https://buy-zithromax.online buy kamagra usa https://antibiotics.top buy stromectol online https://deutschland-doxycycline.com https://ivermectin-apotheke.com kaufen cialis https://2-pharmaceuticals.com buy antibiotics online Online Pharmacy vermectin apotheke buy stromectol europe buy zithromax online https://kaufen-cialis.com levitra usa https://stromectol-apotheke.com buy doxycycline online https://buy-ivermectin.online https://stromectol-europe.com stromectol apotheke https://buyamoxil24x7.online deutschland doxycycline https://buy-stromectol.online https://doxycycline365.online https://levitra-usa.com buy ivermectin online buy amoxil online https://buykamagrausa.net

Category: Avatar / Airbender / Korra

Legend of Korra trailer / advert

Okay, ignore the really awful (I hope this is simply on an ad running on Nick) narrator. I seriously want this show to start. Like … now. Not "soon." Now. How about tonight? #ddtb

The Last Airbender: The Legend of Korra – Exclusive Trailer

Tweets from 2012-01-29

  • RT @BassoonCPA: I need to go off-line for about 4 hours to do nothing but deal with tweets I've favorited. #
  • 5 of 5 stars to The Last Airbender by Bryan Konietzko Link #

***Dave Does the Comics – Issue 26 (29 Jan 2012)

A lot of slugfests this week, none of which end very well for the reader or the comic book ratings.  Overall, neither of the big two fare that well — but the DCnU in particular is disappointing.

Hover over the covers below to see the ratings out of 5 stars (with an occasional comment). And scroll to the end for the podcast playback button.

Jennifer Blood #8 - Worst Comic of the Week
Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise, Part 1 - Best All-Ages and Best Graphic Novel I Read All Week
Usagi Yojimbo #143 - Favorite Cover and Favorite Book of the Week


Actually, a lot of nice covers above, which don’t necessarily correlate to good comics.

Your comments and feedback are always welcome.

"Legend of Korra" goodness

These actually leaked (or "leaked") a few days back, but this was the first link to them I found that works.

Man, I'm looking forward to this show "sometime in 2012" … #ddtb

Embedded Link

Oh Hai Korra and Your Accompanying Legend – Topless Robot
Three leaked clips from the first episode of Legend of Korra? Why I don't mind if I do.

Unblogged Bits (Tue. 20-Sep-11 1730)

Links (most recent first) that caught my eye, but did not warrant full-blown blog entries ….

  1. If top rates return to Reagan era, O’Reilly might quit – Sounds like a feature, not a bug.
  2. Spencer Claims Liberals And Islamists Are United By Their Shared Loathing Of America – I believe that I read and listen to a fair number of liberals, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard any of them say that they don’t like America, or that Islam would be a great ally against the West, or anything like that. Where liberals “embrace” Islam is as a legitimate religion and a community of faith that ought to be free to worship within the bounds of our laws; liberals would “embrace” Christians in the same fashion, were Christians being investigated, harassed, profiled, prevented from building new places of worship, and being treated as potential terrorists on a regular basis.
  3. The Worst People In The World – This is why we can’t have nice things. Yeesh.
  4. Disney is adding the world of Avatar to its theme parks | The Disney Blog – Wow, this seems like … such … a bad idea. Just … bad. Tying to a non-Disney adult property is a big mistake, and how “fresh” will all this seem in, oh, a decade or two? (Now, if they’d chosen an “Avatar: The Last Airbender” theme, that’d be different!)
  5. Yup, moderates and independents support taxing the rich – The Plum Line – The Washington Post
  6. RNS Quote of the Day: Quote of the Day
  7. Texas GOP Rep On Cuts To Family Planning: ‘Of Course This Is A War On Birth Control’ | ThinkProgress – At least he’s honest about it.
  8. Barton: Laws Of Nature Prove Abortion And Homosexuality Are Immoral – Based on Barton’s interpretation of the moral absolutes one can derive from what happens “in nature,” one might argue that killing babies after birth is moral because it happens in nature. Conversely, nowhere in nature do animals get use surgery to operate on one another, so I guess that means that means surgery is against the laws of nature and is thus immoral in the eyes of nature’s God. Right?
  9. Times Atlas ‘error’ exaggerates ice retreat on Greenland | Mail Online – Expect to see this flogged around the Right-wing blogosphere for all it’s worth. (Which isn’t much because it was caught and discredited by scientists who believe in climate change. No conspiracy here.)
  10. MCBUL 5215. REQUIRED CHANGES TO MARINE CORPS DIRECTIVES TO IMPLEMENT THE REPEAL OF TITLE 10, U.S. CODE, SECTION 654, DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL – DADT changelog …
  11. Trying to understand the English riots is not a crime – opinion – 20 September 2011 – New Scientist – It’s very easy and tempting to make glib explanations that are politically convenient (in that they blame “them” and insulate “us” from responsibility). It’s also wrong and counterproductive and likely to lead to more violence. You can investigate and study for the causes and nature of bad behavior without excusing it.
  12. The 10 Best Amazon Reviews. Ever. – Awesome.

Unblogged Bits (Mon. 12-Sep-11 0530)

Links (most recent first) that caught my eye, but did not warrant full-blown blog entries ….

  1. My Highly Reasoned Critical Analysis of Avatar: Legend of Korra’s Delay to 2013 – Well (to paraphrase), poop.
  2. It’s a day to remember – Woof!
  3. Terrorism Expert: Since 9/11, Only 33 Deaths From Muslim Terrorism Vs. 150,000 Deaths From Murders | ThinkProgress – Pssst! Don’t tell Bryan Fischer! His head will explode!
  4. New York GOP Exploits 9/11 Anniversary, Sends Islamophobic Mailer To Voters In NY Special Election – Stay classy, NY GOP!
  5. Addicted to Angry Birds? Here’s Help [INFOGRAPHIC] – I’m uncertain that it’s an addiction that requires a radical solution … but it’s certainly a phenomenon that deserves examination.
  6. The Tax Scam from Heaven – I become more and more convinced that the tax exemption for church housing allowances (et an appallingly increasing al.) should be ended. If the congregation thinks Pastor Jones is the bee’s knees, the should pony up salary to cover his housing allowance as well; and if they have a parsonage for him, he should pay taxes on it as a benefit (and if the congregation wants to compensate him for same, then bless their hearts). Because that gets us out of the discussion of whether a pastor is more important than a teacher, a doctor, a guru, a shrink, a plumber, or any other contributing member of society.
  7. 9/11 – Kay was with a church group of middle schoolers today, and they talked about 9/11, and it was a bizarre shock to realize that it was an event that was all PAST TENSE to her. She was 1.5 years old. Her memories of it are all what she absorbs around her. And so life goes.

Unblogged Bits (Thu. 18-Aug-11 2331)

Links (most recent first) that caught my eye, but did not warrant full-blown blog entries ….

  1. The freaky murals at Denver International Airport – Boing Boing – I kinda like the freaky murals. They beat generic cityscapes, abstract paint splotches, and other generic airport fare.
  2. The world’s best wedding photos – That’s … hard to argue against.
  3. Google Maps Can Now Show You Weather Conditions – Cool.
  4. HP Killing webOS Devices [Hp] – Given that WebOS is the descendent of Palm, a platform I used for many years … this is kind of sad.
  5. Teacher suspended over Facebook comments: Lake County teacher suspended, reassigned for anti-gay comments on Facebook – OrlandoSentinel.com – On the one hand, teachers — like everyone else — deserve the right to a private life and private opinions (even if I vehemently disagree with them). On the other hand, once comments like these get out, it would be difficult for an openly gay student to trust him. And if I made comments in my private life that interfered with my work or my company’s operations — even unintentionally — I would expect the company to take notice and that there would be repercussions.
  6. It’s Time to Freak Out Over Obama’s Annual Vacation Again – (Rolls eyes.)
  7. Fathers And Daughters In ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ – The only possible exception I can think of to this would be Princess Yue and her father, but we don’t get to see a lot of that.
  8. Fall Movie Preview: 5 Movies We’re Sure Will Rule, and 17 That Could Surprise Us [Fall Preview 2011] – Honestly? Not much here that has me jumping up and down in anticipation.
  9. Is Babylon 5 gearing up for a big comeback? – I’ve heard rumblings about this. I’d certainly welcome more B5 … but I’d prefer something ongoing that worked in the B5 universe, rather than one-off movies.

Unblogged Bits (Fri. 12-Aug-11 0530)

Links (most recent first) that caught my eye, but did not warrant full-blown blog entries ….

  1. Legend of Korra – Ooooooh …

“Legend of Korra” trailer from SDCC

The San Diego Comic-Con also premiered a trailer for the new Avatar: The Last Airbender sequel, Legend of Korra.

This looks really good — some good ATLA call-outs, but also its own stylistic elements. We don’t really get a feel for any of the characters or plot or anything — but it looks good.

Unfortunately, we still have a year to wait …

Unblogged Bits (Sun. 24-Jul-11 1731)

Links (most recent first) that caught my eye, but did not warrant full-blown blog entries ….

  1. Who Commits Terrorist Attacks In Europe?: Matthew Yglesias
  2. Palin documentary bombs during second week in theaters. – Maybe real patriots were off seeing Captain America. At least when he wraps himself in the flag, he stays with the job until it’s done.
  3. First trailer for Avatar: The Legend of Korra shows off the new steampunk metropolis – Sweeeeeeet! (And, glad to hear they are still using the music.)
  4. How the Deficit Got This Big – NYTimes.com – “A few lessons can be drawn from the numbers. First, the Bush tax cuts have had a huge damaging effect. If all of them expired as scheduled at the end of 2012, future deficits would be cut by about half, to sustainable levels. Second, a healthy budget requires a healthy economy; recessions wreak havoc by reducing tax revenue. Government has to spur demand and create jobs in a deep downturn, even though doing so worsens the deficit in the short run. Third, spending cuts alone will not close the gap. The chronic revenue shortfalls from serial tax cuts are simply too deep to fill with spending cuts alone. Taxes have to go up.” It’s not that difficult, except that politics are trumping reality. And, ultimately, reality will bite back.
  5. Ikea’s opening has metro-area furniture retailers on edge of their seats – The Denver Post – They really expect people to be driving to Ikdea from Wyoming, Nebraska, and Kansas? Really? I mean, it’s IKEA, people! It’s cool and fun, but it’s really not all that!
  6. Captain America Rules at the Box Office | The Disney Blog – Glad to hear of Cap’s success. I still am very apprehensive about folding the Marvel properties into the Disney resorts.
  7. The true story behind Noah’s Ark : Pharyngula – That’s … awesome. (Crap animation, but it’s the dialog that’s worth listening to.)
  8. WI Governor Scott Walker to cut DMV centers in Democratic districts « progressivetoo – Stay classy, Scott!
  9. Wikimedia blog » “Rate this Page” is Coming to the English Wikipedia – Just noticed this today. I think it’s probably of value for quick feedback — though I suspect there will still be folks trying to game the stats for pages they really like/dislike.
  10. Harry Potter vs. Twilight – I will confess that I have never read nor seen anything Twilight. Nor have I seen anything that’s made me want to.
  11. Never underestimate the power of spite – George Will has completely gone over the deep end.
  12. With nine days to go – Aren’t it the Republicans who have been lambasting the Dems for creating “uncertainty” in the markets, up until, oh, about a month ago?

Unblogged Bits (Fri. 22-Jul-11 2330)

Links (most recent first) that caught my eye, but did not warrant full-blown blog entries ….

  1. I Find Your Lack of Relevance Disturbing: Is Star Wars a Joke Now? | Tor.com – Sadly, yes, it is.
  2. Arapahoe deputies brace for IKEA opening traffic – The Denver Post – It’s like Krispy Kreme fever all over again. Yeesh.
  3. SDCC: Avatar, and the Legend of the Biggest Damn Dog and to a Lesser Extent, Korra – Very cool!
  4. U.S. Envoy Minimizes Mounting Evidence of Mass Graves in Sudan | Politics | Religion Dispatches – Gee, if only we had some spare military forces, we might be tempted to help.
  5. Larry Summers on ‘the jobs deficit’ – Yes. This. Because decreasing corporate taxes, or making it even easier for corporations to move jobs and revenue production offshore isn’t actually going to help the American economy — except for personal economies of folks who have big investments in those companies, or who are the recipients of their campaign contributions.
  6. Abstruse Goose » History of Flight
  7. Summer’s Eve’s “Hail to the V” Campaign » Sociological Images – Crikey.
  8. Apostrophes, Technology, and Social Change – Ugh.
  9. INFOGRAPHIC: Recognition Of Same-Sex Couples Surges Since 1996 – There are things that give me hope for our society. Like this.
  10. John Yoo Makes Tortured Defense Of Corporations Secretly Buying Elections – (Rolls eyes.)
  11. ‘Alexander Hamilton’ – I liked this book quite a bit when I read … er, listened to it.
  12. Perry’s Moon Shot: Accusing Obama Of Leaving Astronauts To ‘Hitchhike Into Space’ – Because the US Government should definitely spend a lot of money … in my state!
  13. FAA Will Close at Midnight, Furloughing Up to 4,000 Workers – This is why we can’t have nice things.
  14. Molson Coors will launch Animée, a beer for women – Denver Restaurants and Dining – Cafe Society – /facepalm (For the record, Margie is mocking this.)
  15. Obama Certifies DADT Repeal – Good for him. And about damned time.
  16. As Oklahomans Die, Inhofe Mocks Killer Heat Wave – Stay classy, Jim!

Unblogged Bits (Tue. 12-Jul-11 2331)

Links (most recent first) that caught my eye, but did not warrant full-blown blog entries ….

  1. How To Turn Your Netbook Into a Chromebook with Chromium OS – Well, there’s an interesting idea. And if I had a week free to pursue it …
  2. Instant Oatmeal
  3. Tea Party Group Believes “Public Schools Should Go Away” – Because restricting education to those who can afford it (and those who get “private charity”) is just what made this country great. Crikey.
  4. Lawrence O’Donnell Explains “Rope-a-Dope” Strategy – Man, I hope it’s all been as clever as this makes it look.
  5. Brady Bunch Creator Sherwood Schwartz Dies at 94 – This man had an inordinate influence on my childhood and my view of the world. And any universe that doesn’t include the Gilligan’s Island Players performing “Hamlet” is a sad, barren universe indeed.
  6. Theme Park Bits: Update on Marvel’s Future in Disneyland and A New Ride That Allows You To Battle Your Favorite Animated Villain – Honestly? I think the intrusion of the Marvel Universe into Disneyland would be a huge mistake. The two have very, very different vibes.
  7. Why does the Senate Chaplain make $150k and have staff making $129k, $86k, and $52k? – Do Senators really need someone on staff (with staff!) to lead them in prayer and provide on-site counseling? Isn’t that something, oh, they should have their own individual pastors for?
  8. George W Bush should be prosecuted over torture, says human rights group: Chris McGreal
  9. Sister Wives Stars File Suit to Legalize Polygamy | Religion Dispatches – Interesting. Unfortunately, I’m sure it will provide plenty more fuel for the anti-gay marriage crowd.
  10. God’s Law is the Only Law: The Genesis of Michele Bachmann | Politics | Religion Dispatches – And she’s considered a front-runner for the GOP. It’s simultaneously hilarious and terrifying.
  11. Cantor: Taxing The Rich Is Off The Table, But Making Students Pay More Immediately Is Fine | ThinkProgress – Let them borrow cake!
  12. The Associated Press: APNewsBreak: Romney rejects gay marriage pledge – “Undignified and inappropriate” — two perfect words for the candidates (Bachmann and Santorum) who have signed the pledge.
  13. Should kids be banned from restaurants? – All Salon – Salon.com – We’ve take Katherine to restaurants for as long as she’s been alive. The difference (from too many parents) being that we’ve made it clear the behavior we expect from her, we’ve tried to come up with unobtrusive ways for her to entertain herself when appropriate, and we’ve been willing (when the age demanded it) to bail on the rest of dinner, as needed, to keep from disturbing fellow diners. I appreciate the sentiments of Mr Vuick, having seen some appallingly lax parenting (and poor parental socialization) in restaurants — but if you ban kids from good restaurants, how are they going to know how to behave later?
  14. The right’s weird Michelle Obama problem – War Room – Salon.com – Lunacy. Just sheer lunacy, even if you’re charitable enough to scrub all the racism from the conversation.
  15. Interchange Improvement Project Begins on I-25 at Santa Fe Drive — CDOT – Wow. That should make things … interesting. Though it should be a huge improvement once complete.
  16. America’s creditor identifies its budget problem – Glenn Greenwald – Salon.com – Not that they aren’t a bit self-interested in it, but it’s refreshing to hear someone else say it.
  17. Silica gel: What happens if I eat it? – By Will Oremus – Slate Magazine
  18. New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms: Barker town clerk Laura Fotusky resigns over gay marriage. – While I disagree with Ms Fotusky’s position, I respect her willingness to quit her job rather than compromise her moral beliefs. (And, yes, I’d feel the same way, on both counts, if she chose to resign because she could not, in good conscience, marry a mixed-race couple.)
  19. Israel Bans Boycotts Against the State – NYTimes.com – Yes, because banning political opposition is just what you do when you want to avoid delegitimization.
  20. ‘The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra’: The Creators Speak – Speakeasy – WSJ – Came home to find Kitten watching the series finale of A:TLA, which reminded me of this follow-up (originally slated for 2011), which prompted me to search out what was going on with it.

Unblogged Bits (Wed. 22-Dec-10 0431)

Links (most recent first) that caught my eye, but did not warrant full-blown blog entries ….

  1. The GOP’s emergency-room argument lives – Perhaps it can be defeated by noting that emergency-room care is “the most inefficient system of socialized medicine ever devised.”
  2. Marshall: Soldiers Can’t Fight If They’re “Worried About This Guy Whose Got Eyes” On Them – “Don’t confuse me with the truth! I’m pontificating!”
  3. Barton: The Smithsonian, like Satan after the Crucifixion of Jesus, Regrets Hide/Seek Exhibit – Don’t confuse me with the truth! I’m pontificating!
  4. Conspiracy Thinking – Skepticism’s Evil Twin – What does it mean to be a skeptic, vs. a conspiratist. In some ways, the latter circles all the way around the spectrum to become anything but a skeptic, no matter how independent and free-thinking they portray themselves.
  5. Aang vs. Heimdal vs. Racism « Dan Wells – Wow. Very nicely perceived. Racial and cultural politics is like a mine field at midnight in America. This comparison of the “Why isn’t Heimdall white?” vs’ “Why isn’t Aang asian?” controversies is very thought provoking. (And, as an aside, my “ideal” is for the various races and cultures in America to mingle whilst appreciating differences along the lines of Italian-Americans appreciating their heritage vs. Irish-Americans … not resentfully, but with a touch of proprietary pride, a scosh of rivalry, some particular attributes and touchstones, but recognizing, bottom-line, the American identity. But, perhaps, I optimistically project …)

Unblogged Bits (Sun. 28-Nov-10 2232)

Links (most recent first) that caught my eye, but did not warrant full-blown blog entries ….

  1. The Last Airbender Movie | Cracked.com – Thank you, Cracked, for reminding me of such an awful disappointment of a movie. Although in a mildly cathartically amusing fashion.
  2. 6 Secret Monopolies You Didn’t Know Run the World | Cracked.com – I welcome my new monopolistic overlords!

Unblogged Bits (Mon. 2-Aug-10 0200)

Links (most recent first) that caught my eye, but did not warrant full-blown blog entries ….

  1. The main reason I blog? – As good a reason as any. Oh, and so I remember stuff I did.
  2. All the Fish that Lay in Dirty Water Dying – “We’ll get what we deserve in the end.”
  3. Kyl Dismisses Reports That Crime Is Down In Arizona As A ‘Gross Generalization’ – “A gross generalization” that, um, happens to be true.
  4. Creating Critical Distance; or, on Teaching Avatar: The Last Airbender – That’s … well, it’s shrouded in critical theory double-talk, but it’s fascinating to see an Avatar episode being used in a non-entertainment fashion, esp. one as meta as “The Ember Island Players.”
  5. BBC News – Many ‘fearful of helping children in need’ – Very sad. Very understandable, but very sad.
  6. Mitch McConnell Calls Lending to Small Businesses ‘TARP III’ to Justify More GOP Obstruction – McConnell is either intentionally mendacious or he doesn’t know WTF he’s talking about. His rant about nationalized industries is emblematic of both.
  7. Flying giants: Incredibly rare display as manta rays leap 3ft out of water into the air | Mail Online – Cue Irwin Allen …
  8. Why every AG in the country should be suing the credit-rating agencies – Required reading for anyone with a credit score … which means, I think, anyone.

Unblogged Bits (Fri. 30-Jul-10 0201)

Links (most recent first) that caught my eye, but did not warrant full-blown blog entries ….

  1. ‘Legend of Korra’: The ‘Avatar’ Creators on the New Spinoff – Speakeasy – WSJ – More on the new series, interviewing Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. Sounds promising!
  2. The Crime Syndicate: the Evil Justice League – Evil Twins — the GM’s Best Friend.
  3. Drilling on California’s Coastline – And if only the liberals hadn’t gotten gotten all persnickety about “spills” and “ecology” and “beaches,” those rigs would still be there today!
  4. Out of Laser Sights, Out of Mind – Don’t you realize that foreign aid simply encourages folks in foreign countries to sit around on their butts and watch “Oprah” all day?! It’s like unemployment for furriners!
  5. Private Industry Contaminating Your Precious Bodily Fluids – Silly writer — modern conservatism has nothing to do with past conservative values, only with The Money.
  6. Anne Rice Leaves Christianity; Doesn’t Want To Be “Anti-Gay,” “Anti-Feminist” – I’ll note that as a Christian, I am not anti-gay, anti-feminist, anti-birth-control, anti-Democrat, anti-secular-humanist, anti-science, anti-life … Though that’s gotten me into some trouble as to whether I’m to be considered Christian at all. Certainly, demoninationally, there are sizable factions within Christianity that are some or all of those things. But there are parts that are not, that care more for Christ’s care for others and love of all.
  7. The Stupidity Of Liberal Apathy | The New Republic – “If the left is going to demand action, it has to do more than sigh when action–even modest action–actually happens.” Nobody is going to claim that the Obama Administration, or the Democratic Leadership of Congress, have been uncompromising drivers of progressive change (except, of course, for brick-lobbing Republicans). But, really — if the choice is between a House of Representatives led by Nancy Pelosi or one led by John Boehner, do liberals REALLY think there’s no difference?
  8. Past problems for company at heart of oil spill – Yahoo! News – Obviously, the problem was that they were over-regulated! Fewer regulations, fewer regulatory violations!
  9. Logo Blocked! Obama’s Communists Desperately Try To Hide Logo! Furor Over GodBlock UPDATED! | Christian Coalition of America – Holy crap, whatever these guys are smoking simply cannot be legal.

Unblogged Bits (Mon. 26-Jul-10 2000)

Links (most recent first) that caught my eye, but did not warrant full-blown blog entries ….

  1. Egypt Family Vacation | Adventures by Disney – Hmmmm … Egypt, you say? Hmmmm …
  2. ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’: Nickelodeon Greenlights TV Spinoff ‘The Legend of Korra’ – Speakeasy – WSJ – I had heard rumors about this at the Con, but none of the details. I don’t know if I’m more surprised that the movie did good box office (I’ve yet to hear anyone say anything more than tepid enjoyment of it), or that they’re setting the new series 70 years later. At least it sounds like the same team as before, which means I’ll give it more than the benefit of the doubt.
  3. Super Heroes vs. the Westboro Baptist Church – ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews – This is Teh Awesome. I did not, alas, get to actually see the Counter-Protest, but much of the below is brilliant. (“DARKSEID IS!”) The CIA protest guy was, apparently, legit (well, sincere) and there all weekend, and there were usually some other, much milder non-Phelpsy “Jesus Saves” signs up on 5th Avenue, partially obscured by the big Syfy balloons most of the time.

Comic-Con Panels

San Diego Comic-ConLooking through the announced schedule for the San Diego Comic-Con, some observations / categorizations:

Biggest Decision of Which Panel I’m Least Likely to Attend:  Sat. 10:00-11:00 –

  • Nickelodeon Presents: the “SpongeBob SquarePants” Secret Formula Revealed! or
  • “Twilight” Fanfiction Author Fangroup

Most Ironic Panel:

  • Sat. 3:30-4:30 – Robert E. Howard in Comics: Then, Now, Always – “We regret to announce that this panel has been canceled.”

Saddest (or, perhaps Angriest) Group:

  • Sat. 3:00-4:00 – “Avatar: The Last Airbender” Fan Gathering.

Biggest Decision of Which Panel I’m Most Likely to Attend: Sat. 4:30-5:30 –

  • Welcome to the Future: Are You Sure You Want to Stay? Futures, dystopian and otherwise, with Samuel Delany, Alan Dean Foster, Cory Goodfellow, Kirsten Imani Kasel, Dani Kollin, Eytan Kollin, Nnedi Okorafor, David Weber, David J. Williams, Charles Yu.
  • Spotlight on J. Michael Straczynski
  • Disney Epic Mickey. With Warren Spector and Peter David.
  • Terry Moore.

And that’s not counting the Writing for Comics panel at 4:00-5:00 (which, oddly, also seems to include Peter David), and the Marvel Animation: “Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” panel at 4:15-5:15.

Biggest Panel Conflict of All:  Looking at the schedule of things I’m interested in seeing, I’m pretty much booked solid (where not double- or triple-booked) the entire con.  And I know I’m going to need a day, if not more, to cruise the Dealer Room …

Unblogged Bits (Thu. 8-Jul-10 0200)

Links (most recent first) that caught my eye, but did not warrant full-blown blog entries ….

  1. Many English speakers cannot understand basic grammar – This is very interesting — both in terms of language theory and as something that writers (literary, technical, instructional) need to consider.
  2. The Religious Right’s Bizarre Understanding of the Establishment Clause – Summary of the argument: If you aren’t for us, you’re against us! And since the Constitution doesn’t allow you to be against us, you have to be for us!
  3. CNN Caves To Right Wing Neocons By Firing Its Mideast Reporter Octavia Nasr – Actually, I’d think “simplistic comments” would be just up the neocons’ alley.
  4. Next up from M Night Shyamalan – DORK TOWER, Wednesday, June 7
  5. This is not your Mom’s Girl Scouts – Not a bad logo/identity redesign. Need to be sure my Mother-in-Law sees this.
  6. Helping the climate, cutting the deficit: Steve Benen
  7. What’s bad for the coffers is good for the reputation – Lacking donations from Big Finance causes logistical difficulties, but the Dems do have a solid opportunity to exploit that as an electoral advantage.
  8. Obama cuts short nonsense on CMS nominee – I don’t care for recess appointments, but when that’s the ONLY way to get appointees past the pseudo-majority GOP …
  9. Glenn Beck Is Leading Christians to Hell – If he is, it’s not for the reasons Mr. Keller thinks …
  10. Who Is Trying To Shut Down Chris Rodda’s Videos Exposing the Lies of Beck and Barton? – There’s a special place in Hell for people who make up quotations by famous or influential people in order to “win” an argument through deceit.
  11. Christian Coalition Wants “Twilight” Books Banned – Actual quote: “These Twilight books are very disturbing books for family values. Teen marriage is not the standard, but the part that is more troubling is the vampire. It’s just not normal for young people to idolize a vampire.”
  12. Legislature-Passed Civil Unions Bill Not Democratic Enough, Says Hawaii Governor – If it’s mandated by the judiciary, then it’s undemocratic because the legislature didn’t do it. When it’s passed by the legislature, then it’s undemocratic because it wasn’t done by popular vote. When it’s done by popular vote then it’s an oppression of minority religious rights, which the judiciary needs to mandate …
  13. Insurer revoked leukemia patient’s coverage because it claimed she underpaid her premium by a penny. – Hey, you gotta understand the poor insurance company’s position! I mean, after a while, all those pennies add up!!
  14. Hannity: ‘I Don’t Hear America Being Praised Enough By The Muslim World’ – Only the weak and insecure complain that they are not praised enough.
  15. The Last Airbender – Kiss the Curb One Minute Movie Reviews – More proof it’s confusing and muddled even if (especially if?) you’ve never seen the TV show.
  16. Jindal Signs ‘Gun-In-Church’ Bill, Allowing Congregants To Bring Concealed Weapons To Worship – I disagree with the theology, and the dancing around coming up with the “church security” excuse — but if we are going to allow concealed carry permits, I don’t understand why churches would be off limits.
  17. MN GOP Gov. Candidate’s Idea For Economic Growth: Cut The Minimum Wage Of Bartenders And Waiters – Gee, can we pass a new law that politician who reduces the minimum wage has to take a similar percentage wage cut? I mean, think of taxpayer savings and deficit reduction!
  18. America’s Weird “We-Must-Be-Nice-to-Rich-People” Doctrine: Brad Reed
  19. Workaround – (No comment.)

Unblogged Bits (Wed. 7-Jul-10 0201)

Links (most recent first) that caught my eye, but did not warrant full-blown blog entries ….

  1. Zombies, Why Did It Have to Be Zombies? – Wow. Major kudos here — a loving translation the Disneyland Indy ride using Left 4 Dead. It’s a ride (and queue) with a ton of detail, and the modder has done a great job replicating it. the “Zombies of the Caribbean” linked to is less detailed, but makes up for it with ZOMBIES.
  2. The Last Airbender: Caucasians Not In Their Element? – The author is far kinder to the actors than I was, but it’s heartening that seeing the film is actually encouraging someone to go out and find the TV series.
  3. Anxiety may be at root of religious extremism, researchers find – Makes a lot of sense to me.
  4. BP Media Clampdown: Journalists Now Face Possibility of Fines, Prison Time – That’s just … rrg. Please, someone take this to court.
  5. Firefox 4 Beta 1: Tell us what you think! – I’m just not a beta kind of guy, but it’s good to see they are making progress.
  6. Does the Bible Really Call Homosexuality an “Abomination”? | Sexuality/Gender | Religion Dispatches – A very interesting article on (mis)translation and its effects today.
  7. Gun Ownership: ‘An Obligation to God’ | Politics | Religion Dispatches – These are scary, scary people. With (God-demanded) guns. And the self-righteousness to use them.