Let's get serious: Gun control and video games?

So, here in America it has been an ongoing debate whether or not we need better gun control laws. In addition to the gun control laws our government has been trying to find the contributing factors to gun violence. For the most part I have kept my peace about my opinions on the internet, and left them at home to annoy my parents or other members of my family that think otherwise. But I was recently on Youtube, and one of my favorite gamers had some of his footage featured on CNN. Which honestly wasn't good publicity. He was playing Grand Theft Auto which has been riddled with complaints by parents explaining how it is causing their children to become more violent. CNN was trying to make a point by saying that video games directly causing people to go to their malls/schools and kill people. Senator Chuck Grassley (R) said "There are too many video games that celebrate in the mass killings of innocent people. Games that in despite of industry self regulation can find their way into the hands of our children." CNN states that this opinion mirrors the NRA.

 The Youtuber that I watch, plays a lot of video games. A LOT. He has over 10,000 videos that are mostly video game related and he plays a variety of different games. These go anywhere from Mario to Saint's Row the Third and Call of Duty. He has Pokemon and even Scribblenauts Unlimited. He plays a lot of video games. In response to CNN posting his video on their show he made this video: 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mq4mXSQgPo

In his video he states his opinion on the whole issue an explains that video games may have caused a few instances in which shooters imitated the violence on the screen or thought that the violence looked like a good idea. But he also used himself as an example that proves that he is an outstanding member of society he has never been in any trouble and he has been playing violent video games since he was little. In part his success comes from an understanding that video games are fake and reality is reality and shooting someone in a video game is fake and for entertainment, but in reality if you shoot someone it is wrong and you will go to jail for a long time. Another reason was that his parents made sure that he knew the difference and monitored his gaming habits as a child. I also know several gamers in real life that have been playing violent video games since they were kids, including myself, and we are perfectly fine. The fact that the media and the government and even the NRA are blaming video games as a major factor for gun violence is ridiculous to me and it seems like they are avoiding the main issue which most of us "Normal" people can see a mile away.

I have noticed that every shooter that has been showcased this year have had some sort of mental issue. Whether they were soldiers who had a mental break, or a person who has had problems since they were children they all suffered from mental health issues.

Here in America I feel that even though our treatment of people with mental issues has gotten better within the last 50 years it is still seen as a stigma in this country. We avoid the issue like the plague, and we tend to ignore that there is a problem. Even people with Depression tend to avoid mentioning their condition because they are afraid others will see them as weak, or tell them to get over their problems, like they are in control. My main point is that instead of blaming violent video games for all the problems that we are having with school shootings and the mass murders of people within our country we need to try to and address the main issues. The main issue being mental health and trying to make it so that we do not see it as a stigma so that we can attempt to help those who suffer from these problems.

 If we actually focused on mental health and not these stupid ideas that video games and other entertainment media like T.V, movies and music are the main problems we could have a society that is more protected from people who want to do harm to others and we would have a society that is more understanding of these people who do have issues. Focusing on mental health would also help those of us who suffer from depression feel more at ease with our issues and actually talk to others about our problems instead of it wearing us down until we harm ourselves and possibly others.

I know the media and the government has also been focusing on Gun control laws as well as video games and entertainment media. I have not focused on this as being a main issue because for the most part legitimate gun owners are highly responsible and we know the difference between a life and death situation. We do not show off our guns nor do we flash them or use them irresponsibly. We are very careful. The one thing I do agree with is the regulation of assault rifles. The purpose of an assault rifle is to kill other people. They are used almost exclusively for the military and the first usage of an assault rifle was in war. There is no need for a civilian to own an assault rifle. My understanding is that some people use them for hunting which is ridiculous (in my opinion as a person who owns hunting rifles). I just see no reason for a civilian to own an assault rifle, period. Other countries that allow their citizens to own handguns, hunting rifles and shotguns but not assault rifles seem to have less overall gun violence than the US.

This information speaks volumes to me and we still have our right to bear arms. I know that this is a controversial subject so I would like to say that this is my opinion and I do not see myself changing my mind, so do not even bother trying to sway me the other way. But feel free to post your own opinion in the comment section below. Try not to get into fight about it with others though, a war based on opinion isn't worth the effort.

A view on Americas Politics: Possiblly more entertaining than the Debate.

At the begining of the campaigns several people I know started posting their ideas about politics and they were very pasionate about them. I had decided to stay as far a way from the subject as possible and refrained myself from commenting on things I liked or didn't like. Well, I decided to scrap that and write this. So get ready for some lovely political gargle, written by yours truly.

I got home from school and noticed the voters pamphlet on my mom's bed and decided to actually read it since the elections are coming up in November. I got done with the Measures and went to the candidates pages. I read through the Presidential Candidates and noticed something.

Why is it that no one I know is looking into Gary Johnson or Jill Stein? They are fairly well organized in their ideas on how to change the country and because they come from smaller parties they don't have the ego of the party behind them. I like the ideas that they stand for and they seem like they actually care about the middle working class and college students like me, along with the rest of the country, without favoring one group over another.

I would like to know more on how Mrs. Stein will generate 25 million jobs, and end unemployment (which I believe to be nearly impossible). I do however love that she is a Physician by trade and understands what is to be hard working. She doesn't have much political experience (She was a town meeting Rep.), which in my mind is a good thing because then she has her own ideas on how to be a politician instead of her ideas being based on years of preset notions. I think it would be good for us as a country to have someone fresh on the block and someone who understands us as a people, because she is one of us. I also like her running mate. Her running mate was a homeless mother who is an advocate for the poor, and does anything to make sure others can stay in their homes on the verge of eviction. These two would be quite the pair in the white house, and they would have a good understanding of what the people need.

Gary Johnson is a man that I would vote for as well, he has outstanding values and progressive ideas that make him a pioneer in politics. I agree with him on most of his ideas which include: Taking Marijuana off the controlled substance act, making it legal, and taking out the several hundred thousand people put in the prison system for non-violent crimes. Which would make room for those who actually need to be in prison, like murderers, rapists and real druggies and dealers. He also says, "All people have the right to their own body and what they do with it." Notice the word, People. Not Women, not Men, but People. Plain, simple and to the point. And this is my personal favorite, " You know marriage equality is the right answer. Let's end bigotry together." This will grant my friends who are Gay, and Lesbian the ability to marry whoever the hell they want. I love them very much, and I want my friends to be happy just like they want me to be happy. And seriously, Marriage is a word. It's meaning is very simple.

 When two people love each other so much that they want to give their lives to one another, give them everything, and spend eternity together, it doesn't matter if they like men or women. Who are we to say no to them? Why can't they be married, be happy, and have the same benefits as everyone else? The only thing I don't agree with is that he wants Afghanistan to deal with their own problems, but I think that we started to help them and if we don't finish it, it will be detrimental to us in the long run. I do believe however that we need to stay out of trivial foreign affairs and focus on us, unless the problem will destroy the world or ourselves.

Obama does not have control as President, and people do need to know that it isn't all his fault that everything he said he wanted to do didn't get done because Republicans rule the majority vote in the House of Reps, and I believe in Senate as well. (Don't quote me if I am wrong.) Republicans typically have different views than most Democrats and they tend to go opposite ways when they vote, this is detrimental to the country, because things that we the people want and need are cast aside because the ego of the party gets in the way of making decisions that benefit us. As much as I agree with a friend of mine that, "Nothing can truly get done in 4 years, so another term is necessary" I don't think that the extra 4 years will do him much good, and there were a few other things that just bothered me about his last 2 years in office. I don't think he will do what is truly in our best interest as a country.

Romney is another "bundle of Joy" that I really detest. I don't like his views on foreign policy, (He rushes into things without thinking) and I don't think that America will become great through our Military. It's already one of the largest Military's  in the world if not the largest, and the way to become great as a nation is to be a pioneer in sciences, new discoveries and technology. Why is it that the "greatest" country on earth has the worst education system, and our people suffer because they can't afford healthcare? I think we need the option of free healthcare, so taking out the free healthcare act will hurt us more than it will help us. But at the same time I don't think it should be mandatory for all citizens. Some people don't want it, and some people have better insurance and don't want the hassle. I understand that Romney is trying to promote his leadership abilities, but I really don't care what you did for the 1999 Winter Olympics. Awesome, we had a great games. Good job. But he seriously messed that up with his comments in 2012. He doesn't care about the people who make up 41% of America, and he has said this himself. These people are the middle/working class, the poor, college students and the brave soldiers in our Military. Not only is this a problem for the county's people, but it also effects me on a personal level. Also, lowering taxes never actually helped us. Our country needs a little bit more in order to make our lives better.

Looking at the candidates, I noticed another thing. Both the Republican and the Democratic candidates are Law graduates. They both went to Harvard and are well versed in Politics and Law, they only know about these things. Gary Johnson is an entrepreneur and Jill Stein is a Physician, people who live in the world that we live in, and understand our struggles because they have been through them themselves. I know several people who vote because they are apart of the party, but how about voting for someone because they will actually help us? Vote for someone who represents us? I challenge you to change yourself and take charge. And if not for you, do it for the future generations, your grandchildren who are students, the military, the poor, the working class, the poor, and for the country as a whole.

If you read through all of this, thank you for reading it. I don't normally post on touchy subjects like politics and religion, but I feel that this is important. I feel as though we need to take charge instead of being spoon fed our options based on budget.

Bad Guys First. A Top Ten Favorite!

I haven't quite figured out what to do with my blog for the most part so being bored and having been given a good idea from  friend who has also done lists, I thought I would give you my top ten favorite villains of all time. (Or at least the ones I can think up at the moment.)

1. Colonel William Tavington (The Patriot)

Colonel William Tavington is by far my favorite villain of all time. I have never been more convinced of a characters evil than with him. His brutal tactics and uncaring nature puts a chill up my spine every time I watch this movie. To be honest I watch this movie just for him. He is clever and skilled, a true force to be reckoned with, but he tends to let his anger and pride get the best of him. Besides, it's Jason Isaacs. Who doesn't love his acting?





2. Voldemort (Harry Potter)

Voldemort is a character that I have grown up with that I have liked from the beginning. It always bothered me that he was evil from the beginning, even as a kid. Even most villains care about their followers at least a little bit, but not Voldemort. He would blast them aside he felt like it, which is really quite frightening to me. He is determined and very smart, but he is ignorant about things he could care less about and that tends to give him problems. My favorite line is from the Goblet of Fire in the graveyard. "Don't you turn your back on me Harry Potter, I want you to look at me when I kill you. I want to see the light leave your eyes!"

3. Professor Umbridge (Harry Potter)

Okay, I know I have two Harry Potter characters right next to each other, but they are both evil in their own ways, and both are quite convincing to me. Professor Umbridge... I just hate her. She is one of the few characters that I just have to look at her to hate her. She enjoys torturing her students and uses her position to her advantage. She justifies her actions with the idea that she is doing it for the greater good. She almost always puts out this mask of being a sweet, motherly type, which in my opinion can be more frightening than a villain that is evil all the time.






4. Hans Landa (Inglorious Basterds) 

Ugh, this guy gives me chills. Hans Landa is an Austrian SS officer that locates and kills Jews. He prides himself for this. He doesn't believe in the ideas of the Nazi's, but he simply does what he is told to do. He is calculating, extremely intelligent, and he uses his wit to see through the plots of the people against him. He doesn't seem to show any remorse for his actions, and instead enjoys his reputation. He is very charming and it lulls you into a sense of false security, but he is very brutal and that tends to wake you up a bit. He really is a good bad guy and I don't think he could have been played by anyone else.

5. The White Witch (The Chronicles of Narnia)

She scares me in the same way that Umbridge does. She may seem nice and sweet, but she is evil and cruel. The White Witch tends to be better at hiding her true intentions better than Umbridge does. The reason why The White Witch is here instead of at my #3 spot is because I don't hate her as much as I hate Umbridge. She is ambitious and focused and I don't mean to be ironic, but she is very cold. At this point in my list, I have gone past the point of chills but I still get that feeling of dread. The White Witch is menacing to me especially when she rides onto the battle field by armored Polar Bears. There is also something about the way she presents herself that screams power and pride, but there is also a certain grace that the other villains don't have.


6. Mr. Shunt (The Age of Steam Series by Devon Monk) 

This is the only Character that I couldn't find a picture of. Now since this is a fairly new series I'm not going to say much about the books or the motives behind Mr. Shunt. I don't think I could accurately describe the picture of him that pops into my head every time I read a part with him in it. He creeps me out. Big time. It makes me think of all the monsters that I thought lived under my bed as a kid, but worse. I have to give Devon props on this one, he is by far one of the creepiest bad guys I have come acrossed while reading. I truly do mean that. I know I have left this description as a bit of a mystery, but I guess you will just have to read the books.

7. Scar (The Lion King)

I had trouble deciding which Disney villain I liked more, and Scar just kept coming back time and time again. I love Scar. I can kind of relate to him being the second born. I like that he is cunning and manipulative (Of course his manipulating comes his demise.) He also has such a wonderful vocabulary and lovely voice. I think that the writing for Scar is absolutely spot on, and it really makes his character unique. I'm not really scared of Scar, I just adore him.




8. Lucifer (Supernatural) 

Lucifer should scare me more, you know being the King of Hell, but for some reason he doesn't. He does give me the creeps to a point, don't get me wrong. This particular version of Lucifer has that suave voice and a calm demeanor. He really gets me by being so calm. He never really yells and when he becomes dissappointed you feel like you should back away slowly. What I like about this Lucifer is that they made him into what I call the true Lucifer. He was never really ugly, and he doesn't have the forked tail and horns. What made Lucifer so problematic was his charm and beauty. He was able to convince people to sin. Also, he burns cold not hot, which is really different from what most people think of Lucifer.

9. Magneto (X-men) 

I have to admit, I don't know all about Magneto, but I do know enough to know that I like him as villain. He is really tragic. I like it when a character can pull at my heartstrings but then in few seconds pull them back into reality. The reality being that he is a villain. I also adore his powers. The ability to manipulate metal is a really cool thing, and you never realize how many object have metal in them. He makes me sad because I feel like he could have overcome his hate and anger and used his power and influence for good.










10. Loki (The Avengers) 

Loki is another one of those tragic characters that I enjoy. It helps that I have always liked Loki in the myths. He is played really well, and his facial expressions are wonderful. I don't know too much about the Marvel Loki, but he is really cool. I can't really describe it but I do like him a lot.




So that is my top ten favorite villains! I started with villains because I tend to enjoy villains more than heroes. I firmly believe that portraying a villain is one of the hardest things to portray and if someone gets it just right, you have a villain that outshines the hero. It is not normal human behavior to be evil, so I give props to the actors who are able to play such phenomenal bad guys.

Fun with Masking Tape. (Not really.)

Okay, so I have a story to tell you. 

Don't worry it's not that bad. =)

It is Masking tape related.

So I have been pestering my Dad for ages to teach me how to clean the guns that we own. I always felt bad going out and shooting them and he had to do all the cleaning. My pestering finally worked out.

Wednesday evening after my Dad got off work, he came home and went to say hello to my Mom like he always does. I had noticed that one of our antique pistols was on my Dads bedside table and so asked why it was out. (Usually it's hidden.) He said he needed to clean it and then left. After about an hour had past I had just finished making myself a sandwich for dinner when Dad came out into the kitchen with a couple handguns and he bid me to follow him out to garage. So I did.

He then proceeded to tell me all about the handguns and how you should care for them. He then unloaded the pistol and handed it to me along with a bottle of oil. He told me what to do, and showed me how to work the oil into all the crevasses. I did exactly what I was told and all of the workings of the pistol, the action, the hammer and the revolving chamber all worked smoothly, like it never been used. It was very slick.

(Don't worry, this story gets better. And it is Masking tape related.) 

After the pistol was finished, we carried on to the semi-automatic. It's a Beretta made for the Italian army during the 1970's if anyone wants to know. It's an awesome gun. Dad loves it. He knows how to take it apart blind-folded he has worked it over so often. It has never failed him, and he said it has saved his life several times over. Anyway, he showed me how to take it apart and how to clean it and then how to put it back together again. (Surprisingly, there is not much to a gun.) But this is not the full story. 

During the process of cleaning the Beretta we heard a crash over to our right. At first we couldn't see anything and so we went back to our business. When Dad went to go put the revolver back that was when I noticed a box on the ground that was not there before we started. 

It was my Mom's fancy wine glasses. They were crystal glasses with 24K gold inlay, not super expensive, but really fancy for my family. We only use them for Thanksgiving or Christmas. They may not be super fancy but you feel very posh when using them. 

Point is they were on the ground when previously they were on the dryer. (I know some of you will say that is no place to put our fancy dinnerware, but our shelves were full and we are currently doing minor renovations.) We had no idea how they fell. No one was near the dryer, and the dryer was not even on, so it wasn't the vibrations that made them fall. I take it as a freak accident, and I will leave it at that. (Of course it could have been the house ghost Bill, but I highly doubt it.)

I digress. My Dad said he would take care of it, and not to tell Mom. I just said okay, and expected it to be taken care of. 

The next day, I was feeding the animals and I went out in the garage to get the food. When I went to go back inside I felt a sharp pain in my foot that wouldn't stop after I had initially felt it. I went to investigate my foot. I couldn't see anything, but I could feel the burning and when I rubbed my finger over my foot I could also feel the little bump. I couldn't figure out what it was.

Then it hit me. I had a shard of crystal in my foot. I went to my Mom and she helped me remove it.After it was removed it started to bleed fairly badly for a foot wound. I cleaned it and then put a bandage on my foot. I don't know if you have ever had to put a bandage on your foot, but they don't like to stick. 

I fixed my own problem. I wrapped the injured part of my foot with Masking tape. And now I will have masking tape on it until I deem it safe from germs. (I don't trust the floor of my parents house. So it will probably be a couple of days.) So now I am a spectacle with a masking tape foot. 

I had never felt richer though. I had never worn gold before. =)