North Carolina, Memphis, Kansas, and California-Los Angeles (UCLA), all #1 seeds, are in the Final Four

I assume the readers have been keeping up with the NCAA tourney and if not they should be ashamed. For the first time in NCAA men's basketball tournament history, all of the number one seeds in the tournament, North Carolina, Kansas, Memphis, and California at Los Angeles (UCLA), made it to the final four in San Antonio, Texas. The final four will take place on Saturday on CBS. North Carolina will take on Kansas in the first match, while Memphis and UCLA will play in the second match. The championship game will tip off one week from today.

I did not have an official bracket made, but I will share you my prediction of the final four: North Carolina and Memphis will play inthe championship game with the former of the two winning the national championship.

Thieves Steal A Playstation Portable and the Medical Records of a 7-Year-Old Cancer Patient the day before his Birthday.

Source: Joystiq

Without a doubt one of the most sickening and depressing stories I've ever read, gutless thieves allegedly stole medical records, medicine, and a Playstation Portable that belonged to 7-year-old and brain-cancer patient Kyle Springs on the eve of his birthday. He and his family were having breakfast in a restaurant when the heist ocurred. Fortunately, though, the Dallas police raised over $1,000 in two and a half hours time and his PSP and games were replaced. The crooks are still at large.

Commentary on Jack Thompson's Conduct at His Bar Trial.

*Gamepolitics.com recently ran a series of excerpts from Jack Thompson's ethics trial in which he is facing permenant disbarrment. The series can be found here. It should also be noted that my commentaries are my opinions ONLY. THEY ARE NOT STATEMENTS OF FACT.*

It seems that Florida attorney and anti-video game activist Jack Thompson is hellbent on career suicide. If you do not believe me, then take a look at excerpts from the testimony at his bar trial, the very trial before the Florida Bar Association in which he is facing the loss of his bar license. Can it not be anymore obvious to Mr. Thompson that his career and reputation, or what remains of both, is on the line? Can it not be anymore obvious to Mr. Thompson that bringing video games into the trial will not win him sympathy of Judge Dava Tunis, who is presiding over the trial, and prosecutor Sheila Tuma? Can it not be anymore obvious to Mr. Thompson that his behavior will increase the likelihood that he may never practice law again?

Apparently not to Jack Thompson. After all, he is an attorney who does not know when to obey the judge and to shut up when he is told. This act has happened again and again like a broken record or a scratched CD. Every time he has yelled objection and was overruled, he talks back to the judge like a disobedient child. Mr. Thompson's conduct in and at times out of the courtroom has always been known to be unprofessional to say the least, but his conduct at the trial that determines his career's future is beyond unprofessional; it is reprehensible and suicidal to his career.

Who was Jack Thompson's layer in this trial? Who gave Jack Thompson advice to act like a tantrum-throwing child? Where did Mr. Thompson get the idea that he can conduct himself in such an immature manner in front of Judge Tunis and the Florida Bar Association and still think he can keep his license to practice law, much less not being held in contempt of court? Does he not get the idea that his misbehavior, arrogance, and stupidity will cost him his career?

Regardless of what one thinks about video game violence, or video games in general, it is obvious that Jack Thompson does not know how to conduct himself in the courtroom. It is obvious that Jack Thompson does not understand the implications that this trial has on the future of his career. Does Mr. Thompson never learn from the actions of the attorneys before him that lost their license to practice law? Does Mr. Thompson really want to flush his career, or the remains of his career, down the toilet? Does Mr. Thompson not have a sense of urgency that he could be in textbooks as an example of what not to do or as an example of what and who not to be like? Does he not get it? If he does not understand, then Jack Thompson needs to be disbarred. There is no place in this country for any lawyer to act like this. There is no place in this country for any attorney who does not conduct himself or herself in a professional manner and in an adult manner. A message needs to be sent to Jack Thompson. He needs to understand that he is not going to act like a petulant brat in the courtroom. He needs to understand that he is in no position to threaten a lawsuit against anyone who criticizes him. He needs to understand that he has no right to threaten anyone associated with the video game industry with jail time and to defame their families. Jack Thompson needs to be disbarred...permanently. There is no place in this country for an attorney such as him to be practicing law.

John Bruce Thompson has made a spectacle out of himself for the last time. He has made himself an embarrassment out of the lawyer profession for the last time. We have all seen this act again and again. Mr. Thompson's actions and conduct can no longer be tolerated by anyone. It does not matter whether or not one likes video games, those who read the bar trial excerpts can agree on this: It is time for Jack Thompson to be disbarred.

I have got one question to ask Mr. Thompson. This is a question that the late attoney Joseph Welch asked the late Senator Joe McCarthy (R-WI) when he accused Fredrick G. Fisher of communist association at the Army v. McCarthy hearings on April 22, 1954. Although what Jack Thompson is doing to the video game industry may be little when compared to what the junior Wisconsin senator did, this question applies to John Bruce Thompson today just as much as it applied to Sen. McCarthy 54 years ago. The question: "HAVE YOU NO SENSE OF DECENCY, SIR?"

Good night...and good luck.

Iraq War Soldier Deaths now at 4,000

A grim milestone in the Iraq War has been reached yesterday when four American soldiers were killed in action. The deaths now bring the number of dead American soldiers up to four thousand.

House Hits Bridge in Arkansas

The recent torrential rains in Arkansas and Missouri were needless to say devastating. The flood waters were so strong, they swept this house near Calico Rock in White County, Arkansas into a bridge.

Video courtesy of KATV Channel 7, Little Rock, Arkansas

Senator Barack Obama's (D-IL) Passport File Improperly Accessed by State Department Contractors.

Source: MSNBC

Two contractors from the state department were terminated and a third was disciplined for breaching the passport files of presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL). The records were allegedly breached on January 9, February 21, and March 14 of this year. The Justice Department has not yet launched a criminal investigation into the breachings and insists there were "no political motivations" into the breachings. The Obama Campaign demands to know who were the three that improperly accessed the passport and has called the breachings "outrageous breach of security and privacy".

UPDATE: The passport files of the other presidential candidates Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and John McCain (R-AZ) were also improperly accessed.

Commentary on the Iraq War

Mistakes and foolish errors have been made throughout the history of the United States of America. These include slavery, the Great Depression, Isolationism, and reconstruction to name a few. America also had its share of idiot presidents. Buchanan, Harding, Carter, and Garfield are the names that come to mind when it comes to the politicians that never should have been in the oval office. But never in American history has there been a blunder so erroneous and a president too damn stupid and too damn arrogant to realize that it was a mistake. The error I am speaking of is the war in Iraq. The president I am speaking of is George Walker Bush.

The Iraq War got started on the idea that Iraq under Saddam Hussien had weapons of mass destruction. It also got started on the premise that Saddam was linked to Al Qeada and Osama Bin Laden, the world's most wanted man who was behind the horrifying attacks on September 11, 2001. When President Bush announced that a war with Iraq will result if Saddam does not disarm his weapons of mass destruction, most of the country and the world was behind him. Those who were in favor of the war in Iraq were viewed as patriotic while those who were opposed to it were viewed as anti-American. When France objected to the war, they were seen as anti-American and an ally of the enemy. Boycotts on French products were underway. When the country-music trio "The Dixie Chicks" made the infamous statement, the statement that said "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas", their fans burned their CDs or threw them in the trash. Those who backed the war and President Bush were seen as loyal to their nation while dissenters were treated like modern-day Benedict Arnolds. The president told the American People that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. The president told the American People Saddam was linked to Osama and 9/11.

It was all a lie.

No weapons of destruction were ever found. No link was found between Saddam Hussien and Osama Bin Laden. Al Qeada was never in Iraq. President Bush told the American People one lie after another. He and Vice President Cheney lied us into this war. He lied to congress about Iraq and 9/11. He lied to congress about the WMDs.

It has been five years ago yesterday when this war began. Five whole years have now been spent in Iraq. Although Saddam was captured, his sons Uday and Qusay were killed in a fire fight, and Al Zarqary was killed in an airstrike, more bad has been done than good. At least 3,990 American soldiers lost their lives. About 29,000 American Troops were wounded.

All of this for what? There were no weapons of mass destruction. There was no link between Saddam and Bin Laden. There was no link between Saddam and 9/11. There was no Al Qeada in Iraq before American Troops invaded. In fact, Saddam was not even a threat to the United States. However, the president and the vice president do not wish to listen to the critics of this war. When the generals told President Bush that his strategy would not work, they were fired. Valerie Plame's name was leaked when her husband, Joe Wilson, criticized Bush's war plans and she had to leave the CIA.

The actions of this administration are nothing short of irresponsible and alarming. President Bush and Vice President Cheney are responsible for the mess that is Iraq. They are responsible for the loss of nearly 4,000 soldiers. They are responsible for the many lies that got this nation into Iraq. And what did this all do? This war made Al Qeada stronger. This war distracted us from the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, who is still roaming about the planet as a free man instead of being brought to justice. Iraq is a total mess. It is a bottomless pit. Even though the surge may have lowered the violence in Iraq, it has failed its main goal: political reconciliation.

But is this war all Bush's fault? It may sound like it, but it really is not. It is also the fault of the representatives and senators, both Republicans and Democrats, that voted in favor of the use of force. Although they were lied to, it does not change the fact that the politicians who voted for the use of force in Iraq still voted for it. I can not take back my support for the use of force in Iraq. Neither should they. America has been through mistakes and the arrogant presidents who made them. None of them were as bad as the war in Iraq and no president was so stubborn as President Bush. The many errors made by this president and its consequences will be felt for quite some time. Hopefully our next president, whether it be Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), or Senator John McCain (R-AZ) will correct the severe errors made by President Bush and .

The war in Iraq was a mistake...and President Bush may go down in American history as the worst president ever.

Good night, and good luck.

Iraq War: Five Years Later

The date was March Nineteenth. The year was 2003. It was on this day five years ago when the beginning of the end of Saddam Hussein's regime began. The Iraq War was started on the belief that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction and was linked to the terrifying 9/11 attacks and Al Qeada. Most of the American people were in favor of the war in the beginning, but are now opposed to it and demand a troop pull-out.

President Bush will deliver a speech on the Iraq War from the Pentagon at 10:00 am eastern time.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I do not like to promote in any of my entries, but I feel it is necessary here. Tomorrow, there will be a commentary on the Iraq War. I apologize that I could not do so today, but I do not have the time for it today.

"Manhunt 2" Given Green Light in U.K.

The video game "Manhunt 2", which was originally banned in the United Kingdom and given the "Adults Only" rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) here in the states, is now finally available in England. The game attracted controversy from its brutal content. "Manhunt 2" was later toned-down content wise and given the "Mature" rating from the ESRB, but was still banned in England. Rockstar and Take-Two Interactive appealed the decision and won, but the British Board of Film and Literature Classification (BBFC), Britain's rating board that refused a rating for the game which led to its banning, appealed the decision to the English High Court. The Video Appeals Committee (VAC) lifted the ban on "Manhunt 2".

Source: GamePolitics

New York Governor Spitzer (D) Involved in Prostitution Ring - New York Times.

According to the New York Times, New York Governor Elliot Spitzer (D), known for his no-nonsense style of law enforcement, told his staff that he was involved in a prostitution ring. His involvement, particularly the criminal involvement, is unknown as of now.

The prostitution ring Spitzer is reportedly linked to is called "The Emperors Club", which according to the NY Times was under investigation from the IRS and the FBI.

UPDATE: NBC News confirms a federal wiretap on February 13th caught Spitzer setting up a meeting with a prostitute and was client 9 in a federal affidavit.

UPDATE 2: New York State's assembly minority leader is calling on Spitzer to resign.

"Super Smash Bros Brawl" to be Released Next Week.

"Super Smash Bros Brawl", the third game in the Super Smash Bros series, is coming out next week. The game features 20-plus fighters including Mario, Link, Bowser, Pikachu, and Samus Aran among others, some of which are new to the series, like Pit, from the NES classic "Kid Icarus", Sonic, and Snake from the "Metal Gear Solid" series. The game features many unlockables, new stages and even old ones. The game is set for release next week.

The game also features moves called "final smashes". They can be seen in this YouTube clip.

Commentary on The "Bully" Video Game Controversy

Here we go again. It is a statement, a saying, that expresses disdain for having to repeat something that one does not like, whether it be a snow storm, rising gas prices, or a once-thought extinguished controversy. A needless scandal that is all over the news outlets that makes us all say "please shut the hell up" is once again rearing its unwelcome head. Many various controversies fall into the category. One of which is the controversy that engulfed the video game "Bully" back in 2006. "Bully" attracted controversy just based on its name alone. The game had the player controlling Jimmy Hopkins, a 15-year old boy who was suspended from his school. While his parents go on vacation, he is sent to a prep school named "Bullworth Academy". Throughout the game, Jimmy fights back against the bullies that are over the campus and rids the school of wrongdoing. However, the critics of the game and the anti-game crusaders do not see it that way. They claim that "Bully" promotes bullying and puts kids, especially those who can not defend themselves, at risk of being bullied.

"Bully" is being rerelased as "Bully: Scholarship Edition" on the XBox360 and Nintendo Wii systems and the controversy and criticisms are fuming again. Now I have nothing against the critics of "Bully". They have the right to object to the game as much as Rockstar has the right to freely make and sell the game. The critics of "Bully" are good people and are well-intentioned. Some of them may have been victims of bullying themselves and would not want anyone else to go through the pain and suffering of being bullied. When complaining about the game, however, there is a line. A line that must never be crossed. It is known as the line of slander and libel. This is a line that has not only been crossed deliberately, but also spat upon by those who twist the game into something that it is not. These are the acts of the anti-video game crusaders. These people are those that blatantly distort the facts about campus shootings and crimes against law enforcement so they can make video games a scapegoat and to get their names in the paper and their faces on TV news. People like Jack Thompson, who tried to declare the sales of "Bully" a public nuisance, and watchdog groups like the Parents Television Council are well-known for this. With the rerelease of "Bully" they, along with teacher organizations, are once again spinning the game into a bully-training device. They claim "Bully" teaches its players to harass other kids. Other organizations claim this game has players "dunking pupils' heads in toilets, photographing them naked and physically assaulting them" (Source: GamePolitics).

This is false. These quotes are full of lies and defamation. This is where well intentions end. You do not lie about anything you do not like. You do not mischaractrize something you do not like. Lies, slander, and sensationalized crap are not a way to express concern. It only exposes you, those that spin the facts of "Bully", as liars. Doing this in a legislative session or in a court during trial results in perjury charges.

In an episode of "South Park", Stan answers the front door during a thunderstorm. He opens the door and sees his "future self", a homeless 30-year old who did alcohol and drugs in high school. His parents take him in and is convinced that Stan's future self is real. Later in the episode, Stan is staying after school with Butters for studying. In the scene, Butters says he also has a future self. Stan is suspicious and he, along with Butters, go to a building named Motivation Corp., a company that lies and exaggerates the facts of smoking, drinking, and drug use at an early age. When motivation corp is exposed at the episode's end. Stan's mother gives a wonderful lesson: Lies and exaggerations are no way to get your point across.

This lesson applies to those who twist "Bully" into something it is not. The activists, parent and teacher organizations, and watchdog groups could learn a lesson from Stan's parents. Lies and exaggerations are no way to get your point across. When you lie, you are jeopardizing your credibility as a person of any profession. When you lie, you are jeopardizing the credibility of your employers. When you lie, you are jeopardizing the credibility and integrity of your Alma Mater. When you lie, you jeopardize your career. Lastly and most essentially, when you lie, you jeopardize your own integrity, your financial status, your status as a role model to children, and even your house and possessions. You will be nothing more than a fraud. You could be an example of what not to be and what not to do in textbooks for years to come. Your Alma Mater could lose students and experience lower enrollment rates. Your fellow alumni of your Alma mater could also have their careers jeopardized and credibility tarnished. You could lose the respect of your children and family. There is a line between criticizing something you do not like and defamation, whether it be slander or libel. To those who deliberately cross this line without any thoughts to the consequences, get back behind that line before the aforementioned happens to you.

We have heard these lies and slander back in 2006 when the original "Bully" was released. We all heard that the game will cause bullying to skyrocket across the land. This has not happened. Why are teachers and anti-game activists afraid of the game's rerelease? No such reason exists to be afraid of the rerelease of "Bully", especially if nothing bad happened after the game's initial release. Here we go again, indeed. Haven't we been through this? Going through this controversy again makes me feel like I am in the movie "Groundhog Day".

The entire concept of history is to learn from its lessons. Apparently and obviously, the defamers of "Bully" did not learn anything. Not a damn thing at all. This is a symptom, an exhibition, of blind hatred. The people who distort the facts, or even make up the facts, of a game I doubt they even played have such a hatred against "Bully", or even Video Games in general, they do not care if they are proven wrong.

In my commentary about Fox News' distortions about the love scene in "Mass Effect", I said that those who distort the facts of the game are far worse than those who develop the game. This applies to the anti-game activists. This applies to the organizations that defame "Bully". They are far worse than Rockstar. They are shamelessly slanderizing and libeling a game that has its players fighting off bullies. What does this tell you of these groups and organizations? They have no good intentions whatsoever. They are in no position to call Rockstar, the ESRB, and the retailers irresponsible. If they had any moral forditude, they will sincerely apologize to Rockstar, the ESRB, and the retailers. Unfortunately, we will not be hearing any apology anytime soon...or ever.

I want to say one last thing to the teachers and administrators that are slanderizing "Bully". If you want to stop bullying, start enforcing the rules and begin punishing those who bully other classmates. Do not tell me that you are. I have been through the public school system. If you can not do this, then you got a problem that is far, far worse than a video game.

Good night, and good luck.

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) wins GOP Nomination; President Bush Endorses McCain for President.

With victories in all of Tuesday night's Republican Primaries (RI, OH, TX, VT), Arizona Senator John McCain is the nominee for the oval office on the GOP side. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee dropped out of the race after the results of the GOP primaries were announced.

President Bush (R) has also endorsed McCain for presidency.

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) wins Rhode Island, Texas, and Ohio in Tuesday Night's Primaries.

New York Senator Hillary Clinton (D) resurrected her once-thought dead presidential bid last night. She won contests in Rhode Island, Texas, and Ohio. Her rival Barack Obama (D-IL) only won Vermont. Barack Obama still leads the delegate count, but Clinton has the momentum and a new lease on her campaign.

The next big stste contest is in Pennsylvania on April 22nd, where Senator Clinton has a lead. Over 100 pledged delegates are at stake.

Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre Will Retire.

Source: ESPN/NFL Network

After 17 seasons in the NFL, including two NFC championships and a Super Bowl ring, Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre will call it a career in a news conference at 4:00 pm EST. In his stellar career, number 4 made 255 consecutive starts and threw 442 touchdown passes, the most in NFL history.

Michigan's Women's Basketball Coach Goes off the Deep End.

Courtesy: ESPN/Big Ten Network

Coaching meltdown of the year.



Dennis Green and John L .Smith do not have anything on this.