Reactions

Wowzers! (I felt that a simple wow didn't do justice to the number of comments...) A lot of action in the last couple of days. I apologize if I seem reactionary, but I’m going to dedicate today’s post to responding to some of the many ideas and topics being bounced around.

P Corcs, you're right to say that it is extreme hyperbole to compare Guantanamo to a concentration camp. I’m by no means trying to demean or downplay anything that happened to the Jewish population during WWII. I used the comparison to illustrate a point, and I think, in this regard, the comparison serves its purpose. What I'm getting at is the fact that we can't afford to assume our leaders are moral or that America's actions will always be just. As you yourself pointed out, the majority of the Germans were oblivious to the realities of the Nazi Party because the only information they received was filtered through Hitler and his cronies. Can anyone say for certain that we aren’t just as naïve? Once again, I’m aware that I’m exaggerating the situation, and the media largely ensures that a mass delusion to this extent will never happen again. But remember journalists are human beings influenced by external factors and we must always take these eternal influences into account.

For myself, I would much rather error on the side of boldness, even if it means being proven wrong, than be naïve to the realities of the world around us. I know that you all would too.

Good work on the 13 comment find. Your application for Zizzle-Zot Historian is being carefully considered...and has now been made accepted. I’ll figure out a way in the next couple of days to make it official… I imagine we’ll need a picture with you in a scholarly lounge, with a pipe, wearing a smoking jacket and a monocle (sounds like Clue).

Mr. Helgen, a most sincere welcome to Zizzle-Zot, etc. I believe I speak for everyone when I say we’ve enjoyed your thoughts and insights into the discussions. Don’t worry about “hijacking” the comments section. It’s good to hear as many sides to a debate as possible, and I know all the readers appreciate having another mind to bounce ideas around. Thanks for bringing that Daily Show episode to our attention. I just went online and watched the clip with the author of “Merchant of Death,” Douglas Farah.

You all can check it out here:

http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/player.jhtml?ml_video=102765&ml_collection=&ml_gateway=&ml_gateway_id=&ml_comedian=&ml_runtime=&ml_context=show&ml_origin_url=/shows/the_daily_show/videos/most_recent/index.jhtml%3Fstart%3D16&ml_playlist=&lnk=&is_large=true

You have to watch an annoying commercial with Missy “Misdemeanor” (is she still called that?) Elliott first. Apologies. But it really is worth it.

That said, I’m the self-nominated and elected president of the “Nicholas Cage Haters Club.” Unless we’re talking about Adaptation (but Face Off? Come on.).

Cassel, Mr. Antagonist was right to say the US is doing very little to capture Victor Bout. We do use him for behind-the-scenes arms deals, and he’s been contracted to transport UN officials, US diplomats, (and according to the previously mentioned Daily Show interview, frozen chickens), etc. The US didn't even issue the arrest warrant (Interpol did). Plus, it would be the start of a political nightmare to try and get him out of Russia.

It’s interesting, because the current administration has spent the last 7 years trying to make every issue black and white, Good vs. Evil, us vs. them. This is just one of countless situations where, in reality, there are many shades of grey.

This leads to the “moral authority” debate, but this post is already getting long and I’m not ready to touch it right now. Maybe in the future…

To give you a sneak preview of the next couple of days: Yesterday Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke at Columbia University. Today he'll address the United Nations. Tomorrow I’ll offer some thoughts on these events. Look also for a review for Halo 3 (assuming I can carve out some time to get my game on), and I’ve been bouncing around some theories on morphing.

Thanks for reading.

PS Zizzle-Zot, etc. fully endorses Epic Duels as the best game ever created. Maybe I'll make a poll...