Travis: Chestnuts Roasting Over an Open Fire.

As The Filibust’s technology/media/entertainment/best writer, I generally offer commentary on technology news and issues that effect the readers and myself, on a macro and also micro level. Tonight, the issue is far more personal, and effects me and others on a level deeper than I have delved into before on this blog.

I am of coarse talking about the genocide of men’s balls.

As you read this blog, you could possibly be kills millions of sperm cells, thanks to the heat produced from your laptop sitting on your lap. A recent medical study stated “The combination of heat generated by the computers and the posture needed to balance the equipment on the lap leads to raised temperatures around the scrotum… past research shows that higher scrotal temperatures can damage sperm and affect fertility”. The study found that within the first 15 minutes of using a laptop scrotal temperatures increase by 33.8 degrees which can cause long term damage to one’s manjiggilies.

So what does this mean? Dare we “change our posture” to avoid the cooking of our Cracker Jacks? Or do we stand up as one Nation and tell computer manufacturers, “Hey! Stop killing our Love Spuds!”. All of us need to tell the likes of Steve Jobs that we will NOT stand for our brains being nuked by your stupid computers.

I hope that you would join me in my crusade.

Brian: Image Schmimage

What angle is the NFL trying to play here?

That is the only question I can ask myself after its latest punishment. Richard Seymour was only fined $25,000 for his punch of Ben Roethlisberger. That's it?

Jerome Harrison has been fined $150,000 for his helmet to helmet hits this season. Offensive tackled David Stewart was fined $20,000 for an unnecessary roughness penalty. LaMarr Woodley was fined $12,500 for a questionable roughing the passer penalty.

Those were all fines for playing the game of football aggressively. Some of those fines seem a bit much, and some of the fined penalties were questionable. Either way, the players were fined for things done between the whistles.

Seymour's punch was after a play and was blatantly obvious. And all he got was a $25,000 fine? Roger Goodell has repeatedly stated that he is trying to clean up the image of the NFL, rightfully suspending players for actions off the field. But what about actions on the field, in front of millions of viewers? Tons of people saw the punch and it was instantly uploaded on YouTube, and shown dozens of times of Sports Center.

Goodell has never shyed away from laying down harsh punishment for things that have been very publicly seen. Seymour should have been fined AND suspended for what he did. Throwing a punch in a game is a very immature way to handle yourself, and doesn't reflect well on the NFL. So why not suspend him and send a message that players need to control themselves during games?

If I was making millions of dollars each game, and new that I would only get fined $25,000 for decking someone, what is to stop me from doing it if I feel the situation calls for it? Plenty of NFL players would punch other players if they knew the penalty wouldn't be steep.

And now they know it won't. Good job Goodell on condemning aggressive play during the game, but, in a round-a-bout way, making a statement that it's not that bad to punch someone in the face.

So much for a complete image turnaround for the NFL.

Alan: Double Standards

My sincerest apologies for not posting in the last couple of weeks. With midterms, papers, reading, and school generally, I have been lacking in ideas and blogging. Although I am still not up to par with great ideas for blogs, I will at least be posting something this week.

In a write-in, I recieved a blog idea that highlights double standards in this world. The thing is, people like double standards...when they are the ones who benefit from them. You want to be able to do what you like, without others doing some of those very things to you.

There are many examples of contradictions. One of my favorites is the driver/pedestrian stand-off. When you are a driver, you want pedestrians to get out of your way so that you can make your right turn. When you are a pedestrian, you want drivers to slow down and just let you walk across the street without looking mad at you.

People want to have their cake and eat it too. I am honestly not sure how this phrase applies to this scenario, because what is the point of having cake if you cannot eat it...but this phrase is still always said in regards to these sorts of situations.

The person writing in to me pointed out that women look to men to be morons. In sit-coms the man messes things up, and the wife sweeps in to fix it. The write-in noted that women often will sit around talking about how foolish or moronic their male friends are. Then, they sit around and complain to these men for leaving the toilet seat up. If women know that men are morons, they ought to just check the seat before sitting down. (These are, again, the words of my write-in friend.)

Generally speaking, I think that contradictions, and double standards are informed by our sense of individuality, and looking out for number one. The more that we think just about ourselves, and our own wants and desires, the more that we end up upsetting others. We spend a lot of time looking at how our own situation is, instead of looking at the realities held by other people.

This is, however, not always the case. Some double standards are born out of thinking about other people. For example, in a lot of households, daughters are held to stricter rules about dating, curfews, or other such parental guidelines than sons. This is often chalked up to safety rules, and looking out for the daughter. Is there validity in this, or is this unfair?

Let's let go of our frustrations with double standards. Let's think about the driver when we are walking, or the pedestrian when we are driving. The more that we focus on how other people may be feeling, or what may be going on in their lives, the greater we show compassion for humanity. I think that a simple small act made on a daily basis can be a powerful symbol. A symbol for peace.

Travis: That Expensive Thing In Your Pants.

I love my Blackberry. I love it. Do I wish that I had a Droid X? Absolutely. But I have a good enough phone to keep me entertained and to offer multitasking during everyday occurrences. For the record: True multi-tasking is sending an email while taking a deuce. For all you know, I could be writing this while taking a deuce.

But what do these wonderful devices in our pockets actually cost? If you go to an AT&T store, and get the base standard iPhone, you will pay $200. Not bad right? My Blackberry Tour (far obsolete by now), was $50 with a resigned contract with Verizon. However I learned very quickly that these devices are far more expensive then we are lead to believe. Last spring I dropped my Blackberry and cracked the screen, leading a beautiful rainbow of incomprehensible color. It was depressing. However, my true sadness began when I found out what my Blackberry Tour “actuallly” costs.

My model at the time was posted on Amazon for $400, opposed to the $50 that I paid initially. It was mind blowing to discover the actual price of my cell phone when the service provider isn't subsidizing the cost. So this got me thinking. When all of our electronic devices are assembled overseas, what happens to the price of our phones when the labor powers in the USA take over the manufacturing of our wonderful devices? This answer was discovered in a statistic I heard recently.

Currently, $600 will get you a brand new iPhone 4G with no contract. The iPhone is developed here in the US, and is then assembled and imported overseas. However, if you were assemble the iPhone here in the USA, with unionized labor, an iPhone 4G would cost $5,000!

Because of America's high wages, high taxes, and union mandates, only the richest of the rich would ever be able to buy an iPhone (Though in our society, people would just throw it on a credit card and pay it for the next 15 years). So I have to ask what does this say about our labor market and future job growth? If everything is going digital, does that mean all of our manufacturing jobs will go too? Its a sad reality.

Finally, I would like to say Kudos! To our over regulated and over taxing government. Also Kudo's to unions, for demanding over reaching benefits, obscene retirement offerings, and $20+ per hour to push a button. Thanks to you, and the Indonesian guy who makes $1.50 an hour doing your same job, I get to own a Blackberry.

Adam: One Loko?

Yesterday the damn government again got in the way of some good ol American freedom. Government saw we were having too much fun and decided to make up our minds for us.

If you are 20 something and probably even in your teens you've not only heard of the drink Four Loko, but you're downing one right now as you read this blog. Four Loko was created by three Buckeye Alumni: Chris Hunter, Jaisen Freeman, and Jeff Wright. The drink contains alcohol, caffeine, taurine, and guarana. (four ingredients. If you were confused where the name came from) Yesterday November 17th 2010 the FDA said Four Loko was “too awesome and a public health concern” So they demanded that caffeine, taurine and guarana be removed from the drink thus forcing everyone to now call the drink...One Loko.

I know what some of you are thinking: oh crap I need to buy as much of this party juice as possible before the government ruins the fun. As you should since the drink you once enjoyed is being taken from you. The Midwest isn't known for much in fact its been dubbed the “rust belt” the common people in middle America don't have much to do but get schlitzed. Just because the rest of the country can't hold their alcohol like Ohio doesn't mean the government has the right to babysit everyone. So some college and high school kids couldn't handle the power of that good kush? Does one bad apple ruin the bushel? It most certainly does not!

Four Loko is already banned in four of the States in the Union and I'm guessing it won't stop there. What's with all the suits and stiffs crushing the fun and innovation of college students? I wouldn't be surprised one bit if they banned faceSchuch next...

Go Bucks

Travis: The TSA's New Xray Specs.

Earlier this week, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) enacted new practices at airports that incorporate even more rigorous searching of passengers to board US flights. There are two new practices that passengers will have to endure to get to their destination. One is a more invasive pat-down, which includes an “inner thigh inspection, better known as “2^nd Base”. The only thing that isn’t checked in this new pat-down is a rectal exam…which is probably how the next terrorist will attempt blow up a plane, causing good Americans to choose between driving to their destination, or facing a prison-like level of bodily intrusion.

The other is an extra high resolution scanner, capable of seeing the most detailed parts of the human anatomy. The TSA claims that we have no need to worry because all the photos will be deleted once they have been analyzed. No problem right?! The photo to the right is a leaked image from one of the new high power scanners. It’s that of a Texas congressman Billy Long.

Also, in Orlando Florida, two U.S. Marshalls were charges brought against them for saving 35,000 x-ray images of passengers. Still trust the TSA with your naked body?

Technology like this will always be exploited, and terrorists will always try find some other way around any attempt to stop them, they always do. So we need to ask ourselves, how many liberties are we willing to compromise for the sake of "security"?

Adam: Love to Dock

The carnival cruise ship has finally 'docked' today. Oh those poor poor people...

First of you know what kinds of people go on cruise ships? Well if you have ever seen one of their commercials you'd know that extremely fit, attractive, wealthy, interesting people ride on those ships. Then suddenly the ship breaks down and guess what? They are forced to stay on this horrific cruise ship for an extra 4 days? Oh how terrible!

Psh whatever the work week is almost over as in if those people have to go back to work its only for one day... And everyone that was on the ship gets a free cruise! And to top it all off if you were on shore waiting for your cruise but didn't get to go because those awesome people got to spend an extra 4 days having the time of their lives then you get a free cruise too!

I've never had the pleasure of going on one of these fancy cruises. But I've seen a lot of commercials about the experience and I know at least one person that has been on a cruise before and I can safely say that if offered an extra 4 days NO ONE would turn it down.

Not only did these people
1)get to go on a cruise
2)get to stay on the cruise
but they are now also famous...the coast guard started dropping off food to them too while they were being tow along the horrific coast of Mexico through then dreary California weather. Oh whoa is me we get free food that rains from the sky on my free extended cruise...

All I'm saying is if I ever get the chance to be on a boat I'm bringing a collection of wrenches to heave into the engine that I can guarantee!

Go Bucks

Brian: Bandwagon Fans

Some things about sports and the fans of sports really bothers me. If you had to hazard a guess (and by the title of this post) you would probably say I hate bandwagon fans, right?

Actually, I don't mind them. The people that bother me are the ones who so passionately hate those bandwagon fans.

Extreme haters of bandwagon fans are so much worse than the actual fans who jump on said bandwagons. Who cares? If a person wants to be a fan of the best team in the sport, then so be it. Last time I checked, people had the choice to decide who they were going to root for. If a person enjoys the feeling of liking the best team, then let them!

Listen, imagine your favorite teams winning a championship in their respective sports. It's a great feeling, right? Well that is the exact feeling that bandwagon fans want to have. What is so horrible about that? They just want to enjoy sports and have a team that wins.

Not to mention, you really have no idea if that person has been a fan all of their lives or if they just started liking them. Does it really matter? Basically, anytime their is a good team (which is better or equal to yours) everyone assumes that every other fan is a bandwagon fan. This is because jealousy is a huge aspect of sports. I hate the Ohio State football team. Why? Because they are consistent winners and I am jealous of what they have. If some guy decides he wants to root for OSU, then so be it. How is that hurting me?

I understand that bragging rights play a huge part of sports, and there will always be that annoying guy who shouts about how is Lakers, Yankees, and Patriots are better than everyone else. Let him be. Why? Because he is enjoying sports and the teams that he chose. Simple as that. Everyone has a little bandwagon in them from time to time anyways. I am a huge fan of small teams that make it big (Boise State, TCU, Butler, etc.) which makes me a bandwagon fan of those teams. Once they start sucking, and new small teams emerge, I will move to them. But it makes me enjoy the sport just a little bit more. And if I'm having fun, it shouldn't matter to you who I like.

So root for your team and stop caring who roots for anyone else. Let them have fun, even if you are suffering.

That's what sports are all about, right?

(Except for Cleveland, Buffalo, and Seattle fans...I just feel sorry for you guys).

Alan: Sanity Restored

This past weekend, I traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert Rally to Restore Sanity and/or fear. For those of you who don't know, this comedic duo each has their own faux-news show on Comedy Central. Although their strengths are quick wit, puns, and humor, they are incredibly insightful in critiquing both politicians and the media.

With an attempt to Restore Sanity, Jon Stewart launched the rally that was held this past weekend with the goal to reach out to those in the middle. Those who are tired of the overpowering voices of both the left and the right, and those who rationally try to look at their lives, their world, and their interactions with the greater humanity

Particularly moving were Stewart's closing remarks, which denounced the extreme points of view on all spectrums, and challenged people to continue living with dignity and decency for all people.

I personally found this to be one of the most helpful political statements made in recent history. Not only was the message good, and the delivery impeccable, but perhaps most importantly, the audience was captivated by a message that they needed to hear.

Too often are political extremists preaching to the choir of those who already believe in pinko-commy plots to over-govern and over-tax the people. Too often are other extremists telling their supporters of the devilish tea-partiers, or republicans with such a racist, bigoted agenda, that will surely seek to deepen racial and socio-economic divides and tensions.

Instead, Jon Stewart spoke to those of us in the middle. Although some of the targets of his humor may have been the media, or the politicians, his message was for the everyday independent person who needs to know that it is okay to disagree with someone, and still respect them as a person.

Some felt that Stewart's rally accomplished nothing. In a blog published by a democratic supporter, Stewart was criticized for not taking a partisan stand and helping the democratic cause. Although Stewart may lean more to the left politically, I believe this blogger missed the point. I think the rally hit the mark, and the fact that over 215,000 people showed up, when event coordinators were planning for 60,000 people goes to show that this nation is ready for sanity. This week, Jon Stewart provided the United States with a powerful symbol. A symbol for peace.