VectorVictor

Romney, though he's only the lesser of evils. Though he'll be easy for Obama to knock over in the general election, if, for no other reason, health care. But when you look at the field, the last best candidate for Republicans was McCain, and that got skewed all to hell as soon as he allowed the derp platform into his campaign. There are no viable candidates, save for Christie/NJ, for Republicans, to put out there... ...unless the GOP wants to succumb to derp, then in which case they have a whole plethora of pinatas from which to choose.

And this is why 'baggers are labeled as petulant children--because instead of owning up to facts, they do the political equivilent of covering their ears and yelling LALALALALALALALA at the top of their lungs. For examples, see Palin and Paul Revere, Bachman and the Constitution, the Texas State Board of Education and their revisionist history attempts of last year. What's sad is that their ignorance only only outstripped by their hypocrisy: 'baggers that are deadbeat dads, leave Vegas holding $200k+ bills after their conventions, lying about rally attendance, Palin quitting her position as Alaska's governor, Bachman's husband...the list goes on and on. But what's scary is their attacks on intellectualism--for them, it's perfectly okay to poorly educate our children, and if Rick Perry's attitudes are any indication, schools across the nation will be slashed if he goes to Washington. It's honestly as if the 'baggers strategy is for the USA to fail miserably into chaos.

Personally, I think you're in the dark here, owning both systems and all. It's much simpler to play with a friend or join a friend in XBL compared to PSN, there's cross-game chat (something PSN doesn't have), so even if my friends don't want to play the same game, I can still talk with them. The only exception to this are the EA games which use their own dedicated servers, regardless of platform. Plus, XBox Live Arcade has a significant number of excellent exclusives (timed or otherwise) for download. PlayStation store is catching up, but very slowly. And despite some of the prices, there's over 100 retail games available for download on XBL--I can only think of a handful (LBP, Infamous 1/2, Burnout Paradise, Assassin's Creed 1/2) that are retail titles that you can download.

I posted the Big 10 Network release of this, but as soon as I saw this thread, I asked the mods to kill it with fire.

You know, this is a good point. Sometimes I wonder if some of the anti-Bevo TV angst is manufactured by A&M, OU, et al to cover their trail as they try to find an exit from what they know to now be a dead conference walking. Kind of like how Texas needed to use their media lackeys to make Nebraska look like the villain when July 1 rolled around. I explained before how Texas tries to portray the image that they get the pick of the litter. Its a marketing strategy, they don't offer kids that aren't ready to commit and they use high pressure 'better get in quick before its too late and your spot is gone' to try and force it early, or move on to other options. They don't get all of them. And they (A&M and OU) are wondering if the HS games was a smokescreen so the backlash wouldn't be on the conference games. It works both ways. Frankly though I'd be surprised if Texas didn't realize things like that are going to piss off the serfdom. They announced it just days after the whole week of "kumbayah Nebraska is finally gone, we are united." It looks more like they are trying to push just hard enough for the league to break so they can shed the other Texas schools to me. This one turned into an NCAA wide backlash with meetings scheduled and Delany weighing in against it. So they backed down a bit, but I'd be surprised if they don't find some new angle to try and push someone out the door. The more I think about this, the more I think the high school game angle is a strawman or a concession created to ultimately get conference games on Texas' network.

Kristi Dosh, on the other hand, is spitting out her ideas for 16-team conferences...

The blogger, Frank the Tank, weighed in with his thoughts on A&M to the SEC. In short, he doesn't think it's going to happen. Of note:

You know, this is a good point. Sometimes I wonder if some of the anti-Bevo TV angst is manufactured by A&M, OU, et al to cover their trail as they try to find an exit from what they know to now be a dead conference walking. Kind of like how Texas needed to use their media lackeys to make Nebraska look like the villain when July 1 rolled around.

True, though not all third parties have gone that way. There are still the significant 3rd party holdouts (Valve comes to mind) that still abhor developing on the PS3, privately and publicly. Disagree here. Microsoft has throttled the hell out of Gran Turismo with Forza 3, and all indications are that any deficiencies with 3 will be made up with in 4 this fall. Plus, Microsoft Arcade is heads and shoulders better than what the PlayStation store offers. The only genres that one could say Sony has in their pocket are platformers and hack and slash--the rest are either tied or tilt towards Microsoft. It won't be for long, and you're fooling yourself if you think otherwise. Part of Sony's problem when their whole network was hacked and CC data stolen is that Sony laid off security and infrastructure experts requisite to keeping their network running properly and securely because of budget/fiscal concerns. Microsoft doesn't have to worry about that, as much of XBL goes right back into their server center in Redmond. If anything, this past summer showed everyone you get what you pay for with regards to network services. This is purely FUD. There's only one AAA game that will have multiple disks coming out during Q4, and that's Forza 4. The next one after that is going to be Mass Effect 3. Also, where do you mention that PS3 games routinely require massive hard drive installations, some of which take 20+ minutes before someone can actually play the game (read: Metal Gear Solid 4)? Very true. If you're wanting to play with your friends, you should probably be speaking with them, and not us about what to buy.

And that's where I'll stop you, because in my view, the 'baggers aren't true or real Republicans--they're extremists trying to use existing GOP infrastructure to get a quick and easy foothold in politics. We had real Republicans actually work with Democrats and propose both deeper cuts AND the closure of tax loopholes. The later part is why the 'baggers derped all over the compromise, and why we get what we had here last week, which is the way the 'bagger wants it. Well, he gets it. And yes, I'm a moderate Republican--but that's because most Republicans (hell, most Nebraskans, for that matter) are moderates. I suppose it comes from having a non-partisan Unicameral and voting for left-leaning Republicans and right-leaning Democrats for representatives.

It sounded to me like it's not declassified . . . but one of the special ops guys was willing to talk anonymously. I'm gonna call shenanigans... It's a bullsh#t ploy to get people to buy magazines... Or . . . in this case . . . a bullsh#t ploy to get people to read it for free online? Agreed. If they were only looking to make money off of it, why put it on the free site?

And authors are unbiased arbiters of society? I think Mark Twain would have something to say about that...

You just summed up the Texas Southern Baptists on any given Sunday...which is probably why non-denominational churches are springing up all over down here. And yes, I'm painting with a broad brush, and I personally know Southern Baptists that are not like that at all. But many of the Southern Baptists I know that don't fit the stereotype are the first to admit that the stereotype is warranted, for the most part.

It will only take one from the Big XII to do so this time around, assuming that the Big 10, ACC, and Pac-12 expand to 14 alongside the SEC. And per the Aggies Insider article, it could be Missouri that kicks this off, and not A&M--Missouri is already unhappy before Bevo TV showed up.

This is just one person's POV, and a decidedly fanboish one at that. Look, I own both a PS3 and a 360. Both are great systems, but it depends on your needs as to what you should get. If you want to predominantly play online, then the 360 is your system. If you haven't procured a Blu-Ray player yet, then get a PS3 to save shelf space. -Both systems have pay online services (Xbox Live/PlayStation +), and while folks can play games online for free via the PS3, many features (cloud storage, cross-game chat) are going behind the paywall. The endgame for all of this is ultimately online play itself will go behind the paywall. -3rd party titles (read: not from Microsoft or Sony) tend to be slightly better on the 360, as it's an easier machine to code for. The gap is closing, but it's still there. -Sony has good 1st party titles (Uncharted, MotorStorm, God of War) and quite a few mediocre ones (Gran Turismo, Resistance, Killzone). Microsoft, while they have been focused on the Kinect, still has strong first party titles: Gears of War, Halo, Alan Wake, and Fable (except 3) are all excellent titles, and the Forza series has dethroned Gran Turismo as *the* driving simulator to own on the market. -As for the Kinect, it's actually quite fun. Kinect Sports, Dance Central, Children of Eden are all great Kinect titles, and they have great exercise and kids titles (if you need to sell a significant other on your purchase). -Sony has their version of the motion controls, but it's pretty much what the Wii has. Unfortunately, it seems like the Wii does this better, despite having crapier graphics. In the end, you won't go wrong with either system. Both of them have their strengths and weaknesses. Just get one and enjoy. It's becoming more common with the first generation PS3 units (the ones with the Piano black finish). It's called the 'yellow light of death' or the 'pink screen of death', as you'll get one or the other. The root cause is the early Blu-Ray disk players in the systems are crapping out, and it's happening more and more as the early PS3s age. Granted, the PS3 problems are not nearly as bad as what the 'Red Ring of Death' on the 360 was back in '06-'08, but both companies have revamped their systems and both are fit for purchase. Again--either way, you'll be fine.

That sucks, teachercd. I wish I, too, lived closer, or my family would have season tickets and be there every home game. If anything, I've got my family used to going to games weekly via the North Texas Nebraskans (Cape Buffalo), so if we ever move back to God's country...

The explanation for Christmas and Easter being on specific dates isn't definitively known, although there are a lot of theories. The most popular amongst Biblical scholars in regards to Christmas is that Christians adopted the day, a pagan holiday, to gather and celebrate Jesus' birth for fear of persecution if they were to celebrate on any other day, making them visible. It's likely that Jesus' birth occurred in the spring. As far as Easter, it's supposed to be celebrated at the end of the Passover (assuming you're referring to the date being pagan? Because the actual holiday itself was originally "invented" by Christians around the 2nd century), but different calendars lead to different date conflicts. As far as peace vs. war/violence, no excuses. As far as the church goes, it's important to understand that the church was never meant to be a building; the church is the body of believers. 1st century Christians didn't have church in buildings, they were underground in houses, much the same as Christians in China and other countries where the faith is illegal do it. There is no right or wrong way to conduct church/fellowship as long as Jesus is the focus. However, the benefits of having physical places to gather and have fellowship are numerous and obvious. With all that being said, I hate Catholicism. Wikipedia's article on Christmas has a lot of good information regarding the background of Christmas, including the difference in calendars, the co-opting of the pagan winter solstice traditions (e.g. tree, candy canes) and the like. The reason that the pagan holidays keep coming up is because the traditions around Easter and Christmas are directly "lifted" from solstice celebrations, including the tree, candy canes, eggs, etc. This was a blatant PR attempt by the Catholic Church to get non-believers interested in Christian events, as well as to allow Christians to not feel left out (as Christmas was originally celebrated in what we now know as November). In the end, just like a lot of what Orthodox Christians take for granted, it was either lifted from or borrowed very gently from other cultures as a means of indoctrination. Not passing judgement on this, as I'm sure the early church needed to do what it did to maintain relevance. Just saying that next time someone says 'remember the reason for the season', they need to be pimp slapped (with knowledge).

VA Husker Fan--Texas is the most valuable college football property in the nation per Forbes.com. Notre Dame is right behind them at #2. If #2 gets it, #1 will too. The BCS is all about the benjamins, baby. also to add on to matthew's point, the BSC is not the NCAA. its seperate and like matthew said, its all about money, lots and lots of money Yup. The only sticky wicket for Texas independence discussions seems to be homes for their Olympic sports. As soon as they find a home that they can live with, Texas is gone.

IMO this line of thought is why the Catholic Church, when putting the Bible together, decided to exclude the gospel of Thomas. If people didn't need the church to worship...then what's the point of existence for any church? Of course, you have the fellowship and organizational aspects, but since non-profit churches are supposed to be apolitical (yeah, right ) and fellowship could be conducted anywhere that enough people could gather... This, too, makes it hard for me to reconcile my faith with the current religious establishments. It also makes it funny when I ask people with "Remember the reason for the season" stickers where their pagan celebrations will be held.

VA Husker Fan--Texas is the most valuable college football property in the nation per Forbes.com. Notre Dame is right behind them at #2. If #2 gets it, #1 will too. The BCS is all about the benjamins, baby.

You offered nothing, but that really isn't a surprise. Typical debate. And yet, you managed to offer less than I supposedly did. I suppose that takes talent? Derp Derp Derp Herp de derp. Plus, you or any of the other 'baggers have yet to offer a retort regarding what Carlfese posted? Why? Because it's dead on and it doesn't agree with the reality 'baggers created for themselves. Frankly, 'baggers can go do what they want in their own little party. Just get the **** out of the GOP and quit forcing real Republicans to ride shotgun on your crazy train.

Frankly, CNN is pretty much middle of the road anymore, as you have MSNBC derping on the left of the spectrum, and Fox News derping on the right. But considering I get much of my news, especially dealing with global events, from the BBC, I can avoid MSNBC and Fox and go about my day.

I'll be your huckleberry. 1. It won't matter, just as it doesn't matter for Notre Dame now--just so long as they get nine wins and have a decent ranking, Notre Dame can nab a BCS bowl. It's not right, but Texas will assuredly be afforded the same luxury when they go independent. So Texas can play service academies, Notre Dame, and BYU (they'll all stick together) to cover five of the last eight weeks, just so long as they schedule three or so teams with a pulse. A&M will likely play them, possibly OU, and you've got a bunch of in-state teams (TCU, Houston, SMU) that either are or could be Top 25 that wouldn't mind a crack at Texas. Plus, you're forgetting Texas has money to spare and throw at these teams. 2. See #1 and Notre Dame's deal. It will be extended for Texas, just as it will be extended to BYU if they broach the Top 25 with regularity. 3. Any bowl is better than what they had this December. Plus, if they make a BCS bowl, that's $20+ million that they only have to split one way instead of 12 or 10--theirs. That makes up for four or five Culligan Toilet Bowls. 4. There's no reason for that. Mack Brown trips on recruits going to get his paper from the sidewalk each morning, plus many of these recruits could get early exposure if the NCAA rules in their favor re: TV deal. The only way Texas' recruiting would suffer is if the SEC blows the doors open by bringing A&M into the fold (Houston-area schools, Houston media market, partial San Antonio exposure). --- Now, if you were to have said that Texas would have problems placing their Olympic sports, there's a genuine concern that could prevent independence. Frankly, I could see Texas placing their Olympic sports in the Mountain West in exchange for helping the MWC lobby for a BCS bid, especially if Jerry succeeds in getting the Cotton Bowl into the BCS rotation. Granted, it wouldn't be sexy, but it would be a home...and, save for basketball and baseball, the pointy uterus fans wouldn't really care.

Sorry, but I don't see a loss to Michigan. Penn State IMO is in a better position to rise up this year and shock someone than Michigan, especially Nebraska. Plus, Pete typically writes douchey articles for Nebraska--the whole Texas slant is just plain ignorance, and really, this team won the 2009 Big XII title game. And I still think Ohio State could cause trouble on their side of the pond. They have probably the second-best defense in the Big 10 still intact.

Opinions and rumors from the San Jose (Pac-12) side of things: Link Of Note: Takeaway: If the Pac-12 wants quality expansion targets, they need to act now before the SEC snatches them up.