Murder Is Funny

At least it is to some Penn State students who dressed up as Virgina Tech victims for Halloween.

We talked with one of the students who wore the costume. He said the outfits were worn to a small party and meant to be private.

"It's not that it was funny, it's that we are notorious and infamous in the state college, so we have to do things that push the envelope just for shock value," he said.

Faith & Politics

Mitt Romeney tries to defend his religious beliefs. Why? Why did he have to do this? Article VI of the U.S. Constitution states:

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States

CIA Exposed

Valerie Plame has stated that she will not pose nude for Playboy. Thank God.

Rise Of The Video Game

I've been watching this show on Discovery Channel called Rise Of The Video Game. It's a 5 part documentary that talks about the video game industry. How it started and where it's at today. On the episode that they aired yesterday dealt largely with how the U.S. Military, which is actually largely responsible for the industry, has used the medium as a tool for recruitment. What I found funny was that the same people who only a few years ago were the ones telling everyone that games like Grand Theft Auto were just games and that people complaining about the violence need to calm down are now complaining that military games such as Call Of Duty 4 could be ushering in a more militaristic future for the country. So, what happened to them just being games? When you're killing a cop it's just a game but when you're simulating military maneuvers it's a signal of a horrible tomorrow? One of the game creators on the show, the same one who made the game JFK: Reloaded, called them a tool to train kids for the Afghanistan and Iraq war. Wow.

Now in the interest of fairness I have to say that I myself am a game junkie. I love them. Have ever since the NES. I love GTA and Call Of Duty and Doom. And they're just games. They don't teach kids how to kill or vandalize property. Like I said, I've been playing ever since the NES days and I've never had the urge to jump on a turtle or drag race down the highway or beat a hooker with a baseball bat. It's not the games, it's the kids. And by proxy, it's the parents. Pay attention to what you're kids are doing. It's not up the government or the video game or music or movie industries. It's your job. "Oh, but Chris, kids can get these things off the internet without us knowing about it". Yes, but keep up with the technology. Learn how to use your computer to seen what games or music or movies they've downloaded. Learn how to maneuver around their 360 or PS3 and see what games they have on their HDD. If your 12 year old has a copy of Saints Row, get rid of it. If you can't do this then don't have these machines in your home.

And now, we have this mall shooting in Nebraska. I wonder how long it'll be before the media puts some of the blame on a movie or game this guy, and he is a guy despite the fact that some media outlets insist on calling him a kid, watched or played.

Wednesday Hero

This Week's Hero Was Suggested By Mark Bell


Marty and Sue Horn



Born in Philadelphia, Marty Horn spent 20 years in the Army as a Military Policeman, retiring in 1993 and going to work in Internet technologies. In 2003, his son Brian Horn deployed to Iraq. Trying to support their son’s unit, Marty and his wife Sue, who also served as in the Military Police, put together the concept of Any Soldier. In essence, Any Soldier is an effort to provide support and encouragement to those who are in harm’s way. Due to overwhelming requests for ready-made care packages on the AnySoldier.com site, Sue Horn started TreatAnySoldier.com.

Using his background in Internet technologies, Marty built and maintains the web site. The Any Soldier program slowly expanded to include other Army units. In 2004, the program opened up to include all service branches.. In 2005, the websites for AnyMarine.com., AnySailor.com, AnyAirman.com, and AnyCoastguardsman.com were launched.

In the words of the Any Soldier web site: "The success of Any Soldier has far exceeded expectations and continues to grow with the invaluable help and guidance of our supporters, board members and Support Team."

In the words of Marty Horn: "It is the supporters who deserve the credit."

Thanks to the efforts of Marty and Sue, their son Brian, and a dedicated staff, over 950,000 servicemen and women received support and encouragement they would never have been able to get through the Any Soldier program.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

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A Great Analogy

This was in yesterday's comic strips. Pay attention to the highlighted panel. How true.

Star Trek Movie News 14

The official teaser trailer for Star Trek won't be out until next month, but TrekMovie.com has their own up at that link. I just watched it and, I must say, they did a very good job. I actually got goosebumps watching it. I have never been so excited about a movie. It's killing me that I have to wait another year for it.