Wallpaper Wednesday – September 2010 Edition

Wallpapers for this month were interestingly on the nature/landscape side. As usual, check the rest out after the jump. Read more »

A Total Disregard for Faith

The idea that no one should have to pass a religious test or be of a particular denomination to serve in office is enshrined in our constitution. Thus, the religion of a candidate isn’t something they have to defend on the campaign trail or in the media because it shouldn’t matter what religion you are as long as it doesn’t decide your policy and you don’t push it on other people.  Right?

Wrong.

Sadly, two topics that have been in the news recently both show that the nation is not living up to its ideals where religion is concerned;  the more recent Christine O’Donnell’s “witchcraft” controversy and the more troubling accusation of President Obama being a secret Muslim.

I could go into detail on how calling the President a Muslim is nothing but veiled racism and Islamophobia trying to make him the ‘other’.  I could also go into how making an issue out of the nonissue quote from O’Donnell about an experience in high school is a big example of the media supporting character assassination and having tunnel vision. These points are important and have already been touched on by the media. Nevertheless, there is a huge point that is not being made.

How about this?: It doesn’t matter if the President is a Muslim because it has nothing to do with whether he is a good leader or not. Muslims are no less or no more American than anyone else in this country. The same is true for wiccans, neopagans, and any other religious minority in this country.  It is nothing but prejudice and bigotry to make fun of or find fault because someone doesn’t fit the traditional Christian mold.  I can’t wrap my head around the fact no one on TV seems to be saying this. What kind of message are we sending people who don’t fit into what seems to be the only politically correct faith?  Everyone needs to think about that before they make a joke about covens or say they will take the President “at his word” when it comes to his faith.  We need a long and in-depth dialogue not an ugly charade that pretends to be news and debate.

[Related reading: US News and World Report, CNN, TPM]

Sakuraba vs Mayhem Miller DREAM.16 PV Out!

Sakuraba and Mayhem Miller are set to fight in DREAM.16 on September 25th. Check after the jump for the official PV just released today.

We don’t know quite what to think about this match up, other than, “Holy crap, we hope Saku doesn’t die.”

It’s always a tough call when two of your favorite fighters meet. Who do you pull for? In this case, both men have tons of heart, tons of personality, but one is a taped up 41 year-old legend who, even with underdog status, continues to amaze.

We’re just going to hope this fight lives up to the spirit and craziness that define both fighters (and keep our fingers crossed for Saku). Read more »

Cartoon Yourself… Crappily

So here I am looking for martial arts news and what not,  and I’m trying not to pay attention to any stupid ads on the pages. Nevertheless, this one stuck out. At first I thought:  “that cartoon is really lame because it doesn’t seem like a person could actually look that jacked up.” Then I looked again.

Wow.

They found a model whose face does look that jacked up. Not that she is ugly, it’s just that she has a look on her face like she has a concussion.

I don’t understand why concussion girl here, or anyone else for that matter, would want to use this crap. There are other options out there to “cartoon yourself” including a decent South Park character creator as well as plenty of other themed or chibi avatar creators out there. Or, I mean, you could just use a picture of yourself…

The End Is Here… Awww, That Is Really Sad :(

Many children’s TV shows come and go. Most of them frankly stink and almost all just get canceled without a real concluding episode. Now, this little post is not intended to make anyone depressed or have a bad day, but I’m sorry to say that destroying the environment can kill off your species and gnomes only live for 400 years. Evidence after the jump. Read more »