Disqus - Latest Comments for Derek

Re: McC finally sits for an interview (Scripting News)

Derek — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:07:44 -0000

Great. If Sarah Palin knows more about energy than anyone else in the United States of America, we are in a very sorry state.

Re: Our Fickle Minds

Derek — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:42:47 -0000

I dunno...I don't know if I necessarily agree with the Braveheart analogy being made or even the general articulation hre. To me, this is more an issue of being less interested in that which you "own". That is the basis of our innate desire to "conquer". To put it in a more positive light, people tend to be less focused on things they have done and more focused on things they want to do :)

Re: Mac Users Prefer Ron Paul

Derek — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:20:59 -0000

Why don't people choose to go for a non-racist candidate....like Kucinich?

Re: Read This if You Believe in Man-Made Global Warming

Derek — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 19:40:12 -0000

My personal take on the situation is that it doesn't matter if it is man-made or not. It doesn't even matter if global warming is actually happening or not. The fact is it, with current science and technology, we will not know if we are experiencing "global warming" and if it is "man-made" until it is potentially too late. For the sake of humanity, why don't we try to have as minimal impact on the environment as we can?

Re: The Best Drummer

Derek — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 19:58:13 -0000

While Dave Weckl is technically very good at drums, my personal feeling is that technical ability is only a portion of what makes drummers good, especially in situations when playing with other people.

My personal favorite is Jaki Liebezeit.

Re: Heath Ledger Died Recently

Derek — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:24:00 -0000

It's pretty clear to me that Heath Ledger had more of an impact on your average American person than thousands of nameless/faceless people in another part of the world and I don't think the comparison is really fitting.

Both events are tragic, but comparing the two in the reaction they draw from American people is pretty futile considering the "relationship" people had with Heath Ledger as opposed to thousands elsewhere.

This comparison begins to approach the comparison of the death of a family member versus thousands elsewhere. sure, the total sum and reasons of deaths elsewhere is a greater loss, but which one hits home more?

Re: Very Poor Rhetoric on Race

Derek — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:41:13 -0000

C'mon-are you really going there? You've got it half right and half wrong, but are not using the logic of your half right part to render your half wrong part irrelevant. You're right about it being a systemic cultural cycle, you're wrong about everything else. Do you really think 50 years of "legal" de-segregation makes up for the centuries of all the other bullshit? The fact of that matter is that, yes, people are individuals, but also that people are members of societal and cultural groups. Humans are designed to follow. With corporations and governments showing black people relatively little regard or support in equality among races/classes, 50 years is not enough to bring a culture of being "less than" for several centuries to a level playing field with white America. Please don't use the phrase "90’s theme of high victimization and low responsibility" so loosely again. I appreciate your Libertarian tendencies and ideally I support that, but this country victimizes and exploits too many people/cultures/societies without being checked on it for personal responsibility to be the end all-be all.

Re: Very Poor Rhetoric on Race

Derek — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:55:27 -0000

I hesitate to call you all racists, but you're certainly unsympathetic to the black plight. In very much the same way you point out the black culture's lack of personal responsibility as the reason they are still having troubles, I point out the fact that you all are more content to let black people figure out centuries of injustice on their own AND blame it on them when they haven't been able to resolve the injustice in 50 years. Lend a helping hand, brother.

Re: Why I Carry A Gun: A Personal Anecdote

Derek — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:29:15 -0000

There are so many ways to resolve this situation that don't require a gun.

Re: Very Poor Rhetoric on Race

Derek — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:03:35 -0000

"helping hand" is sympathy and compassion and less concern on negating parts of an opinion that represent a larger issue. posts like these seem to me to trivialize a real issue of inequality in America and the world. yes, he's educated and should be making points clear and everything he says can and should be debated, but can be done so without hints of "black people are responsible for their own problems", because again, it's bullshit to expect a minority population to bring themselves out of an institutionalized inequality of several centuries over a course of 50 years.

Re: Very Poor Rhetoric on Race

Derek — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:36:01 -0000

Its really not funny because women aren't a culture in the same way black people are. Women live and interact with men primarily based on sexuality, as opposed to the still very segregated living situation of the white and lack populations. The problem here is the generalization of what inequality is when it actually lives and breathes in many different forms.

Re: Very Poor Rhetoric on Race

Derek — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:39:10 -0000

plus if you think women are on the same playing field as men, there is a lot you are ignoring.

Re: Very Poor Rhetoric on Race

Derek — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:19:48 -0000

Steven,
You're points are all valid, and I agree with everything you just said. I did not elaborate on those topics because its straying form the debate at hand. Yes, women can provide a demographic, but very rarely do you see women living in neighborhoods of and within themselves. Because male population has such a high level interaction with the female population, there is not the same disregard for female culture. When you consider the interaction of the white population and black population, the segregation roots from racism and has never really recovered in many ways. Women have not had the same level of segregation from men. And all this is not to say that one person can't transcend that (ala Oprah), but that's like saying someone can come up with the theory of relativity. Sure, there are people capable of it, but we are not all fortunate enough to be born with the circumstances and genetics to conquer every hardship.

Re: Politics: What’s Wrong With This Analogy?

Derek — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:19:15 -0000

I agree these kinds of analogies are too simplistic. It doesn't take into account any past history and experiences. Why doesn't the homeless guy clean up the poop?
1) that can be considered somewhat of a humiliating "job" for an adult
2) there are too few people that would offer $5 to a homeless band to clean up poop in their yard

And even though I disagree with the legitimacy and accuracy of the analogy, if I were to accept it for the point its trying to make, it shows me:
1) The Republican Party makes decisions on issues based in their microcosmic view of the world. If you aren't in their microcosm, you should be in it whether you agree or are capable of it in the first place.
2) The Democratic Party realize that people come from different backgrounds/life experiences/situations and that holding every personally responsible for their well-being would disregard the diversity of human existence.

Re: Politics: What’s Wrong With This Analogy?

Derek — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:21:36 -0000

...or rather would be unsympathetic to the diversity of human existence.

Re: My Thoughts on China and the Olympics

Derek — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:10:00 -0000

China is just trying to be like America, just need more practice at the art of deception.

Re: Election 2008: CNN/Obama vs. Fox/McCain

Derek — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:27:40 -0000

I think all the networks are garbage. For example, CNN was trying to make a story out of Obama's VP selection and the subsequent wait this past Friday. The headline read "The Big Tease: How Much Is Too Much?" That's not pro-Obama and sensationalism at best, which is all the networks care about at this point.

Re: Facism: “I Don’t Think That Word Means What You Think It Means.”

Derek — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:14:24 -0000

Quick comments:

<ul>
<li>Along with nationalism usually comes intolerance for other "types" of people (ie. racism)</li>
<li>Theoretical communism strives for equality among all citizens, therefore a democratic communist society (as proposed by Marx) is possible.</li>
</ul>

Re: The Republican Convention Has Reminded Me Why I Hate Them

Derek — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:16:32 -0000

TIMM, you article you post seems to suggest that Palin did indeed approach the library about banning books. And also that she abused her power (employment termination).

Re: Obama Shows How He’ll Pwn in Debates With Republicans [Short Vid]

Derek — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:21:37 -0000

Jonathan, you are either lying to yourself, believing the lies of others, or are ignorant to the situation.

In case you haven't heard, the McCain campaign's only line of attack on Obama had been his lack of experience relative to McCain. By the same standards of administrative experience, McCain has less experience than Palin too.

So I'll have to disagree with you on this one. This video definitely does show pwnage.

Re: The Republican Convention Has Reminded Me Why I Hate Them

Derek — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:07:45 -0000

TIMM,
Well, if there was a specific list or not, the fact that the issue was even brought to the table is kind of messed up to me.

The request for resignation simply because she supported Palin's opposition is messed up as well. The person was a librarian. What does her political preference have to do with the librarian's ability to perform their job?

Re: The Republican Convention Has Reminded Me Why I Hate Them

Derek — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:17:11 -0000

Shane, when it comes down to the difference of librarian being a vocal opposition to Palin and the librarian having a political preference, there really is little difference that should reflect upon her ability to perform her job.

What political ties does a librarian have with government? She could absolutely hate Palin and tell everyone she knows that, and it's irrelevant on her ability to succeed at her job.

Re: The Republican Convention Has Reminded Me Why I Hate Them

Derek — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:55:31 -0000

Shane,
While on the whole the situation is not entirely relevant, it does seem immature and if part of their campaign is about reaching across party lines, this certainly shows otherwise.

Re: A Conservative for Obama

Derek — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:12:08 -0000

I've sent this article (plus many more) to my mom. I think she's definitely considering Obama more, especially after I was consistently debunking every McCain article of misinformation she was trying to send to me.

Re: Why Politics Depress Me

Derek — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:59:00 -0000

I feel you on this. Fortunately and unfortunately, I feel that this is Obama's way of "playing the game". I fully believe this was just talk to show toughness. If you look at his decision making on the Iraq War, I believe his main goal in international relations is to normalize it with as many countries as he can.

Re: This Woman is Everything Wrong With America

Derek — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:59:21 -0000

There needs to be a large and growing movement that pushes for the enforcement of separation of church and state. This is the bullshit that starts cultural wars and will inevitably be the end of the world.

Re: Palin Thinking The VP is In Charge of the Senate Doesn’t Just Make Her Incompetent, It Makes McCain Incompetent For Picking Her

Derek — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:31:39 -0000

You seem to forget that people voted for Bush the past two elections.

Re: This Election Has Made Me More Liberal

Derek — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:48:04 -0000

I've been saying this for several years now. Ideologically, I am libertarian. However, I feel practically that we are no where close to living in an America where everyone is born with the same opportunity to succeed which i think is required for libertarianism.

Re: Chief NASA Climate Scientist Now a Man-Made Global Warming Skeptic

Derek — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:04:55 -0000

I've always been open to the fact that global warming was largely a natural phenomenon. However, I'm afraid that this is the kind of info that will halt environmental advancements which still needs to be pushed ahead at full steam.

Re: You Ain't Rollin' Your Roll Rite

Derek — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:26:42 -0000

Any idea where I can find this album? I've looked all over and can't find it.

Re: Our Fickle Minds

Derek — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:42:47 -0000

Re: Mac Users Prefer Ron Paul

Derek — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:20:59 -0000

Why don't people choose to go for a non-racist candidate....like Kucinich?

Re: Read This if You Believe in Man-Made Global Warming

Derek — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 19:40:12 -0000

Re: The Best Drummer

Derek — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 19:58:13 -0000

My personal favorite is Jaki Liebezeit.

Re: Heath Ledger Died Recently

Derek — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:24:00 -0000

Re: Very Poor Rhetoric on Race

Derek — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:41:13 -0000

Re: Very Poor Rhetoric on Race

Derek — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:55:27 -0000

Re: Why I Carry A Gun: A Personal Anecdote

Derek — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:29:15 -0000

There are so many ways to resolve this situation that don't require a gun.

Re: Very Poor Rhetoric on Race

Derek — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:03:35 -0000

Re: Very Poor Rhetoric on Race

Derek — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:36:01 -0000

Re: Very Poor Rhetoric on Race

Derek — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:39:10 -0000

plus if you think women are on the same playing field as men, there is a lot you are ignoring.

Re: Very Poor Rhetoric on Race

Derek — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:19:48 -0000

Re: Politics: What’s Wrong With This Analogy?

Derek — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:19:15 -0000

Re: Politics: What’s Wrong With This Analogy?

Derek — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:21:36 -0000

...or rather would be unsympathetic to the diversity of human existence.

Re: My Thoughts on China and the Olympics

Derek — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:10:00 -0000

China is just trying to be like America, just need more practice at the art of deception.

Re: Election 2008: CNN/Obama vs. Fox/McCain

Derek — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:27:40 -0000

Re: Facism: “I Don’t Think That Word Means What You Think It Means.”

Derek — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:14:24 -0000

Quick comments:

Re: The Republican Convention Has Reminded Me Why I Hate Them

Derek — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:16:32 -0000

TIMM, you article you post seems to suggest that Palin did indeed approach the library about banning books. And also that she abused her power (employment termination).

Re: Obama Shows How He’ll Pwn in Debates With Republicans [Short Vid]

Derek — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:21:37 -0000

Jonathan, you are either lying to yourself, believing the lies of others, or are ignorant to the situation.

So I'll have to disagree with you on this one. This video definitely does show pwnage.

Re: The Republican Convention Has Reminded Me Why I Hate Them

Derek — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:07:45 -0000

TIMM,
Well, if there was a specific list or not, the fact that the issue was even brought to the table is kind of messed up to me.

Re: The Republican Convention Has Reminded Me Why I Hate Them

Derek — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:17:11 -0000

What political ties does a librarian have with government? She could absolutely hate Palin and tell everyone she knows that, and it's irrelevant on her ability to succeed at her job.

Re: The Republican Convention Has Reminded Me Why I Hate Them

Derek — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:55:31 -0000

Shane,
While on the whole the situation is not entirely relevant, it does seem immature and if part of their campaign is about reaching across party lines, this certainly shows otherwise.

Re: A Conservative for Obama

Derek — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:12:08 -0000

Re: Why Politics Depress Me

Derek — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:59:00 -0000

Re: This Woman is Everything Wrong With America

Derek — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:59:21 -0000

Re: Palin Thinking The VP is In Charge of the Senate Doesn’t Just Make Her Incompetent, It Makes McCain Incompetent For Picking Her

Derek — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:31:39 -0000

You seem to forget that people voted for Bush the past two elections.

Re: This Election Has Made Me More Liberal

Derek — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:48:04 -0000

Re: The Video SEO Creative Vado HD review

Derek — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:44:25 -0000

I recently ordered a Vado HD and am currently waiting for its
arrival. In the meantime, I was wondering if the Vado HD can plug in and
be charged by the usb power adapter that comes with an Apple iPhone/iPod
as seen here
(http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB352LL/B?mco=N...
Thanks.