I hate to say it, but if true -- this gets into things that mirror that of the old Soviet active measures model... And major news outlets not reporting on any of this implies state control of said outlets, even if it's not 'direct', per se. Maybe it's a bit of a stretch, but that's how the communist nations do it.

The fact it isn't more widely reported is pretty scary, however... Although not shocking. Network news is pretty damn crappy and irresponsible for the most part.

Sweet!

I can't stand the stupid ridiculousness of 'Bond' movies.

Watch Casino Royale.

Haha - I made it about an hour in and passed out (which is weird, I never nap in the afternoon anymore). It was pretty cool, but not really my bag. Really have no desire to see it all, although I probably will when it's on TV.

I got Bowie in my head
UNDAH PRESSHA!
I'd much prefer the Vanilla Ice sample'd version a bit more though... The Ice man drops serious knowledge.

I can't stand the stupid ridiculousness of 'Bond' movies. I like the Bourne series because they're gritty, smart and I really like the way they edit the films - although, I can understand how many did not like the 'closeness' of the 3rd movie - I find it rather intense and put you into the fights rather well.

They are all definitly good, entertaining movies. They're all pretty solid and I recommend them all if entertainment is what you seek.

lmao, hilarious. I like Chris Matthews.

Obama/Colbert!!!! 

I support this message.

I have a hard time believing Hillary doesn't realize it's over.  So, I'm left thinking that she is really continuing to attack Obama because she is hoping that he loses (and then she can claim she was right), setting herself up for a run in 2012.

Some people will argue that she has to stay in until the end out of respect for her supporters or until the race is technically over.  I would have no problem with that if she focused on attacking McCain. 

totally agree. Although after the Indiana/NC debacle, her tone changed a bit. However, I think she's trying to sabotage Obama so she can run again in 4 years - and hang on for a seemingly miracle shot at getting the nomination.... The problem is, Obama is really getting back on stride with his words - when he does that, he's above all the 'silly time' attacks, and that's key for him.

Also, I HAVE heard her allign herself with McCain on some things, undercutting the party.

6 to 1 he's President come January when I and just about everyone else on the board is going to be stoked to hear his inaugural address.

My book had him 2 to 1 last week - now they aren't even taking any action:/.

265892
Totally worth my time.

I don't see any hope for Metallica but if there was hope and it was in a producer then it would be in Steve Albini.

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Steve_Albini's_recording_projects

This guy just knows what people are supposed to sound like and brings out what they want to be in the best way the can.

<3 Steve Albini. God damn he helped take some really good bands to a whole other level of intensity. His work with the Wedding Present is - wow... Some of the best noisy guitar pop ever produced.
I don't remember what work he did with the Pixies - if it was doolittle, then that would have to be his best work.
Big Black was nasty back in the day... Dang I'm so out of it seeing what he's been doing on wikipedia. Stupid getting old.

I liked watching Tim Howard play for NY/NJ... but back then, the talent level in the league was really lacking. It's much better now, but loaded with "2nd division premiership" talent... Maybe bottom tier Premiership talent. I watch the MLS when I can, but I'd rather watch some Champions League myself - I love watching all the prima dona diver slappers.

He will protect the rights of hunters and other law-abiding Americans to purchase, own, transport, and use guns for the purposes of hunting and target shooting.

This is where I strongly differ from his stance. Guns are not in the second amendment simply for hunters and sportsman for the purposes of hunting and target shooting. It clearly states that there is also an intent to have a well armed militia.

It is a very telling quote that Obama is not in support of the 2nd amendment as it is fully intended.

You kind of left out the "other law-abiding Americans" in your observation of his stance.

The statement still says "for the purpose of hunting and target shooting."   According to that quote, he is saying that he will protect the right to hunt and target shoot for hunters and other law-abiding citizens.

Exactly, which is not a position I'm in favor of, even though I don't own a firearm.

But one thing that still is funny to me. If gun ownership is the #1 reason why you support a candidate, then you have some serious issues.
There is no amendment proposed that I'm aware of, and I highly doubt the issue will be addressed if Obama gets elected. It's a constitutional right - and I hope the courts defend those rights (especially in DC).

Longtime reader, first time poster here. I just felt it was time to chime in.

I still don't know what the big deal is with Rev Wright.
His charges of 'chickens coming home to roost' and the government spreading AIDs and Drugs in black communities is mostly true. It's just the truth hurts.
To unpack this a bit, there's already good responses that we did provoke 9/11, as horrible as it was... All you have to do is listen to those that attack us (and we funded for years prior) - they'll tell you WHY. Sad truth, but meddling in other parts of the world will always cause problems.

As for Drugs in 'black' communities - this is indisputable with all the information of the CIA during Iran/Contra. Yes these were low income neighborhoods, but they're primarily black. The CIA was the main bagman for the cocaine that helped start the crack epidemic. Sad, very sad - but very true.

Even Manuel Noriega was happy to talk about his selling of drugs to the US Government (or CIA) at his trial in the US - but it just happened to be on the back pages of the news, because the first Gulf War started. Sad, but true. It seems people that read the NY Times missed that story that day... And the rest of the country.

Now, the big one is AIDS. There is no information either way to support that argument. I think it's bunk. HOWEVER - I researched the idea in college, with inspiration of a governmental report that escapes me, of the US Government creating AIDs and was able to trace back the first instance of any such charge to a newspaper in India called "The Patriot". The Patriot was an old Soviet Union Active Measures shill during the Cold War. As you research instances the story appeared - it spread like wildfire around the region and eventually reached South Africa YEARS after the initial disinformation campaign began... Now, here's where it gets interesting. You begin to read black leaders, such as Spike Lee, and many others begin to say they believe undoubtedly that the US government created AIDS in major US media. By the mid-90s, over 90% of black church goers believed that the government created AIDS.

So basically, you have a nasty charge against our government that was probably the most effective disinformation campaign many scholars believe to come out of the cold war.... And sadly, you have a very important man in the community believing in something that was hearsay 100s of times before it even came to him. That part, to me, is not necessarily unforgiveable, however - the information IS out there... A radical charge like that needs more due dillegence IMO - but for disinformation to be effective, it also has to be credible. Has our government done things to create such vitriol? You bet.

Meanwhile, you have knuckleheads spewing even more ridiculous charges on the Right supporting GOP candidates and no one really cares. I think that this is an attack on the churches in black communities. The civil rights movement was a generation ago - but there are those that lived during the Jim Crow era that are still quite alive. If you look into these communities - the movement still has a long long way to go, and they have every right to be mad. I think that struggle has changed, though, and is more economic than racial... You see lots more mix in the 'ghetto' demographically than you did say 15 years ago.

I think this even being an issue shows the blatent racism going on in this country today. To nitpick ONE sermon ,amongst many others, and destroy a man who didn't say any such thing, is a said commentary on how racist the US is. Even voters in Pennsylvania, Ohio, etc said RACE was important to them in tremendously large numbers.

I'm calling foul on the media, Clinton, McCain, the RNC and all the other idiots who keep bringing up Rev Wright. I will say, though, that I think Wright is correct in asking Obama to stay true to who he is, but he IS being a turkey basically marginalizing Obama as a 'politician'. That's some low rent garbage right there - and if I'm Obama, I give him my middle finger after all the support he has given Wright.

Season 1 hit a lull - but there was a reason for it and the payoff is SOOOO worth it.

Brilliantly executed show.

What an admirable thing to do. Welcome to the boycott.:>

I took a TON of flack for boycotting ALL MLB properties and avoiding the Mets like the plague. My friends/family oblidged me well by allowing us to watch something other than baseball last season.

I DID break down to watch the playoffs, but you'd have to be a moron to miss a sox/yanks series.

I love Hank Aaron - he's my idol, but Hank is 100% wrong in saying steroids do not help you hit home runs.
That's a load of horsepucky... If you can maintain your swing and add force - hitting the ball farther WILL help you get some dingers when it should've been a can of corn.

The confidence and hormone rush are a HUGE part of that, also. Remember - "90% of the game is half mental".

I knew about the roids - how could you not - when Big Mac was hitting them out back when...
He was big - but NEVER like that. NEVER.
Seeing him in person with Oakland then later in St Louis was a shocker. Bonds is waaaay too obvious, as is Giambi (aka "Clay Aiken").

I don't pay to watch cheaters cheat. I pay to watch legit competition... Until that is fixed - I have no sympathy for the business that MLB has lost over the issue.

I'm just glad someone else is joining the boycott... We can show those greedy stupid sons of bitches with our wallets.
And I hope they listen. Baseball is a beautiful game that is beyond tainted now -- it's a f00kin joke.:/

lol - I almost spit out my coffee over the thread title.

Good job by the Sporting News. I would go with Bellichik myself... But heck, Brady is the driver AND a 2 time superbowl MVP.
There isn't a much more prestigious accomplishment in sports than that...
I mean, in the modern era...

I've seen a BUNCH of pier 6 brawls in the stands of boston gardens and madison square... Hell even the Hartford Civic Center...
But I've never been in such shock watching a sports brawl.

WTF are those clowns doing going up in the stands?
Granted, fans shouldn't be throwing shit - they will likely get their due anyway, they almost always do... (loss of season tickets - a large fine..etc, etc)
But what does that say when a couple of turkeys run up into the stands are start throwin at the fans?

I always have defended fighting in hockey, but dang - when this kinda crap goes into the stands, there's a serious problem.
I always hate when players say they were 'defending themself'
From what? Beer? OMG!!!WTF!!

I love Artest, but I think if he got suspended for the rest of the year along with that other turkey that was throwin punches up in the stands, I wouldn't mind.

The NBA just keeps finding ways to alienate it's fans... It's a garbage league now anyway and this ain't gonna help.

I'm gonna demo this tonight while I'm playin halo 2
Hope it works out proper:>

****EDIT****
OK - just got done with 3 filtrations on a 1.75 bottle of Bukov (aka 'the world's most awesome beverage/infection cleaner')... For 11$/bottle, you know you're gettin high rent shiznit.

It's smoother than top shelf vodka lol...
One or two more filtrations and I think it would be easy to do shots with..
Too funny

I also might add, we kept a few shots of Bukov prior to filtration.
It smells like rubbing alcohol and tastes rather similar - if I ever drank the stuff.
But now? It roxorz.

****another edit****
uggg
after about 4-5 cocktails - le pukey
Just gonna say that crap vodka is crap vodka
was a fun experiment but dang.... Stuff made me hurl like a biotch.

I swear by Ghost Recon for tactical shooters....
Well, until Joint Operations came out for PC - thats like battlefield + ghost recon.

Nevertheless, GR2 looks wicked hot, and while the increased speed bothers me some - I was looking at the weapon set and they are using a LOT of M8 rifles - my personal favorite.
I can't wait to light up some targets... Although it's usually me getting lit up:> I always forget tactical shooters require more position/patience ala chess than straight DM games:>

*stabs self in stomach*
TO EBAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
man that really sucks - and that excuse is horrible b.s. by bungie or ms or whoever.

wow, BIG props and having Keith David (One of my all time fav actors) and David Cross (One of my all time fav comics).

I really really have enjoyed my first couple of hours with the game.
So far, I've been rather impressed with the ramp up in technology and the level design by comparison to the last one.

The darkness I think is good - it does remind me of the first.
I can't wait to get my keyboard adapter, then this game is going to really fly.... I can't fucking stand joystickin fps - although I did coop thru the last halo and had a blast doing it. It just feels right with a mouse/keyboard, though.

can you coop with 2 xboxes linked together?
I forgot to look into this before buying 2 copies... doh

I JUST snagged a used one with silent scope complete - and while it is by far the phatest gun i've ever used, I find it's performance to be rather sketchy.

I admit, I have to putz around with it a bit more - but so far, the gun only works proper in the menu screens and not in the game.
There are MASSIVE dead spots when the scope is attached.... And the manual isn't very helpful.

I'd love to get it working proper, although my gun might be defective OR my TV sucks for use with a light gun.
I wish I knew the deal...

...and don't forget they can do those cheesey clip shows

AND, if they want to get ooberhip, they could have a 'battle of the network stars'ish event for a day.

mm..battle of the network stars

yeah - the crop of players this season really stinks by comparison to the first season...

Ivana is a major chump. That blond attorney ho is really gonna get what's coming to her. Politicing and playing people gets you pwn'd and often.

That sux Raj went, he was my boy:/

request that all further wishes/tasks be sent in email - and keep paper and electronic copies for yourself.
Granted, the electronic copy IS the property of the company - unless you can ninja emails somewhere on the network where no one knows, you'll have a tough time saving them.

I work in the Legal Dept of a Pharmaceutical company. I always do all requests/tasks via email for varification purposes and also to help track chain of custody of where things are at.

You have to protect yourself, because an action such as a boss making something up is something you have to be ready to defend against.

You can kindly ask, so you don't make the mistake again, for a meeting planner or email if your boss should need you to hit a seminar or take care of something.

Also, if there is someone up above your boss - always try to communicate via email in a manner you'd talk to your mother OR your finance's mother - direct, professional and guarded language... And try again about the 'issue' you were having with your boss by emailing her directly - once you get a bs response, send it on up.
Problem solved.:>
I'm a bitch, but that's my job - to serve the customer.

Electronic records are HUGELY important and will be in the future. Right now, most people don't realize it, but they CAN protect you in the court of law.

And no - I'm not a lawyer, I just have spent the past 10 yrs of my life working with/living with/hanging out with them. At least they give good info now and again:>

lmao Gryndal
Funniest stuff I've read in awhile
bahahah, classic...
'should I smite them?'
dang, thats good

well, put it like this
who WOULDN'T want to leave the island? we may not know all we need to about all of the characters yet...

plus sayid was in next week's teaser so... it just seems like something we won't be able to figure out.
Loche is the only real suspect now IMO - but he's way too obvious.

I couldn't say for start - up costs - but I'm certain you can get a PHAT deal with a DVR for maybe 100 bucks, but you'd have to do a 2 yr commitment I think. I paid 100 extra for my DVR box and it was still under 400 (3 boxes with 8 port switchbox) - and that was a couple of years back. Thats everything installed, too.

It might be a bit more - but there are sooo many places to get direct TV packages... I'm sure you can find a deal out there somwhere.

That is a good idea to do pay per view - HOWEVER, due to the cost they charge per game for college football and premiership soccer (unf'nreal how much they charge for soccer) - your best bet is the sunday ticket.

First of all - Direct TV with DVR is a WHOLE new world in TV. You watch what you want --- WHEN you want. It's cheaper than cable was for me and sheesh - you get so many bloody channels.

I will never use cable again after moving to direct tv - i waited years and years and now I wish I hadn't. I watch way less TV now - but thats because I don't have to watch commercials wahoo!!

I also have 2 extra direct TV boxes and TVs I use for Sundays....
Nothing like watching 3 football games all day long mmm.

I loved football before I did the direct tv/sunday ticket/3 TV spread -- but now... Dang, it's a way of life. It's something I can't wait for every week.

But again - after using direct tv, I see no need for cable - especially being a bigtime sports fan.

(I am Tim Frederick btw) Well, I must say I am sad to learn what (might) have happened to GoneGold.  I have been very confused and sad the past couple weeks about it, and thankfully someone from a GG fantasy football league pointed me here.

Well, I have been going to gonegold since at least 2000, and posting actively for the past few years.  I remember reading the roll calls every night, and even copying a couple of the more touching ones regarding Rich's past in the NYPD, or more uplifting stories of his gaming extravaganzas and his excitement with new releases or running contests, etc.  I can't believe that it is over.

Even after Rich became too sick to contribute, Bill swooped in with his stories of Eli 2.0 and his story contests.  When everyone was worried about the costs of running gonegold we donated money to the cause, only to find out that we had managed to buy enough games through gogamer and such, and clicked enough links that the site was actually economically viable on its own.  Bill, Andy, and the mods did a wonderful job keeping it running during this whole time period.

The past year has been a rough one at GG, with people getting booted off, the large mod turnover, and fights over the direction of gonegold.  I know Rich had been disappointed with that, but things had gotten a lot better since then.  That is what is so dissapointing about this, it seems like while we had a rough time, the past few months have been flawless with less fighting (thanks to the quarantine of R&P, hehe) and with the site becoming more of a community again.

How am I to know what to get without the gonegold effect?  Never again will I have the silliness of roll call or night call?  Sigh...  I will try to visit CG some, but it simply is not going to feel the same for me.  The past couple years I started visiting more often, as where I inititally only came to discuss games, I moved into political discussions, everything but gaming, trading games, etc.  It was nice to have a site where people happily donated time to help with someone's math homework, or helped with personal problems, relationships, job searches, etc.  Even people who would fight in some forums would drop everything to answer a post asking for help in life.

In gonegold we have witnessed weddings, the birth of one another's children, MsDuncan's wife, deaths, GGers on TV, getting post-graduate degrees, and almost anything else you can imagine.  Where else will so many programmers and designers from the industry occasionally come to argue and pimp their games for us?  I never thought a website would have given me so many memories and experiences.

So Rich, Andy, Bill, Stephen, and the mods, thanks for everything these past couple years.  I hope somehow GG will come back, but if not, we really did appreciate you all these years.  If there is anything we can do, let us know.

Really nice post, man.
I think we're all in the same boat.... And also agree 100% on all accounts.

I'm still only messin around here for my first day and trying to make the best of it.

It sounds really stupid, in a sense....
But the feeling towards the GG forums I had was rather strong and passionate. It gave a sense of home and belonging to a world that no one could truly put into words for someone that never experienced it.

Hell, most people didn't bother responding to me on the forums (and stfu - the paypal money went thru to those that did), mostly - but it didn't matter....
It was like that cliche: 'we read to know we're not alone'
with the GG forums - no matter how different we all are as people - we all are still part of something that transceneds the text, transcends the stupid palaver you share with 'some random person at work' and becomes something you NEED.

That need is knowing that no matter what, and no matter how impossible the odds... There is some other "dork/nerd/spaz/geek" that can relate to you on some level and understand that games are more than just games... They're a way of life for most of us... And it's really cool to know that you're not totally out of humanity because that is what you enjoy as a hobbyist. And knowing you're talking with gamers about how YOU live life - you realize that there are people out there not that different from you.

That's a really cool feeling.
It's just a shame it's via text and over a message board... Or was, anyway.

It just feels like I lost part of my immediate family.
But it's good to know that a lot of familiar faces are over here and they also mourn the loss -- just like I do.:/

I have to apologize to QP
my line of thinking was similar to yours - dunno how I missed your post previously...

Suspended reality, though, really lends to the idea...

we're both probably wrong - but I feel like a 'wicked reeetahd' for missing a point that was similar to mine waaay previous to me posting.

...the horror.

I also should give credit to (forgive me for forgetting who had the thought) the idea that the 'big bad dude' was using the bald guy for alterior motives. I thought that was a cool plot line - although it's unlikely.

I have to say, though... we're talking network TV. With all due respect to network TV junkies/fans, etc - there is little to no chance any of our ideas are worthy. Network TV is built for the lowest common denomenator - and twists in cinema along similar lines are so stupid and out of the blue (and cliche OR blatently obvious), you wonder how you didn't realize it to begin with... Or wondered what smack the writer took to come up with the idea.....

I just hope they take us down a path that makes the time invested in this series worthwhile....

I shall pray *ohhhhhhm*
I'm enjoying the series.

I would give anything for webspace so I could help continue this brilliant saga!
If only I didn't waste my money on coke/hooker parties....
*sigh*

Sweet episode - I don't know where it's going - the metaphor is SO loose and stupid - it's hard to tell sometimes (and so retarded it's easy at others) in the foreshadowing. That part, IMO is weak.

As for the ep - I really am digging the show more out of curiosity.
They have to do something sweet.
Like Carnivale - the payoff was WAAAY worth the wait. They told you what was coming - they just waited awhile to get to it (great show btw if you're into heavy 'mistraction' foreshadowing and 'distraction' story lines).

But anyhow - I think they hint at that big mofo thing being a big ass 'mother' boar. It sounds unlikely due to the 'predatorish' scene with the pilot - but I don't see anything other than that.

There's defintly some wacked out stuff...

The show probably is purgatory. That's my best guess. I don't want to give network writers TOO much credit.
Afterall - notice how every character has made an attempt at bettering themselves or attempting to do something way beyond the call of duty other than the 'put it in my butt' annoying blond whore?

It seems like everyone has something to overcome - sometimes MULTIPLE things. And some of those things are MASSIVE in the mind of a most humans.

It seems logical to me - but how they are all bound together - in purgatory - makes no sense otherwise - as far as connections go... So either the writers want a large demographic of ppl OR my initial thought is way off.

It's probably the latter, but still - the message has been the same all along - and it's dealt with major heroism or major weakness (i.e. the heroin guy or the 'looter' guy). I really am digging the guessing part - cuz I just am not getting it, not to mention - it's my first 'network' show since I was in grade school that I've watched.

I'm here - thank god i found uhhh - dang, already forgot his name's blog.... erm - rich's?

I have to rant....
Closing GG like it was closed as fast as it was closed was LOW RENT.
I received press releases from Rich as far back as......jeesh, when the gonegold site was getting going... I GAVE to him free PR and he gave back to me the greatest forums EVER.

I no longer work in the gaming media - but still, the forums were the first, last and always reasons why I went to gonegold.com. I knew when games were gold almost a year, usually, before Rich would let me know - but he had balls, spunk, and was a very good writer.

Even if I didn't once meet a fellow powergamer or someone that worked in the industry until YEARS after the fact -- it was still my 'home' on the 'net.... For as long as I can remember... Even if I changed nicks with a year on hiatus (and the fact I can never remember logins/passwords <--- hey, I never said I was smart)

I don't give a f if Rich was Ayhmad Muhammed Bruce Lee (to get all Bricktop on you) - that community was bigger than anything. To just shut it down was wicked low-rent. I feel pretty hollow over it all....

I don't respect how it went out.
I paid off for the site by buying games with the affiliate program... and just to shut it down?
L O W R E N T. I don't care who the owner is - Even a small heads up is proper. I would have paid a paycheck to help keep it open another month - I think a LOT of us would've.

the forums were only as good as the people who visted them, and by far, moronic teenies or not (in the past year) - they were the best anywhere.

At the end of the day - I feel like a large part of my 'net existence is lost. I'm sure we all do.
I'm pretty pissed at how fast it shut down - no matter how/why or whatever. I feel bad if Rich is not doing well.... But ya know what? We had a life of our own - and life is better than anything else. To take that away is nothing short of low rent.

I said what I had to - I hope these forums or whatever forums I end up on are 1/2 as fun.... Nothing will ever be gg...
And I seriously believe the way GG ended was the most wicked closure of anything I've ever seen. I don't mean to be hurtful or spiteful - only truthful.

I only hope to find something 1/2 as fun - cuz GG was more than that. It was exponentially bigger. I don't mean to get all Bob Costas  --  but it was family.

ungah - I don't feel any better - but I said what I NEEEEEEDED to. Those forums were the 2nd most fun thing on the net that has happened to me (besides playing DM games for a living and making a nice living from it - that HAS to be #1).

+Peter
aka McBa1n aka McSk1llz aka McN4$ty aka Pepito "The biggest cat in the whole wide world"