Friday, November 30, 2007

For the record

Don't let the post below lead you to believe that I don't support the WGA strike, as I do, I just don't support stupid talk.

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posted by Jason @ 7:31 PM 0 comments

Monday, November 26, 2007

Ethical viewing? Spare me.

So, various writers from various guilds, including the striking WGA, are asking you to make the, ahem, ethical choice and stop consuming TV shows and movies.

Give me a break.

Not watching CSI or Heroes isn't going to do anything to affect the outcome of the strike unless you're a Nielson family, and even then I have my doubts. Watch them until they run out of fresh episodes, and watch the repeats, it's not going to matter. You're not showing solidarity with the writers, you're just not watching TV. The longer you don't watch TV, the less likely you are to pick it up again, which would be detrimental to the strikers in the long run.

However, please don't watch the reality shows that will be replacing the scripted stuff. Not because it helps the writers, but because they just suck and you'd be better off reading a book or something.

Not buying or renting DVDs is pointless, as the studios already have their money, and all you're doing is hurting the retailer and their staff that doesn't have the benefits of collective bargaining. Also, for crying out loud, don't go to the kid at Blockbuster and explain to him how you aren't renting movies in solidarity as the kid couldn't give two tugs why you're screwing with his income, and it makes you look like a self-righteous wanker.

Lastly, not buying the products advertised isn't going to do anything either, for the simple fact that those who couldn't give two tugs about any of this greatly out-number you, and your little sad symbol of rebellion will fall on deaf ears. Sure, you could write them, but mostly they'll just laugh and send you a "thank you for writing" form letter, probably with coupons attached.

You aren't some special snowflake. You really don't matter.

Still want to show some solidarity?

Fine. Make some sandwiches and coffee, then figure out where the closest picket-line is. I'm sure that those on the line would be grateful.

Oh, right, you just want to rage against the machine through inactivity, rather than actually do anything.

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posted by Jason @ 12:01 PM 0 comments

Monday, November 05, 2007

Highway Horrors

Okay, that was a little melodramatic, but something needs to be done.

There are far too many cars on the road, and not enough road to handle them. The thing is, we don't need more roads, we need less vehicles. I was driving around Friday and I came across three separate accidents, all of which looked like they could've been avoidable had the drivers been better drivers, and if there had been less congestion on the road. People think that a car is a right, but it's not even a privilege, it's a curse. The costs of vehicle ownership are absurdly expensive, but we just go about as if it's nothing.

We need better transit on a provincial scale in order to cut down on vehicles. We need transit that is an honest and desirable substitute for vehicle ownership. We need less vehicles on the road, and better drivers for the ones that are there.

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posted by Jason @ 11:11 AM 2 comments

Sunday, November 04, 2007

It's that time again

If you've come here to check out the hot Asian cosplayer or the Godzilla cloud, I would like to ask you to please support the following: www.childsplaycharity.org

Those who know, know it's run by the Penny Arcade guys, and it's a very worthy cause. If you can make a kid smile, then you're a better person for it.

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posted by Jason @ 7:37 PM 0 comments

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Dear Buzz Hargrove,

The reason why the US auto manufactures are losing out to the import auto manufacturers is simple. It's not because of unfair import practices, it's because of a long history of manufacturing crappy vehicles and a marketplace that is no longer standing for it.

To add to that, you have an American corporation with American corporate values who think that slashing and burning is good business, but building better vehicles isn't. They need to learn to suck it in, take some declining profits, and improve themselves. They won't.

This is economic evolution. The dinosaurs aren't adapting, and they're just dying off. Good riddance I say. (Yes, it's sad that people are losing jobs, but they should've known that there isn't any job security any more, despite what their union mouthpieces say.)

Also, it's time for the unions to realize that there has to be compromise, and that they can't keep on with the same 19th century mindset that they've been maintaining for over a century.

Thank you.

(And this is all from someone whose political views are considered to be on the far left.)

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posted by Jason @ 11:26 AM 0 comments