Chuckoblog

Reversion

2016-03-23T10:27:00.001-04:00

Annnnnnd switching back. I'm conflicted on changing up the format at the moment, will see what I can do to make this one mobile friendly. Otherwise I'll likely try to find a custom template that is mobile friendly.

Chuckoblog Gets A Facelift

2016-03-23T09:12:00.002-04:00

For the first time since... well.. ever, I've updated the template of this blog. I'll fix some of the formatting later, but given the time I have it's probably best to stick relatively close to a default Blogger template. It's unfortunate... "simpler is better" has long been a philosophy I've subscribed to in web design. The Drudge Report has been my standby in that category, despite its recent devolution into a Trump kool-aid drinking cheerleader site. He has added a few ads over the years, but the site still maintains its simplicity, which is hugely appealing to me. Anyway, I'll start playing around with the tools Google gives me and see what i can come up with.

Facebook and Politics Just Don't Splice

2016-03-18T09:36:00.002-04:00

After going on a recent political splurge on Facebook, I've noticed that some people just don't like that or care to see it on social media. I get it, so I'll be moving operations here. It will probably take me a few days to dust, clear the cobwebs, fix broken links, and vacuum but I hope to actually be a pretty regular poster in the days and months leading up to Election 2016.

Hey Everyone!

2014-04-17T09:06:00.001-04:00

I'm pretty sure the number of people that follow this blog is near nil at the moment, but I've been thinking of firing it up again. I'm thinking something along the line of primarily game reviews. We shall see, but in the meantime I apparently need to fix and polish up the sidebars!

Vice President Respectfully Requests That You Experience Rape

2011-10-19T12:16:00.002-04:00

Really... sometimes these things write themselves. I can't elaborate on this any more than what it is.

Joe Biden, classy!

Couldn't Happen to a Better Guy

2011-07-06T15:02:00.002-04:00

It's not often that I cheer bad things happening to anyone, but every now and then I have to step back and nod approvingly when people are terrible enough to warrant it. That being said, never would I wish physical harm or hardship on anyone.

Eliot Spitzer, well documented jackass and noted anti-Catholic from New York, appears to have lost his job. He'll undoubtedly find another one among the smarmy self indulgent MSM, but for now we'll just enjoy the slightly cleaner airwaves.

Casey Anthony: Prosecution Overreaches

2011-07-06T14:53:00.002-04:00

Sad but true, Casey Anthony is going to get off as free as a jaybird with the recent ruling. To be absolutely fair, the jury could not convict based on the evidence provided. It's a crying shame that someone so obviously guilty of child endangerment at best will be walking the streets, making millions from the verdict that set her free, simply because the prosecution was so badly executed and the investigation was so badly mishandled. Having a toddler myself, it's enraging to see something like this happen, but for future investigations and prosecutions here is a textbook example of how not to do it.

It's nice that she was able to obtain an attorney as classy as her.

Little Green Footballs

2011-05-24T13:41:00.002-04:00

I was musing today about what had happened to LGF. I've only been there a smattering of times in recent years, and the change seemed rather dramatic to me.

Check it out.

With the recent ruling....

2010-08-05T08:48:00.003-04:00

As Western culture and society continues the decline that all empires and dominant societies must eventually face, I figured I'd post a few links regarding the ruling yesterday, one of which I believe I've posted in the past:

The Secular Case Against Gay Marriage

The Liberal Case Against Gay Marriage

One thing I've always found fascinating is that a "conservative" position is typically considered, by default, to be wrong, bigoted, unfeeling, or cold. Why is this? On some other sites, I've seen comments in articles that do not mention religion at all basically referring to the author of a well written article as a Bible thumping bigot. Yet, "liberal" positions are almost always full of feeling, caring, warmth, and by default correct. It's somewhat maddening. Until I finally stopped paying constant attention to the fate of our society, and trying to raise the dialogue and correct the course, life was pretty depressing.

The future is inevitable, for reference look at the past.

Sarah Palin on the Super Bowl Ad

2010-01-27T13:03:00.004-05:00

Regarding the "controversial" Super Bowl Ad, Sarah Palin hits it spot-on:

What a ridiculous situation they’re getting themselves into now with their protest of CBS airing a pro-life ad during the upcoming Super Bowl game. The ad will feature Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow and his mom, and they’ll speak to the sanctity of life and the beautiful potential within every innocent child as Mrs. Tebow acknowledges her choice to give Tim life, despite less than ideal circumstances. Messages like this empower women! This speaks to the strength and commitment and nurturing spirit within women. The message says everything positive and nothing negative about the power of women — and life. Evidently, some women’s rights groups like NOW do not like that message.

I'm not a huge Palin fan, but she speaks the truth. There is absolutely no reason to protest this ad, no one is threatened, no one is insulted. I'm also not a huge Focus on the Family fan, but they've produced a positive ad that effectively explains and nurtures their position on this issue.

The "women's groups" protesting this ad only succeed in making themselves look all the more ridiculous by reflexively reacting to anything that doesn't appear to be Anti-Life.

Patience and Gaming

2009-11-19T12:36:00.004-05:00

Last night, Innuendo had the weekly "farm status" raid. Many brought their alts, and we decided to run Naxxramas for various reasons. As was to be expected, with a few new to the instance players, and badly geared alts, we wiped a couple of times. This was mostly related to the new players and not the gear so much, which brings me to my point. Patience is truly a virtue in a rewarding online game experience. We were all there once. Yes, I'm looking at you Joe Elitist who ever wiped EVAR and soloed Kael'Thas the day after The Eye opened. You were there once. All of us have had a period where we were unsure of how the game mechanics worked, or what "positive side left, negative side right" meant. We recently had a very good player join our guild. He's really a fantastic guy too, which works out very well... positive, good sense of humor, and generally very patient. After 2 wipes on Thaddius, he whispered me with the statement "I f*cking give up." This surprised me given how I'd repeatedly told him our progression status, and how we generally rolled regarding raids. Later, the new guildie apologized and we talked shop for a while. I have to admit at times that when it seems people just don't listen I become very frustrated with the game. After a while though, I remember my early days of raiding Molten Core and Zul'Gurub, how while I studied boss strategies I didn't really "get the big picture." We all have more fun when we help others to be better at their craft. Patience is a virtue. A temporary, reflexive flash of anger is understandable in such an environment. In the long run, however, those that are constantly insulting others because of the way they move their pixels without providing any positive input as to how they can improve have simply become too involved. Too obsessed with something that will be obsolete in a few years.

You're paying good money to play a game. Have fun. Don't ruin the fun of others. That's really our guild's policy in the end, and the policy I base my playstyle around.

Totem Flow Chart

2009-10-21T11:13:00.002-04:00

Really great chart from Healing Way. Blizzard has decided that we aren't allowed to use all of the tools they have given us (stacking buffs, etc etc) to win, so this is extremely helpful. Totems wiping already applied other buffs is just... well... stupid and lazy.

Gaming Addiction

2009-10-20T12:31:00.001-04:00

A great article sent to me by my friend Tyler.

As I was reading it, in my mind I was mocking him for playing a Bard and reading this in another tab. That's when I started thinking uh oh...

Rush Limbaugh

2009-10-15T12:01:00.002-04:00

You know, I've been listening to Rush since he hit it big. I don't necessarily agree with everything he says, or everything he does. It's fair to say that I agree with a majority of his opinions on life and government. Having stated this, he runs a very entertaining show, one that rarely leaves me disappointed for having listened to it. His affable demeanor, and comically high self promotion and confidence put the listener at ease and bring the humorous segments of his show to the front.

But you see, Rush has a problem. Because he is a Republican, he is a racist. This is accepted as fact by the public, as it has been explained to them for decades by the mainstream media. I've stated before I have no idea how conservatism became associated with racism. National Socialism, in the modern American sense of the word, is a very "Liberal" idea. Socialism is clearly more a goal of the left than it is of the right, this is fact. Full governmental control is what the extreme left wing seeks. It's what communism and socialism are all about. The single reason people refer to the "far right" as Nazis is racism, because of course everyone on the right and conservatives are racists. Correct?

To anyone with a brain, this is obviously incorrect. Levels of government control, and individuals opinions thereof, are simply differences in ideology on how nations should be governed. More government versus less government, simple enough. The overwhelming majority of mass media feel the need to promulgate socialism as the cure of all woes in society, they are companies and this is their right. What isn't justifiable is to flat out lie about those you disagree with on such a widely exposed platform, and count it as fact, defaming and ruining those who oppose you.

The article that sparked this entry is here.

Know there are people on both sides in society that can agree and disagree without defaming or attempting to ruin their opponents in ideology. I'm hard pressed to find any of them in the major media rooms of this nation.

VDH on Obama

2009-03-19T10:14:00.003-04:00

The title of this post could cover any number of articles he has written recently, but I found this one to particularly good. VDH, for the record, is a registered Democrat. This of course means nothing in today's age of party ambiguity, but worth a mention for flavor and spice.

Cincinnati Cat Connection

2009-02-11T14:55:00.002-05:00

So, in one of many recent attempts to find a good home for my cats I sent the following email to Cincinnati Cat Connection:

Good morning,

I have 2 wonderful cats, which I have had since they were 8 weeks old (from the same litter) and are now nearing 5 years of age. I love them dearly, however, my fiance is highly allergic and I need to find a new home for both of them. Is there a way I could have them adopted through your organization? If so, how could I go about starting this process, and what information would you need from me? I know that you're probably overburdened by the sheer amount of pets that need to be adopted, but I'd much prefer this route to many others, for the love and health of my kitties.

Thank you for any and all information and help you can provide.

-Chuck

Here is their response:

I am sorry - Cat Connection rarely accepts housecats - we are not a shelter, just a few foster homes.
The most we could offer is to post your cats on PetFinder. In order to do this we would need their medical histories (they must be altered, up to date on basic vaccines and tested), and information about their personalities and up to three photos of each cat
It is VERY difficult to adopt out older cats - most public shelters around here are likely to euthanize them immediately.
I would recommend Zyrtec
NAME REMOVED, CCC

Seems to me that CCC is a very rude organization. The insult that I would trivially give up my two wonderful pets without exhausting every other option first speaks volumes to how they handle their business. Adding an over the counter allergy medicine "recommendation" went above and beyond. I wouldn't recommend them.

Tweedledee and Tweedledum

2009-02-03T10:47:00.002-05:00

Thomas Sowell hacks into my brain and writes an article with what he finds.

The Republicans and Democrats are nearly undiscernable as opposing parties at this point. They're too busy tripping over one another to spend as much of your money as they possibly can to notice what's going on in the nation at large.

Buddhism and Catholicism

2009-02-03T10:43:00.003-05:00

A nice article on the similarities and differences between the two major religions.

The methods that Buddhism incorporates to help one find their inner peace and selves have been integral to my own meditative practices.

Update:

Declaration on the Relation of the Church to non-christian religions.

Finding Peace Within

2009-01-29T10:59:00.003-05:00

When I was attending school, I had some pretty fun times, sometimes they were a little crazier than I should have allowed, but all in all it was a positive life learning experience on several levels. More recently, I've found myself under an amazing amount of stress, something I've deftly avoided for most of my life. Meditation and prayer have helped me find my inner peace on several occasions, and will continue to do so. I've actually considered starting to write about politics again, maybe just start parodying what I see every day in congress, the executive office, and various governments around the nation and world. At this moment, I don't see a whole lot which warrants endorsing, no movements that invoke passion that haven't already been fought and won or lost (mostly lost, but hey, that's the way life goes).

One thing I tell Estee very frequently that there is always a reason to smile. For all of the negative moments of life, the fighting, the anger and hate in the world, all of the reasons to frown, there are so many more to smile.

My family, my mom, dad, brothers, sister in law, niece, and nephews. My love, and the life we will spend together. My God. The beauty of nature in and of itself.

Sometimes, when I used to walk every day in the neighborhood where I grew up, I would look intensely at the trees, grass, sky, and other various items and parts of my surroundings and take them in, understanding that while such beauty occurs naturally, it's all part of a larger plan. Something beyond my control, other than the lives I can touch personally.

Smile.

The reasons to do so outnumber and are greater than the reasons not to. Don't get to wrapped up in things you cannot control.

Animal Crossing, Zen Garden

2009-01-29T08:54:00.002-05:00

With the advent of Animal Crossing: City Folk, my interest in the AC franchise has been renewed. The atmosphere provided in the game, the music, the colors, the interaction with game elements... all seem to be centered on relaxing. Achieving goals, while taking the broader picture into perspective. If anyone has their Wii connected, hit me up and we can exchange info.

William F. Buckley Quote on the Mass

2009-01-28T15:29:00.004-05:00

I'm not sure how this eluded me for so long, but I was cracking up today over it.

As a Catholic, I have abandoned hope for the liturgy, which, in the typical American church, is as ugly and as maladroit as if it had been composed by Robert Ingersoll and H.L. Mencken for the purpose of driving people away.

Incidentally, the modern liturgists are doing a remarkably good job, attendance at Catholic Mass on Sunday having dropped sharply in the 10 years since a few well-meaning cretins got hold of the power to vernacularize the Mass, and the money to scour the earth in search of the most unmusical men and women to preside over the translation.

The next liturgical ceremony conducted primarily for my benefit, since I have no plans to be beatified or remarried, will be my own funeral; and it is a source of great consolation to me that, at my funeral, I shall be quite dead, and will not need to listen to the accepted replacement for the noble old Latin liturgy. Meanwhile, I am practicing Yoga, so that, at church on Sundays, I can develop the power to tune out everything I hear, while attempting, athwart the general calisthenics, to commune with my Maker, and ask Him first to forgive me my own sins, and implore him, second, not to forgive the people who ruined the Mass.

Edit: Corrected quote blocking.

I'm getting married!

2009-01-28T11:03:00.003-05:00

Yep, it's true, I know most of you are wondering about the mental state of someone deciding to spend the rest of her life with me, but I need some tips and help!

My question at the moment is pre-marital counseling. We live pretty far apart, and she will be moving here after the wedding. How, in our limited time together prior to the marriage, can we go through this counseling, and keep it beneficial and productive? Does anyone know of somewhere locally in Cincinnati which could provide such a service, under such circumstances?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

The Second Coming

2009-01-20T12:00:00.004-05:00

I didn't watch the inauguration of the first black POTUS, nor do I intend to watch this one. Having been raised to be colorblind with respect to achievement, I don't see any special reason to do so.

Best wishes to all that continue to fling themselves against the inevitable wave of complete government control that is creeping into our society. It didn't start with Obama, nor will it end with him.

Among other things...

2009-01-08T12:27:00.003-05:00

I've asked that the SOB Alliance remove me from their list, since I update this very infrequently anymore, and it's often not politically oriented. Check out those guys though, they're excellent writers, and I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of it for so long. Who knows, maybe I'll return to political blogging someday. I guess that will happen when there's something worth writing about.

This blog will likely be more personal-oriented from this point forward, covering topics on life, sports, gaming, and other things.

In other news, I'm engaged. :)

Take care all, and without the restrictions of political blogging, I should return soon. Thank you all for being so supportive of me.

Welcome to our Future

2008-11-05T08:49:00.002-05:00

I posted this on Facebook last night, prior to the polls closing. Thought I'd go ahead and post it here. I haven't included the links yet, I may add them later.

So the long awaited, pre ordained Obama victory parade has begun.

The systematic indoctrination of America's youth through traditional institutions of "higher learning" has had it's effect. The media also received the two candidates they felt best offered them a chance at reaching their ideological goals: Barack Obama, the well documented socialist and lifelong America hating appeaser, and John McCain, the old, politically weak candidate who had stabbed his own party in the back so many times that the majority has never forgotten.

Once Barack Obama wins, the "Fairness Doctrine" will likely go back into effect, eliminating the few conservative voices in popular media. Once again, the right to bear firearms will have as many restrictions put upon it as possible (which is why I'm going to go buy a gun sometime very soon), and businesses that have put up with heavy taxation under supposedly "fiscally conservative" regimes will find better, more success-friendly environments overseas. The sky will not fall, but it will lower to us with oppressive taxes, silencing of the opposition, and a suffocating litany of new laws banning, barring, and imposing the beliefs of those in office upon those who are not in power. Ironically, a great tragedy will continue, and likely be promoted.

I support many of the social issues idealists do... in many ways I am in the same sense an idealist, a dreamer, someone who wants to change the world for the better by working for social justice. Unfortunately I understand that this simply can not be implemented by governments or bureaucracies. By the time the money taken from you to give to them is distributed, so much has been filtered out for the friends and supporters of politicians that only a tiny fraction actually reaches its "destination." The rest is spent on paper, process, and drumming up support for expanding government control at the federal level. Many on the left like to speak about "trickle down economics." If this isn't an example that perfectly matches said phrase, I have no idea what is.

I've said before and I will say again, the 16th Amendment to the Constitution of these United States was the beginning of the end. With the New Deal and Great Society, the middle game has already begun to expire. Bill Clinton was more a puppet and a poll governor than anything else. He did manage to gut the military pretty heavily, but he saw the value in attempting to remain as popular as possible, basing his governance not on principles, but on "legacy" if that is possible.

So we reach the end game. As with all great empires and societies of enlightenment, we begin to hasten our already rapid decline. American culture has slid to the point of being almost exclusively based on selling things using shock value or sex, including ourselves. The relentless assault on the power of the government over the past decade is taking it's toll, politicians are solidifying their status, lining their pockets, and continually being re-elected by schmoozing with their media elite friends and camera friendly celebrities. In effect, they are mostly no more than paid entertainers these days, trotting out in front of cameras to posture and puff out their feathers, stomping and humphing about in righteous indignation. Instead of dialogue over legislation, we see personal insults on the television, and frightening rhetoric on certain internet media.

Civilized discourse is ending. Given the unbelievably abrasive attacks on myself, what I believe in, those I've supported, and misrepresentations to hurt me and my beliefs over the past decade, I'm not sure if I want to see it continue now that the other side is in power or see it return to normalcy, once again restoring peace to the union.

That's all I have for now, some random thoughts. I hope this post has found you well, and has caused you to think. There was a time when I was heavily involved in campaigns and issues, but that time has passed. I wasn't even going to vote today aside from my friends and family seeming offended that I had no desire or will to do so.

I voted. I hope you're happy.