9/9/2016
This country cannot continue on its current path. The corporatocracy no longer hides behind the politicians who had their pockets padded in exchange for favorable votes on tax cuts, immigration, and the like. By appeasing the desires of Big Business, the United States of America has squashed not only the American Dream, but the American Mediocrity. The gap between rich and poor is as far as East is from West. There is virtually no middle class anymore. If you can scrape together more than $25,000 a year, you're doing well for yourself in today's economy.
Unfortunately, doing well isn't cutting it anymore. I've watched my unemployed friends search for the last five years without even being able to land a job at WalMart or McDonald's. I've watched my employed friends experience wage freezes, or even lose their jobs. If you've been unemployed for more than a month, nobody will hire you. I suppose I should be thankful to even have a job, although I'm working more hours for less pay.
Texas had the right idea when they seceded, and I don't care who reads this. I wish Kentucky could join the SSA. I'd emigrate to an SSA state, but it's not that easy to just pack up an entire family and leave the USA anymore. We would probably get pulled over before we even left the county. And that is even assuming we could afford the gas to make it to Arkansas.
I guess what I'm saying is that the government has to know that the people are fed up, and imprisoning protesters will not stop us, the dissidents. I don't care that protests are illegal, I am going to the courthouse lawn on September 11 to protest the current state of the Union, and I won't be alone. The fifteenth anniversary to the so-called "terrorist attacks" will serve as a perfect stage for our voices to be heard. Join me at the courthouse at 8:46 AM if you have had enough with the government oppression!
If you don't see me again, I want my wife and children to know that I love them very much, and wasn't afraid to stand up to the bullies and fight for what's right.
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Rollercoasters
Yesterday you found out that your wife was pregnant with your second child, and you experienced +5CHA for 24 hours afterward. Today, you found out that the first test had produced a false positive, and as such, you take a -5CHA penalty for the duration of the week. You may make a Will save (dc 20) to resist the penalty for one day.
So yeah, I'm sure many of you saw how excited my wife and I both were yesterday when her test came back positive. Allow me to provide some perspective as to why this was to have been such an amazing outcome. My wife unfortunately suffers from some potentially genetic disorders in relation to her reproductive system. The current plan involves a hysterectomy (either partial or full) after we have our second child. This will hopefully avoid some of the problems that other women in her family have had. The problem is, the longer it takes, the less likely it will be for her to get pregnant.
My job adds to the difficulty rating by keeping my away from my wife for at least forty-five hours each week. Much of the time I am home is spent watching Kennedy so my wife can either get housework done more easily, or get some sleep. Between both of our full time jobs, there is nary a time when we both have the energy, AND Kennedy is asleep. Its like playing Tetris and you only get one "I" block every 50 pieces.
After today's revelation, I reined in my extroverted demeanor in favor of my introverted nature. My more perceptive coworkers probably picked up on it if they were paying attention. Not that work tonight helped my mood at all. I've made a conscious effort to keep details of my day-to-day work events away from my blog, so suffice it to say, it was a bad night and most everyone was irritable. But, since there is a positive for every negative, I got a head start on some of my extra duties for the month, and had a delicious chocolate banana shake. I thought I was in trouble when the Frappes came out, but this new shake has me hooked and itching for another fix.
I'll end this one with a question to you, the reader. Have you experienced complications in getting pregnant, and if so, how did you overcome or deal with your situation?
So yeah, I'm sure many of you saw how excited my wife and I both were yesterday when her test came back positive. Allow me to provide some perspective as to why this was to have been such an amazing outcome. My wife unfortunately suffers from some potentially genetic disorders in relation to her reproductive system. The current plan involves a hysterectomy (either partial or full) after we have our second child. This will hopefully avoid some of the problems that other women in her family have had. The problem is, the longer it takes, the less likely it will be for her to get pregnant.
My job adds to the difficulty rating by keeping my away from my wife for at least forty-five hours each week. Much of the time I am home is spent watching Kennedy so my wife can either get housework done more easily, or get some sleep. Between both of our full time jobs, there is nary a time when we both have the energy, AND Kennedy is asleep. Its like playing Tetris and you only get one "I" block every 50 pieces.
After today's revelation, I reined in my extroverted demeanor in favor of my introverted nature. My more perceptive coworkers probably picked up on it if they were paying attention. Not that work tonight helped my mood at all. I've made a conscious effort to keep details of my day-to-day work events away from my blog, so suffice it to say, it was a bad night and most everyone was irritable. But, since there is a positive for every negative, I got a head start on some of my extra duties for the month, and had a delicious chocolate banana shake. I thought I was in trouble when the Frappes came out, but this new shake has me hooked and itching for another fix.
I'll end this one with a question to you, the reader. Have you experienced complications in getting pregnant, and if so, how did you overcome or deal with your situation?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
2016 d20 Modern Campaign Primer (3/3)
Part 1
Part 2
Part 2
On that day, an SSA jet was shot down, resulting in fifty-one casualties aboard the plane, and twelve casualties on the ground when it crashed into an apartment complex. The US was fingered for the attack, but claimed they had no jets in the sector at the time. The SSA stated that Flight Voice Recorders salvaged from the wreckage incriminated the US. Audio clips released to the media contained a recording of the pilot speaking to someone over his headset. The pilot refused to land the plane, as commanded by the other pilot. After several minutes of arguing, an explosion is heard. There were a few tense seconds of silence, followed by the captain’s stoic announcement to the passengers that the plane had been attacked by a US jet, and that their chances of survival were slim.
The audio from the crash served as a catalyst for many people in the US who had been contemplating defection. Unofficial estimates place the total number of defections between 800,000 and 1,000,000. The bulk came from along the SSA border, but it is believed that there were defectors from all of the states.
Fearing the loss of additional citizens (and tax revenue), the US government officially cut all ties to the SSA and “enthusiastically advised” their allies to do the same. To their surprise, though, most nations opted to support the SSA, lauding their determination, resilience, and transparency.
The US was not pleased. They responded to the global rejection by closing all borders with the SSA, Republic of California, Canada, and Mexico. Troops that had been stationed overseas in the Middle East were brought home to guard the borders. US relations with countries who support the SSA are strained, but in tact.
Since the SSA jet incident, there have been no serious conflicts. The atmosphere is still quite tense, and there are still protests against the US government. This despite the new version of the Bill of Rights, which removes the freedoms of Free Speech, Press, and Assembly. Freedom of Religion still exists, but can no longer be used to exempt anyone from laws or other regulations.
The revolutions in the Middle East in 2011 and Africa and South America in 2014 helped to encourage the states that would eventually form the SSA. In a similar manner, the Second American Revolution inspired action in even more countries. The United Kingdom split into its individual countries of London, Wales, and Scotland. Ireland and Northern Ireland have now united.
Recently, a movement has been gaining traction pushing for world-unification via a one-world government. The European Union and African Union have already begun talks with each other and the Middle East. Asian nations have begun talks of unification, noticeably lacking North Korea. Australia and Oceania are expected to join the Asian Union if it forms.
The Americas are largely anti-unification. Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has forged strategic alliances with most of South America, creating what foreign-policy experts have dubbed the “South American Pseudo-Union.” The US has drawn international criticism and comparisons to North Korea and Nazi Germany.
End Backstory
Campaign begins on September 12, 2016 just after the fifteen-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Justin and Vincent were jailed yesterday for anti-government speech and resisting arrest. Vincent was also charged with assaulting an officer. Justin was sentenced to thirty days in the county jail, and Vincent was sentenced to three years in prison. He will be transferred to the Kentucky State Penitentiary in ten days.
Everyone else, give me ideas of what you’ve been doing between present day and 2016.
The audio from the crash served as a catalyst for many people in the US who had been contemplating defection. Unofficial estimates place the total number of defections between 800,000 and 1,000,000. The bulk came from along the SSA border, but it is believed that there were defectors from all of the states.
Fearing the loss of additional citizens (and tax revenue), the US government officially cut all ties to the SSA and “enthusiastically advised” their allies to do the same. To their surprise, though, most nations opted to support the SSA, lauding their determination, resilience, and transparency.
The US was not pleased. They responded to the global rejection by closing all borders with the SSA, Republic of California, Canada, and Mexico. Troops that had been stationed overseas in the Middle East were brought home to guard the borders. US relations with countries who support the SSA are strained, but in tact.
Since the SSA jet incident, there have been no serious conflicts. The atmosphere is still quite tense, and there are still protests against the US government. This despite the new version of the Bill of Rights, which removes the freedoms of Free Speech, Press, and Assembly. Freedom of Religion still exists, but can no longer be used to exempt anyone from laws or other regulations.
The revolutions in the Middle East in 2011 and Africa and South America in 2014 helped to encourage the states that would eventually form the SSA. In a similar manner, the Second American Revolution inspired action in even more countries. The United Kingdom split into its individual countries of London, Wales, and Scotland. Ireland and Northern Ireland have now united.
Recently, a movement has been gaining traction pushing for world-unification via a one-world government. The European Union and African Union have already begun talks with each other and the Middle East. Asian nations have begun talks of unification, noticeably lacking North Korea. Australia and Oceania are expected to join the Asian Union if it forms.
The Americas are largely anti-unification. Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has forged strategic alliances with most of South America, creating what foreign-policy experts have dubbed the “South American Pseudo-Union.” The US has drawn international criticism and comparisons to North Korea and Nazi Germany.
End Backstory
Campaign begins on September 12, 2016 just after the fifteen-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Justin and Vincent were jailed yesterday for anti-government speech and resisting arrest. Vincent was also charged with assaulting an officer. Justin was sentenced to thirty days in the county jail, and Vincent was sentenced to three years in prison. He will be transferred to the Kentucky State Penitentiary in ten days.
Everyone else, give me ideas of what you’ve been doing between present day and 2016.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
2016 d20 Modern Campaign Primer (2/3)
(Continued from Part 1)
Riots broke out across the nation, most concentrated in the south. Citizens of Texas began clamoring for secession from the Union, and Oklahoma follwed suit. In Washington, D.C., the Congressmen from the two states were refused secession rights, but they would not be defeated so easily.
The state legislators crafted a bill that would allow Texas to secede from the Union. The bill passed both houses and was signed into law by the governor. On April 15, 2014, Texas became a sovereign nation, and sparked what would eventually be called the “Second American Revolution.”
Following Texas’s example, other states began considering secession. California was next, passing a bill of secession on April 29, 2014. Washington and Oregon joined California on June 2, and the Republic of California was formed by the three former states. Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana joined with Texas on July 4, to create the Separatist States of America. September 22 marked the departure of four states from the Union. Alaska and Maine became Canadian provinces, and Arizona and New Mexico became part of Mexico.
During this tumultuous period, citizens in Hawaii were also planning to express their discontent. Dissenters from the military base at Pearl Harbor organized with civilian protesters to reinstate the Hawaiian monarchy. The military dissenters infiltrated the naval and air force bases and ensured that there would be no military repercussions for their treason. With a civilian and military effort unprecedented in US history, Hawaiians staged an effective coup against the national government. On December 7, Hawaii officially declared its independence and allowed all American prisoners to return to the US.
The Republic of California is a peaceful nation. It trades with the US and other nations, and citizens of both nations are free to come and go as they please. Marijuana possession and use is legal and taxed, and authorized vendors are plentiful. A black market for the herb still exists, but prosecutions and jail sentences are much less severe.
The Separatist States of America, however, is a guarded and isolationist nation. US police officers and government officials may be shot or arrested on sight after they have crossed the border. Warnings are posted advising US citizens to proceed with caution. Checkpoints exist at each major highway border crossing. US citizens may enter solely on the condition that they surrender all US identification, disavow their US citizenship, and register as SSA citizens.
The US does not trade with the SSA, and still holds claim to the airspace above the nation. As a result, there is no private or commercial air travel over the SSA without a special joint license granted by the FAA and the FBI. The license requires rigorous written and flying exams, and an extensive FBI background check.
The US does allow AT&T to operate in the SSA, though few customers choose their services. AT&T is seen as emblematic of the problems with the US.
International trade is difficult for the SSA, with restricted airspace and limited seaports on the Gulf of Mexico. Trade by air can come by way of Mexico, but with heavy tariffs encouraged by the US. Only large corporations can afford to fly goods in through Mexico. As a result, the SSA largely relies on its own resources to provide for its citizens.
In 2015, SSA businesses and citizens began demanding access to air travel and transport. Representatives of the SSA met with US lawmakers in St. Louis in an attempt to make an agreement to use the airspace. The US agreed to talks, but proposed a fifty percent tariff rate on goods flown in through US airspace. The US representatives refused to lower the proposed rate, and the talks fell through. As a result, the SSA vowed to reclaim their airspace with or without US consent.
Soon, the SSA had given several airports the green light to reopen and resume flight services. Pilots and flight controllers were given explicit orders to refuse demands made by anyone claiming US authority while in SSA airspace. This led to many tense moments between SSA pilots and USAF fighters. The skies remained relatively calm until October 4, 2015.
Continued...
Riots broke out across the nation, most concentrated in the south. Citizens of Texas began clamoring for secession from the Union, and Oklahoma follwed suit. In Washington, D.C., the Congressmen from the two states were refused secession rights, but they would not be defeated so easily.
The state legislators crafted a bill that would allow Texas to secede from the Union. The bill passed both houses and was signed into law by the governor. On April 15, 2014, Texas became a sovereign nation, and sparked what would eventually be called the “Second American Revolution.”
Following Texas’s example, other states began considering secession. California was next, passing a bill of secession on April 29, 2014. Washington and Oregon joined California on June 2, and the Republic of California was formed by the three former states. Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana joined with Texas on July 4, to create the Separatist States of America. September 22 marked the departure of four states from the Union. Alaska and Maine became Canadian provinces, and Arizona and New Mexico became part of Mexico.
During this tumultuous period, citizens in Hawaii were also planning to express their discontent. Dissenters from the military base at Pearl Harbor organized with civilian protesters to reinstate the Hawaiian monarchy. The military dissenters infiltrated the naval and air force bases and ensured that there would be no military repercussions for their treason. With a civilian and military effort unprecedented in US history, Hawaiians staged an effective coup against the national government. On December 7, Hawaii officially declared its independence and allowed all American prisoners to return to the US.
The Republic of California is a peaceful nation. It trades with the US and other nations, and citizens of both nations are free to come and go as they please. Marijuana possession and use is legal and taxed, and authorized vendors are plentiful. A black market for the herb still exists, but prosecutions and jail sentences are much less severe.
The Separatist States of America, however, is a guarded and isolationist nation. US police officers and government officials may be shot or arrested on sight after they have crossed the border. Warnings are posted advising US citizens to proceed with caution. Checkpoints exist at each major highway border crossing. US citizens may enter solely on the condition that they surrender all US identification, disavow their US citizenship, and register as SSA citizens.
The US does not trade with the SSA, and still holds claim to the airspace above the nation. As a result, there is no private or commercial air travel over the SSA without a special joint license granted by the FAA and the FBI. The license requires rigorous written and flying exams, and an extensive FBI background check.
The US does allow AT&T to operate in the SSA, though few customers choose their services. AT&T is seen as emblematic of the problems with the US.
International trade is difficult for the SSA, with restricted airspace and limited seaports on the Gulf of Mexico. Trade by air can come by way of Mexico, but with heavy tariffs encouraged by the US. Only large corporations can afford to fly goods in through Mexico. As a result, the SSA largely relies on its own resources to provide for its citizens.
In 2015, SSA businesses and citizens began demanding access to air travel and transport. Representatives of the SSA met with US lawmakers in St. Louis in an attempt to make an agreement to use the airspace. The US agreed to talks, but proposed a fifty percent tariff rate on goods flown in through US airspace. The US representatives refused to lower the proposed rate, and the talks fell through. As a result, the SSA vowed to reclaim their airspace with or without US consent.
Soon, the SSA had given several airports the green light to reopen and resume flight services. Pilots and flight controllers were given explicit orders to refuse demands made by anyone claiming US authority while in SSA airspace. This led to many tense moments between SSA pilots and USAF fighters. The skies remained relatively calm until October 4, 2015.
Continued...
Friday, February 25, 2011
2016 d20 Modern Campaign Primer (1/3)
On December 21, 2012, Congress revoked the two-term limit for the office of President, and made it a position that could only be vacated by resignation, death, or by a supermajority vote in both houses of Congress. These changes were passed in closed sessions, and weren’t widely known by the public until months later when a private memo from the Secret Service was intercepted and leaked.
Shortly thereafter, social media sites exploded with links and tweets, putting #iranelection, #jan25, and #sudan to shame. In an unprecedented move, the government allowed AT&T to buy majority shares in all of its US rivals in both the mobile phone and Internet markets. AT&T then proceeded to merge all of the competitors into the AT&T brand. In return for this allowance, AT&T agreed to authorize government agencies to censor or block certain sites.
Soon, the majority of online dissidents were silenced.
In June 2013, many sites were issued Cease and Desist warnings regarding anti-government posts and topics. The sites were given a deadline of July 31 to comply with the demands. Sites that failed to bow to the government’s commands had all access blocked by the government. Few sites resisted, and the government made good on their word to shut down the ones that did. Wikipedia, 4chan, Craigslist and similar sites were shut down, as well as file-sharing sites and foreign news agencies. Sites running forums are allowed, but are populated with government agents monitoring content.
Most sites complied with the demands, and in return were allowed to resume business as usual. Twitter and Facebook still exist but certain words and hashtags send red flags to the government. A Twitter user tweeting about government conspiracies could expect a knock on his door in the next 2-3 days. Initially, Google resisted, but changed course when the government throttled back their bandwidth to pre-56k speeds.
In addition to AT&T’s Internet dominance, their phone network nationwide is equally oppressive. Government technology allows agents to eavesdrop on any call on the network, and employs thousands of agents solely for this purpose. Mobile phone web access is restricted to a white-list of approved sites.
Around the same time, Comcast was allowed to purchase its domestic competition in exchange for the government being given complete control of content. Talk shows and news interviews were no longer allowed to feature guests or opinions critical of the government. In its place, more reality shows and game shows were created.
On February 9, 2014, a hacker group managed to successfully compromise Comcast’s servers and implant a special program disguised as a Super Bowl advert. The first ‘commercial’ of Halftime featured a black screen with text being read by a distorted voice. The three-minute ad recounted how the US had gotten to this place, from the revulsion of the term limit, to the fascistic monopolies of AT&T and Comcast. The ad revealed that the two companies were planning a merger, which would undoubtedly restrict freedoms even further. The ad ended by calling for revolutionary action in a revolutionary time.
Before the game had even ended, the creators of the video, as well as the hackers, had been executed. For the government, though, the damage had already been done.
Continued...
Shortly thereafter, social media sites exploded with links and tweets, putting #iranelection, #jan25, and #sudan to shame. In an unprecedented move, the government allowed AT&T to buy majority shares in all of its US rivals in both the mobile phone and Internet markets. AT&T then proceeded to merge all of the competitors into the AT&T brand. In return for this allowance, AT&T agreed to authorize government agencies to censor or block certain sites.
Soon, the majority of online dissidents were silenced.
In June 2013, many sites were issued Cease and Desist warnings regarding anti-government posts and topics. The sites were given a deadline of July 31 to comply with the demands. Sites that failed to bow to the government’s commands had all access blocked by the government. Few sites resisted, and the government made good on their word to shut down the ones that did. Wikipedia, 4chan, Craigslist and similar sites were shut down, as well as file-sharing sites and foreign news agencies. Sites running forums are allowed, but are populated with government agents monitoring content.
Most sites complied with the demands, and in return were allowed to resume business as usual. Twitter and Facebook still exist but certain words and hashtags send red flags to the government. A Twitter user tweeting about government conspiracies could expect a knock on his door in the next 2-3 days. Initially, Google resisted, but changed course when the government throttled back their bandwidth to pre-56k speeds.
In addition to AT&T’s Internet dominance, their phone network nationwide is equally oppressive. Government technology allows agents to eavesdrop on any call on the network, and employs thousands of agents solely for this purpose. Mobile phone web access is restricted to a white-list of approved sites.
Around the same time, Comcast was allowed to purchase its domestic competition in exchange for the government being given complete control of content. Talk shows and news interviews were no longer allowed to feature guests or opinions critical of the government. In its place, more reality shows and game shows were created.
On February 9, 2014, a hacker group managed to successfully compromise Comcast’s servers and implant a special program disguised as a Super Bowl advert. The first ‘commercial’ of Halftime featured a black screen with text being read by a distorted voice. The three-minute ad recounted how the US had gotten to this place, from the revulsion of the term limit, to the fascistic monopolies of AT&T and Comcast. The ad revealed that the two companies were planning a merger, which would undoubtedly restrict freedoms even further. The ad ended by calling for revolutionary action in a revolutionary time.
Before the game had even ended, the creators of the video, as well as the hackers, had been executed. For the government, though, the damage had already been done.
Continued...
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