Bad Firefly Review at Amazon!
POSTED BY: rklenseth
UPDATED: Thursday, November 4, 2004 18:33
VIEWED: 25109
PAGE 3 of 9
ARAWAEN-
Great post! Wow! I wholeheartedly agree with your political stance that, in America, those with strong political opinions classify you as either "left" or "right" wing - whichever is opposite to what "they" are - unless you agree with every point they believe in.
That kind of attitude is so annoying.
For instance, I think abortion is wrong. If you don't want a baby, either (and preferably because I guarantee it'll work) abstain or practice safe-sex. On the other hand, I'm against the death penalty. How can we expect people to not commit murder when, as a society, we say it's ok to murder someone if they deserve it? In other words, our justice system condones it in certain circumstances.
I also am against taking away someone's firearms, but support forcing the gun manufacturers to place some sort of mechanism, such as a fingerprint code or something, to prevent anyone but the owner from firing the weapon.
I'm for a fair tax system. Everybody should pay the same percentage, regardless of our economic stance. A standard percantage still gauantees the wealthy pay more, because they make more - but don't make them pay a higher percentage because they're successful. On the other hand, I'm against homestead exemptions that freeze property assets and force someone to pay more for equally valued land just because they are newer to the community.
Am I right to think these things? You bet your ass I am. Would these practices make the world a better place? Maybe, maybe not. It's not "moderate" thinking, that assumes we have to trade one ideal to achieve another, it's "independant" thinking.
There's a lot more similar thoughts out there than people know. And in the end, it's us who decide who's going to hold political offices, because we're not limited by political party preferences.
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Quote:
Originally posted by maugwai:
Whoa. Just because she accuses Firely of being right wing propganda does not make her a leftist. Of course, the classification as something as "right" or "left" is kind of annoying anyway, but some of us who lean to this "left" side find her comments just as silly as you do.
Leaning to the left is a bit different than what I was accusing her of being. I'm certain that on some issues, you and I will even agree. I'm saying that she's a left winger. Which would place her to the extreme left.
Even then, I'm certain that there are some very rational people to the extreme left. I may not agree with a word they say, but I wouldn't question their sanity.
This lady is obviously a nutjob. I have no problem dismissing her and her opinions out of hand.
I guess what I am trying to say, is that you can be left wing, you can be a nutjob, but she is both.
Simon: I've never shot anyone before.
Book: I was there, son. I'm fair sure you haven't shot anyone yet.
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Quote:
Originally posted by VicPalisades:
Shes clueless.
Best way to deal with these people is just smile, nod, pat them on the head and send them out for donuts.
"My mind is like a steel trap- rusty, and illegal in 37 states."
Only drawback to that plan is that her type probably get the niu shi donuts made from soy meal or some such because it's "better for you."
They can have my "Firefly" DVDs when they pry them from my cold, dead fingers....
Oh yeah,
you, FOX TV!!
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Quote:
Originally posted by Arawaen:
I have to partially defend this woman. After seeing "Train Job" when it aired as the pilot I had a similar reaction. It struck me as pro-confederacy, anti-government, and had amoral (or nearly so) thieves as the protagonists. While I would never have criticized the whole series based on this observation, I didn't particularly like it an didn't watch another episode until "Out of Gas."
"Out of Gas" was awesome and brought my overall opinion to neutral. I didn't get to see another episode before the series was cancelled. I was given the DVD set as a gift and was converted in full upon watching the series in order.
That said, I must condemn her political labeling, which is unfortunately too common in the United States (I cannot speak for other nations, but I hope they are not so label-happy).
Why would the right-wing be pre-disposed towards this show? Why wouldn't the left-wing? The show had legalized prostitution, an inter-racial relationship, tolerance of same-sex couplings, equality of women in employment and on the battlefield. While not all conservatives are against these, they are hardly on the 'right-wing' platform and surely not on any extreme right stance that could be characterized as having paranoia.
If anything I thought the show had a rather libertarian feel. This notion that you are either (a) or (b) is getting ridiculous. The polarization of the American political system is at the point that the suggestion of a 'third way' is tantamount to treason or something. I guess it is the "If your not with us, your against us" attitude.
I gave up on any politicized discussion on the internet (except when I get really angry or foolish) because I got tired of being called a 'communist' everytime I suggested that 'social justice' is a valid concern or that I was 'anti-woman' because I believe a fetus is a living person.
I don't mean to upset or offend anyone with this post. Just expressing myself or maybe I having one of my foolish episodes. I am just so tired of the rhetoric that passes for political and intellectual discussion, it leaks into everything for me, even apparantly my enjoyment of all-things Firefly.
Arawaen
Um, I'm lost. Uh, I'm Angry. And I'm Armed.
Very nice post! I whole-heartedly agree that this program has a Libertarian bias to it, if anything. It is just easier for others to say, "It's this" or, "It's that", rather than just relax and enjoy it.
I also totally agree that there is far too much politicizing on the web, even in our little den of Browncoats here. I've seen athread or two that go that way. Hell, I've even lobbed a few Apples of Discord into the fray myself when my Niu Shi Radar kicks on. But, I agree that that stuff has it's own place. Boring, political websites
Anyway, I hope the left-wing nut who started this thread enjoys the two Sean Hannity books and any anti-Clinton book I can lay hands on that I'm sending to her for review
They can have my "Firefly" DVDs when they pry them from my cold, dead fingers....
Oh yeah,
you, FOX TV!!
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Quote:
Originally posted by rklenseth:Quote:
Right-wing paranoia in space, March 9, 2004
Reviewer: Elizabeth Durack (see more about me) from Madison, WI
The good: Nice special effects for a TV series, good production values, some clever humor, some fun but stereotypical characters, sexy women if you like that kinda thing.
The bad: This is an unapologetically violent show, and not in a silly "Xena" way. Han Solo is an example of a good guy who thinks he's a bad guy; Captain "Mal" is a bad guy who thinks he's a good guy--and he mostly fails for me as a sympathetic character. I like good guys. The "Serenity" gang are a bunch of amoral parasites. Even the preacher never much questions the thieving and killing.
The ugly: The concept is a group of Confederate holdouts after the Civil War. In a way it's the anti-Star Trek, like a group of violently independent right-wingers who can't stand the liberal Federation of Planets (or a present-day anti-government militia group). This show panders to the worst of the Right and apparently enjoyed a strong following from that sector, but the rest of us should let it pass into well-deserved obscurity.
I can't begin to say how wrong this is....
Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.
"Woman, you are completely off your nut."
...no place I can be...
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Quote:
Originally posted by ecmorgan69:Quote:
Originally posted by VicPalisades:
Shes clueless.
Best way to deal with these people is just smile, nod, pat them on the head and send them out for donuts.
"My mind is like a steel trap- rusty, and illegal in 37 states."
Only drawback to that plan is that her type probably get the niu shi donuts made from soy meal or some such because it's "better for you."
They can have my "Firefly" DVDs when they pry them from my cold, dead fingers....
Oh yeah,
HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"My mind is like a steel trap- rusty, and illegal in 37 states."
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Quote:
I'm for a fair tax system. Everybody should pay the same percentage, regardless of our economic stance. A standard percantage still gauantees the wealthy pay more, because they make more - but don't make them pay a higher percentage because they're successful. On the other hand, I'm against homestead exemptions that freeze property assets and force someone to pay more for equally valued land just because they are newer to the community.
This first part should not be construed as being as pro- or con- with regard to the issue of flat taxes. It is merely an explanation of a perceived misconception regarding how taxes work. Nor should be interpreted as an assumption that BlackOutNights has made this misconception.
There seems to be a misconception among the majority of Americans with regards to how graduated income taxes work. Graduated does not mean that the rich pay a higher percentage than the poor in taxes as is commonly portrayed. Everybody pays the same rate in fact, it is just that rate increases for that portion of your income which falls into higher brackets. I think an illustration is the best way to understand it. Let us enter hypothetical land for a moment. We will establish 3 tax brackets, one at $0-$20,000.00, one at $20,001-$50,000.00 and one at $50,001-$100,000.00. We will set our tax rates at 10% for the first bracket, 20% for the second and 30% for the third. A person that makes $15,000.00 will pay 10% in taxes (or $1,500.00), the person that makes $60,000 will pay 10% on the first $20,000.00 (or $2,000.00) plus 20% on the next $30,000.00 (or $6,000.00) and 30% on the last $10,000.00 (or $3,000.00). The person that makes $60,000 is paying a total of $11,000 in taxes under this system, not $18,000.00 as would be the case if they were paying 30% on all their income as is commonly perceived.
The thinking behind taxes in general is that everybody in the community is obligated to financially support the community according to his or her ability. Graduated income taxes mean the more a person’s income falls into the surplus/luxury range the more that person can afford to contribute to the well being of the community as a whole. Each citizen pays the same rates, but some people make more surplus money than others. Some people agree with this and some don’t, but it is not a case of the wealthy being taxed at a higher rate.
The following part is personal conjecture.
I think the greater failing of the American income tax system is with regards to tax incentives (i.e. deductions and the like). These are an attempt to control (usually with good intent) the American populace, to encourage them engage in certain types of activities. I believe that they create an overly complex tax system that makes it impossible to adequately police or regulate. Some people managed to take advantage of the incentives and loopholes to the point where they didn’t have to pay taxes at all (not the intent of incentives as the belief was that all people have a responsibility towards the community), so the politicians tacked on an alternative minimum tax, again adding complexity and creating confusion and loopholes.
I recognize the importance encouraging certain choices from citizens, like going to college and giving to charity, etc. I also recognize the effectiveness of using greed to encourage people and corporations to do the right thing. But I also feel that using a vice to encourage virtue is a slippery slope with dire ramifications.
Um, I'm lost. Uh, I'm Angry. And I'm Armed.
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I read her review. She can rotate on this. It's her opinion and she's welcome to it, but if you look at the majority of reviews, they support Firefly.
Respectfully,
Dragon Lord Tibbetts
"Quando Omni Plunkus Moritati"
(when all else fails, play dead!)
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Hi. Can anyone direct me to a message with the info about the DVD Easter egg. I've lost the information. Thanks.
lunatikat - not just for breakfast anymore
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Quote:
Originally posted by Lunatikat:
Hi. Can anyone direct me to a message with the info about the DVD Easter egg. I've lost the information. Thanks.
lunatikat - not just for breakfast anymore
Go to special features. Highlight "Joss sings..", but do not click it. push your directional control to the left and the squiggly pattern on the left side of the screen will highlight. click on it. This will play Adam Baldwin in his Jayne hat singing the "Hero of Canton".
"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."
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