I was sitting in my comfy chair (it’s more of a couch really), pondering politics (as is often the case), pipe in mouth, (it was actually a Blow Pop) when Governor Chris Christie of NJ popped into my head. Christie is a Republican governor in a blue state, that Tea Party Conservatives have yet to label a RINO (Republican In Name Only) which makes him a bit of an oddity in the party. Whether or not you agree with the governor you must admit that he is an executive that seems to be getting things done in the state of NJ by using his Bully Pulpit to its maximum value.
The National Republican party is in disarray. Its leading figures are a relic of the past, Newt Gingrich, executives that failed to ignite passion in the base in 2008, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, and a woman that 55% of the population is certain has some kind of mental deficiency, draw your own conclusion. Republicans are in need of a fresh face who can capitalize on Tea Party energy while not alienating people that do not identify with their radical philosophy.
It seems to me that someone will soon recruit Chris Christie to run as the 2012 Republican Nominee for President of the United States of America. The governor does have a few drawbacks, he’s been in office less than a year, he has every union the government touches ready to run him out of the state at the end of a pitch fork, and his demeanor, at least from what I have observed, is more akin to that of a porcupine than politician. That said, those drawbacks have all proven to be good things in the eyes of the Tea Party.
Christie is at the height of his popularity. He is riding a wave of anti-incumbent, anti-government, anti-everything that, in my humble opinion, should be cresting soon. He has stated more than once that he has no problems being a one term governor and it is my belief he will be, one way or another. By the time he goes up for re-election the new governor smell will have worn off. The population of the Garden State will see him as the man that eviscerated its ability to effectively govern on the issues of education, public safety, road maintenance, child protection, poverty relief, and a host of other areas (not that I have an opinion).
If Christie has national aspirations (and what governor does not) he needs to make big moves now, while the majority of New Jersey’s population still supports him. Republicans are looking to have a real chance against President Obama in 2012. Therefore, they need a candidate with recent work experience (FOX News commentator does not count) and a proven track record in places they tend to consistently not win.
If Christie is forced to resign his governorship as a result of overwhelming campaign responsibilities that is just something the state of New Jersey will have to deal with.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Red Dead Redemption: Return of the King
I just finished “Red Dead Redemption” and I must confess it felt a lot like I was watching Peter Jackson’s “Return of the King”. The experience overall was simply fantastic, but the ending seemed to drag forever.
At one point I actually ejected the disk from the XBOX and declared to my wife “I beat it, I guess”. However, I did not see credits roll so I got on the Internet and googled “I think I beat Red Dead Redemption”. This led me to a handy Gamespot forum which informed me I did not. Around six hours after I beat the big boss “bad guy” I stumbled upon the hidden (at the very least hidden from me) final mission and after four of five attempts I beat the game.
“Red Dead Redemption” is an excellent game. Riding a horse through the vast game space and hunting is a simple pleasure. Additionally, fun, off main story, missions pop up randomly as you ride. Stopping a thief, saving a man from a pack of wolves, having your horse eaten by a cougar and only your reflexes to save you from its fate are some of the most memorable moments I have had in gaming in a long time.
The main story is fun, if meandering. You will meet various characters that add, humor, depth, sorrow, and spunk to your “Redemption”. Some characters are more memorable than others and sometimes you are forced by them to do some terrible things.
Which is where my major problem comes into play with “Red Dead Redemption”. Everything regarding the main story of this game is a forced choice. There is no good/evil when it comes to playing out the plot points that the writers came up with. If you want to progress in the game you are required to deal with everyone and do exactly what they say. After playing games like “Fable”, “Fallout”, and “Mass Effect” simply going along with what an immoral NPC tells you to do feels like a major oversight.
That said the game does employ an “Honor System” whereby you can be respected or feared by the populous. But that system only applies to how you behave while wondering the country side. If you kill a man you are docked honor, inversely, if you save someone you are awarded honor points. Unfortunately event the most “honorable” player is forced to help completely immoral characters.
Mini-games range from fun to passable. I loved hunting/skinning animals and taming wild horses. I was perturbed that the horses I tamed I could not sell for profit (or at least did not figure out how to do so). I also really enjoyed playing poker and blackjack. I never bothered with five finger fillet, dice, or horseshoes. I tried a movie once and walked out after twenty seconds.
In the end, I must say that I really enjoyed the overall package of “Red Dead Redemption” and cannot wait until the next installment.
At one point I actually ejected the disk from the XBOX and declared to my wife “I beat it, I guess”. However, I did not see credits roll so I got on the Internet and googled “I think I beat Red Dead Redemption”. This led me to a handy Gamespot forum which informed me I did not. Around six hours after I beat the big boss “bad guy” I stumbled upon the hidden (at the very least hidden from me) final mission and after four of five attempts I beat the game.
“Red Dead Redemption” is an excellent game. Riding a horse through the vast game space and hunting is a simple pleasure. Additionally, fun, off main story, missions pop up randomly as you ride. Stopping a thief, saving a man from a pack of wolves, having your horse eaten by a cougar and only your reflexes to save you from its fate are some of the most memorable moments I have had in gaming in a long time.
The main story is fun, if meandering. You will meet various characters that add, humor, depth, sorrow, and spunk to your “Redemption”. Some characters are more memorable than others and sometimes you are forced by them to do some terrible things.
Which is where my major problem comes into play with “Red Dead Redemption”. Everything regarding the main story of this game is a forced choice. There is no good/evil when it comes to playing out the plot points that the writers came up with. If you want to progress in the game you are required to deal with everyone and do exactly what they say. After playing games like “Fable”, “Fallout”, and “Mass Effect” simply going along with what an immoral NPC tells you to do feels like a major oversight.
That said the game does employ an “Honor System” whereby you can be respected or feared by the populous. But that system only applies to how you behave while wondering the country side. If you kill a man you are docked honor, inversely, if you save someone you are awarded honor points. Unfortunately event the most “honorable” player is forced to help completely immoral characters.
Mini-games range from fun to passable. I loved hunting/skinning animals and taming wild horses. I was perturbed that the horses I tamed I could not sell for profit (or at least did not figure out how to do so). I also really enjoyed playing poker and blackjack. I never bothered with five finger fillet, dice, or horseshoes. I tried a movie once and walked out after twenty seconds.
In the end, I must say that I really enjoyed the overall package of “Red Dead Redemption” and cannot wait until the next installment.
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