Articles written by JohnJaySmith - Page 2

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About me - JohnJaySmith

I like writing. I also like forest preserves, peanut butter cups, cute girls, and Optimus Prime.

My first novel, "Psychics and Swords: The Amazing and Totally Plausible Adventures of Steve Walton" is available for purchase on Lulu or on Amazon.com. It's a fast

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Entertainment > Movies (Other) Is the third installment in a trilogy the best or the worst: 1 of 5
It's a bit absurd to say that the third film in a trilogy is always the best. The very question is founded on the assumption that all trilogies are created equal, which is utter nonsense. There are third movies which are vastly superior to their predecessors, and third movies that are simply shameful compared to the others.A ... More..
Society & Lifestyle > North American Culture Sleepless in America: Exploring the culture of fear: 7 of 28
Fear is a natural part of life. Fear is a mechanism that can keep us safe in dangerous situations, and enhance our common sense. But unfortunately, fear is often manipulated, exploited, and even used to rationalize the irrational.News programs will use fear to draw in viewers under such philosophies as "if it bleeds, it leads... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Presidential Elections 2008 Senator McCain: Not my choice for president: 8 of 30

I thought long and hard about posting in this topic. After all, I am no political pundit, I am not a respected journalist. I know that pointing out my disagreements on policy will not sway a hard-core supporter's mind. But now McCain has sunk to a new low, claiming that Barack Obama is wants kids to "learn sex-ed before they ... More..
Relationships & Family > Gay & Lesbian Issues The case for gay marriage: 14 of 51
I have never understood why, in this age of reason and caring for fellow human beings, there is even a debate about gay marriage. I personally have never even seen one single debatable point from those who oppose gay marriage. The following is a list of the "stronger" arguments I've seen, and why even these are patently absur... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Atheism & Agnosticism Why atheism and morality are incompatible: 6 of 21
morality (m-rl'-t, m-) n. pl. moralities 1. The quality of being in accord with standards of right or good conduct.atheist [ey-thee-ist] nouna person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings.There's a very clear incompatibility here!If you don't believe in God, how can you know that the proper way ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > News Industry How the media uses scare tactics to portray potentially negative news: 20 of 55
"Your life and your family are in immediate mortal danger! Find out why, tonight at 10."There are many different ways for the media to increase their viewership, or readership. But what is fastest and easiest? Nothing draws in the viewers like targeting that most basic, primal, powerful human emotion fear. There's mortal peri... More..
Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Conflict: 18 of 41
(Excerpt from "Psychics and Swords: The Amazing and Totally Plausible Adventures of Steve Walton") We were led to a small, dirt-floored room. The curved, windowed walls wrapped around us, revealing dozens of eager faces. The room appeared to be just another side section of the warehouse, a place where the brainwashed disciple... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Constitutional & Contract Law Should city and town governments be allowed to display Christmas symbols?: 30 of 67
The Christmas symbol debate seems to be one of those "separation of Church and State" issues. Generally I come down as firmly on the "separation" side as possible. I think it's ridiculous to suggest laws be made based on what is found in a 2000 year old book about an entirely different region of the planet. And should the Ten... More..
Computers & Technology > Internet Security & Safety (Other) Is MySpace a safe Internet venue for teens?: 33 of 71
MySpace has several safety features that are designed to protect people, especially teens, from unwanted elements (such as scammers, spammers, and sexual predators). Their 'profile' can be set to private, meaning only people they approve for their friends list are allowed to see their page. Individual elements, such as photos... More..
Hobbies & Games > Video Game Reviews Video game reviews: Steambot Chronicles: 1 of 1
I used to be a hard-core gamer, back in the glory days of the Atari, then NES and SNES. Nowadays it's amazing if a game can hold my attention for more than a couple hours. But Steambot Chronicles, that's something else entirely. This is the first game I've actually played all the way through to the finish in many, many years.... More..