cosmic Avengers Line-Up

Fans have been asking for Cosmic Avengers for years and years now. Unfortunately the closest we've come was Avengers Infinity. But there are tons of once and future Avengers that would fit perfectly on a cosmic themed team.

So here's my proposed line-up that feels the most Avengery (is that a word?) and connections to the Blue Area of the Moon (ideal base)

Ms. Marvel (Leader, Kree DNA)
Beta Ray Bill (Cosmic Thor)
Machine Man (Cosmic Iron Man, Monolith origin)
Major Victory (Justice becomes Cosmic Cap)
Moondragon (raised by Titans, Priestess of Pama)
Crystal (Inhuman Princess)
Captain Marvel (aka Hulking, the only Skrull Avenger)
Quasar (THE cosmic Avenger)


Too great many options. Potential members:
Hank Pym, Jocasta, Photon, Darkhawk, Starfox, Rick Jones, Sersi, Mantis, Swordsman (Cotati), Nova (dead), Jack of Hearts (dead), Deathcry (dead), Sentry (dead) and obvious new members like Skaar and Silver Surfer.


DH the Lurker

WoW Achievements: Vanity Sets

Proposed Achievements for World of Warcraft:

Gear sets! Already many of these are collected for RP purposes, why not provide achivements as well! Since bonuses are gien for at most 4 pieces of the set, that should be the threshold for most of these:


Dungeon Set 1 (8 pieces) [10 points]
Dungeon Set 2 (8 pieces) [10 points] Quest upgrade of #1
Dungeon Set 3 (5 pieces) [10 points] BC dungeons

Zandalar Tribe set (5 pieces) [Feat of Strength] Zul'Gurub to be removed
Cenarion Circle set (3 pieces) [10 points] Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj
Brood of Nozdormu set (5 pieces) [10 points] Temple of Ahn'Qiraj

Tier 1 (8 pieces) [10 points] Molten Core
Tier 2 (8 pieces) [10 points] Blackwing Lair
Tier 3 (9 pieces) [Feat of Strength?] Formerly available from Naxxramas I
Tier 4 (5 pieces) [10 points] Karazhan, Gruul's Lair and Magtheridon's Lair
Tier 5 (5 pieces) [10 points] Serpentshrine Cavern, the Eye
Tier 6 (8 pieces) [25 points] Hyjal Summit, Black Temple, Sunwell Plateau
Tier 7 (5 pieces) [25 points] Naxxramas, the Obsidian Sanctum
Tier 8 (5 pieces) [25 points] Ulduar
Tier 9 (5 pieces) [25 points] Crusaders' Coliseum
Tier 10 (5 Pieces) [25 points] Icecrown Citadel

Arathai Basin Set [10 points]
PvP-Rare (6 pieces) [10 points] Honor Points
PvP-Epic (6 pieces) [10 points]
Battlegear (PvP) (5 pieces) [10 points]
Gladiator aka S1 PvP armor (5 pieces) [10 points] purchasable with Tier 4 tokens
Merciless Gladiator aka S2 PvP armor (5 pieces) [10 points] purchasable with Tier 5 tokens


There we go, over 20 new achievements! Thats not including all the potential vanity sets either.


Brewfest set (3 pieces) [10 points]
Winter Garb (3 pieces) [10 points] Feast of Winter Veil
Hallowed set (Hallowed Helm, Horseman's Ring, more?) [10 points]
Lovely set (Dress/Suit, Charm Bracelet, Bouquet) [10 points]
Festive Finery (red Dress/Suit) [10 points] Lunar Festival
Midsummer Reveler (3 pieces + Cloak of Ahune?) [10 points] Midsumer Festival
Noble Garb (Tux Jacket?, Tux shirt, Tux Pants, Spring Circlet, Egg Basket) [25 points]
Piligrim's Finery (Dress/Robe/Attire, Hat)




Lurker

2012 shortlist

Presidential (& VP) candidates I would vote for in 2012:

Ron Paul (Texas Congressman)
Gary Johnson (Former Governer of NM)
Jesse Ventura (Former Governer of MN)
Judge Andrew Napolitano
Lew Rockwell
Pat Buchanan


There are more, but they are even more obscure, sadly.

How I would fix the economy

Believe it or not, there are some things the government can do to grow the economy: mostly they boiled down to getting out of the way.

1. Decrease the minimum wage. Yep, make it lower. To about the level illegals and waitresses are paid, lets say $4/hr. This would mean that workers are cheaper, and therefore you can hire more of them! Having a sucky job with poor pay is better than no job with no pay, especially these days.

2. Decouple health care from jobs. No other country on earth has health care determined by their employer, its a stupid holdover from 1950's union policies. Scrap it, and suddenly competition skyrockets, because everyone is in the same 'pool'. Also means employers have one less hassle and should make it cheaper to hire more people.

3. Deregulate small businesses. We need jobs desperately, and we need them now. Regulations are stifling job growth, so we nix most of them. Notice a pattern here?

4. Scrap income tax, and replace with a Value Added (think Sales) Tax. Income taxes are insane, arbitrary, and demeaning. Punishing people who earn (i.e. work) more is blatant classism, and subject to political whims and strategy (like now, for instance). Eliminate the system and replace with two 10% sales taxes, one for 'normal' government, and the other for Medicare/Medicaid/social security (and this time put the funds in SEPARATE accounts). This way, everyone puts in their fair share by definition, and saving is actually encouraged! And, by separating out the social programs (and labeling them as such) we have a real reminder of how atrociously large a percentage it is of federal spending on ever receipt. Of course, that brings us to....

5. Slash federal spending to 2000 levels, at least. Remember when we had balanced budgets, you know, under our last democratic president? Would it really be so cruel to do now what we did then?

Well, that's the gist of it. You know the rest, bring home the troops from everywhere overseas, end subsidies, that sort of thing. Boils down to shrink the public sector, grow the private sector.


Lurker

The 14th Amendment

Okay, so there have been some calls lately to 'adjust' the 14th amendment, which starts:

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.


For decades, this has been interpreted to mean that children born to 'unprocessed' immigrants (i.e. illegals) within the borders of the USA have been considered citizens. This has complicated the whole issue and led to the term 'Anchor Babies' because we wouldn't force a parent to part with thier child or send a minor citizen off to some terrible third world country, would we? And there are some pregnant mothers who come here for this very reason.

Now Republicans, in an effort to out-do one another, have come up with this bold idea to amend the Constitution to stop this practice and win points from the Tea Party movement in the process.

Firstly, I'm glad to finally hear mainstream politicians talk about the Constitution. That might encourage them to actually read it. I'm overjoyed to hear people talk about ammending the
Constitution, a tacit admission that government recognizes some kind of rules and limitations, and that there is an actual process to changing those.

Secondly, are they out of their minds?!? Illegal aliens are already an underclass with few rights and ripe for exploitation. And they want to make that class permanent? Whatever your position on the whole mess, at least the situation is limited to one generation. Children who are born here are fully citizens, the same as the rest of us. (I would change it so that anyone who survived and graduated thru high school should be granted the same status, but thats just me.)

But if children born here were not citizens of the United States of America, what would they be? Citizens of a country they had never seen? Nationless migrants consigned forever to the edges of society? Defacto endentured servants or slaves?

No, no, no. This idea is just so very bad. It would turn a temporary problem into a permanent one. Absolutely the wrong direction to go. I apprecieate the sentiment and the attempts at problem-solving, but no. Try again.


Lurker
(Why does no one talk about expanding LEGAL immigration?!?)

What the Tea Party is getting wrong: Immigration

The Tea Party was flawed almost from it's very inception.

I should know, I was there. The backbone of the movement is the Ron Paul supporters who were sadly ahead of their time. After the election of Obama and his massive expansion of the already atrociously huge big government fostered by Bush, our opposition went mainstream, and the Tea Party was born.

Thus the problems began. The only rallying cry everyone could agree on was OPPOSITION. They were unhappy about the bank bailouts (started by Bush), became obsessed with taxes, and coalesced against the insane Obamacare, all the while somehow missing the underlying principal:

Cut spending, cut spending, CUT $PENDING!

Then Arizona just had to pass their anti-illegal immigration bill. Believe me, I understand the reasons, the frustrations, and justifications for the bill. I was even glad when it passed.

But immigration should have NOTHING to do with the Tea Party movement. Why? Because it is an inherent contradiction to the already confused Tea Party platform: it complains the government isn't doing enough.

Yes, it is a huge issue. But all of the solutions presented (Amnesty, guest workers, national ID, border security) are an expansion of government, whereas government has been the problem all along.

A sad truth is that one of human beings principal motivations is convenience. Lets say you have a goal that you wish to accomplish; with one path being legal but inconvenient (time/$$$/consequence/etc) and the other path illegal but much less of a hassle overall. Guess which path gets chosen more? The vast majority of people only follow the law when it is, at most, as inconvenient as breaking said law.

The solution to this crime (like most!) is to LEGALIZE it. Make it AS convenient to immigrate into this country as it is to trek across the 130 degree Arizona deserts (that should tell you something right there). Ten year waiting periods? Employment requirements ahead of time? No wonder people are so frustrated by the current system that they are willing to risk death and deportation to get here rather than absurd bureaucratic ineffectual nonsense. That which is illegal is unregulated.

Additional solutions: Lower the minimum wage (illegals already work for less, brings down unemployment). Decouple health care from employment (legal employees cheaper to higher). Combine slimmed-down immigration offices with border posts (make the maze of bureaucracy a physical one, lasting minutes not years). The real solutions are LESS government.

Sadly, the Tea Party as it is today is incapable of this or any nuance. Therefore, they should just drop the issue altogether, or have a congruent organization rallying around this issue. Combining the messages of 'down with big gov' and 'gov screwing up' are just too confusing and alienate the movement even more.

Drop it, not helping.

Open letter to JD Hayworth running for Senate against McCain

Dear J.D. Hayworth,

You have declared war on big government "conservatives" by challenging McCain.

Start acting like it.


You need the following endorsements to get traction with the Tea Party movement:

Tucker Carlson

Pat Buchanan

Lew Rockwell (of LewRockwell.com)

Judge Andrew Nepolitano

Gov. Jesse Ventura

Gov. Gary Johnson (of New Mexico)

Barry Goldwater Jr.

Ron Paul and the rest of the Liberty Caucus


Main issues where you and Tea Party are in sync:

Anti-Tax

Anti-Bailouts

Anti-Cap & Trade

Anti-Obamacare (must apologize for 2003 Prescription Drug vote)

Pro-Constitution (must apologize for expansions of executive power)


You were swept into office in the '94 revolution, lost your way, and kicked out of office in 2006 for turning away from the principals of limited government along with the rest of the Republicans.

You are the poster boy for what the Republican party had become.

You have to show us that you "get it".

Stop trying to out-republican McCain, he has no principals and will say anything. You must take on the big government Washington beltway "conservatives" he represents, expose them for what they are.

Make this fight about the heart and soul of the Republican party. Start talking about the 9th and 10th amendments, not just the 2nd. Start talking about actual spending cuts and not just tax cuts. Put your Social Conservatism in a box because it's not going to win you any new voters.


I can help you become the national Tea Party spokesman that Palin is not. All you have to do is stop addressing issues and start addressing principals. If you want McCain's seat you have to rise to his stature.

The Tea Party is another American Revolution. Become our Patrick Henry.


"Give me liberty, or give me death!"


DH the Lurker

Battlestar Galacta: Who should've been the Final Five

Battlestar Galactica (the modern Sci-Fi channel version) was a masterpiece of characterization and complex multi-year storytelling. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend watching it, and not reading the rest of this entry until you do.

*Spoilers*

Okay, so at the end of season 3 they revealed Saul Tigh, Chief Galen Tyrol, Samuel T. Anders, Tory Foster, and half-way thru season 4 Ellen Tigh. Now half of these were interesting choices character-wise, but I think they could've done alot better. So here are who I thought shoul've been revealed as the Final Five:

1. Admiral Helena Cain: An amazing character, considering she was in all of 3 episodes and 1 tv movie. Would've had repercussions with the entire main cast. Imagine her running the cylon armada.... terrifying.

2. Lt. Daniel "Bulldog" Novacek: Okay, very minor character. But a great actor from an amazing episode that was never followed up on.

3. Tom Zarek: The super-villain waiting in the wings. Never really had his moment to shine.

4. Dr. Sherman Cottle: Loved this supporting character. Held the power of life and death over almost the entire cast at one point or another. Oddly kept several peoples' secrets over the course of the show (cancer, parentage, etc).

5. Zak Adama: Revealed as the final cylon, Adama's dead son would have brought the series full circle. Apollo's brother, Starbuck's fiance... and it would basically have been a brand new character in a show that had been killing off mains left and right.


All right. Just thought I'd share my thoughts.

Good things about the Health Care Bill

Attention fellow Tea Partiers, Revolutionaries, and members of the Rebel Alliance. There are a few (a very few) good things to come out of the egregious Health Care Insurance legislation recently signed into law (grumble). Namely:

1. Insurance carriers can no longer drop you after you get sick. Say what you will, but one of the few proper roles of government is the enforcer of contracts. Your contract with insurance companies of any stripe is that you pay into the system with the understanding that if the unforeseeable happens, then one is financially covered, so to speak, and able to return to the status quo. It was and is outrageous that they only looked for and exploited loopholes after their services were required; other insurance companies don't get away with that... very often.

2. The end of big government republican Mitt Romney's political career. He signed the abysmal health care legislation that is tanking Massachusetts. The current Republican platform is totally anti and repeal, leaving no room for anyone remotely for it. Thank goodness. He would have guaranteed Obama another 4 years.

3. The Republican platform has almost become the Tea Party platform. Lower the deficit, limit and repeal big government programs, respect the Constitution, and the dropping of social conservatism (we'll see how long that lasts). We must join party leadership positions to crystallize and make permanent these planks in the platform.

4. The electorate is energized. Both sides have been rallying the troops for what seems like a year, getting everyone informed*, involved, and gearing up for the midterm election (where turnout is usually much lower than average). A healthy republic, depends on citizen participation, and their veto power.


So you see, it is not all bad. Demoncrats have been exposed for what they are, and all pretense of civil liberties have gone out the window.

Time for a revolution!


Lurker

Crazy Wheel of Time theories

1. Egwene's obsession with Gawyn is a distraction, and will eventually end up with Galad instead. There have been too many jokes about the Amyrlin marrying the top Whitecloak (mentioned at least twice). The two organizations ally (perhaps they all become warders).

2. The man in white that Berelain ends up with is Rhuarc (there was something between them after all.) Rhuarc will be wearing white because he'll become permanent Gai'shain like many of the others (returning to the Way of the Leaf and all that). Mayene is on the edge of the Wetlands. The waterless sands are likely to become home to surviving Aiel when the world breaks anew.

3. Last but not least: Davram Bashere killed Asmodean. The OBVIOUS hint that RJ was referring too was the wine. The last chapter of book 5 was out of order. Asmo dies in the wine cellar. Bashere first appears to Rand carrying a bottle of wine, which he had to get himself since there were no servants. Every book Bashere is drinking wine just to make it more blatant. He's a Darkfriend (possibly Demandred), and expect complications with Faile and Perrin.

4. Last battle begins the instant Rand, Mat, and Perrin are in the same place. This hasn't happened since Bk4 in Tear! That's the reasoning behind the color swirls and the tug towards eachother.

5. Sammael did not die in Shadar Logoth. No body, no proof. Moridin saved him?

6. Morgase will be turned by the 13x13 Darkfriend recruiting circle. Poor Elayne, Gawyn, and Galad.

7. Cadsuane retires and joins the Kin after the last battle (only one old enough to get any rank).

8. Rand dies and takes over Moridin's body. I wonder who he was before Ishy took that body over...


Lurker

End the Wars, Pay Down the Deficit

We the people are spending trillions of dollars on undeclared wars and policing the world.

Who thinks this is a good idea? Constitutional? Moral? Sustainable?

The Democrats were elected on an anti-war platform and are looking for something to cut that isn't a sacred entitlement. The Ron Paul Revolutionaries (the backbone of the Tea Party movement) are vehemently anti-deficit and in favor of a drastic reduction in military spending.

The time is now for the next stage in the Revolution.


The Federal Budget under Obama is way over a trillion dollars in the red this year and for many to come. Something has to give. Actually, many, many things have to give. But bringing the troops home from Iraq (125,000+), Afghanistan (~50,000), Germany (~57,000), Japan (~33,000) , Korea (~27,000), Italy (~10,000), UK (~10,000), and thousands more in dozens of other countries is a good start. Iraq and Afghanistan, say what you will, are not in any way the slightest overt military threat to us or their neighbors. And what's with all the leftover troops in the former Axis powers? Really? Not really a threat anymore, right? Now Korea is a whole 'nother issue, but even there I'd say our leaving would do more good than harm, leading to reunification sooner and ending that whole 60 year standoff behind us.

The purpose of the military (well, ours at least) should be very straight forward: a rapidly deployable destructive force pointed towards things you want to blow up and die. They aren't supposed to be nice, they are the exact opposite of politically correct, and anytime you have them trying to win over 'hearts and minds' instead of engaging the enemy... objectives become insubstantial and moral suffers.

Support our troops: bring them home. Stop bailing out the world.


Lurker

Bystander to a Crime Against Humanity

You'll have to forgive me. This is an issue that is extraordinarily personal, explosively controversial, and something I am both embarrassed and passionate about.

I am a victim of a crime akin to rape.

There, I thought that might get your attention. Even worse, this crime was child abuse, of a type that happens to billions of boys and girls across the planet. Worst of all, and this is something I may never forgive myself for, I was unable to prevent it from happening to my little brother and even my own nephew, because I was too ashamed to speak out. What is this horrendous crime, you might ask?

Circumcision.

There, I said it. And your reaction was to probably close this page, blush, laugh, *eyeroll*, dismiss, or something involving your eyebrows.

I am not kidding, not even a little bit. Amputation of the most sensitive erogenous zones on the human body, without consent, is almost worse than rape.

You'll notice I seem to be unfairly lumping male circumcision in with the recognizable atrocity that is FGM (female genital mutilation). They have the same means (removal of tissues with equal or greater sensitivity than our lips and fingertips) and, originally, the same goal (enforced sexual repression by elders). Both are monstrous atrocities perpetuated across countless generations.

Circumcision rates in the USA are dropping since their height in the eighties (when I was born, unfortunately). Instead of being taken for granted, now we give mothers and fathers a terrible choice: harm your newborn baby or have him be different from everybody else.

I find this question to be offensive by its very nature. I know all of the so-called reasons for and against. Completely Irrelevant. Routine Infant Circumcision (RIC) is evil not because it amputates healthy tissue and scars someone for life, as bad as those are. No, the heart of the issue is consent, or rather, the lack of it.

Their body, their choice. There is nothing so personal as ones sex life, and parents are making irrevocable anatomy decisions so the kid can look like his Dad? Really? I guarantee no adult getting this operation has placed that particular metric high on their decision list.

Circumcision of minors (who cannot give consent) should be made illegal. You heard me, illegal. There is no justification whatsoever for imposing this life-altering operation on a child legally unable to give consent and oblivious to the consequences. No, not even religious (I'm talking to you, Jews and Muslims). If an individual chooses to get circumcised after they turn eighteen, that is their business, and their right. Afraid they might choose otherwise? Why, that is exactly the point.

Individual choice, to live ones life as they see fit. You know, one of the cornerstones of our society.

I, myself, would have chosen otherwise.



Lurker

Wheel of Time chapter arc reading guide

Okay, so you want to start reading the massive Wheel of Time series consisting of 14+ books, a dozen primary characters, thousands of minor characters, 3 dozen plotlines, and by the end about 5 million words.

A bit daunting, to say the least.

So, on my last read-thru of the series, I set about to create a way of keeping everything straight. Originally, I constructed a timeline that would enable a network to produce TV episodes at the same rate events were happening in the books. Yes, squish 14 novels into the span of 3 and a half seasons of television (and that's still not compressed enough).

Long story short, I chopped up the series into little digestible bites, or arcs, if you will. Each arc has one obvious protagonist, one or two sub-plots (or thereabouts), and a beginning, middle, and resolution.

I made it easy. And if anyone ever dares to do a Wheel of Time television series, I can assure you this would be the episode guide they would follow.

And a completely different experience for WoT fans who've read it forwards and backwards already. Or if they want to skip those... less satisfying characters/plots.

Well, seeing is believing:

*Cut!* For the new guide, see:
http://astralspirit.blogspot.com/2010/11/wheel-of-time-arc-reading-guide-wotarg.html


Lurker

The Republican Party needs only one tentpole

The way our electoral system is set up in America, there will always be two major parties, each trying to reach just over 50% of the populace. As such, strange bedfellows are all but a given (union workers & environmentalists, big business & religious conservatives, etc). This alliance on the Republican side is fracturing, and if things are not changed they will become the next Whig Party, and lost to history.

The Republican Party needs to stand for something, and they haven't in a looong time. Right now, the only thing keeping them together (and the Tea Parties as well) is standing against something: Barack Obama's agenda. Every so-called principal was abandoned during the Bush era, with the final nail in the coffin was the selection of presidential candidate John McCain, whose platform was reduced to "Lookit me, I'm a Veteran" and "Earmarks ur bad" and then 'suspending his campaign' to vote for the bailouts. If he'd stood up to Bush and voted against that egregious pork-filled government intervention in the marketplace, he might've won.

So, now the GOP is doing some soul searching. Well, better late than never. There is one thing, and only one thing that can save this party. One principal that can garner support from the unease and opposition to Barrack Obama, recruit young people, and do an end run around Rush Limbaugh fans without alienating them. What is this radical new idea, you say?

Fiscal Conservatism. Remember that?

Yeah, I know. Crazy idea. But wait, aren't Republicans for "tax cuts"? Ostensibly. But do you know what's even better than "tax cuts"? Spending cuts! Because cutting government revenue and increasing spending ('cause who's against that?) leads to... huuuge deficits. Which now threaten to destroy the country.

Actual fiscal conservatism means reducing the size and scope and spending of the federal government. No new spending, no more bailouts, no more entitlements, no more endless undeclared wars. We need to start rolling everything back, and certainly stop adding to the problem.

Nobody in my generation expects to have Social Security. It's a pyramid scheme. Phase it out. Anyone born in the 1960's gets 50% benefits, 70's get 25%. Boom. Done. Next.

Bring the troops home from Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, Germany, Japan, and the rest of the freaking planet that can support itself yet we defend on our own dime. And stop all that foreign aid, real allies don't need bribes.

For goodness sakes, return issues like health care and education and illegal drugs to the states. See, they have to have balanced budgets. Many states will be able to figure something out, and other states will follow suit or people will move there themselves.

Stop all the fascist market regulations. Yes you read that right. The federal government requiring you to buy goods and services is horrendous. Shouldn't we have a freer marketplace than, say, China?

Do tax reform last. You read that right, LAST. We have tens of trillions of dollars in debt, and hundreds more in unfunded mandates. Take care of those first. For too long Republicans have done a targeted 1% tax cut and allowed 5% more in spending, and called themselves fiscal conservatives. This ends now.

Whatever your position (pro/anti) for the War on Terror/Drugs/Poverty/What-have-you, or abortion, school prayer, and so-called family values (insert definition here)... if we don't stop this monstrous federal growth and spending those other issues won't really matter because we won't have a country left.



Lurker
(Gary Johnson 2012)

Tea Party Health Care Reform Platform

As a long time proponent of limited government, a supporter of Ron Paul during his 2008 presidential campaign, and now an active participant in the Tea Party protests, I figured it is about time I lay out my health care positions. Even better, I'm going to simplify the counter-arguments against the Democrat/Obamacare proposals to only five basic precepts.

1. We can't afford it.
The federal government is spiraling towards bankruptcy. With all the bailouts, the falling revenues, overseas adventures, and countless social services, we literally can't afford to spend any more money. We're spending more than 100 billion dollars a month than we're taking in (or printing). We can't afford what we have now, and we want to spend more?!? If anything, we need to CUT SPENDING dramatically.

2. Tort Reform.
Doctors perform unnecessary (and expensive) tests so they don't get sued. They charge more to pay for malpractice insurance. We need an overhaul of the legal system so doctors can do what they think is best for the patients instead of covering their rears. If a doctor screws up he should lose his certification.

3. Lower costs by tossing regulations.
You can't buy health insurance across state lines, which reduces competition and keeps prices up. You can't go to unlicensed practitioners (who would be less expensive). Natural foods with legitimate health benefits are prohibited from advertising them at all by the FDA. Importing drugs from outside the country is illegal, and prescription drug companies have lobbied Congress for decades for "regulations" that keep competitors out and prices high. Countless mandates and regulations are stifling and overpowering free-market forces, creating burgeoning bureaucracies and inflating prices. Legalize drugs while your at it!

4. End subsidies that increase costs/rationing.
Medicare, Medicaid, Prescription Drug Benefits, even the VA are all making health care more expensive for the rest of us. This is because they pay up the maximum amount for services, patients get as much care as they can because they aren't paying for it (directly at least), and payments are immune to market forces so potential competitors cannot compete and prices stay high. So naturally the Democrats want to throw more government money into the pool, increasing the demand (but not the supply), which will inevitably lead to lines and rationing. Instead we need to prevent new people from going on these expensive programs, fulfill our obligations to people already on them, and eventually dismantle them entirely, and let the free market fulfill this obviously high demand for services.

5. Maximize choice and personal freedoms.
I cannot conceive of anything more small scale and local than my own body. Abandon all Federal oversight and turn the whole mess over to the states/counties/cities where people can vote for whatever crazy regulations they think they want, see what works, and flee the region when it all comes crashing down in flames. Will Democrats really want Conservatives making health determinations for them when they're back in power? Its my body, and 90% of the time I'm going to know whats best for me, not some distant bureaucracy.


Lurker


http://www.campaignforliberty.com/article.php?view=172
http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul339.html

Warcraft Level Brackets

In the last patch, WoW is enabling experience in Battlegrounds, and also allowing experience to be turned off. The second change in particular can have extraordinary repercussions. Leveling since WotLK has been very easy, and tons of content is being bypassed so people can get to 80 ASAP. But with experience turned off, all the old content can come back into play as people try to be the best level 60 or 70 (or whatever) they can, and see the extensive but until now irrelevant (gearwise) old content once more.

BLIZZARD needs to take this idea and run with it, and not just with Battlegrounds. Arena brackets, instances, tournaments, quests, item level and quality... If people are not leveling, they are gearing out up and exploring the content. So here's what I think the revamped level brackets should be:

1st. [01-10] One Talent.
Journeyman skill level
1 Battleground. New: Warsong Gulch
8 new Zones: Durotar, Tirisfal Glades, Mulgore, Eversong Woods, Elwynn Forest, Azuremyst Isle, Teldrassil, Dun Morogh
Instance: Ragefire Chasm
No sets?


2nd. [11-20] 3 talent tiers. Mounts!
Expert Skill level
2 Battlegrounds. New: Arathi Basin
9 new zones: Loch Modan, Westfall, Bloodmyst Isle, Darkshore, Ghostlands, Silverpine Forest, The Barrens (split in Cataclysm). Redridge Mountains, Stonetalon Mountains.
3 new instance: Wailing Caverns, The Deadmines, Shadowfang Keep,
Sets: Defias Leather (Deadmines), Embrace of the Viper (Wailing Caverns)


3rd. [21-35] 6 talent tiers.
Artisan Skill level
2 Battlegrounds.
6 new Zones: Ashenvale Forest, Duskwood, Wetlands, Hillsbrad Foothills. Thousand Needles, Arathi Highlands, Desolace, Alterac Mountains, Stranglethorn Vale
9 new instances: Blackfathom Deeps, Stormwind Stockade Razorfen Kraul, Gnomeregan, The Scarlet Monastery (4 wings: Graveyard, Library, Armory, Cathedral), Razorfen Downs
Sets: Chain of the Scarlet Crusade (Scarlet Monastery).


4th. [36-45] 8 talent tiers. Fast Mounts!
Master skill level
2 Battlegrounds.
7 new Zones: Dustwallow Marsh, Badlands, Swamp of Sorrows, Hinterlands, Feralas, Tanaris, Searing Gorge
5 new instances: Uldaman, Zul'Farrak, Maraudon, Sunken Temple of Atal'Hakkar, Blackrock Depths
Sets: The Gladiator (Blackrock Depths)


5th [46-50] 9 talent tiers
6 new Zones: Blasted Lands, Azshara (reduced in cataclysm), Felwood, Un'goro Crater, Burning Steppes, Western Plaguelands
6 new instances: Dire Maul (3 wings: East, West, North), Lower Blackrock Spire {10-man}, Scholomance, Upper Blackrock Spire {15?-man},
Sets: 4 Scholomance sets, Ironweave Battlesuit (Blackrock Spire), Dungeon Set 1 & 2


6th [51-55] 10 talent tiers.
3 Battlegrounds. New: Alterac Valley.
5 new zones: Eastern Plaguelands, Winterspring, Moonglade, Silithus, Deadwind Pass
6 new instances: Stratholme, Zul'Gurub {20-man}, Molten Core {40-man}, Blackwing Lair {40-man}, Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj {20-man}, Temple of Ahn'Qiraj {40-man}
Sets: Tier 1 (Molten Core). Tier 2 (Blackwing Lair). Tier 3? The Postmaster (Stratholme), PvP-Rare set. Arathi Basin sets. Zandalar Tribe set (Zul'Gurub). Cenarion Circle set and Brood of Nozdormu set (Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj). Tons of Leatherworking sets.


7th [56-60] 11 talent tiers. Burning Crusade! Death Knights!
Grand Master skill level
3 Battlegrounds.
3 new zones: Hellfire Peninsula, Zangarmarsh, Terokkar Forest
6 new instances: Hellfire Citadel (2 wings: Hellfire Ramparts, The Blood Furnace), Coilfang Reservoir (2 wings: Slave Pens, The Underbog), Auchindoun (2 wings: Mana-Tombs, Auchenai Crypts)


8th. [61-65] 12 Talent tiers. Flight.
4 Battlegrounds. New: Eye of the Storm
3 new zones: Nagrand, Blade's Edge Mountains, Caverns of Time
9 new instances: Caverns of Time (2 wings: Escape from Durnholde Keep, Opening the Dark Portal), Auchindoun (2 wings: Sethekk Halls, Shadow Labyrinth,), Coilfang Reservoir: The Steamvault, Hellfire Citadel (2 wings: Shattered Halls, Magtheridon's Lair {25-man}), Karazhan {10-man}, Gruul's Lair {25-man},
Sets: Tier 4 (Karazhan, Gruul's Lair and Magtheridon's Lair). PvP-Epic set. Zandalar crafted sets. BC Uncommon crafted sets?


9th. [66-70] 13 talent tiers! WotLK! Fast flying mounts!
4 Battlegrounds.
5 new zones: Netherstorm, Shadowmoon Valley, Howling Fjord, Borean Tundra, Isle of Quel'Danas
12 new instances: Tempest Keep (4 wings: The Mechanar, The Botanica, The Arcatraz, The Eye {25-man}), Magisters' Terrace, Zul'Aman {10-man}, Coilfang Reservoir: Serpentshrine Cavern {25-man}, Caverns of Time: Battle for Mount Hyjal {25-man}, Black Temple {25-man}, Sunwell Plateau {25-man}. Utgarde Keep, The Nexus.
Sets: Tier 5 (Serpentshrine Cavern and The Eye). Tier 6 (Hyjal Summit, Black Temple and Sunwell Plateau). Dungeon Set 3. Gladiator aka S1 PvP armor. Rare crafted sets? Battlegear (PvP) set. Merciless Gladiator aka S2 PvP armor. Vengeful Gladiator aka S3 PvP armor. Brutal Gladiator aka S4 PvP armor. Epic crafted sets, Resistance sets.


10th. [71-75] 14 talent tiers! Legacy cold weather flying?
6 battlegrounds. New: Strand of the Ancients, Isle of Conquest
6 new zones: Dragonblight, Grizzly Hills, Zul'Drak, Sholazar Basin, Crystalsong Forest, Storm Peaks
13 new instances: Azjol-Nerub, Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom, Drak'Tharon Keep, The Violet Hold, Gundrak, The Oculus, Caverns of Time: Culling of Stratholme, Utgarde Pinnacle, Naxxramas {10/25-man}, Obsidian Sanctum {10/25-man}, Ulduar (3 wings: Halls of Stone, Halls of Lightning, Ulduar {10/25-man})
Sets: Tier 7 (Naxx, Obsidian Sanctum), Tier 8 (Ulduar)


11th. [76-80] 15 talent tiers. Cold weather flying. Cataclysm?
6 battlegrounds.
3 new zones: Hrothgar's Landing, Icecrown, Wintergrasp
12 new instances: Trial of the Champion, Icecrown Citidel (4 Wings: Forge of Souls, Pit of Saron, Halls of Reflection, Icecrown Citadel {10/25-man}), The Eye of Eternity {10/25-man}, Vault of Archavon {10/25-man} (3 wings: Archavon, Emalon, Koralon), Onyxia's Lair {10/25-man}, Crusader's Coliseum (2 wings: Trial of the Crusader {10/25-man}, Trial of the Grand Crusader {10/25-man}).
Sets: Tier 9 (Crusaders' Coliseum), Tier 10 (Icecrown)



All of the brackets above should have their own exclusive battlegrounds, arenas, and instances. And if I were Blizzard, I would create Dedicated/Hardcore characters at levels 10, 20, 35, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, and 80 that started out with all of the abilities learned for that level but could not gain any experience. Or, more likely, I would create a new type of Server/Realm (like a RP or PVP server) and let anybody with a level 80 warlock (for example) create a hardcore warlock at any prescribed level up to 75. Very liberating, I would think.



Lurker