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Generic Confusion

When you leave, my blog just fades to grey
Nu ma nu ma iei, nu ma nu ma nu ma iei


News? Check. Politics? Check. Music? Check. Random thoughts about life? Check. Readership? Ummm.... let me get back to you on that. Updated when I feel like I have something to say, and remember to post it.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

"I draw my +2 shank and move into the flank...."

An unusual court case upheld a Wisconsin prison's ban on inmates playing Dungeons & Dragons. Not surprisingly, the case got mention on several forums with a high geek population, but also received comment at The Volokh Conspiracy (linked above). Apparently, Ilya Somin doesn't mind letting his freak flag show.

The prison policy is a pretty stupid decision, with rather idiotic justification. It leads to gang activity? Really? A cynic might point out that religion is misused as a justification for the racist thoughts behind actual gangs in prison; should we ban chaplains as well as Dungeon Masters?

I'd be happy if prisoners were both physically tired from hard labor and mentally tired from receiving an education that they would have no interest in playing D&D.

And a note to any prison wardens who might read this: The fact that this policy is receiving international attention doesn't mean people think it's a good idea.

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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Bad uniforms

I just got back from watching the normally unimpressive Indiana Pacers come back from a big deficit to beat the Phoenix Suns. But my only criticism is going to be for the uniforms. The Phoenix uniforms, with PHX instead of Phoenix on the front, are the stupidest looking things I've seen in a while.

The stupidest looking sports emblem I've ever seen was a proposed update to the San Francisco 49ers classic interlocked SF symbol, somewhere around the late 80s. They actually wanted to replace it with a helmet saying 49ers, with 49 in a large, modern font. It looked more like the name of a trendy bistro. Thankfully, the reaction was so negative, that the idea was scrapped.

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Monday, January 04, 2010

Oh, that equitable nationalized health care....

A big selling point of various universal health care systems is how they're fairer. No one is turned away because they don't have money. Everyone gets the care they need in a timely manner.

Dafydd ab Hugh of Big Lizards has a revealing post about his father's experience with Japan's oh-so-fair national health system. It's a tale of private insurance for the well off, peddling influence, bribery, and work that nurses and doctors won't do.

If you thought the French letting its elderly die because no one wanted to cut short their August vacation was bad, just look at this glimpse of trying to get timely, quality health care during the busy New Year's holiday.

I'm going to be honest. There will always be a problem with more demand for health care than the system can handle. And I'd much prefer a system where people with money have an advantage than one where people related to hospital executives or prominent politicians do.

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