Quote fromI don't think you're really trying to understand my point.
Well, in fairness, I don't understand your point either -- or rather, if I do understand it correctly it amounts to overtly racist twaddle and so I am assuming that I mustn't understand it correctly. For instance, this:
You're making the mistake of thinking that because these holidays aren't explicitly celebrated for white people, they aren't at all. But there's a vast difference between the ideals that large segments of the country celebrates and the practical reality of it. When a white man goes to a Fourth of July celebration and sees ten white soldiers and a black soldier who was especially brought there, that isn't multiculturalism, that's tokenism. It's still perpetuating the inherent racism of the project while pretending that the racism doesn't exist any more.
What? I never said they were strictly celebrated as such. I'm saying that they are mostly celebrated as such by white people, who use what amounts to tokenism to dispel criticisms that they are exclusively white holidays when they are inextricably tied up in centuries of discrimination and prejudice.
When many people celebrate holidays like the Fourth of July, they're celebrating an America which they understand without stating it as a white America. They may pay lip service to the idea of a multicultural country, but that's not how they celebrate the holiday, and that's not how they understand it.
...is actually offensive to me, and that's saying something. In fact, this notion is racist in at least four different ways, which is extraordinary to me:
- First of all, as has been pointed out a number of times, our armed forces have ethnic minority representation that meets if not exceeds that of the prior population distribution -- it is more ethnically diverse than the population itself. This means that if you choose a random Fourth of July parade weighted by population density, there are likely to be more soldiers of a particular ethnic minority there than members of that minority in the population at large. the And even if there is only one individual of ethnic minority present, he's there because that's where he happens to be at the time. Not only is it a monumentally ignorant and contradictory presumption to suggest that soldiers of ethnic minority are being carted around and shown off so that a truly racially diverse organization can unnecessarily construct an image of racial diversity that it already possesses without contrivance -- but the very idea that that could ever happen in the first place is a result of postmodern leftist garbage! Why would anyone think they need a "token" minority in the first place? Oh, right, because if all the soldiers from their town happen to be white, the only explanation is that it's obviously a den of crypto-Nazis and skinheads perpetuating centuries of oppression. On the other hand, if one or more ethnic minorities are represented, it's tokenism, which again means that it's a den of crypto-Nazis and skinheads perpetuating centuries of oppression.
- Secondly, this whole notion is predicated on the idea that race matters more than anything else. People who are willing to put their lives on the line, for better or worse, are being reduced to a mere skin color. Forget what the Fourth of July actually celebrates, which is in part the bravery of each soldier, and instead start counting up the demographics. I am continually baffled by the fact that the side that has as its ostensible goal a post-racial society invents a theory that is expressly predicated on and utterly inseparable from racial division, segregation, and separation.
- Thirdly, unwinding all the way to the level of basic premises for a moment: by what criteria does one determine the racial nature or label of a holiday? What makes a holiday a "white" or "black" holiday in the first place?
- Fourth, your assertions about what white Americans think and feel on certain holidays are the merest straw men, and your overly broad generalization of that straw man makes you a racist. I'm white, and I can tell you that when I see a black soldier, or a Hispanic fireman, or an Asian police officer (as I do see all three, the latter two quite regularly, even though I live in a "white" area of the country), the nature of their job, their willingness to serve, and my gladness that people like them exist occupies a drastically higher level in my consciousness than my notions about what race they are. So next time you make a racist generalization of this kind, be sure to realize that at least one person (and probably a lot more than one) falls into the "Senori has no idea what the **** he or she is talking about" category, which I'm sorry to say is not being sufficiently accounted for in your present analysis.
Give me a ****ing break. Honestly.
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I wont be replying to Valarin anymore, since it's become obvious to me he's just trying to bait me into flaming him so I get infracted as his way of silencing my voice. But that aint gonna happen. Nice try.
Infraction for flaming --Senori
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That's not saying you can't still treat your church group as well, your church group. Just let it roll off your shoulders. Don't hold any spite over the situation, just be happy that you probably have just dodged a bullet that would of stabbed you in the back sometime down the road.
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You're not stating "facts" as to why Doom and Luthor defeat Palpatine and Voldemort. You're stating "facts" (and some of them not even that and more like over exaggerations and embellishments of actual canon) on who Doom has defeated IN HIS UNIVERSE.
You cannot say "Person A defeats Person B therefore Person A defeats Person C" even IF Person B is an penultimate universe destroying super God of inter-dimensional time travelling proportions.
Person C could just as easily defeat Person B if the plot demanded it too. Good guys aren't the only ones who get stupid plot devices to explain why they win, Bad Guys who are facing stronger Bad Guys get those plot devices too.
By the way, Doom only temporarily absorbed the power of Beyonder and Galactus, and lost those powers shortly after the Beyonder took over Klaw's body and tricked Doom into losing his powers.
He lost his Silver Surfer abilities after Fantastic Four tricked him into leaving Earth's Orbit, which stripped him of his powers due to a precautionary measure set up by Galactus to prevent the Surfer from leaving Earth.
He never absorbed the Power of The Hulk. That was Cosmic Hulk created by MODOK that allowed them to implant a device into Doom's brain that inhibited his mental abilities and he got captured shortly after.
He had to team up with Silver Surfer and other heroes to defeat Galactus again.
So if anything, Doom has proven to be extremely lucky and both extremely gullible, as despite all of his massive intellect he is always "tricked" into losing his advantage.
Huh, I wonder which Versus Team he is facing this week? OH RIGHT, two of the GREATEST TRICKSTER VILLAINS IN ALL OF FICTION WHO ARE MASTERS OF DECEPTION AND CORRUPTION. Gee freakin' willikers Batman! I wonder what's gonna happen?!
I'd thank you to stop spreading lies about Dr. Doom in a sad and pathetic attempt at making him seem more unstoppable than he really is. It's intellectually dishonest and a disgusting tactic used by desperate fanboys only.
Every single temporary world destroying power he's ever came into contact, was just that, temporary.
And by the RULES of this tournament, Doom would ONLY have access to powers and abilities that he would NORMALLY HAVE ACCESS TO. Not your one off fan service comics that gave him ultimate power over the Universe.
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Let's recap shall we?
Kratos and Dante supporters could only argue that they defeat the most powerfuls beings in their universe, therefore they win easily.
They lost.
Doomsday and Hulk supporters could only argue that they defeat the most powerful beings in their universe, therefore they win easily.
They lost.
Flash and Sonic supporters could only argue that they travel so fast that they can go back in time and turn people into stone in an instant before anyone has a chance to react, therefore they win easily.
They lost.
Jafar and Maleficent supports could only argue that they are super powerful magic users that only lose due to plot devices but otherwise are unstoppable.
They lost.
The ONLY Versus Battle that you have won where you argue stupid arguments of "This team wins instantly forever" was for Team By Your Powers Combined, and that's because Mega Man and Samus were screwed as their only hope in that match up was the terrain in the first place. THAT was a mismatch.
So you all seem to be mistaken, I'm not getting butt hurt that all my Versus Teams are losing. I have been on the winning side of almost every single Versus Battle, while you haven't been able to present reasonable counter arguments beyond repeating the same rhetoric over and over again every single week while the poll and post votes always swing against you.
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"If you opened $450 in a draft booster pack, would you pass $100 to the guy to your left or walk out on the event and be banned from drafting from that store?"
It's really telling of the moral compass of Magic players when the majority of you guys would be willing to sacrifice an entire lifetime of increased chances of earning hundred dollar cards in profit for ONE CHEAP POP of $450.
Anyone with a job knows that $450 is nothing.
Good luck with that petty line of thinking. That $450 won't pay your rent, so I hope it was worth it to earn the animosity of your friends and store owners as regional word of mouth gets out that you're bad news.
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It's flame baiting and doesn't set a good precedent for debate at all.
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Gideon: Fear not, Captain. For although our opponents are incredibly fast, I shall cast a spell of indestructibility on us both, rendering us both completely invulnerable!
Captain: That's a good idea on paper, soldier. But being indestructible alone isn't going to win us this fight, we have to be able to actually defeat our foes, not simply avoid damage. Let's take a moment to think.
On the other side of the market.
Sonic: Dude! This is pretty rad! You're fast, but I bet I'm faster!
The Flash: Yeah right blue thunder, let's see if you can catch up with LIGHTNING!
Sonic: You're on pajama man!
.5 seconds later.
Sonic: Wait a second, I wasn't paying attention, who won?
The Flash: Beats me. Shouldn't we be planning for those guys over there all serious face?
Sonic: Totally! While we were racing I overheard the pretty boy talking about an indestructy-whatsit. We should probably do something about that.
The Flash: I could always just transport them into a different point in time entirely.
Sonic: But then you'd both be rung out! Not that I couldn't take on the last guy by myself.
The Flash: But you do have a point...hey! We're in the middle of a crowded market place, there's gotta be some sort of magic item we can use to counteract whatever enchantment Gideon's cooking up!
Sonic: Yeah! Let's just gather up ALL the items so that those guys can't use any of 'em either!
Flash and Sonic begin raiding the entire marketplace of all their items. Captain & Gideon notice what is happening, due to the increasing amounts of irritated merchants.
Captain: No! I was actually planning on purchasing an item that would help us increase our speed with haste to be on equal ground with our opponents!
Gideon: Fear not, Captain. Although I cannot increase our speed, I have Stony Silence, a spell that will nullify the activated abilities of any artifacts Team Speed will come across.
Captain: Great! But that still doesn't solve our problem with being able to damage our opponents...I GOT IT! Gideon, here's what I want you to do...
Captain begins whispering in Gideons ear as Flash and Sonic are too preoccupied gathering artifacts to pay attention.
After the 30 minutes are up, Gideon is glowing in a light of indestructibility, while Captain simply has his shield holstered up. Flash & Sonic are standing in front of a giant horde of pilfered magical items, not sure exactly which device even does what. Beyond Sonic, who seem to have gotten a hold of a number of guild signets that are causing him to glow himself, emanating his "Super Sonic" levels of energy.
The battle begins, as Flash & Sonic immediately charge into action, Sonic transforms, leaping into the air as Flash runs straight past both Captain and Gideon and rips up a scroll, who's shreds cling to Gideon and transforms his aura into a collection of leaves and then dissipates into nothingness.
Gideon Jura: My indestructibility spell! It's vanished, but how?!
Sonic: With The Flashes speed reading skills, it's not too hard to understand how to apply a common "Naturalize" spell! You've made the mistake of thinking ALL Mercadia has is artifacts, when in fact, spell books and scrolls were all over the place as well! Now prepare to get stomped!
Gideon: Bring it on! Your fighting skills are like a spiked thallid's compared to my own!
And with that, Gideon prepares to take on Super Sonic head to head, as The Flash travels back and forth several times down the same straight line before stopping in front of Captain America.
The Flash: What do you say we finish this quickly shall we?
Captain America: Yes, let's.
With that, Flash prepares to hit Captain America with everything he's got, deciding to give mercy to his pathetically slow opponent by defeating him with a single blow. From there, he successfully rears back and is able to deliver a super sonic speed punch that he cleverly bypasses the shield of the Captain and sends him crashing through at least a dozen market venders. But in perhaps an even more surprising twist, The Flash feels his own face twist and contort in an extreme amount of pain that only a punch at the speed of light could possibly inflict, as he flies back and equal amount of space, rendering both competitors falling into unconsciousness.
The Flash: How...did you...
Captain: *spits up blood* Divine Deflection...inscribed on my cowl, like it were a scroll. Modified into a triggered effect that would only happen if I were to suffer a blow to the face...doesn't totally prevent the damage...but at least inflicts an iron maiden type effect on the aggressor...
The Flash: *coughing* Good one...
As both comic book heroes fall into defeat, Super powered Sonic charges straight into Gideon, Jura suffers a super powered blow to the chest from a shoulder tackle of Sonics' only barely being able to retaliate with an energized hieromancy whip that wraps around the sneakers of his foe. Sonic flies up into the air once more, causing Gideon to jettison up with him hanging barely by a thread of his whip.
Sonic cocks back another super sonic strike, nailing Gideon straight on the jaw to send him falling several hundred feet to the floor below, but that last moment, Jura is able to sprout angels wings, that flicker in and out of existence, obviously only available for a short amount of time.
Gideon flies up to Sonic, as they both waste precious seconds in a stand off in mid air.
Sonic: Only until end of turn? Ha! You realize you're about to fall to your defeat, right?
Gideon: I'm afraid so, but luckily for me...so are you.
It was after that statement, that Sonic realizes that his super sonic power is dissipating. His golden spikey fur now reverting back to his blue form, just as Gideons wings disappear from their casting time as well.
Sonic: Well...crap.
Sonic and Gideon begin their free fall, Sonic just above Gideon due to his light weight. Thinking fast, Sonic sees this as a golden opportunity. Quickly, he reverts into the shape of his spinning ball of razor sharp death, knowing full well that Gideon will break his fall, and thus he can rip his opponent to pieces on the way down and win the fight for his team.
Unfortunately for him, now with his invulnerability gone, he sees the white energy emanating from the Neo-Walker. He unfortunately is helpless to stop the spinning doom in order to initiate some form of counter, although at a moment's notice he's not sure what he could do. As he quickly feels his limbs and mind completely restrained.
As a massive crater is formed in the middle of the market place, a battered yet alive Gideon Jura emerges, a broken arm and a helluva limp meeting all of his bruises and cuts suffered from the fall. Being dragged behind him by his good arm, is the completely frozen yet grunting Arrested body of Sonic the Hedgehog. As Team Justice for All is declared the winner.
Yes, I obviously dramatized the reaction times of guys like Cap & Gideon in order to make it a more interesting fight. No I don't give two ****s if Flash or Sonic are considered too fast for this to ever happen. If your only commentary in this tournament fights are uninspired scientific breakdowns on which super powers and abilities are more useful in a fight, you're doing it wrong.
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When by definition, so long as the card is doing something than just sitting there, it's interacting with something.
If you mill your opponent for 5, you are interacting with their deck.
If you remove an opponents graveyard from the game, you are interacting with the grave.
If you cause your opponent to discard a card, you are interacting with their hand.
Just because you don't have an answer for what your opponent is doing, doesn't mean that the card itself is not interactive.
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He clearly needs to get back in line towards blaming America for all the worlds problems like a good little puppet.