Dojo Info 4/29/08

1. Review: Rock Band’s Motley Crue vs. Guitar Hero’s Def Leppard
   This guy didn’t think so but I would LOVE to get those Def Leppard songs for Rock Band. (My GH games on stranded on the island named PS2.)
2. Guitar Hero IV to be more like Rock Band
   They were first to the party, but the party has passed them by.
3. Oregon Cop Battles 12-foot Python to Save Pet Store Owner
   Where’s the video?!? C’mon people… use your head!
4. Tom Cruise’s son Connor to appear in film
   I rarely post about celebrities. Ok, maybe every so often, just to poke fun. But in all seriousness, I know of no other time-tested, 100% method of screwing up a human than to toss the youngster into the Hollywood life at an early age. I’m sorry but I fear that Connor is a goner.
5. Solar Power to the People
   It’s always good to have options. Hopefully financing will be run by reasonable people, rather that predatory people.

Caught On Tape

Hilarious!

Representative Walks the Talk; Doesn’t Abort Her Down Syndrome Son

Consistently good stuff from the FRC. (Why couldn’t the GOP be more like the FRC? Heck, why stop there? Why couldn’t the DEMs?)

If anyone can relate to the struggles of raising a special needs child in this unforgiving world, it’s Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R). Last week, she and her husband welcomed their fifth child, Trig Paxson Van Palin. During her pregnancy, the couple learned that Trig would be born with Down’s syndrome. A pro-family champion who has advanced the culture of life at every opportunity, Palin was faced with embracing this harsh reality in the public spotlight where she has so often lived out her personal beliefs.

Although it was difficult at first, Palin says she and Todd now feel chosen by God to raise “an absolutely perfect” son. In an era when over 80 percent of Down’s syndrome babies are aborted, the Palins feel they have been extremely blessed.

80%?!? What kind of world do we live in?

In a personal letter to her family and friends, Palin wrote, “Many people will express sympathy, but you don’t want or need that, because Trig will be a joy. You will have to trust me on this… Children are the most precious and promising ingredient in this mixed-up world you live in… Trig is no different, except that he has one extra chromosome.” To the people who think that Trig shouldn’t have been born, Palin says, “Look around. Who is perfect or even normal?” Now back on the job, Palin is using her testimony as motivation to work even harder to protect unborn children. This week, she helped to bring new legislation to the floor that would ban partial-birth abortion and promote parental consent on minor abortion. A woman who has never wavered in her defense of life, Palin is off to a great start as an up-and-coming GOP governor with political skills and personal ethics. We congratulate the Palins on their newest addition and pray that their story is an inspiration to couples everywhere.

Way to go! That’s an awesome story!

Role of Religion in Politics

How’s that for a broad post topic? Well, I’ve got too much to do today to spend extra time “crafting” it. *wink*

I read this article today—Some young religious voters focus on social justice—and found it lacking in so many ways. Some the fault of the author, others either ignorance or deceit on the part of the populace.

They are trying to expand the focus of faith-based politics beyond the religious right’s hot-button issues of abortion and gay marriage. And they are placing social justice issues, like poverty and war, at the intersection of their moral and political decision making.

Poverty is certainly something religious minded people should focus their efforts towards improving but, “The Poor You Will Always Have With You…”. It’s unavoidable. But more importantly, the government’s role should be towards the greater good of our people as a whole.

Second, war is not always evil. There are just wars. Is not the prevention of the slaughter of millions by the sacrifice of thousands a noble effort? The knee-jerk concept that all war is wrong or that anyone who doesn’t endorse a particular low-income project or bill is somehow unloving is in and of itself an insidious act.

The shift of young faith-based voters both dramatic and complex. ”They’re leaving the Republican Party in droves, but they’re not automatically Democrats,” Wallis said.

Unfortunately, I believe this is largely the fault of today’s Republican Party who has done a horrendous job of maintaining conservative ideals. To use a sports idiom, “You gotta go with what got you here.” The GOP hasn’t and (some) people are bolting. There needs to be a clarion call back to increasing freedom (less government) and a higher value on moral responsibility.

”The youth of America today is very divided,” said Esther Winne, 18, a Christian conservative from Lancaster, Pa., who originally backed Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination but now favors Sen. John McCain. ”I think we’re looking for change. I think we’re looking for something new. But I think people are looking in different places.”

Change will always be desired. Always. The grass is always greener…

People should be leery when any politician speaks 90% of the time about change and only 10% of the time about how that change will be achieved.

This is probably Rule #1 in the Politics For Dummies, 2nd Edition, yet voters are still swayed.

”The message that Barack Obama tends to have definitely appeals to people in my generation, especially people in the faith and justice movement,” said Jon Gromek, a 22-year-old organizing associate at Network, a Catholic social justice group based in Washington.

Never underestimate the power of good marketing. Barack’s track record shows a consistent voting against traditional marriage and for abortion; two easy-to-track issues that have an obvious religious direction despite what anyone says.

I’m dismayed to say that at the end of the day, far too many will turn a blind eye to the example that Jesus gave—others before oneself, protect the innocent, promote the family as God intended, et al.—and try to justify the choice they want instead of the choice they know is right.

Rondo Shouldn’t Be Overlooked In Celts Return

Kentucky fans have known that Rondo was talented from Day 1. Heading into the NBA, the question always was, “Could Rondo develop consistency in his jump shot so that defenders wouldn’t just play off him all day long?”

Looks like that’s exactly what he’s done. Now Simmons can’t contain his superlatives. (Mostly about the veteran’s affect on improving Rondo’s game, but that’s fairly accurate.)

I’m picking Boston to win it all this year. Big risk taker I am, huh?

209 Three Pointers In a Row

The most amazing part is that he had to rebound his own shots. Wowee! [via KSR]

Dojo Info 4/25/08

1. New church holds service in bar to reach new people
   I know a large number of people won’t like this idea but didn’t Jesus go to where the people were?
2. Video: Search brings strangers of the same name together
   Have you met your Googlegangers?
3. Netflix profits up 36 percent
   Yay! I’m pulling for the innovative underdog to topple the presumptuous and arrogant leader.
4. eHarmony promoting ’1-night stands’?
   Doesn’t seem like a smart strategy move given that there are already hundreds of those sites already out there.
5. Is it her genes? Oldest known person turns 115 on Sunday
   Good golly Miss Edna!

Innovative Architecture Examples Abound Abroad

While America is not wholly devoid of innovative architecture, take Museum Plaza for example, most leading designs are coming from Western Europe or places like Dubai where billionaires build skyscrapers like little boys build toy towers.

(BTW, how about that title for some tongue-twister alliteration?)

World’s Hardest Online Flash Game

I love the braggadocio but c’mon, it needs to be fun too! Right?

I made it the 6th level then took this screen shot. After having the music drone directly into my cerebellum I was hunting for the sound mute and accidentally started the game over. Argh! Maybe that was part of their ploy?

Well played sirs.

Dojo Info 4/21/08

1. NBA MVP breakdown, Part II
   It’s not too tough to figure out who Simmons thinks is the MVP.
2. Bill Cosby goes hip hop with new album
   Certainly would need a sample before purchasing but it can’t be as bad as some of the pure guano that some “artists” are throwing out.
3. Programmer Pops Question on Video Game
   Geeks everywhere rejoice!
4. Rock Band Starts to Sell Complete Albums
   “Screaming For Vengence” by Judas Priest is coming out soon. Let’s start a petition for some Van Halen, Def Leppard or Queensryche!
5. Video: Indies carve a niche in the billion dollar game industry
   As a rule, the larger the group, the less innovative and efficient. Go Indies!

Design vs. Evolution: Where Do the Facts Lead Us?

Take a couple minutes to watch the short trailer that’s promoting some new DVD’s on the topic of Intelligent Design. It’s very well done. cheap turbotax software byy

Heart-Pounding Dr. Visit

Well, let me catch my breath. Can’t say I enjoy visiting doctors these days. Who does?

So… we’re already leery heading into the patient room awaiting the Doppler test. We just want to hear the baby’s heartbeat. The 12 week visit is the scariest because it was at this point that we lost two babies before. Then, our OB can’t find the heartbeat, tries some more, can’t find it, we think, “Oh no… not again…”

Of course, she’s upbeat and says the baby is just being “tricky” and ushers us over to the ultrasound lab for a more thorough test.

We wait an anxious 10 minutes, playing with Barret and trying to maintain our composure. (When I say “our” I mostly mean “my.”)

Then, it’s our turn and after a long 20 seconds we hear the sound that every parent longs to hear, “vvaa vvoom vvaa vvoom”.

I’m getting too old for this stuff. Our praise to God for all His good gifts.

Paladin Pondering

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy,
the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” -C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity

Dojo Info 4/17/08

1. ‘Blink’ author: How to make better business decisions
   Gladwell is extremely bright, even if he’s a bit of a trendy pick. But he’s almost always logical and I respect his opinion.
2. Captain Dies During Daring Rescue in Freezing Seas
   True heroes like this need all the pub that’s currently going to self-staged braggarts in Hollywood.
3. For Guard and His Fan, Strength in a Number
   Absolutely love stories like this. I’ll be cheering for Flowers if he can make it to the next level.
4. Expelled Starts Friday
   Should be interesting. What do you want to bet the MSM completely ignores this movie?
5. Six Apart wrestles the social-media dragon
   Oh! Oh! I hope this works!

Homosexual Marriage Failing in Canada

More solid info from the FRC:

In the three years since Canadians legalized gay “marriage,” a majority of our neighbors have gotten cold feet. Although the number of foreigners who apply for same-sex marriage licenses is still strong, few of the locals are rushing to the altar. In Toronto, home of the “million-strong” Gay Pride March, the city issued a modest 107 licenses to native Canadians in 2005. Seven months into 2006, Toronto had issued only one!

But wait! I thought 10% of the population was gay? Maybe they’re just loud enough to sound like 10%.

To a lesser degree, the same is true in our own Massachusetts. Demand for gay “marriages” tapered off significantly since the state implemented it, proving once again that the same-sex community is not interested in “marriage” but forced acceptance.

It’s not about what’s best for society. It’s about, “I want what I want.”

Ask the Canadians and even they will admit that “gay marriage” is a social experiment gone terribly wrong. In yesterday’s National Post, Michael Coren laments how his country is accelerating the erosion of the family. “We made a terrible mistake and may not appreciate the full consequences for a generation. We allowed emotion to obscure logic and belittled anyone who appeared out of step with the current fashion. To marry without good reason is regrettable, to divorce good reasoning from public policy is a disgrace.”

Strong families are essential for our country to move forward. Period.

In America, we would be wise to learn from our Northern neighbor’s mistakes. And that recognition must start with the next President. The next occupant of the White House will hold tremendous sway over the fate of marriage and the family. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has announced his intent to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Meanwhile, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has remained relatively quiet on the issue. His choice of a running-mate, however, will say volumes about his commitment to family values. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) prefers civil unions that provide all of the benefits of marriage and necessitate at least the partial repeal of DOMA.

Great. So what you’re saying is we’re pretty much out of luck?