Friday, August 4, 2023

Rules for Proper Dorm Behavior from VGHS Video Game High School

I couldn't find a complete list anywhere. Even the Reddit page was incomplete, so here ya go!

And yes... there is no #4. I don't know why. Do you?


From 16:20 of S2: Ep. 4

1. You do not talk about VGHS

2. No aim botting, map hacking, or hex editing

3. Don't steal or even think about stealing

5. No sticky liquids

6. Keep at least on article of clothing on at all times

7. Matches will go on as long as they have to

8. Eat at least 3 times a day

9. Beds are for sleeping

10. Blink multiple times an hour while gaming

11. The lights never go out at VGHs

12. Keep your feet on the ground

13. Check every room and chest before progressing

14. No strobe lights

15. No heavy breathing or panting

16. Houston will frequently have problems

17. Sun exposure won't kill you

18. Don't leave belongings in the hallways

19. The janitor is not your mother, don't hug him

20. No loud music

21. No audible singing or joy

22. Gaming is not a substitute for eating

23. No silly string inside dormitory buildings

24. Always fake your disarm

25. No clicking of spells or abilities

26. If you're a freshman you get the GIMP controller

27. The body cannot live without the mind

28. Lift the seat

29. Keep your room tidy and clean

30. No sleeping in the hallway

31. Lock your door before you leave

32. An APM under 400 is unacceptable

33. Button mashing is strictly prohibited

34. No crawling around on the floor

35. No pets

36. Keep your hands to yourself

37. Don't flush while someone is showering

38. No running with hedge clippers

39. Make your bed every morning

40. Don't LOS your healer

Saturday, February 19, 2022

An old "About Me" from MobyGames

Find me on MobyGames.com here: https://www.mobygames.com/user/sheet/userSheetId,10649/

My main page is billyjoecain.com

I've been making games for some time, getting my start at Origin Systems, Inc. in 1992. The first day I went to work was the day that Electronic Arts bought Origin. That was an amazing first day! At Origin, I first worked on SNES titles (Black Gate, Savage Empire, Wing Commander II), then went to EAUK and helped complete the first EA Sports Rugby on Sega Genesis (I was there for three months). Finally, I came back to Origin to work on a few things including a stint as lead designer on Wing Commander Prophecy. Origin was a lot of fun and a lot of work. Good people doing some amazing things. It also allowed me to get a chance to see what the internal workings of EA were like. I am impressed by them to this day.

After Origin, I got a job as a producer at a startup that lasted for a few years. The game we were working on was groundbreaking (Crimson Order) and was getting great press (it was playable), but the company shut down unexpectedly before we had a chance to get far into production. Bummer, but that's how it goes!

Then I landed at a company that needed a producer to complete a next-gen title for PS2 and GC. I took that role and got to meet a lot of great people while working on SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman as an external developer for THQ.  

With two partners, I started a development studio and outsource company called Critical Mass Interactive in early 2003. We provided games for the United States Air Force and many others, we provided mercenary service on hundreds of games, from art, programming, game design, production management, you name it.  

In January of 2010, I co-founded Sneaky Games in Austin, TX. Check out www.sneakygames.com for all the news that is news! 

I'm almost always at some game conference or another, either meeting with clients, making new friends or even speaking. It seems to me that you should pay something back to the industry if it treats you well. 

Sunday, April 11, 2021

Biden and Harris are NOT what you think they are


It's been said that I complain a lot and have not proposed a lot of solutions. First of all, it's totally okay to be unhappy about things and say it. And it's okay if you do not have suggestions. That's NOT your job. Your role is to live your life. 

I have beef. A lot of it. And I think it's painfully obvious that I'm not alone. 

When the Democrats won the White House, the Senate, and the House, they should be ready to make HUGE changes. So...

Democrats... stop gloating that you won. Start DEMANDING. NOW. Here is what Biden / Harris WON'T give you. But I want them all and I'm going to fight for them. 

  • MEDICARE FOR ALL.
  • RETROACTIVE STIMULUS CHECKS FOR ALL AMERICANS.
  • ALL TAX BREAKS TO BUSINESS OFFSET BY NATIONALIZING THOSE BUSINESSES AND THEIR PROFITS.
  • DEFUND THE POLICE.
  • ABOLISH ICE.
  • MAKE ABORTION ON DEMAND LEGAL.
  • REMOVE ALL MEANS TESTING FOR ASSISTANCE.
  • END ALL WAR.
  • NATIONALIZE NATURAL RESOURCES. OIL, GAS, WATER, GOLD, MINERALS, SAND, DIRT, ETC.
  • MINIMUM WAGE $25/HOUR
  • MAXIMUM WEALTH $1 BILLION PER PERSON.
  • ENACT OCCUPANCY TAX.
  • PROSECUTE SCIENTOLOGISTS AS NEEDED.
  • END CASH BAIL.
  • FREE ALL PRISONERS OF DEBTOR PRISON.
  • MAKE CHILD BRIDES (I.E. HUMAN TRAFFICKING) ILLEGAL ON A FEDER AL LEVEL.
  • END THE GIG ECONOMY; MAKE CONTRACTORS EMPLOYEES.
  • MANDATE LOW INCOME HOUSING.
  • HOUSE 100% OF THE HOMELESS.
  • BAN FRACKING.
  • PROSECUTE BANKERS.
  • LEGALIZE ALL DRUGS.
  • END THE PATRIOT ACT.
  • CLOSE GUANTANAMO.
  • END ALL SANCTIONS.
  • PROSECUTE THE RICH.
  • AUDIT THE RICH.
  • AUTOMATIC TAX AUDITS AND PROSECUTIONS FOR ANYONE WITH OVER A BILLION DOLLARS IN ASSETS, NOT JUST INCOME.
  • 90% TAX ON CORPORATIONS.
  • END STOCK BUYBACKS.
  • PROSECUTE ALL LAWMAKERS TAKING BRIBES, LIKE PELOSI.
  • AUDIT EVERY POLITICIAN W/ $1M NET WORTH.
  • REMOVE ALL RETIREMENT PLANS FROM STOCK MARKET.
  • MAKE POLLUTION ILLEGAL.
  • FREE MENTAL HEALTH.
  • MAKE PRISON + JAIL REAL REHABILITATION.
  • FULLY FUND OUR SOCIAL SAFETY NET.
  • END OFFSHORE DRILLING.
  • END ARCTIC DRILLING.
  • NO PIPELINES WITHOUT FULL E.I.S.
  • PROSECUTE ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS.
  • PROTECT ALL NATIONAL PARKS.
  • PROTECT OLD GROWTH FORESTS.
  • FREE ALL PROTESTERS.
  • PROSECUTE ALL MURDEROUS POLICE.
  • PROSECUTE ALL POLICE THAT KNEW AND COVERED UP MURDERS.
  • END GANGS IN POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
  • NO MATTER HOW RICH YOU ARE, YOU GO TO GEN POP.
  • LEGALIZE CANNABIS RETAILERS AND GROWERS USING BANKS.
  • PROSECUTE BANKS THAT HAVE LAUNDERED MONEY.
  • FREE ALL NON VIOLENT PRISONERS.
  • RESTORE FELONS' VOTING RIGHTS.
  • ABOLISH GERRYMANDERING.
  • OPEN SOURCE VOTING TABULATION.
  • HAND COUNT BALLOTS.
  • EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK.
  • FREE PALESTINE.
  • PROSECUTE ALL WAR CRIMINALS, INCLUDING PRESIDENTS AND CONGRESSPEOPLE.
  • END THE DEATH PENALTY.
  • END FORCED STERILIZATION.
  • END TORTURE PROGRAMS.
  • FREE PRENATAL CARE.
  • RELEASE THE 9-11 REPORT.
  • RELEASE THE TORTURE REPORT.
  • PROSECUTE ALL INVOLVED IN WAR CRIMES EXPOSED BY SNOWDEN AND MANNING.
  • END SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE MILITARY.
  • FUND THE EPA.
  • FREE ASSANGE.
  • FREE LEONARD PELTIER.
  • FREE ALL WHISTLEBLOWERS.
  • END STUDENT DEBT.
  • FREE COLLEGE.
  • FREE TRADE SCHOOLS.
  • PROSECUTE CHURCHES FOR COVERING UP ABUSE.
  • TAX CHURCHES.
  • LISTEN TO WHISTLEBLOWERS IN THE MILITARY.
  • MAKE MILITARY RECRUITING AT SCHOOLS ILLEGAL.
  • MAKE VOTING SIMPLE.
  • ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS IMMEDIATELY GET $25/HR.
  • PROSECUTE BIDEN FOR ENRICHING HIMSELF.
  • PROSECUTE HARRIS FOR HER HAND IN CALIFORNIA PRISON LABOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
  • PROSECUTE STEVE MNUCHIN FOR ONE WEST BANK.
  • PROSECUTE HARRIS FOR NOT PROSECUTING STEVE MNUCHIN.
  • ALL PRISONERS RECEIVE FULL PAY FOR WORK IN PRISON.
  • REMOVE THE "FELON" QUESTION FROM ANY FORM.
  • SHUT DOWN PAYDAY LOANS.
  • REMOVE ALL TORT REFORM LAWS.
  • END ALL "WORK FOR HIRE" LAWS.
  • PROSECUTE TRUMP FOR ENRICHING HIMSELF.
  • PROSECUTE ALL INVOLVED IN THE MORTGAGE CRISIS.
  • ARREST AND PROSECUTE ALL POLICE, MERCENARIES, AND MILITARY FOR BRUTALIZING PROTESTERS AT STANDING ROCK.
  • PROSECUTE THE BUNDYS.
  • PROSECUTE THE FBI FOR THEIR ROLE IN WACO.
  • REPLACE ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT CURRENTLY DELIVERS LEAD IN THE WATER SYSTEM.
  • MAKE PURCHASING WATER FOR PROFIT ILLEGAL. I.E. END THE WATER WARS.
  • PUT LIMITS ON BIG AG.
  • ELIMINATE SHARECROPPING IN BIG AG.
  • ENACT ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS RE: BIG AG AND THEIR POISONING THE ENVIRONMENT.
  • MAKE IT EASY TO START UNIONS.
  • BREAK UP THE BANKS.
  • BREAK UP FACEBOOK.
  • BREAK UP AMAZON.
  • RESTORE COMPLETE NET NEUTRALITY. 
  • PROSECUTE ALL INTERNET PROVIDERS THAT HAVE SLOWED SPEEDS.
  • MAKE THE INTERNET A PUBLIC RESOURCE.
  • EXTEND INTERNET SERVICE TO POOR AREAS.
  • EXPAND SUPERFUND SITES.
  • REQUIRE NUCLEAR PLANTS AND CHEMICAL PLANTS TO PROVIDE PLANS FOR AND HAVE FUNDS SET ASIDE TO SHUT THEM DOWN IN THE EVENT OF SEA LEVEL RISE. 
  • PROSECUTE ALL OIL COMPANIES FOR THEIR ROLE IN POLLUTING WATER.
  • END WHALE HARVESTING.
  • CLEAN UP THE OCEANS OF PLASTIC AND HUMAN POLLUTION.
  • LEAD THE EFFORT TO MAKE ALL OF SPACE A PUBLIC RESOURCE.
  • PREVENT CORPORATIONS FROM PROFITING FROM SPACE. GIVE THOSE PROFITS TO THE PEOPLE.
  • CLEAR OUT THE BACKLOG OF RAPE KITS.
  • FIX OUR CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE.
  • REPARATIONS FOR BLACKS.
  • FULLY FUND OUR INDIGENOUS POPULATION.
  • RESTORE LAND TO OUR INDIGENOUS.
  • MAKE PUERTO RICO A STATE (OR WHATEVER THEY WANT).
  • FULLY FUND THE REBUILDING OF PUERTO RICO.
  • RE-WRITE ALL HISTORY BOOKS TO INCLUDE THE REAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
  • MAKE COLUMBUS DAY INTO INDIGENOUS DAY.
  • MAKE ALL ELECTIONS (STATE, LOCAL, FEDERAL) HOLIDAYS. 
  • PROVIDE A FULL WEEK OF EARLY VOTING FOR ALL ELECTIONS.
  • REMOVE THE VOTING REGISTRATIONS REQUIREMENT TO SERVE ON A JURY (THIS PUNISHES HOURLY WORKERS).
  • FUND EMERGENCY PROGRAMS FOR NATURAL DISASTERS.
  • FORCE COMPANIES TO PROVIDE HUMAN TRAFFICKING FOOTPRINTS IN THEIR SUPPLY CHAIN.
  • ALL PRODUCTS MUST BE FAIR TRADE, OR BE MARKED WITH "MADE WITH X% HUMAN TRAFFICKING" AND A SPECIFIC LIST OF HOW MANY SLAVES AND WHAT THEY DID TO MAKE THE PRODUCT.
  • PROVIDE PREVENTATIVE MEDICAL CARE.
  • SENSIBLY INVEST IN RENEWABLE TECH.
  • MARSHALL PLAN FOR ALL COUNTRIES WE HAVE BOMBED OR PUT SANCTIONS ON.
  • SHUT DOWN BLACK SITES.
  • SHUT DOWN THE VAST MAJORITY OF MILITARY BASES.
  • NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT.
  • ENSTATE A HARSH WEALTH TAX.
  • END "LEGACY ADMISSIONS."
  • RENEW THE MEAT PACKERS UNION.
  • PROSECUTE ANY CORPORATION THAT AVOIDS PAYING BENEFITS BY KEEPING WORKERS "JUST UNDER" LEGAL REQUIREMENTS.
  • PUBLIC BANKS IN POST OFFICES.
  • MAKE FACIAL RECOGNITION ILLEGAL.
  • ALL DATA SHARING HAS TO BE OFF BY DEFAULT, AND AN EXACT DESCRIPTION IF WHAT WILL BE DONE WITH IT IF YOU AGREE.
  • END THE NSA.
  • DELETE ALL NSA COLLECTED DATA.
  • PROSECUTE ALL NSA LEADERS.
  • PROSECUTE ALL PEOPLE IMPLICATED BY SNOWDEN.
  • ELIMINATE THE CIA.
  • END THE MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX. 
  • PROSECUTE ALL POLITICIANS THAT HAVE PROFITED FROM IPOs OF COMPANIES THAT BENEFIT FROM PENDING LEGISLATION.
  • BETTER PROTECTIONS OF CHILDREN ONLINE.
  • PREVENT CHILDREN FROM ACCESSING PORN ONLINE.
  • PROTECTION OF ELDERS FROM FRAUDSTERS.
  • LEGALIZE PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE.
  • CLARIFY THAT HUMAN SMUGGLING IS NOT HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
  • END SHADOWBANNING.
  • END SHADOWBANNING THAT FORCES YOU TO PAY FOR PLACEMENT IN YOUR FOLLOWERS' FEED, ETC. 
  • END THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE USPS TO HAVE 70 YEARS OF RETIREMENT PAY IN THEIR ACCOUNTS. (or whatever the numbers are - you know this is wrong)
  • MANDATE EVERY CHEMICAL COMPANY TO HAVE FUNDS SET ASIDE IN CASE OF SEAL LEVEL RISE.
  • IMMEDIATELY SUSPEND ANY POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED IN A SHOOTING, POTENTIALL INCLUDING EVERY ONE OF THEM THAT WAS IN THE AREA. 
  • IMMEDIATELY INTERROGATE EVERY POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED IN A SHOOTING SEPARATELY BEFORE THEY CAN COLLUDE ON THE REPORT.
  • INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF ALL POLICE SHOOTINGS IN THE LAST 50 YEARS.

I'll think of more. 

BIDEN AND HARRIS ARE NOT THE SAVIORS YOU THINK THEY ARE.

Human Trafficking and your Privacy and Safety and Some Ideas that Might Make a Dent


Human Trafficking is Real. Addressing it DOES NOT mean you have to give up YOUR Rights. 


Has anyone started to notice that the danger of "Human Trafficking" is CONSTANTLY being used to take away your rights?

Facial RecognitionI have.

It's almost like governments and the powerful let something fester for so long that they can then use it as a cudgel against you.

Privacy. Online identify. Security. Increased border patrol power. Surveillance. Bank records. Crypto.

HT is very real, of course. Way too real.

If you want to end it... Those tactics above are not the answers. 

I'd like to offer a list of a few...

Changes that might make a dent.

Bottom line is that this horror is everywhere and addressing it requires a worldwide SHIFT in mindset and human understanding. It's everywhere and in almost every product in one way or another. It is almost impossible to live a single day (in America at least) without touching something affected by trafficking.

You end it through awareness and prevention education. (Requires dramatic financial and societal commitment.)

You end it by defunding broken parts of the police industrial complex and spending that money on victim services and intervention. (This also requires significant education.)

You end it by prosecuting military members and police officers and others that perpetuate the problem. (Details on this one are disturbing, but let's just say one example is victims of human trafficking that are being prostituted against their will are constantly raped while they wear their uniforms.)

You end it by changing the ENTIRE social safety net. (This requires UNbrainwashing the entire population about "pulling yourself up by the bootstraps." Which is impossible.)

You end it by actually creating legislation to prosecute the correct people. ("How" is a huge debate, but the goal is correct.)

You end it by prosecuting MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS that benefit from it. (The computer device you're reading this from is built by slavery in its supply chain.)

You end it by stopping the endless wars. (Is this not obvious? Do you know how many children are rounded up into "orphanages," and mysteriously disappear?" Do you know how many child soldiers are created by these wars?) 

You end it by creating better refugee solutions. (Cutting funding just makes it worse, and that's what we're doing.)

You end it by shutting down the IMF. (They destroy economies which create disparities that result in direct trafficking or worse.)

You end it by helping migrants. (There are cultural norms where people have one child to sell so they can survive.)

You end it by completely dismantling and replacing child protective services and the foster care system. (The numbers and statistics linking the foster care system with trafficking and abuse are legion.)

I could go on and on. 

So why aren't those being done? Guesses? I'll posit because it does NOT benefit the Oligarchy to change any one of those.

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

The Dakota XL Pipeline is Not Dead, No Matter What the Media Tells You. Don't Believe Them.

Biden stopped the Keystone Pipeline! Woo!

Except that he didn't.

This is the executive order "killing" Keystone XL, citing the reasons why Biden did it

He's Removing A Permit that Trump approved; That's all.

“Sec. 6. Revoking the March 2019 Permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline. (a) On March 29, 2019, the President granted to TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. a Presidential permit (the “Permit”) to construct, connect, operate, and maintain pipeline facilities at the international border of the United States and Canada (the “Keystone XL pipeline”), subject to express conditions and potential revocation in the President’s sole discretion. The Permit is hereby revoked in accordance with Article 1(1) of the Permit.

His "Executive Order" only removes one permit and does not "kill" the pipeline.

It references in 2015 that "(b) In 2015, following an exhaustive review, the Department of State and the President determined that approving the proposed Keystone XL pipeline would not serve the U.S. national interest."

What permit? Unclear. Here's a look at it. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/04/03/2019-06654/authorizing-transcanada-keystone-pipeline-lp-to-construct-connect-operate-and-maintain-pipeline

This permit supersedes the Presidential permit issued to the permittee, dated March 23, 2017. For the avoidance of doubt, I hereby revoke that March 23, 2017, permit. Furthermore, this permit grants the permission described in the previous paragraph and revokes the March 23, 2017, permit notwithstanding Executive Order 13337 of April 30, 2004 (Issuance of Permits With Respect to Certain Energy-Related Facilities and Land Transportation Crossings on the International Boundaries of the United States) and the Presidential Memorandum of January 24, 2017 (Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline).

I don't see anything referring to the type of permit; only that it's a "Presidential Permit." 

The whole "Biden's stopping the XL Pipeline" is merely providing cover for the dozens of new permits he's allowed. And XL is only one blip on this map. 

https://www.americangeosciences.org/critical-issues/maps/interactive-map-pipelines-united-states

The media is trying to get you to believe Biden is going to do anything to help the environment. I guarantee that anything you can point to that the media is calling good... I can tell you why it's a lie. I can do this all day, but it won't make a difference. I only wrote this because I'm sick of the white moderates on my Facebook wall that have had their consent manufactured to benefit the oligarchy.

Before we start, let's look at some history.

Before you build a major project like the XL Pipeline, you are required by law to get an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) performed, so you can get a permit. From the Army Corp of Engineers. 

This study can take YEARS. And it's very expensive. For a good reason. 

Here's a tiny backgrounder on how the Army Corps of Engineers do things: https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dam-and-Lake-Projects/Oil-and-Gas-Development/Dakota-Access-Pipeline/

They even try to make that confusing. An EA is different than a EIS. Here's a place to go for more information: https://www.epa.gov/nepa/national-environmental-policy-act-review-process

On July 25, 2016, the Corps granted permission to applicant Dakota Access, LLC, under Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, 33 U.S.C. 408 (408 permission), for a proposed pipeline crossing under Lake Oahe approximately 0.5 miles upstream of the northern boundary of the Standing Rock Reservation. The approximately 1,172-mile pipeline connects the Bakken and Three Forks oil production areas in North Dakota to an existing crude oil market near Patoka, Illinois.

The 408 permission was supported by a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) based on an Environmental Assessment (EA), as contemplated under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This EA/FONSI was completed on July 25, 2016, the date that the Corps granted the 408 permission. On February 8, 2017, the Corps granted an easement, with conditions, to cross federal property administered by the Corps at Lake Oahe, North Dakota. The Corps granted the easement under the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA), 30 U.S.C. 185. The easement allowed for the installation, construction, operation, maintenance, repair, replacement and termination of a thirty-inch diameter horizontal directional drill buried oil pipeline for the purpose of transporting crude oil, and related facilities, at or under Lake Oahe Project in North Dakota, with a 50-foot wide width plus the ground occupied by the pipeline and related facilities. Operation of the pipeline began on June 1, 2017.

On March 25, 2020, the District Court for the District of Columbia ordered the Corps to prepare an EIS for this portion of the pipeline because the pipeline’s “effects on the quality of the human environment are likely to be highly controversial.” 

Consistent with the Court’s decision, Dakota Access, LLC seeks an easement from the Corps for the original proposed project whose construction was completed on June 1, 2017.  A decision on whether to authorize the pipeline to cross Lake Oahe at the proposed location would be based on: (1) the July 25, 2016, EA/FONSI; (2) the Corps’ August 31, 2018, analysis on remand from a decision by the District Court; and (3) additional analysis developed through this EIS

Ask yourself, why was it allowed to be built at all? Because it was in full swing in 2015 and 2016.

Any casual observer can tell they had the entire line planned, but they got it all approved. Why? Because no one was watching. And they knew how to manipulate the system. 

Maybe it's because they are financially powerful? 


I think they might know a few loopholes.

Yep. Loopholes.

Energy Transfer Partners told the government (that knew better - how could they not?) that they were building separate pieces and got the smaller permits to build each one. 

They used approvals of sections of the pipeline instead of getting the real EIS, and everyone KNEW IT. The Obama administration let them build. And build they did, destroying sacred sites and maiming peaceful water protectors, even in the freezing weather ON THANKSGIVING OF ALL DAYS.

Native American were being BRUTALIZED on Thanksgiving? Yep. That's America. https://popularresistance.org/deconstructing-thanksgiving-with-standing-rock/


Obama said "Let it play out for now."

That's just about when I decided I needed to see this for myself. So I went. I was there at the end and I saw the whole theater play out. 

On December 4th, 2016, a SUNDAY afternoon, the easement was denied by the Army Corps of Engineers. A Sunday. Sunday? Why? What in the world could have caused the government to wake up early and work on this denial of the easement? 

HOW COULD THEY EVEN BE BUILDING OR DIGGING OR GOING UNDER A RIVER OR DESTROYING SACRED SITES WITHOUT A PERMIT? 

Energy Transfer Partners lied and cheated, and the government ran cover for them until the poor people stood up. 

There were special circumstances the oligarchy didn't want anyone to see. 

Bad Optics

On the day before the denial of the easement permit, thousands of veterans showed up to "put their lives in the line." They were ready to die to defend the water and our constitution. Maybe that would have gotten mainstream coverage. Maybe seeing veterans be murdered by our police state would be bad TV?

During the entire Standing Rock occupation by the Federal Government, Obama and Biden used federal troops to stop native Americans from protecting their own land and our environment. And so much more. They BRUTALIZED the peaceful protesters. 

The level of surveillance was out of control. All under Obama and Biden.

It's where "environmental terrorism" entered the governmental lexicon.

"Let's Let Trump Approve it!"

So the permit was revoked under Obama. Yay!! Except that less than a month afterward, Trump did just like the oligarchy planned, and reinstated the pipeline, not requiring the EIS.

Progress still happened on that pipeline. 

And now, we're back to Joe Biden denying a permit, that he can approve any time he wishes. According to the Executive Order: "subject to express conditions and potential revocation in the President’s sole discretion," which means that, just like Trump, Biden (or Harris, if she becomes president) can just approve it with the stroke of a pen. 

Here are some other things to consider.

Fracking Is Not Profitable

Yeah. The profits aren't there right now. Believe whomever you want, but my bet is the rich people will win. 

The Sioux tribe lawsuit 

The Sioux tribe just won a lawsuit to force the government to do what it was supposed to do under the Obama regime.

Just look at this insanity: https://www.npr.org/2020/07/15/891276857/court-halts-dakota-access-pipeline-shutdown-as-legal-fight-goes-forward

On July 6, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered Energy Transfer to halt oil flow and empty the pipeline within 30 days. Boasberg ruled in March that the Army Corps had failed to address concerns about the risk of oil spills and ordered it to conduct a full environmental impact study. That study could take another year to complete.

Supreme Court has Already Required the EIS to be completed

Here's another: the Supreme Court required the Environmental Impact Statement to be completed. Which SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE UNDER OBAMA BEFORE ANY DIRT WAS MOVED.

"The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for several pipeline projects to proceed under a fast-track permitting process but excluded the controversial Keystone XL expansion from their ruling, forcing major delays."

https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/06/politics/keystone-xl-supreme-court-pipeline/index.html

The Supreme Court allowed many projects to go ahead while the environmental reviews are done, but excluded the Keystone XL. The Keystone XL pipeline must still abide by the arduous environmental review process, the justices ruled. 

Notice that other pipelines are being built and being built before their EISs are complete.

That's what's up. And why you need to look past the headlines.

Wait... Is the Pipeline running or not?

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/the-hits-keep-coming-dc-circuit-vacates-6466348/

Summary:

This claim that Biden "shut down" the XL Pipeline is PERFORMATIVE on the part of POLITICS and the MEDIA, and meant to give you the impression that Biden is actually doing something to help the environment.

Why didn't he stop the fracking that generates the oil?

How about we believe in science and end fracking altogether?

Maybe it's because that's only ONE pipeline. 

Don't worry, we'll be saying that it's our of Biden's hands and the Army Corps says that a pipeline running across America and underneath a river where 20 million Americans get their drinking water just approved it, so it must be all good.

My Skepticism

The price of oil has driven that pipeline out of business and that Energy Transfer Partners wants to find some way, some loophole, to declare some sort of bankruptcy or other economic plea to someone due to the government shutting it down so they can make more money.

SOMEONE IS GETTING PAID FOR THIS. WHO IS IT?

Update! 

Just found this... It's a pretty good overview. And if it shows ANYTHING, it's that the pipeline will be opened soon. https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/the-hits-keep-coming-dc-circuit-vacates-6466348/

It’s been a difficult several days for the oil industry. First, the Biden administration revoked the border-crossing permit for the Keystone XL pipeline on January 20. Another executive order, among other things, directed the secretary of the US Department of the Interior to pause oil and natural gas leases on public lands and offshore waters pending a review of leasing practices. And on January 26, the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit affirmed a district court’s decision to vacate an easement vital to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL or the pipeline) that had been granted by the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). But the court, however, reversed the lower court’s order that required the pipeline to cease operations. Accordingly, the pipeline may continue to operate while the Corps decides what to do about Dakota Access’s trespass. Separately, however, local Native American tribes have sought an injunction before the district court, the briefing for which ended earlier this month.

 The conclusion of this article is garbage. 

After the district court’s March order, the Corps started to prepare an EIS.

The time to prepare an EIS ranged from 51 days to 6,708 days (18.4 years). The average time for all federal entities was 3.4 years. Average times differed significantly by year and by entity. - Source: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1017/S146604660808037X#:~:text=The%20time%20to%20prepare%20an,by%20year%20and%20by%20entity.

An EIS is expected this summer, after which the Corps could regrant the easement.

 As this is one of the larger EIS that need to be completed, 51 days is hardly enough time. Please. I bet if you look what speeds up an EIS is how much money your project is worth, not how much land needs to be assessed.

But it could deny the easement too. And while we're throwing out this "Expected this summer," let's read back from above: "Boasberg ruled in March that the Army Corps had failed to address concerns about the risk of oil spills and ordered it to conduct a full environmental impact study. That study could take another year to complete."

What does that mean? Of course it could.  

And at present, DAPL is trespassing on government property.

If trespassing is the problem, DAPL and the American government are trespassing on Native American land. See Ft. Laramie Treaty for one example. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/1868-two-nations-made-treaty-us-broke-it-and-plains-indian-tribes-are-still-seeking-justice-180970741/

The Corps has been investigating its legal options, but has yet to decide how to respond, and had indicated it was waiting for the DC Circuit’s ruling before making a decision.

 Legal mumbo jumbo.

And separately, the tribes’ petition for injunctive relief remains pending before the district court.

 Legal mumbo jumbo.

The issue has been briefed fully, and the district court may issue its ruling any day.

 More legal mumbo jumbo. I seriously doubt anyone is fully briefed. 

That is, there are two avenues by which the pipeline may be ordered to cease, and Dakota Access must prevail before both the Corps and the district court to keep the oil flowing.

All it takes is the right amount of money or stocks moving to the right person, and that pipeline will continue to flow. 

So, if you were guessing, based upon what the media told you about the XL Pipeline... Do you think it's transporting oil right now? Post in the comments!

Last thing: 10,000 Jobs lost

Please, someone tell me how many of those are Union Jobs? How many are full time jobs? How many are contract? 

See if you can guess how many employees work on completed oil lines. 

Energy Transfer Partner Employees (est.) (Dec 2019) 12,812

Some things to read: 
What do you think? Is it possible there could be 10,000 full time employees that lost their jobs on a pipeline that wasn't even legal? 

Sounds like propaganda to me.


Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Corporate Censorship and Human Trafficking

Warning, this might be EMOTIONALLY TRIGGERING re: human trafficking.

One of my good friends on Facebook asked me how censorship applies to human trafficking. More specifically: "You're involved in stopping sex trafficking. Should websites that support that be closed down? Shouldn't services/accounts being used to incite/plan/execute domestic terrorism also be shut down?"


It's a GREAT question and something that needed a good answer, with references. :)

Monday, October 5, 2020

Some Origin Memories

 

Hey there! 

Sometimes I get asked questions about the "Good Old Days," and instead of letting them sit in an email no one will read, I want to make them public. Here's one of them!

A gentleman online purchased an old patch from Privateer 2: The Darkening on my eBay store, and this is what I sent him.

I worked at Origin from '92-98 and it was one of the best, most difficult jobs I've ever had. 

The Maverick Team (Chris Roberts) had been cranking out Strike Commander, Armada, Wing Commander 3 and Wing Commander 4, and I watched them as I worked on other games. In '94 I was asked to go to England to help start the Rugby franchise because they were in crisis near the end of the project and they were overwhelmed. When that was done, I was asked by Erin Roberts (Chris Roberts' brother) to work on The Darkening, which was another space game being made in Manchester. Since I was needed on a project back in Austin, I politely declined and returned to Austin. 

When I got back, I worked on Abuse, which was a side-scroller created by Dave Taylor of DOOM fame. 

After that I was brought on to run the PlayStation 1 version of Wing Commander 5, which did not have a title yet. Chris Roberts left Origin to start his own company, leaving the Wing series completely. The design team had already begun work, and we soon realized we needed to conserve our resources so I had to fire some of my friends that were working on it. It was SO painful. It was one of the worst experiences of my life to that point. Then, our lead designer, Phil Wattenbarger, decided to leave as well, so I took over his role. 

That was the beginning of the hardest job I ever had. My role was to be certain that the Engine Team, the Art Team, the Design Team, the Marketing Team, and Creative Services were all working in synchronicity. It required me to work unpaid overtime for almost 2 years. But the result was a fantastic game that I will be proud of for the rest of my life.


It's not a lot of story, but it's better to put it out here than keep it hidden. 

Ask if you have questions!
Billy