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Say what you like about "militant" gays, their uniforms are FABULOUS.

isn't it odd that when christians complain about losing their rights, its usually the right to treat someone else as a second class citizen. 

Been reading the comments section of the recent BBC website story on the launch of the independence campaign; the level of uninformed spite launched at anyone who isn't pro-Union is terrifying.  The number of people who are happy to announce that Scotland is a subsidy junkie incapable of governing itself is truly worrying, considering that anyone who actually wanted to see the figures on the Scottish economy could easily find them.

Like a Million Moms, all opinions are not created equal: some are considered and open to change based on fact.

The following is intended as a loving tribute to the man who makes this forum what it is.

The Death Factor

Many had stood before the three brothers on that day.  Judgment had been swift, thorough, but always fair.  One by one the unworthy had come before them.  Long hours had passed, and even Fear, Fire and Mortis were wearied by the relentlessness of it all.

The unworthy came and stood with their blank eyes and empty faces.  Some had shrieked, or screamed or warbled.   A few had juggled, danced, or had a small dog they had taught to do tricks.

None of the pathetic specimens that had come to demonstrate their abilities were worthy of joining their ranks.  The Dark Judges had began the process hopefully.  A short advert in a MegaCity Newspaper had enticed so many to come and try their luck.

"Itssss no good", said Mortis "our lost brother sssssimply cannot be replaced"

Fear opened his face cage and scratched his nose.  "Just a few more," he said "and we'll call it a day"

The man who appeared before them next was unassuming, walking slowly into the middle of the stage and squinting under the spotlight.  The Judges prepared to be disappointed.

"Well...what do you have for usssss?" asked Mortis with obvious disinterest.

"Your mum" said a little human voice.

Fire, dozing in his flame-retardant chair, sat upwards with a jolt.  "What's going on?", he belched.

"Hey, yeah,yeah, yeah-hey. 
Hey, yeah, yeah,
I said, hey,
what's going on?" sang the bizarre little man.

The Dark Judges looked at each other, then at the creature before them.  Mortis tried again to communicate.

"You wisshhhh to joint our ranksssss, human...What skillssss would you bring?" 

"Well, Im Not Oirish...I bought some clones"

Leaning forward in his chair, Fear was almost afraid to continue. "And, in the event that you became a dark judge, what would you do with your new role?"

"I am going to buy a whole load of fleshlights.  BBBBWWWWWWAAAAAAARRRRRRRRR"

The brothers knew that before them now was a unique individual.  Here was a man unlike any other.  A man who embraced the chaos of an uncaring universe,  A man who would look madness in the eye and threaten to poop on its chest.

The ceremony was dealt with quickly.  There would be no looking back now.  With Death missing, the brothers had thought that they would never be complete, but with the new addition to their group they felt renewed and full of purpose.

"This is dumb.  And also stupid"

Mortis smilled as much as it was possible to without any face muscles.  "Sssssoooon, our new brother, the whole world will know jussssstice at the handsssss of Fear, Fire, Mortissss

...and Godpleton"

Villains who refer to themselves as villains.  I appreciate that is knowingly ironic, but it just irritates me.  Everytime I read a character who is knowingly evil, it reminds me of the bad guys from the 80s cartoon MASK - the Vicious and Evil Network of Mayhem.

Also, narration.  Narration of the "Meanwhile, on the other side of town" kind.  That's what artists are for.

I had the privilege of working with a variety of characters who should never have been trusted with other peoples money, such as the sales manager who called me a "hippy" for refusing to commit fraud by falsifying a signature on a loan contract, or the senior director who insisted that thethat the whole financial crash crash happened for "mysterios reasons and no one is to blame".

My personal favorite was in about 2008, on the day when the banks shareprice fell through the floor, there were rumours of a takeover, customers were calling and literally screaming that they wanted to move their money, and an office filled with hundreds of fairly low paid staff are just waiting to be told to clear their desks.  Suddenly, every computer in the office beeps as an email arrives...its marked as urgent and its from the department head...the office holds its collective breath as we prepare ourselves...

Will staff please ensure that coats are hung in the cloakroom and not on the back of their chairs.  This is a serious health and safety issue, and any breaches will be dealt with severely.

From my manager whilst working in an understaffed office of a large highstreet bank:

"Try to be less helpful with the customers...if your nice to them, they just keep coming back".

Left the banking industry soon after.

Just read the replies without having looked at the image yet.  The mind boggles.

Lovely interview in a Scottish tabloid where Mark Millar claims responsibility for the Avengers success...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/scotlandfeatures/4286713/Comic-king-on-his-childhood-dream-hitting-the-big-screen.html

I often wonder what Millar thinks of his own fans.  I fear that the final panel of Wanted might sum up his attitude.

I do enjoy watching and listening to self confessed pornographer Alan Moore's interviews.  Written articles often miss that he is being bitterly sarcastic most of the time.  I don't think I've ever seen a tv interview where, when the interviewee is accused of hypocrisy, they happily admit to it.

Other than fire, I'm not getting what the original three symbols are.

The release of still images makes me think the teaser is for a comic rather than a film or animation.  Also, anything in a medium that Rebellion don't already have a hand in would take a partnership with another firm.

The Americanized dates on the posters points towards Tharg's big push on the American market.  It would have to be something original rather than a reprint, to warrant the fanfare.

I can see why folk are drawn towards the ABC Warriors idea, since the separate images gives the impression of an ensemble cast (together with the "They").  But if the release was for a Millsiverse property, I can't help but think that we would have heard the call of Pat's Own Trumpet by now.  The Warrior's have a considerable backstory that would need rebooting for a US launch, and I can't imagine Pat abandoning his ongoing saga to start all over again.

I've always assumed that Rico's purpose as a character was to act as a young Dredd, to replace Old Man Joe when the time comes. I think that the strong point of Day of Chaos so far is to move Dredd to a more managerial role, occasionally calling on him to do something heroic, but not superhuman. If the trend continues, then his eventual replacement as a street judge is inevitable. If that happens, then he'd only be an interesting character to use during big event stories

Since the character has evolved over time, it need not be the end of "Dredd" if Joe is replaced with Rico.

Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, the rules on what can be sent to Scrubs are pretty restrictive: stationary and stamps, religious jewellery/wedding ring, washcloths & towels, or postal orders.   if Brett is spending his time writing, maybe stationary would be appropriate.

Just started playing Deadly Premonition after picking it up for a fiver at a rapidly emptying Game.

Its slow, clunky, has awful dialogue with some of the worst acting you'll see on this generation of console.  Its repetitive, the driving sections are too long, the map doesn't work. The graphics are outdated by years. Subtitles can't be turned off, the incidental music is balmy.  The characters all appear to be insane. There's an open world to explore, where nothing happens.  Nothing makes sense.

It's also brilliant.  Hilariously inappropriate, ridiculous and hugely addictive.  Its probably one of the best examples of videogame as art.  It frequently mocks its own pretentions and encourages you to join in. 

Chances are that you'll be able to pick this up dirt cheap at the moment.  I'd heartily suggest giving it a go.