LOST looks like it will be special tonight

Last week, Sayid, Jin, Sun, and Frank bit the bullet, and I sprung a leak in my right eye.

Tonight's ep is a flashback featuring Jacob and the MIB. That's a minor spoiler, and I'll leave it at that. I think it will be cool.

My predictions:

Jack will be the new Jacob.

Sawyer and/or Desmond will die.

Claire will join Team Jacob.

Richard and/or Ben will die.

Aaron's fate will be revealed.

Widmore will go down.

The two universes will collapse in one another, probably in a psychic form. I think the Sideways world is trying to merge with the consciousness of the prime world.
  • tangsoodotpm
    I will admit to being somewhat letdown by last night's episode.

    Did anyone notice that Jacob tried to move his piece sideways on the boardgame? As in the "flash sideways"? As in the parallel universe?

    Jacob has been portrayed as a cosmic gamemaster over the course of the last few seasons. Was the establishment of LOST-X a maneuver to outdo the MIB?
    by tangsoodotpm at 05/12/10 10:44PM
  • preacherdavetx
    You don't have to call him MIB anymore. His name was revealed... "Brother".
    by preacherdavetx at 05/13/10 6:33AM
  • tangsoodotpm
    That kinda irked me. I guess they never gave him one. All he had was a bunch of pet names.
    by tangsoodotpm at 05/13/10 9:31AM

My conversion to libertarianism is complete

Yesterday, Cinco de Mayo, the Texas flag was hung upside down at work.

This was an honest mistake, I'm sure. I could've easily done the same thing. I don't know that the porter that did it, who happens to be Hispanic, has any Mexican nationalist sentiments. I think he just wasn't paying attention.

I didn't notice it being upside down until a man called and pointed it out. He asked if there was any particular reason for it being that way. Now, his tone told me that he had a reason in mind already, even if he didn't voice it. I told him I was sure it was just an honest mistake. He said, "OK, well I just find it offensive." Here's what I wanted to say: "Who CARES?!"

I didn't say it of course. It is private property, property that answers to the ownership. If the ownership wishes to display a Texas flag, or a Chinese flag, or a Confederate flag, it is the right of that property to do so. If it wishes to put them upside down, it can do so. In fact, an upside down flag is a sign of distress, that is, a signal that someone is under seige. It can be beneficial in this sense to fly one upside down: it can stir awareness of government overreach, for example.

Of course, the coincidence of Cinco de Mayo didn't help matters. And I understand that some Latinos have a desire to restore those lands to Mexico that she once possessed. But c'mon: it's a bit like worrying about a bunch of poor Arabs with no money, no munitions, and no nation that can supposedly take away our freedoms.

Respect for individual liberty has been replaced with a hyperthyroid nationalism. Of course, I am a believer in states rights, and I consider myself a Texan, not an American. Texas sovereignty should be asserted, especially as a nullification and interposition tactic to squelch unconstitutional federal legislation. But the state should exist for the good of the individual, not the other way around. Did not God delegate such authorities for the good of the innocent, not the good of Caesar?

Either we have a respect for property rights and therefore have a free nation, or we don't. If you want to broadcast Texas loyalty, then don't do business with those companies that intentionally disrespect the state. Hurt them at the market level. Supply and demand is inherently impacted by culture.

But at the end of the day, maintain a loyalty to God, and love for thy neighbor. Hold allegiance to those laws that protect those obligations, and keep that allegiance above allegiance to a flag, which as a symbol has greater potential to manipulate emotions and abuse them for greedy gains.
  • kimhazelrigg
    I probably shouldn't say this, but I'm not sure I would have noticed it was upside down. Guess I didn't pay that much attention in our lesson on the Texas flag.
    by kimhazelrigg at 05/06/10 2:25PM
  • tangsoodotpm
    Since we only get one year of Texas history in government school, you can be forgiven Kim.
    by tangsoodotpm at 05/06/10 2:29PM
  • plato
    Yep. "I was offended" is the battle cry used for many coercive actions that are much MORE offensive, both to he who is to suffer and all freedom lovers.
    by plato at 05/06/10 2:37PM
  • kimhazelrigg
    Maybe I would notice the star was upside down :) Scott is from Indiana and probably would notice before I would. :)

    I see and hear a lot of things that offend me everyday. I guess I could complain (and I have...insert Walmart story here) or I remove myself from the offender. A flag flying upside down...not really going to bother on that one.
    by kimhazelrigg at 05/06/10 3:40PM
  • the_gaffer
    i'm witth kim. I probably wouldn't have noticed if It wasn't fully furled and the star wasn't ppointing up. Your caller was either hyper sensitive or over 80 and mentilly locked-up. Or just a troublemaker.
    by the_gaffer at 05/06/10 3:44PM
  • the_gaffer
    with...pointing...mentally...Where is the automatic spell check? Oh, that's right! I left that computer in my FLYING CAR!!!!!
    by the_gaffer at 05/06/10 3:47PM
  • tangsoodotpm
    He was a young man. Probably a vet.
    by tangsoodotpm at 05/06/10 4:44PM
  • the_gaffer
    You made me laugh.
    by the_gaffer at 05/06/10 7:04PM

Freaky

  • plato
    Why freaky? Anyone who doesn't say thank you for tax increase they get is nothing but an ungrateful America hater that needs to move to another country! ;)
    by plato at 05/02/10 11:20PM
  • tangsoodotpm
    Some folks are as passionate for statism as you are for libertarianism. No doubt some would say what you've said in an earnest tone.
    by tangsoodotpm at 05/03/10 9:45AM
  • the_gaffer
    Wow. Anybody that doubts that Big Brother has entered puberty should take bleating lessons.
    by the_gaffer at 05/04/10 3:14PM

Psalm 116

1 I love the LORD, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
2 Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

3 The pains of death surrounded me,
And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me;
I found trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD:
“O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!”

5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
Yes, our God is merciful.
6 The LORD preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
7 Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

8 For You have delivered my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
And my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before the LORD
In the land of the living.
10 I believed, therefore I spoke,
“I am greatly afflicted.”
11 I said in my haste,
“All men are liars.”

12 What shall I render to the LORD
For all His benefits toward me?
13 I will take up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the LORD.
14 I will pay my vows to the LORD
Now in the presence of all His people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
Is the death of His saints.

16 O LORD, truly I am Your servant;
I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;
You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the LORD.

18 I will pay my vows to the LORD
Now in the presence of all His people,
19 In the courts of the LORD’s house,
In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD!

Move like Batman