Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

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Soarin' Over Pgh

Well-Known Member
Just a single day 10-11 (which I admit is not long enough with the crowd levels), I might have preferred two days if only to take our time a little bit more, but my companions were sufficiently crippled by Space Mountain 2.0.

DLP was super packed, the studios on the other hand were relatively light on crowds, apart from long waits for Crush everything else was reasonable.

Of course I towed around my DSLR all day but didn't charge it, I have great pictures from TDL/TDS/HKDL and they are all respectively in much better shape.

Merch does not seem to overlap as much as WDW/DL does, but there was some similar stuff and a good chunk of attraction specific merch still. A million times better than TDL/TDS though, at least for North American tastes. ;)

If you post your photos anywhere can you pm me a link? I'd love to see them!
 

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
With all due respect, you and those who think like you, sir or madame, are the greatest kind of danger a free society can face. Your utter incomprehension of history and the cycles of government is self-evident.

Who is our military, full of brave men and women whom I respect in the utmost way, protecting us from? Who? Seriously, I'm curious. I haven't heard a name in quite some time, because supposedly they killed that bin Laden guy awhile back (despite the fact that experts assert he died of illness sometime in 2002 or 2003 - too bad he was buried AT SEA so we'll never find out for sure).

You can say, well, terrorists of course! Islamic extremists who want us all dead! They're gonna come over here and hijack our planes and blow up our buildings and maim and kill like their holy book tells them to! Their compulsion can't be stopped and we're all in mortal danger!

Have you ever stopped to wonder why Islamic extremists don't like 'murica? Because I have. I thought, what do I, some podunk 'murican across the world, have to do with these people? Why do they care what I do or don't do? (Hint: do some historical research on that region, and the look up "blowback")

Questioning the motivation is where knowledge begins. Questioning the government (and this stuff is not exclusive to one party - Bush and Obama have pulled the exact same crap) is the start of understanding. Follow the chain of events:

- Clinton arms bin Laden and Al Qaeda operatives to assist in American efforts in the Middle East
- a group of extremists arrive in America, publicly register for flight school and prepare in broad daylight
- 9/11 attack happens, government response during and after attack is nil, presidential reaction is hours after the fact
- bin Laden claims responsibility for 9/11 attack on US soil
- bin Laden is now Public Enemy No. 1, presumably manhunt ensues
- pre-written Patriot Act (what a name!) is pulled out the drawer and hastily passed, giving the government unprecedented and unconstitutional powers
- Department of Homeland Security is formed, a multi-trillion dollar agency that will eventually create its own military force and become one of the top domestic purchasers of ammo
- American people are angry and confused. To form a target, the Afghanistan and more importantly, Iraq wars are commenced
- Despite no obvious ties to bin Laden or 9/11, the Iraq war is unilaterally declared and Saddam Hussein is toppled
- Bush stands in front of a Mission Accomplished banner, and announces "Mission accomplished"
- Thousands more American soldiers and innocent Iraqi civilians continue to die despite said accomplishment
- The introduction of the TSA shortly after 9/11 makes airline travel a PITA as mostly inept employees perform glorified bag checks
- Americans grow tired of the war effort in Iraq/Afghanistan (the graveyard of nations, as it has been so aptly called) as it becomes apparent that "winning" is not an option
- Damning evidence of military contractors, such as Halliburton, suggests a far more corrupt vision of the reasons for declaring war. The ties between high-ranking officials and companies like Halliburton (why, Dick Cheney for example) ALMOST make it seem like war was initiated to line pockets
- Leaked documents show possible ways to ignite war with Iran as considered by the Bush-Cheney administration, including a false flag operation in which American soldiers would be killed while posing as Iranians to spark anger toward that nation and justify an invasion
- Obama runs on a platform of peace and change, trumpets devotion to civil liberties as his Constitutional law background would indicate
- McCain loses by a long shot, and Obama is inaugurated
- TSA starts to get serious: agents are now clothed in police-style uniforms with shiny boots and epaulets. Invasive and untested "o scanners" are purchased in bulk from a company run by former DHS head, Michael Chertoff. What a coincidence!
- Military defense budgets continue to rise exponentially, despite a supposed decrease in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan
- Deep into his first term, Obama shows no sign of winding down war operations or putting any kind of stop to unconstitutional practices as outlined in the Patriot Act. By the end of term, he has enshrined indefinite detention of American citizens without trial into law
- In 11 years, no Islamic extremists have attacked the United States on its soil. The FBI claims to have foiled several plots; the ones they choose to reveal in the public are quickly found to have been non-starters in the first place or outright fraudulent
- Snowden's leaks confirm what anyone who was paying attention already knew: our government has used a terrorist attack on 9/11/2001 to justify complete destruction of privacy for American citizens and citizens of other countries, with draconian abilities to read, track, intercept and wiretap all communications, including but not limited to Facebook, email, cell phone calls, Skype and real-time internet browsing.
- The DHS is now a multi-headed behemoth capable of enacting martial law at the drop of a hat in several of the nation's biggest cities. Military drills now occur within the country, some in the presence of civilians, as new "secret" bases have popped up, like the one on an old car dealership lot outside Las Vegas
- The leaders of the NSA and FBI have now repeatedly lied to Congress under oath about their surveillance operations. Despite the harsh consequences for baseball players who have lied under oath about steroid use, these men are still in positions in power and have experienced no repercussions whatsoever
- Despite an incredible tax base, our government is trillions of dollars in debt with no hope of ever emerging. We can thank Dick Cheney for getting that ball rolling ("deficits don't matter") and Obama for keeping it up
- Our men and women continue to die in combat to people who for the most part can't pitch a tent, let alone arrange transportation to America to inflict harm
- Our President wants to involve us in Syria's civil war, supporting and arming rebels who are affiliated with Al Qaeda and engage in cannibalism, rape and other war crimes

Are you seeing a progression? It's just incredible. War is a drug our government and its contractors are hooked on. It's not some noble effort to keep us safe; it's a profit machine and the lives of our military are callously disregarded, as is their care after they return home. To say otherwise indicates a mental illness beyond denial and insults the brave who have died in the process.

Our Constitution expressly forbids the vast majority of our federal government's operations, yet the American populace believes them to be working on our behalf and for our good. I am not so trusting, and that's because I can see the man behind the curtain. Money makes the world go around, not an altruistic sense of duty.

The government doesn't deserve our trust; it hasn't earned our trust. The NSA spies on American citizens. The DHS is armed to the hilt and outfitting local PDs with military grade weapons and vehicles, while FEMA orders masses of plastic coffins and sets up "detention" camps around the country, you know, just in case.

Who exactly is the enemy now?

You may say, I have nothing to hide! Let them read my stupid Facebook posts and follow me around while I browse Amazon, eBay and sites, I'm just an average nobody!

This is the most dangerous mindset to have. Information can be cobbled and take piecemeal, and then cobbled together to paint you as a horrible person, a dangerous possible terrorist, even though you're as innocent as apple pie. Information is a weapon - why do you think Disney has approved such a bloated budget for NGE? They must think the data it will yield is quite valuable, and they are correct.

Our Constitution and its Bill of Rights are brilliantly framed, and we will disintegrate as a nation if we don't stick to it. It's already happening.

"First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the socialists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me."

The question remains, who's the enemy now?

If you don't know, you're not paying attention.

BRAVO!!! STANDING OVATION!!!

First, copy this because some small-minded redneck is going to do their damndest to make it disappear.

And, this is one of the best and most important posts I have ever read on this site. This isn't a discussion I really want to have take over here, but you certainly nailed things. Sadly, we live in a country where ignorance is now viewed as something to aspire to so I'm going to guess you'll get the typical -holes making their typical comebacks.

After all, there are folks here who will defend just about anything their government or The Mouse does.
 

MattM

Well-Known Member
Yessirree Bob, you have to GIVE away Pepsi products (yuck!) but you can charge for Coke.
Good thing my hubby is not on these boards, as I would have just reignited the only thing we ever argue about.
Tell him I said there is really no argument ;)
 

Funmeister

Well-Known Member
BRAVO!!! STANDING OVATION!!!

First, copy this because some small-minded redneck is going to do their damndest to make it disappear.

And, this is one of the best and most important posts I have ever read on this site. This isn't a discussion I really want to have take over here, but you certainly nailed things. Sadly, we live in a country where ignorance is now viewed as something to aspire to so I'm going to guess you'll get the typical -holes making their typical comebacks.

After all, there are folks here who will defend just about anything their government or The Mouse does.

But those chocolate covered frozen bananas are to die for!
 

Mr.Skunkape

Well-Known Member
Holiday World is a great little regional park with some awesome coasters. Customer service has always been impeccable, food is reasonable priced, and the park has always been as clean as a whistle.

It's interesting because the CEO of Holiday World passed away quite unexpectedly about two years ago at a young age. His parents founded the park, but it's my understanding that he was key to the park's recent expansions. I have been interested in seeing how this would affect the park.

What always amazes me about Holiday World is that with all the free soda stations in the park you hardly ever see empty cups just thrown on the ground, the guest have the decency to put them in the waste baskets when they are done.
 

stevehousse

Well-Known Member
Anyone know more about the MB roll out at other resorts? I want to try them in November when we go but haven't heard anything about All Star Movies testing or releasing bands and fpp for that resort yet! Anyone know more?

74, any new news on DHS expansions after the pitiful "teasers" (if u can even call them that) at d23???
 

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
It's not just boredom - seems like there are people here who crap on your threads as if they're getting paid to do it.

Of course they do because they know it makes wading through go the important and meaty posts that much tougher for all the importent eyes that are reading along.

They aren't going to shout me down whether they are being paid or not. And TWDC should realize the only way they can legally silence me is to put me under contract ...no, destroying electronic devices won't work as I have ample access to others.
 

WildcatDen

Well-Known Member
This is the only option you really need ;) :
university_of_florida_t607.jpg
Just about perfect, except replace the gator with the Script A for Alabama. Roll Tide Baby! :)
 

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Anyone know more about the MB roll out at other resorts? I want to try them in November when we go but haven't heard anything about All Star Movies testing or releasing bands and fpp for that resort yet! Anyone know more?

74, any new news on DHS expansions after the pitiful "teasers" (if u can even call them that) at d23???

No on the first part. Also, realize that for the resorts currently using the bands it is not considered a test, even if guests are unwilling (or willing) lab rats.

Star Wars expansion has absolutely moved to the head of development projects for both DL and WDW. DLR projects will be announced this fall. I am guessing so will WDW, but can't say for certain.

it does appear that Cars Land has moved from 'happening' to 'doubtful' in the swamps and ...oh, and in an ironic twist the expansion pad at HKDL that was set aside for Star Tours since opening will be getting an Avengers attraction using sim tech.
 

WildcatDen

Well-Known Member
Can we move talk about refillable mugs, Florida license plates and what the Founding Fathers wanted over to Eddie Sotto's thread or just somewhere else? Thanks.
Sorry Boss. Got a little off track. So. . . what can you tell us about LOTR. Is it really in play somewhere in Florida???
 

1023

Provocateur, Rancanteur, Plaisanter, du Jour
My NGE magical vacation planning so far...

So... I called Ticket Services today..."Any chance this MagicBand thingy is going to find it's way into my trip? I can't register my pass on your site and I don't want to be locked out on my vacation." Disney CM,"MagicBands are being tested but they haven't rolled out yet. Let me check...... No... I don't see anything about when they go live. As far as your pass goes, you need to call Internet services...." So I take down that number and call them....

"Hey, I can't link my passes on your website. I have a vacation coming up and don't want to be locked out of reserving FastPasses if the system goes live." Disney CM,"WE don't know when the MM+ system is going live. The issue with the Premier passes is a know issue. They are working to make it so your pass is linked in. If the system does go live, a cast member will be able to help you with your FP reservations when you get here. Also, the existing FastPass machines will be in the parks for a while."

I have no faith in being able to have a vacation experience with my extended family that I will resemble any experience we've had before. I can't plan ahead for the parks or FPP the way they want me to. The only thing I can do is get dinner reservations, but I have no faith they will be set when I get there. It's like vacation limbo.

So far NGE has great potential to foul up my vacation time. The only days I know might go as planned are at UO. I will refer to my "10 New Rules"....

Serenity now..

*1023*
 
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