My New Year's Resolution

My New Year's resolution is to not have a New Year's resolution. Most people don't even keep the promise they made to themselves. Why are you doing that to yourself? Instead, you should make one that you can do immediately, like going to Bangladesh for vacation. I have no clue what's there, or anything about the people, but it's something you can jump on a plane, train, or automobile right now and do. I already know I'm going to be bombarded by people claiming they're going to the gym, or quit smoking, etc. only to have these posts clear up midway through the year (at best). But then the same New Year's resolution pops up again next year. This cycle doesn't have to be vicious. Tell all your friends you're going on vacation for yours and meet me on the Ganges river. End of discussion. 

Bangladesh has World War Z going on right now, 

so never mind. Meet me in Florida. 

You Probably Don't Watch Duck Dynasty

     I don’t watch Duck Dynasty. I couldn’t pick Phil Robertson out of a lineup. I don’t really care what he said, because I’m indifferent to his opinion. In other words, I could care less what his opinions are, because I’ve formed my own. For most of us in the United States, our parents grew up in a portion of Americana that their parents and grandparents carved out for them. They made the decision to believe one way or the other. I don’t fault them for it. Your views would be completely different if you were raised elsewhere and by different people. Inequality sucks. But it still exist, although not as great as it once was. I laugh when people today get bent out of shape because they believe they’re entitled to something. Freedom is fought for. Leaving comments on Reddit doesn’t constitute campaigning against something. Stop pretending you’re a part of a cause just because your comment karma increased. One man made comments that aren’t popular. He never waved them in anyone’s face. The media once again has played you. You’re not racist. You’re not sexist. You’re not homophobic. You’re not the majority of the labels people want you to give. Unless I’m asking you a forced yes or no question, there are more than two answers. My answer to if I think Phil Robertson should be kept off of television is I don’t care. I have the power to turn Duck Dynasty on or off, and so do you. The end.

"His personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community," as well as championing ridiculous stereotypes of white southerners.

Celebrities Are People, Too

In just one week, the world lost Paul Walker, famous for his Fast & the Furious films, and then Nelson Mandela, famous for battling apartheid in South Africa. The other fifty or so notable people to die in that week obviously weren’t in the spotlight enough for others to care. I get that it’s only nice to be sympathetic about someone’s passing, but when it comes to celebrities, people become even more full of shit than normal.

I’m not saying that no one should care about famous people dying; It was amazing how much positive press Paul Walker got, but more amazing how it was immediately followed by the wannabe sociopaths who joked about it and mocked him, despite probably being a part of his film franchise’s success by regularly going to the box office in support. I personally didn’t give a damn about the film franchise, but I’m not a complete asshole and didn’t advertise that his name was never a selling point for a film I would watch. He died and it sucked for him, his daughter, the rest of his family, his friends, and his fans. I remained silent while most understandably grieved. And then others decided it was time to be a turncoat and start one-upmanship with who can be the most sadistic. No one is impressed with your poorly timed and poorly attempted dark humor.

I’ve never seen anyone mention Nelson Mandela on Facebook or Twitter, but upon his death, everyone was quoting him, talking about how much he was a deep influence on their lives, and jumping on the bandwagon about how great he was. Had any of that been true, you’d have joined his fight against AIDS/HIV, climate change, poverty, etc. but I’m sure most never knew any of the organizations he worked with. No, I’m not criticizing anyone for not knowing much about him. Politics are not fun; politics can be scary. Hell, our country labeled him as a terrorist and honestly, it takes a lot of research to realize you really can’t trust certain aspects of your own government. But if you really thing lying about someone’s legacy as it pertains to you is a show of respect, you’re wrong. I’m sure Mandela would rather have you be honest, admit your first exposure was confusing him for Morgan Freeman, and then read his Wiki page to see what he’s about.

RIP Paul Walker, Nelson Mandela, and everyone else who has gone before us.  

"Titty sprinkles."

Boycott Soul Temple Music: The Final Update

This is a response to this post: http://insanislupus.blogspot.com/2013/09/boycott-soul-temple-music-update.html

Although I thought the struggle was over back in September, apparently that was not the case. However, it is now finally being resolved. I've been contacted by several people who are finally getting their refunds, primarily out of the RZA's pocket, so I commend him for that and ask that everyone cease their ban on his music. That doesn't include lifting the ban on his poorly run label, Soul Temple Music. Given time, this may change, but it was based in New York City, where 9,000,000 music artists have been running their own merchandise like professionals since music was invented, and for that, there is no excuse. If this has taught us anything, it's that we should buy from our local shops, money exchanged for items in hand. I hope the RZA learned his lesson and I will no longer have to blog about him. 

Or until someone gets ripped off.