SOPA/PIPA

Over the past couple of months, several new bills have been introduced, two of which are SOPA, which is the Stop Online Piracy Act and PIPA, Protect IP Act. SOPA which was introduced in October would allow media companies like the MPAA to shut down overseas websites that infringe on their property, by shutting off the revenue stream to said websites. That revenue stream comes from on-line ads. It would also make unauthorized streaming a crime. That would essentially shut down websites like YouTube. The bill would also prevent search sites like Google from linking certain websites that may or may not be hosting illegal material. There is no way of knowing how minor infractions could be dealt with. SOPA is essentially a re-write of PIPA which is the same damn thing. What these bills would do is give certain organizations unprecedented power over their content, and basically will go after websites that host ANY of that content. Will it cripple the Internet? Not likely, but what is likely is that while piracy is an issue, if these bills pass, piracy will skyrocket, just out of spite. Privacy is also an issue, because these bills would make it legal for companies to look at IP addresses, which is the location of a specific user or network.

I should note that the goal behind these bills is to help protect companies' property and that IS a reasonable goal, and one that I support. But the language in these bills is so broad that it could effect anyone that may or may not be knowingly downloading illegal material. This is NOT a black and white issue as the MPAA or the RIAA would have you believe. Piracy isn't really something you can just get rid with the wave of a magic wand. It's a world-wide issue, and SOPA and PIPA would have far-reaching consequences should they pass in their current form. It should also be noted that recently, the proprietor of SOPA, Lamar Smith has removed certain DNS requirements. DNS or Domain Name System is like a telephone directory which has Domain Names specifically tied to that IP Address or network. The original bill would prevent servers from accessing certain domains that MAY have infringing content. Again, the language is so broad, there is no way of knowing what is illegal or not and how it will be dealt with. The DNS blocking initiative of SOPA was the most controversial part and it has been removed. But the others still remain. The Obama Administration has made it clear that it will not sign into legislation any bill pertaining to the Internet that would infringe on users' rights or privacy.

As a result of the potential harm of the bill, many websites including Wikipedia, Reddit and others have issued a blackout for their websites in protest of these bills, temporarily. It's hard to say if it'll be effective, but stuff like this will be noticed. Will Congress listen to the people? I doubt it. They didn't listen to the people when the Patriot Act was enacted, but then again, the American people were too stupid or too scared to stand up and say, "NO!" I fear the same inaction on the part of the American people will allow these bills to pass. As far as I'm concerned, any form of legislation past, present or future that infringes on my rights as an American citizen is tantamount to treason. And I am accusing Congress of such treachery. The Patriot Act, SOPA/PIPA, The Enemy Expatriation Act: All are the work of people who are more concerned with getting money from lobbyists than the rights of our people. To the American people: Grow a fucking pair, write your congressmen and tell them "NO."

A Date That Lives In Infamy....

70 years ago to, the United States of America was pulled into World War II by Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. Over 2,000 American lives were lost, over 1,200 wounded, and 8 battleships damaged. Two of those ships, including the Arizona were sunk, trapping hundreds of sailors inside. Any doubts about whether or not we should go to war disappeared literally overnight as President Roosevelt made the announcement about the attack on December 8, 1941, and asked congress to declare a state of war on the Empire of Japan.

This won't be a long post, but I'm posting for several reasons. One: To remember and honor those that have lost their lives 70 years ago. Two: To remind people that our lives may have been very, very different had Japan decided not to attack. Three: Japan's attack not only involved us in the Pacific, but we wound up in the European war as well, when Germany and Italy declared war on US. And we responded in kind. It could be argued that if we had not been attacked, we wouldn't have gotten involved in Europe's war. And if we didn't get involved there, the Holocaust would have continued, and more innocent lives would have been lost.

Again, I go back to point number one for making this post: To honor and remember the people that had lost their lives so many years ago. In fact, for more than 50 years, the survivors of that fateful day gathered every year on December 7 to commemorate the attack. The Pearl Harbor Survivor's Association was founded in 1958, and was recognized by the United States Congress in 1985. The first official meeting of the association actually took place in 1954. Sadly, December 7, 2011 will be the last time that the group comes together. Why? Survivors are passing away or simply can no longer travel due to their age. I think we should be grateful for the survivors that are still with us and can still tell us about the events of 1941, and to teach us to remain vigilant. It's also important to teach future generations about the importance of December 7, and not to forget the sacrifices that have been made to keep our country free. For more information about today, please visit the following:
The Official Pearl Harbor Historical Site


"Remember Pearl Harbor--Keep America Alert-- Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty."

To all the military servicemen, past and present, thank you. And for those that are no longer with us, we will never forget you. Happy Veteran's Day.

How far is too far?

A few days ago, I had the opportunity to view a movie called A Serbian Film. I had heard about the film's unrelenting brutality and graphic sexual violence, but I was still unprepared for how far the film would go to punish its audience. Let me make this clear, A Serbian Film was not created to entertain, but to shock and provoke, and it succeeds on that level in more ways than one. It's vile, disgusting and reprehensible. And yet, it actually has a decent story at the heart of it all, topped off with good acting. But to get to that, you have to be able to sit through some of the most unbelievable and grotesque imagery ever committed to film. The film is about an out-of-work porn star who is given an opportunity to set is family up for life, financially. The catch is that he's not allowed to know what he's working on or what the script is, but to react to whatever the director tells him to. From there it takes a major downward spiral into depravity and some very horrific acts. Some of the more disturbing themes include rape, necrophilia and pedophilia. No stone is left unturned here. The depictions of these themes are very graphic and downright disturbing. There is a scene involving a newborn baby that is the focus of the rage and anger towards A Serbian Film. There's a reason for that. It is without a doubt, the most reprehensible and vile act I've ever seen in a movie. Graphically, the film only gets worse from there.

I have another blog for reviewing movies, but A Serbian Film deserves special attention here. Why? To bring up reasons for censorship. I caught the uncut version of the film and it was one of the most grueling and horrific movies I've witnessed. In certain parts of the world, certain parts of the film had to be cut due to the fact that children were involved in the story, specifically the more graphic parts of it. They had to be cut in order for the film to pass muster with the countries' governments. I tell you that to tell you this: I hate censorship of any kind even with a movie like this. But, I can truly understand why people would want to censor certain parts of this film and I don't hold anything against them for thinking that. I would personally think that censoring parts of this film would take away from its power, but from all accounts it really doesn't. I feel that censorship really takes away from artists' intentions, whether it be painting or film, censorship gets in the way of the message that the artist wants to convey. But for A Serbian Film, my question is how do you get your point across without going to far? I ask that, because I honestly felt that putting children in sexual situations on film IS going too far. Especially for a film as graphic as A Serbian Film.

Despite everything that I've described about A Serbian Film, I didn't hate it. This is one of those rare films that actually made me FEEL something, albeit disgust and revulsion, but I do have to give credit to the filmmakers for having the balls to release this movie to the world. It was well acted and the special effects, while graphic in the extreme, are detailed and well done. A Serbian Film is a perfect and understandable case for censorship, but I wouldn't have had the reaction I did if it was censored. I should also mention that what makes the scenes I mentioned all the more horrific, is that this shit happens in the real world. A Serbian Film, as disturbing as it is, is still fiction, but the acts portrayed in this film are happening all over the world, even to newborn children, which I consider to be the most egregious of all violations, and people who commit these acts against children deserve death in the most painful way imaginable. And I'm sure there are twisted people who get off on this film, which wouldn't surprise me, but there is NOTHING erotic about this movie. It's brutal and it really punishes its audience. Despite watching this film, I feel that censorship would be going too far, but I also think that filmmakers should show some restraint in the movies they make. Less can be more. Some of the more effective films come from not showing everything. I'm a huge fan of horror films, but A Serbian Film takes horror to places it really shouldn't go. I was not prepared for what was about to be unleashed on me, but I don't regret it for a moment. Any movie that can really get a reaction from ME that doesn't make me go "This movie is horribly made!" gets a pass from me. I wouldn't show it to my friends or family, however. It's too extreme. And to some extent, a little too much for me, which goes to show that the creators of this film made a very powerful movie in A Serbian Film. But I would wish for people who love to make horror movies to exercise some restraint, not everything needs to be shown to make a point.

Jesus Here, Jeus There, Jesus EVERYWHERE!!!!

I know I haven't posted on this blog for a while, but some events lately have got me thinking about things. I'm sure that everyone has heard in the news of people seeing Jesus Christ in completely random objects. You'll have heard of people seeing Jesus on a piece of toast, on a tree, and most recently receipt paper. First of all, let me say....bollocks. Yes, I used an English slang term. Get over it. Let me explain, in order to see such an ILLUSION and claim it's an image of Jesus Christ, you'd have to be some kind of crackpot, religious dingbat to actually believe that it is an authentic image of your lord and savior. Now, normally I would think this is just a pathetic attempt to get attention, but with the amount of these images showing up, this has potential for comedy gold. Think about it: If Jesus' face could appear on anything, what would happen if he showed up on toilet paper? Now, suppose after you finish your...business, you reach for a piece of toilet paper and all of a sudden, Jesus' face shows up? Wiping your ass with his face would be kind of disrespectful wouldn't it? That would certainly be a new definition of "holy shit." I got another one: Guys, this is for you: Guys look at porno, everyone knows this. Let's say, after watching your favorite porno, and cranking the shaft, you reach for a piece of tissue or something, and the image of Jesus appears on that tissue. And he's looking right at you. I would imagine that would be....awkward. Especially if you've been hiding secrets from wifey. Remember, Jesus could be watching you wank.

'Tis the beginning of the end.....or not.

It's May 21st. Reverend/scam artist/butt monkey/assclown Harold Camping announced many weeks ago that today would be the day that the "faithful" would be lifted to heaven. Rapture, it is called, if I remember correctly. And, that the rest of us would be doomed to remain on earth until October 21st, which the supposed apocalypse is set to begin. Well guess what, boys and girls? Nothin' happened! That's right, the Rapture hasn't happened. Nobody got to go to heaven leaving their clothes behind. If you see someone's clothes on the ground, chances are he/she's a streaker and/or a mental patient running around naked. Now, people have been predicting the end of the world since time immemorial. It's not a new phenomenon. And none of it has come to fruition. I'm not saying the world isn't coming to an end. It will, as all things do, in time. But it won't be in my lifetime or anyone else's for that matter. And if it does, it won't announce itself until it's already happening. People have said that the Mayans have predicted that the world will come to an end on December 21st, 2012. Well, if I remember correctly, the Mayans never said the world would end, but a new cycle would begin. That doesn't mean the planet is going into meltdown and explode or whatnot, but it means that some changes may happen, and that may be the case, but I kind of doubt it will be the apocalypse of the film, 2012.

Also, Mr. Camping mentioned the Bible said when the world would end. Which bible would that be? It certainly isn't the current King James edition. If I remember correctly, the bible never said WHEN the End of Days would occur, but what would happen as it was outlined in Revelations. Okay, that's cool. The dead would rise from the grave, the seas would boil and the skies would fall. That's pretty apocalyptic. BUT: The bible was written by men, not God, and as such, should be taken with a liberal amount of salt. Let me tell you why: Men have a tendency to lie, and omit certain details. It's always been that way, and it will always be that way. And honestly, why the fuck would God want to save the human race after everything that we've done to this planet? Nuclear weapons, pollution, war? This planet has been literally a battleground ever since the human race came into existence. We've caused entire species to go extinct, we've ripped a hole in our own ozone layer, and we've been spilling blood for oil. Where the fuck is the logic in that? Of all the species that should be saved on this planet, mankind is not one of them. As for the "faithful?" Who exactly would that be? There is not one human soul, save for newborn children that has not committed a sin. And by sin, I mean one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Everyone is certainly guilty of Wrath. That's for damn sure. I know I am, even as I type this. Many are certainly guilty of Gluttony. Envy and Pride are also right up there with Wrath.

If we were to be judged by our sins alone, not one person on this planet would be worthy enough to enter Heaven, Valhalla, Elysium, or whatever "Happy Place In The Sky" you think exists. As for the end of the world? It's coming, whether you like it or not. But it won't adhere to any religious moron's set schedule. It'll happen, and you won't know it until it hits.

Wal-Mart's A Bust

A week ago, I decided to order myself a new HDTV from Wal-Mart as well as an HDMI cable, as I have PlayStation 3 and want to take advantage of it. So, I order the items in question with the option of 2-3 days, so they'll arrive this week. My HDMI cable showed up, but not my TV. It's still in the "processing" stage, they tell me it's due to a warehouse delay, on which I call bullshit, because they didn't give me an estimated time to when it WOULD ship. Instead I get a 20 dollar eGift card as compensation. What kind of fucktard does that? Oh, wait. Wally-Mart. Add to that, four employees at a local Wal-Mart were fired because they defended themselves against an attacker. Really shows you where their priorities are, they don't even give a flying fuck about their employees let alone their customers. This chickenshit "family-friendly" company does not deserve business of any kind, not from me or anyone with any form of common sense. Anybody who shops there, deserves to get fucked over, and I'm sure they will. So, fuck you Wal-Mart. I hope your stores get robbed all to hell.