Author: infamousdolphin

Russia’s Slim Future

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The Russians have found what seems to be the way of solving at least one of America’s problems.

In the subway station of Vystavochnaya in western Moscow, the people are allowed to pay their fare by doing 30 squats. They are placed in front of a machine that counts the squats and makes sure you are in a correct position.

This was implemented to promote a healthy and sporty life style in honor of the Olympic games that will take place in Russia.

If this system was to be implemented in the US, not only in the subway but in a lot of public services, America would benefit from a healthier population and a great decrease in obesity.

Sources: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57611796-1/to-ride-the-moscow-subway-for-free-do-30-squats/

The Pokemon Controversy

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Ever since the release of the first Pokémon games in 1996, hardcore Christians and vicious PETA members have bashed the franchise for its depictions of evolution and alleged “animal abuse.”

Pokémon is a franchise of games about a young trainer who embarks on a journey to defeat 8 gym leaders, the elite four and become the new Pokémon League Champion. Pokémon are caught in the wild with items called Pokeballs and are used to battle other trainers. Pokemon gain experience points and level up by battling other Pokemon, eventually resulting in their evolution.

Christians all around the world have protested against the franchise claiming that it goes against their beliefs. However, the type of evolution depicted by Pokemon is more relatable to growing up rather than becoming a different species. The Pokemon games show no sign of Darwinian evolution and do not contradict the beliefs of any creationist. It is merely a misconception.

Evolution Chain of 3 Pokemon

On the other hand, PETA members have criticized, protested and demonized the Pokemon franchise for its alleged depictions of animal abuse. Trainers use their Pokemon to battle other trainers. Granted, the subjects in these games are easily misunderstood, but there is no justification for PETA’s overreaction. PETA claims that this child’s game teaches kids to abuse animals. However, the games are focused on the special bond that a trainer develops with their Pokemon and the importance of teamwork, not cock-fighting.

Pokemon is a child’s game set in a different universe and it’s by no means a tool for evil.

PETA’s Extreme Overreaction: http://features.peta.org/pokemon-black-and-white-parody/

Lies are always prettier than the truth

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US Journalist Stephen Glass is a perfect example of how a lie can get so out of proportion and snowball down taking everybody with it.

Stephen was a reporter for the New Republic, where he wrote funny and interesting stories. Until one day, one of his stories called Hack Heaven was being questioned for its authenticity. Glass repeatedly lied about the story, every time insisting it was real. He had reached a point where he truly believed his own lies, but he was busted. He knew lying was useless but he still couldn’t stop.

His constant battle ended with him being fired, but he didn’t go down alone. The New Republic was forced to publicly apologize to the readers and they took legal action against him. It was soon discovered that 27 out of the 41 pieces Stephen wrote for the New Republic were fully or partially fabricated.

Glass was a sociopath and a compulsive liar. His lies got so out of proportion, they became his truth.

What would’ve happened if America didn’t make it out of the government shutdown?

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Keep in mind that I’m not wearing a cardboard sign yelling “THE END IS NIGH!” Nor am I a crazy homeless dude that snuck into an Apple Store to write this blog and scare their readers out of their minds. I just seek to answer if the great super power of America could take a plunge into the third world after a mild kick in the knees.

Being realistic, the United States of America would definitely not collapse because of a dispute between the Democrats and Republicans that resembles more of a pout. In the extreme rare case of this not being settled, the USA would land on utter Anarchy.

All government workers would be out of commission due to lack of funding, which means no police, fire department, teachers and it could even go as far as no military. The current government system as it is would have been completely obliterated.

Meanwhile, the world economy would take a great hit considering that the richest and highest consuming country in the world is out of the game.

The Government shutdown could have gone to extreme lengths, like civil war or just flat-out separation into two new countries. But the most plausible thing would be that the UN and the rest of the powers, like China, Russia, UK, France and Germany would determine the future of America.

Are Electronic Cigarettes safe?

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The use of Electronic cigarettes has sky rocketed during the last 3 years with the promise of providing a safe alternative to the pesky, cancer causing tobacco cigarettes. However, is that promise true? Or are the users  getting their money snatched out of their hands in an elaborate scam?

Considering that Electronic cigarettes contain no tobacco, they are not subject to the United States tobacco laws, which means that it’s not necessary to be 18 or older to buy one of these nicotine-filled tubes and enjoy it on the side of road.

Electronic Cigarette

Even though the e-cigs appear to be harmless, scientists have performed tests that suggest the contrary. Harmful chemicals have been found in the vapor of the electronic cigarettes; however, they still prove to be considerably healthier than the conventional tobacco ones.

It has yet to be determined if the E-cigs cause cancer. The FDA website claims that not enough studies have been performed on electronic cigarettes to know if they are harmful or not.

However, E-Cigs should remain available to all public because they offer an alternative to the tobacco cigarette that is considerably healthier.

Should Marijuana be legalized?

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After the legalization of recreational Marijuana in Colorado and Washington, stoners from all around the world have their hopes at an all time high (pun-intended) for a nation-wide legalization. Would legal weed be good for America? Or will it end up with the addiction of many?

Protester takes it to the streets

Even though most stoners might try to convince everyone that weed is “all natural” and that it has no repercussions, that is not entirely true. Heavy consumers have shown deteriorating mental and physical health over time, as well as slower reaction time. However, no one has ever died from an overdose, or at least it has never been reported.

Asides from the negative effects, what good could it bring for America? The legalization of Marijuana could help the economy by taxing the product, and considering that Marlboro cigarettes is the second most profitable product in America, it is certain that a company that big could bring the project afloat.

Do video games make people violent?

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Due to the new release of Grand Theft Auto V, the fifth part of a huge franchise well known for its irrational amount of violence, anti-gamers from all around the world have risen to social media to protest.

GTA 5

Their purpose is to stop violent video games from entering the hands of the so anticipating gamers. Their argument? Video games turn people into violent murder machines. However, considering that the most violent thought I get while playing this game or any other is how brutally I wish to devour a pack of Doritos, it is safe to assume that a large portion of gamers are not influenced in real life by actions performed in-game.

But how about those who are? For example, Andres Breivik, a Norwegian mass killer guilty of murdering 69 people and setting bombs in government facilities was linked to the extended use of violent video games. However, Breivik was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia and was also abusing illegal substances. Also, his motive for the attack was Islamophobia, which is not preached in any video game. Anyhow, Breivik did refer to games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 as training tools that helped him sharpen his aim.

After the massacre, some video game retailers in Norway banned violent video games temporarily. Blaming video games for the actions of a criminally insane man is as ridiculous as blaming the car for the actions of a drunk driver, or even blaming alcohol.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Behring_Breivik

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/09/12/training-simulation-mass-killers-often-share-obsession-with-violent-video-games/

The Real Battle For Syria

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Asides from the rumors of the United States arming rebels, the Obama administration hasn’t truly intervened in the ongoing Syrian conflict all that much until recently. The deployment of chemical weapons in Syria caused a major disturbance that cried for the US government to step in. However, is a US intervention truly necessary? Or is it just fresh lemonade for America’s insatiable oil thirst? Most people would argue that the purpose of an intervention is to protect refugees and civilians. Others would argue that the US is after Syrian oil fields. Unfortunately, both of those assumptions are wrong. We all wish it was just that simple; however, considering America’s Predator Drone rampage in Pakistan, it is safe to assume the Obama administration doesn’t really care about civilians, and Syria’s oil fields resemble a droplet of water in comparison to Iran’s massive ocean.

Bashar Al-Assad leader of Syrian government.
Bashar Al-Assad, leader of the Syrian government.

So one may ask, why is the United States of America meddling in this foreign mischief? Simple, the answer is oil. Not Syria’s oil, but rather Iran’s. In 2010, Syria, Iran and Iraq set a plan in motion which was set to build a pipeline connecting the south of Iran, through Syria and into Europe. Seems harmless right? Considering that all that precious oil will most likely end up in western hands. However, the original plan was to include Qatar, one of the world’s largest oil producers, and a beloved ally of the USA, to supply a pipeline that would go through turkey and into Europe. Nonetheless, Bashar Al-Assad, the ruler of Syria, decided that its enemy Sunni states shouldn’t be involved, so he denied their participation. Instead, Syria chose to stick with the Iraq and Iran plan with Russian support over the Qatar and Saudi Arabia option with American support. If Syria, Iran and Iraq  permit the involvement of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the Nabucco pipeline, a project set to diminish European dependence on Russian energy would be successful. However, Iran and Syria refuse to support the Nabucco project and decided to stick with the Syrian pipeline, also known as the Trans-Arabian . Nabucco would go through Turkey instead.

To this point it is obvious that the reason the United States wishes to topple the Assad regime is to gain control of that pipeline and restart it. This time with the main participation of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. This also explains the constant intervention of Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, who have been supplying weapons to the Free Syrian Army and the rebels. To summarize, the pathetic excuses of the Obama administration are specifically designed to maintain the public distracted from the real intentions of the US, which are and will always be to obtain more oil. A perfect example was set in the Bush administration, where George W. Bush claimed that there were WMDs present in the region of Iraq and invaded the country. The US found no WMDs and the entire war just ended up on another pipeline that  the dutch company Shell now controls.

Links:

http://www.eia.gov/countries/cab.cfm?fips=SY