Why Politicians Are Over the Top

Realization.

There are a lot of aspects of politicians which suck. They pander to idiotic bases left and right. They listen to lobbyists and do what's best for getting themselves reelected. They trend toward slimeballiness, scumbaggery, and levels of douchery that are simply incomparable to the general human population. They also make a lot more money than I do.

However, none of these really answer the question of why politicians make such over the top statements all the time. A lot of other things about them, but not their overly exaggerated verbosity.

What compels them to push themselves so far in making mountains out of molehills is a deep-seated desire to be Winston Churchill.

You might think I'm crazy at this point, but hold your paddy-wagon for a second and hear this out. It's not that they want to be a plump, baritone Englishman, but that they want to be remembered for making great speeches. Not just great speeches, but speeches which embodied a critical moment in history where life, as it was known, changed forever. They want a legacy like JFK or MLK Jr. who, if anything, are remembered for having a single, amazing speech in the history of their lives.

The problem is they haven't the faintest notion of what such a moment in history looks like. In fact, it's doubtful that any of the aforementioned loquators knew that such a moment had come either. No can really tell they happened until after the fact, and sometimes they come and go without a sound because the right person wasn't there at the right time.

All these talentless hacks know is that they can't possibly tell when such a moment comes; they don't even know they're talentless hacks, or that it's pointless to even try if you don't honestly care about the cause. Because of their obliviousness, they do the one thing that makes logical sense to someone in their position, make huge overblown speeches, overly triumphant witticisms and pseudo-decisive retorts all day, week, and year long. Each word is punctuated by their fervent hope that this time, it will be more than a news blurb or a meme but a moment.

Meanwhile, Obama runs for election and scoops everything. The Republicans are mad because they've been trying so hard and haven't succeeded in decades, and the Democrats are happy because maybe they'll have a shot at being the Al Sharpton or Medgar Evers to Obama's King Jr.

Yeah, politicians suck like that.

Halo 3: ODST commercial

Can you say awesome? I know Bungie can.



Can we please have a fucking Halo movie now?

A Hard Nut to Crack

Apparently, it was too difficult for any major media outlet to uncover this themselves. That or they were too obsessed with the Obama-Ayers-Acorn connection that wasn't.

In other news, Comedy Central adds a crapton of useless crap to their embed links. Extensive surgery was necessary.

I guess now we know why Snake was so old

This is why we shouldn't allow prisoners to play awesome games. I man in France escaped from a prison by hiding in and you're going to love this, a cardboard box. Who was his cellmate, Solid Snake?

In honor of The Beatles Rock Band

Get back Loretta!

I love this song, George Harrison and guitar solos are like sex.

I've got it easy

After a few game-related blog posts I figured I would throw my hat into the ring with blog that isn't game-related. But before I begin I should give some some credit to video games because that was a jumping point. The idea that occurred to me has occurred before, a long time ago in fact, but it bears being brought up now and again.

I can play video games. I have the option to set aside an hour or more of personal time for a task that has no real benefit other than entertainment. If become thirsty I can get up and either A) go to the fridge for a variety of already cool drinks) or B) turn on the tap and receive clean water. That same water is pumped through the entire house and can be used at will. If I wanted I could grab a drink from the bathroom faucet, although I rarely do. If I become hungry I might already have a variety of food to eat; if I don't I have the option to drive my car a short distance in to town to buy some. And even when it comes to buying food I can either A) buy food to bring home or B) pay someone to prepare food for me. And after I've satisfied my hunger or thirst I can return to playing a game. I have that option. Some people don't. I also live in a safe enviroment, I don't have many bills to pay, I have a family that loves me, a girlfriend that loves me more, and friends to turn to if I need them. I am lucky and I have it easier than most.

I could list a lot of things I would rather not have to deal with, things about myself that need to be improved, things that can't be changed despite all the effort but in the midst of all of that I'd rather list my blessings. That way I can't lose sight of what is good and right about my life.

Swine flu detected at PAX!

Just came over the official PAX Twitter.

Just heard of our first test-confirmed swine flu case at the show. PLEASE if you feel symptoms (fever, etc) go to the doctor. #pax

Follow the advice, if you were at PAX (lucky bastard) and feel sick, then go to the doctor, I'm sure having a medical bill or being stuck in the hospital for a few days is preferable to death.

Police swarm Bungie Studios

No, you're not in some weird ass alternate reality where Clinton/Lieberman won and launched a war on gaming. Someone spotted a Bungie employee walking to the office carrying what they thought was an AK-47 and naturally called the police. They swarmed the area with five cars and a bunch of officers, but then left after discovering that the "AK" was actually a replica of the sniper rifle from Halo: ODST. Kotaku has two nice pics of the rifle, including one of Stephen Totilo holding it.

Now, I'm not weapons expert, but I have done research into guns and stuff for some abortive stories I was writing and yeah, that rifle looks nothing like an AK-47. Chalk it up to wild assumptions.