Facebook, Twitter, and CISPA/SOPA

Alright, this bill is inevitable, which means all porn streaming and downloads will cease to exist.... and Caillou, Caillou will be gone as well.

Now that you are aware what people do on the internet outside of farmville and winning free Ipads, I will dive deeper. Now, CISPA and SOPA are bills that have been declined once by the united states jurisdiction. Their main objective is to eliminate the middle man and have tabs on everyone's IP by tracking and deciphering millions of codes. Although a terrible idea, I would argue it has many logistical and rational points behind it. Sure, free porn and uhhh legal copies of movies free to anyone online is good. I would argue that stupidity and downright disgusting things said online should be easily traceable and punishable by law. What forces someone to make a twitter to beak people online to give themselves some kind of satisfaction in their own sad life is beyond me.

Whether it is hate crimes, or people bragging that they have defaced some monument or building in their area. The anonymity of twitter and facebook is hidden quite well. From the time their finger hits the key I believe someone should be able to trace it. I'm sure more illegal things happen online than the average person realizes. Hold on Chris Hansen's at my door, but I don't want to take a seat. Why does everyone take a seat when he says it. His smooth forehead and lack of emotion probably seduces those people to sit.

Jon Lovitz, that guy from those movies who disappeared after the Benchwarmers (with good reason) has recently used twitter to fight hate crime and public displays of racism. He did this by publicly posting a picture of 3 17 year old girls who shit on his steps and painted swastikas. However, I am unaware how they did this since girls don't shit. (Right?) Public internet forums and social networking are stirring with the amount of racist and prejudicial remarks that are transferred through their system.

It is making everyone dumber, and is probably responsible for a lot of depression felt by the youth of the nation. We are, we are the youth of the nation. What bothers me most about the joys and monstrous pitfalls of the internet is that Youth suicide rates have gone up almost double since social networking hit it's stride. Which is much more than a coinkidink. Spend a day on twitter and you will see some nasty stuff said. People looking for their 15 minutes of fame, which they earn eventually, just to destroy some 15 year old for some satisfaction. Because they can't get no... Satisfaction (2nd music lyric) in life anywhere else.

Recently a teen from Scotland who went on twitter to hurl racist remarks at a soccer player whom wasn't even coherent and just suffered a heart attack. For a good 3 hours this person let out the tirades of using the words "coon" to get whatever incoherent message she wanted to get across. She showed Muamba her power. She was later found by someone she was chatting with days prior. Outed publicly.

The Bruins faithful had spouted out their own feelings to losing to the Capitals off of a goal by Joel Ward. (Gohabsgo) Also spewing the same words, disgracing an entire fanbase and other sport's fanbases as well. 

Now cyber-bullying is easy to do, without consequence. I've been a victim several times too, but at the end of the day I realized it isn't me who is going to feel like shit when my head hits the pillow. It is the person chirping someone else because their life has no direction or support from others.

Suicide rates will continue to rise unless someone somewhere can get a handle on the cyber bullying that is masked by being able to hide behind pseudonyms like Captaindouche69 or Kushkilla420.

Alas, thanks internet for your po.... I mean youtube.

Regards,
Terd Ferguson

Seinfeld, The Simpsons, and television today

In the world of television only few shows have shone. From jumping the shark in Happy Days, to the long running strings of Fox shows like the Tick. As well as the brutal runs of Brad Garrett and Patricia Heaton shows after Everybody Loves Raymond went down. Rest in Peace Peter Boyle.

Seinfeld, arguably the greatest comedic television show in history. Through its rocky start, to the contest episode. Nothing is quite like it, and no other show will be. The chemistry of the relatively unknown Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, and Jason Alexander with Jerry is something that hasn't been seen since. I would argue the reason for Seinfeld's 9 year power run (once the Cosby show stopped) is found in Larry David. As he balanced the show about nothing, the comedy and plot. When David stepped down from his creative duties in season 8 the show kind of began losing its mojo

Through season 9, it became apparent to Jerry that the show was going to lose rating and risk the shark jumping. So, he went out on top, regardless of how much money NBC was willing to throw at him. Which made the show that much greater, and who knows what would've came of doing one more season.

Now lets look to the Simpsons. 1989 the Simpsons burst onto the scene after experiencing success in the sketch comedy circuit. Witty, dumb, yellow-skinned, flat out comedy. Enjoyed to right around the season 8 mark. With remarkably similar responses as Seinfeld and positive reviews. Then the writing took a turn and something happened after season 8, and the show has never been the same.  Now over 20 seasons in and roughly 2 million invested in voice actors it is just waiting to be put down.

Watch the first 8 seasons and see how hilarious it is, and watch a new episode and it will be 21 minutes of laugh-free television. Assuming there isn't 9 minutes of hilarious commercials.

It appears that the Simpsons is in a world on its own, and always will be as well. Family Guy goes for Pop Culture references up the wazoo, and borrows from many of the early episodes of Simpsons. In which Seth Macfarlane has poked fun at himself over. Now the simpsons is battling through the brown stains of television around it. With the exception of cable television (HBO, AMC) only a few other gems are well-written and well presented (30 rock, community).

Now, TV producers take actors from other successful shows and tries to force them into sitcoms and awkward television appearances. The rest of it is reality television of seemingly ordinary people, games shows with heavy taxation and washed up athletes and television stars on some stupid "have a look into my dumpster reality show. "

Toddlers and Tiaras, Kim and Kourtney look at each others fat asses, Celebrity Rehab, My Strange Addiction, Say Yes to Dress, Teen Mom, Jersey Shore (ETC) I CAPITALIZE THAT BECAUSE IT IS A GIGANTIC LIST OF SHOWS that are absolute trash. It is also going to get worse over the years with the integration of 3D television. Then you can really see the people on Heavy demolish burgers like I demolish......

I weep for humanity, and the industry that pumps these out because someone is so intrigued by the stupidity of it all to watch it.  For instance why you would dress your 4 year old daughter up as a prostitute to win a trophy.


Regards,
Devon

4/20, Legalization of Marijuana, and why I weep for society

Today is 4/20, as I did with St. Patrick's Day I figured I shall write a wonderfully timed blog. Get things out of the way, I weep for humanity and the struggle against drugs, or the disease itself. Today is also the day in which Bob Marley becomes completely relevant again, and not for writing uplifting music and changing a genre of music forever and turning out others.The people who are smoking today because it is an arbitrary day on the calender are downright sheepish. As harsh as that is it comes with reason, it fuels peoples needs to fit in with a societal demand that is inflected upon them. (really hope I used inflected right).

It becomes so much bigger than what it is, and with social media what it is. It is bringing more people into the light/dark.

All the power to you if you want to do it, safe, soundly and at a manageable pace. I am not one to judge you for it. You are probably too high right now to keep reading this. Now you are picturing me with a tophat. As well you should, because I would looking bad ass.

In California, you'd be amazed at how many people are sick by the amount of people who have legal licenses to smoke marijuana for medical reasons. Including Jim Belushi, and his only problem is the unfunny black mark he left on Comedies and an already dreadful Sitcom world. No other state has quite the output of these licenses. They have practically legalized it by loopholing the fuck out of Arnie. (FREEZE) Which is both a travesty and intelligent in many ways, it allows the government/medical community to not only traffic it intelligently, but run a substantial market off of it because it is pure, clean, and doesn't have unknown additives.

Which is also why Canada should legalize it. I don't give a shit about marijuana, nor do I have a reason to use it at any level, nor do I care what your reasons are to use it. As it stands, it has many logistical and rational reasons to use it. From glaucoma, extreme bouts of anxiety, and chronic pain. But, I doubt many people who use it recreation-ally know the health benefits, which are not deniable. Similar to smoking tobacco being healthy; however, it is only healthy for the individual if you know it is pure and not mixed with assorted health-risking microbes and foreign bodies.

Although it is basically legal in Canada, to the point in which people openly smoke a doobie doob right in the heart of downtown as if to say "come at me, bro". If actually legalized, the government could have control over the vast market and tax the shit out of it. Then, hopefully put it back into the medical community or for an ironic twist, education.

I would also want to argue my main point, and probably my annoyance is getting the better of me in my (honest) life. I don't want to walk around a neighborhood or past someone and pretend I don't smell the weed. You could even tell the authority and they would call you a pussy. It is about time they just pass it so we don't have to listen to this anymore. It has become so redundant they might as well beat you over the head with a bong. The media even seems at times it is putting on it's "Y U NO" face with the whole issue.

I also realize the Irony that I wrote this on 4/20. I am a sheep as well.

Regards,
Devon

Trayvon Martin The man with a rainbow gun

A black teen was shot dead and no justice is being served. That's quite the headline. But far, too common. The United States has been pretty consistent with this verdict. The teen was walking home from the store with a bag of skittles and an Arizona Iced Tea <3. Shot by a volunteer neighbourhood watch person. You know the people you are supposed to trust around the neighbourhood. Good people who earn a decent living and care about their communities apply and are granted this. However, how the gentleman who shot him was granted such a title is beyond me. A rumoured white supremacist with an agenda to remove the afro-american kids from his neighbourhood.

Carrying a gun without a license, as well as walking with a concealed weapon around a neighbourhood filled with children. I don't even think he is going to get slapped with that crime. He won't do time, and millions of people in the states as well as in Canada are very displeased by this. (including me)

The million hoodie march has been set ablaze throughout the states, from the Miami Heat's Lebron James getting his teammates to put on the hoodies and take a team photo.

The guy (whose name I could give a shit to know) pleaded self defense because Trayvon, had a hood over his head. Thus he assumed he was dangerous to his community. How you can bring correlation to any of that is beyond me.

But, this just doesn't happen in the states, or for one particular race. People who have gated themselves in their world and can't accept knowing someone who is of that race is ridiculously common. People I've known for a long time have told me if I looked more aboriginal they wouldn't have talked to me. That's just disgusting, and I'm not sure if people know the severity of that mentality to those around them. You cannot accept yourself so you take it out on people who are different and comfortable with who they are. But it will never be changed, only reduced if you are lucky.

All of that being said. Rest in Peace Trayvon Martin, a icon for minorities and the fight against stereotypes everywhere.

Regards,
Devon Hunt

Why I don't drink, DUI's and St Patrick's day.

Hello everyone, given that it is the day of the year when people have the largest excuse to drink, I figured I should write  a blog post about it. Throughout the history of this day, i assume the DUI counter has gone up significantly, or at least I sincerely hope it has.

Nothing about it is funny, I can imagine my peers i attend school with, some of them will drink and drive. I would hope the Edmonton Police Service is out in full flight tonight. I want to see an astronomical number of people to be caught. It would ease my mind that these people who have 'earned' their license get it stripped off of them. If i had it my way, they wouldn't be eligible to get it back in their lifetime. That's a little too harsh in today's society, and especially in Canada. Cause why would the person have a reason to do it again, besides he only did it once. He gets more chances. People who have died because of drunk drivers never really got to live their life to the fullest. It was taken in the most selfish ways possible.

These people who have committed (in my opinion) 1st degree murder will probably get 5-10 years and get out after 3.

My stepfather has sustained long term injuries to his neck shoulder and back because he was rear-ended by a drunk driver about 12 years ago. A trip that me or my brothers were going to go on. But, we didn't and if we had, the sheer velocity of the woman who was drunk crumpled the back into nothing which would've crumpled us into nothing. It was basically just Ravid Dobb in a seat, inside of a box.

I really want them to stiffen the laws more so than they are now.

Please drink responsibly tonight folks, for I will not be drinking

Now, as to why I don't drink and why I have no want to drink.

I have people close to me who have battled alcoholism and people around me who have it but are unaware that it has become a problem. Watching their lives from my perspective is gut wrenching and the lives of their families from the affects of it. I would never want to put myself in that kind of condition, or my family/future children.

I also do not see any monetary value in drinking. The night ends with you drunk doing something stupid, eating what you hope is food. Wasting around 100-200 dollars if you can somewhat budget drunk. Then the next morning you are awoken in a almost comatose state. Bludgeoned with phone calls of all the stupid shit you did last night. Then you complain about being told what stupid shit you did. It should become a rule.

To the people who argue that their is benefits to having a drink once in a while and use it as an excuse. Please show yourself the door, far away from me. Although, it may help your stomach and boost your immune system (according to, I assume drunk scientists) to battle the sheer amount of Ethanol anyone consumes on a friday is never healthy to the body.

It will also affect your brain, even the morning after when the affects have wore off. Severely damage your kidneys and your liver, or lead to long-term affects that you are not prepared for. I.E. the children born from one night stands who have no support from the 2nd parent.

Have fun with friends, family, whomever you wish to party with. Do it responsibly, and don't talk about it the next day like you surprised anyone that you drank green beer.

Regards,
Devon.

5 days of 'homelessness' and egoboosting and narcissism.

Hey, another 'charity' event or fundraiser, that raises 'awareness' and 'sorrow' from people watching it on the 'non-biased' global news stations.

Alright now that all of that sarcasm is out of the way.

In Edmonton, and wherever else they are doing this. They are running the 5 days of homelessness week thing. Where suburban people take a break from their leather couches and tempurpedic bed and go "live" outside of the university.

Armed with food, cellphones and pillows sleeping bags and extra blankets. They are trying to raise awareness of the situations that the homeless people of edmonton suffer through daily.

But, from my perspective they are pretty much slapping them and saying this shit ain't tough.

Nothing about this seems to raise awareness, in fact it angers me. Cause these kids are going to walk around with a swagger after these five days. These same kids and adults, who have stereotyped homeless for being addicted to something and most often using indian or native to be thrown into their views. Which is fair i suppose, as sad as it is for an aboriginal to post that a majority of homeless people are aboriginal.

These same adults that probably pass at least one homeless person a day. Whom ask for a couple bucks, in which they say why so you can go buy booze, mouthwash or lysol? These ignorant people who couldn't give a shit any other day besides these 5 so they can have some kind of self-fulfillment and self-esteem for the days to come. This is just a nice little thing they can put on a resume or tell their friends they are better than they are because they 'lived' like the homeless for 5 days. They even get politicians and sports stars to participate. Instead of these things, why not ask them to donate some of their fat paycheques directly to a homeless shelter.

Some of these homeless people were screwed by their job or their own situation and forced into it. Some of these people choose it, as a way to live without commitment really. The Homeless people found around our city are often interconnected in some way. Because, they have their own families that they comprised of getting to know the people who are left in the same predicament they are. Some of them even have a little money stored, don't wish to live in a house or find a job because it is his decision to do so. Most of them migrate west to Vancouver in the winter. They have their own culture as much as anyone else does.

The event is given much publicity, and one can only assume friends of the people participating often bring them food and whatever they can bring. Which again, a luxury that the homeless are not given. Cell-phones for entertainment. Oh and most of all, the ability to sleep on university grounds. Which also, the homeless are ticketed and kicked off of the grounds when they attempt to sleep there. They wouldn't have the slightest idea of what being homeless is.

 A Toronto man had been homeless and bottle picked for decades. Had over a million dollars in a bank account that he never touched. He said he never wanted to live in a house and pay bills cause he was completely content with his 'family' on the streets with him.

Of course neither do I, but i'm sure that the homeless are not afforded the luxuries they are.

Good on them if any of that money actually makes it to the homeless shelters around the city.

I could go on, and I am an ass for posting this. I know it is true. But someone had to say something.

Regards,

Devon

First comedic blogpost (Horoscopes)

Practice makes perfect, be the best that you can be.
You cannot reach the limits of possible without reaching the impossible.
"If you take these pills for 4 weeks you'll add an extra 5 inches to your cock."

Alright, maybe that last one is a stretch. Badumtsch.

I'm taking a light approach to this, people someone out there needs these quotes on a 1-a-day calender to get through their mundane 9-5 monday to friday job.

But, when someone posts them on these multiple social media platforms I am not entirely sure they know what the quote was intended for or whom it was intended for. They are posting it to feel smart, or show off their massive ego or bury some depression or angst that burrows inside them. I am all about being who you want to be and challenging yourself. But, if you are basing your daily actions off of a fucking inspirational quote. You need to find someone who betters you as well as challenges you.

These quotes are heavily found in what i like to call bullshi---- I mean horoscopes. The pseudoscientific freak show that is the whole Zodiac array. People wear shirts with their "sign", tell you what your horoscope for the day is, buy $3 dollar scrolls that tell you, "you are going to feel dumb today." I swear that is all I would write for every god damn one of them. It is no different in the paper. Besides, if a person used an ounce of reasoning, couldn't they piece together that horoscopes should match on a given day.

I mean they are so vague and uninformative it makes my eyes want to turn around and cockslap my brain for even reading one.

At Capital X this year, some old man... Probably days away from changing his own depends and catching the latest matlock had told me he had lived most of his life by his horoscopes. I will take this time to inform you, he cleans Northlands and was working as a volunteer at a horoscope booth there. If he hadn't called me "kid" to start the conversation I would've given him the time of day. If he's happy go for it but as a salesman he is about as useful as that awkward kid in your social group helping you collaborate to sound like a fucking jackass. You know who you are. (Me)


Part of me is an asshole for picking people apart for choosing quotes that logically make no sense and lead to a fallacy of security and inspiration; However, these people who choose these quotes couldn't even tell you who wrote them, what the person did or if the guy had ever said it.

"I never said most the things I said" Yogi Berra . Hall of fame catcher for the New York Yankees who now looks like a turtle in his old age.

People quote Nietzche and Plato and Steve Jobs, and Ron Jeremy.

One of those things is not like the other. Yes, it is Plato. Cause he is a fun dough to make shapes with. Herp Derp.

Please hesitate to post these asinine things, as I will see them and become the forever alone guy. Also, stop posting pictures of food like duck for instance. Or making duck faces cause someone could only wish you would become food.

This is my first comical post, if you wish to call it that.

Regards.
D-Wizzle.