When One Has Made Up One's Mind

[Raking in favorite posts from the first half of February, what can I say, living long and prosper, I'm taking my first step into a larger world! -- David]

1. Last night, I was watching Ghostbusters II, and something occurred to be. During the scene in which Bill Murrays' character, Dr. Peter Venkman is hosting his "World of the Psychic" talk show, two of his guests predict two different dates in which they say will be the end of the world. One of which is New Year's Eve. Now, as we all know, the world didn't end on New Year's Eve, as predicted. But, the other date that was given, was, February 14th, 2016. VALENTINE'S DAY!
So, wha...t I'm getting at, is this!
Guys, if you are sweating bullets as to what to get your ladies for Valentine's Day, you may very well not have to worry, on the Basis that we may all very well be too busy with kissing our butts goodbye, to get yourselves in trouble.
HOWEVER, if I should be mistaken, and we're still here on February 15th, you may wish you were dead anyways! After all, I'm single, so I don't have to feel the heat!

2. THIS is what poverty is. Not the inability to buy LeBron's or not have an x-box, not have nails done or get a tat. The majority of people living under the "poverty level" have never known anything remotely close to this. Heart breaking on every level.


3. Since we are discussing the matter... I think one part of the problem is that the motto "comics aren't just for kids" became way to emphasized. When I was growing up, many comics *were* aimed at kids. I mean, Superheroes, to me, are good-vs-evil wish-fulfillment fantasies that appealed to kids (but adults can like them too). Certain titles like Superman, Batman, Spider-Man were aimed to appeal to a younger audience and were "entry-level" comics. But somehow it became fashionable to be "edgy" and morally murky...something the bright, shiny superheroes of old were never meant to be and I think they are suffering for it.

You can get good stories, but then you end up with the Man of Steel where Superman deals with Zod in an very un-Superman like manner. And I'm not commenting on the quality of the stories, just the tone. (Byrne also touched on a similar theme in Superman, but it had more emotional impact and weight IMHO).

We have comics that touch on mature, adult themes that appeal to adults. For once, I would love to see the Superman of old moving throwing a moon to fend off a space-dragon. And it, or something similar, can be done...Morrison's All-Star Superman shows you can have it all.


4. The promise of life we have received we pass on to others. They will tell our story. That is our legacy of faith.


5. The only right perspective is what God teaches us regarding any subject.

(I heard this one from a local pastor on a radio show.)

6. The smell of turkey bones cooking down into broth is "comfort" on this grey day.

7. Villains with twirling mustaches are easy to spot.

(Jean-Luc Picard, Star Trek: The Next Generation, “The Drumhead”)

8. You speak in riddles, yet you have not the air of a madman. I must hear you out. Go on.

(John Brunner, Times Without Number)

9. Oh god, Celestial Rights Activists.

(This was in reference to Marvel Comics' cosmic entities.)

10. Anyway, one always feels better when one has made up one's mind.

(C. S. Lewis, The Last Battle)

11. I won't belong to the Tripods! You do and you don't realize it!

(Will Parker, The Tripods, “England”)

12. Despite all of the hype, the press releases, and the new and fresh creators who will be brought onboard for this latest incarnation, I’m completely underwhelmed. I hate to say it, but if you want longevity in a comic book series, go to the independent publishers; that’s where you can find people who still have a passion for the craft, and the characters they are working on. Mainstream releases are getting too inundated with corporate-driven mandates that saddle creators with silly expectations.

(from the article "DC's Rebirth: Yet Another Reboot")

13. Next year, I want to attend a Superbowl party, dressed as the Doctor. I'll be like "Oh, this one's a classic, you'll love it. It's a whoppa'!"

14. I saw some kids in the neighborhood playing. One had a couple of toy pistols and screamed, "I'm gonna go Deadpool on your ass!" What a shitty and mindless character Marvel came up with, I thought to myself. Basically a sociopathic murderer with no redeemable qualities. But that's okay cause he makes it all seem funny! Sort of like Bugs Bunny as a serial killer. And kids today think of him as a "cool" role model to emulate. Nothing but a blood-drenched Woody Woodpecker. What simple-minded hack stuff. Phaugh. Total B.S.

15. Expediency is the hallmark of the political survivor.

(Alan Dean Foster, The Man Who Used The Universe)

16. Don't even get me started on this. No, we don't just assume every celebrity is shilling. But maybe we should. Maybe we should teach our kids that celebrities don't do anything unless they are paid. That they are disingenuous. And once we get on that slippery slope, where does it stop? Because it's not just celebrities. For once I'd like to see praise for all my fellow bloggers who work very hard to add disclosure to everything that needs it.

But this? If you're being paid, just say so. If you're embarrassed to tell people then you're not the kind of person brands really should be working with.

17. Today is the day that will be the day that changes the rest of your day.

And every other day.

18. Contradictions do not exist. Whenever you think that you are facing a contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong."

(Ayn Rand, reprinted on Rapture Ready's "Inspired Quotes") 

19. One of my all-time, should be shown to aliens so they don't think we're all bastards, movies

(This was posted in reference to Ladyhawke.)


20. It's time for another Throw (WAY) Back Thursday!! Since tomorrow is my friend Charlie's birthday (Charles Darwin that is), here's what he wrote in his diary in October 1836 about his journey on the HMS Beagle:
"The voyage of the Beagle has been by far the most important event in my life and has determined my whole career...I worked to the utmost during the voyage from the mere pleasure of investigation, and from my strong desire to add a few facts to the great mass of facts ...in natural science."
Boy am I glad he did....without Charles Darwin I might not know how I am related to my little sloth cousins of today.
Click below to read more from Charlie's diary.

21. Milo Yiannopoulos is an openly gay, conservative blogger from Britain. He was invited by a student group to speak at Rutgers University this week. A few minutes into his presentation, another group of students stood up, started shouting him (and other fellow students) down, smeared fake blood on their faces, and walked out. Leaving aside the fact that they left buckets of fake blood on the floor for the school janitors to clean up, this is not the way to act against views tha...t you disagree with. This should be common knowledge to us as Americans. Unfortunately many young people on the left nowadays seem to think that not only ignoring, but shouting down, opposing viewpoints is the key toward our society achieving some greater good. It isn't. You're going against the tenets of free expression and dialogue that our country was built upon. There is a big difference between disagreeing with something, and saying that it shouldn't exist since it offends you. There seems to be much more of the latter these days.
The fact that there was a large group of students at this event who stood up for Milo and opposed these naive, small-minded people gives me hope. Let's not forget: one political group can never control the dialogue or philosophy of a nation forever. If they try, it will only strengthen their enemies and eventually lead to earth-shattering changes. History has shown us that.

22. Never in all of human history has an egotistical mouse and his idiot sidekick seemed like the lesser of two evils.

(A poster wrote this regarding the picture "2016 Brain/Pinky Rule The World".)

23. We have a saying in Spanish,"Mejor sola que malacompañada."

Better to be alone than in bad company.

24. Whether people believe in it or not The Bible has probably been the most influential book in the history of the world. Not trying to get into a religious discussion but it has in one way or another had an impact on people that have never even read it. It's definitely easily shaped the world we all live in more than any other book. Books written by Darwin, Marx, and many others have had really huge impacts but they all pale in comparison to what The Bible has done to mold and shape our history and continues to impact all of us. Whether you consider it to be positive or negative it has forever changed mankind.

25. My snack.....[The poster's daughter] is the mango hog......i barely got any.....

26. Civil War trailer comes out: "HOW DARE THEY NOT SHOW US SPIDER-MAN?!"
BvS Trailer comes out: "HOW DARE THEY SHOW US DOOMSDAY?!"
Just had to point that out.

27. There are times when nothing a man can say is nearly so powerful as saying nothing.

(Bruce Barton, The Man Nobody Knows)


28. If he says it, it must be right!

Jeffrey of me, 2029 hrs (Oh how I wish this were true!)

29. Other than praying in the morning this is a awesome way to start my busy day. To all my fellow Star wars fans. Have a good day.

(This poster's response to "Star Wars: Episode VIII Is Now Filming, Production Video With Luke Skywalker Released".)

30. I don't understand the word relationship used like it is here. It is a friendship, deep and close. I have had friends who crave one's company -mostly for conversations, being able to trust and say things that didn't leave the room. To converse, to have companionship, intellectual stimulation.. not everybody gets it from marriage or vocation. I've observed with amusement how western priests keep people at arm's length. It must be pretty lonely within that space - especially in the Catholic framework. I'm glad he [the poster refers to Pope John Paul II, whom it's been revealed communicated without being intimate with a married woman for several decades] had someone to share some intimacy with.