Articles written by Jeff Lee

What is Helium

About me - Jeff Lee

Born in Ohio, raised in Hawaii, now moldering away in Spokane, Washington, the right armpit of the United States, I long to live where I can hear the ocean again.

I'm a Gen-Xer that hasn't quite outgrown his angst. I'll be flippant and funny one minute and

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Hobbies & Games > Video Games (Other) Does violence in video games contribute to real life violence?: 12 of 219
I sit here typing away on the computer as a living example that countless hours of exposure to violent video games can have no adverse effects at all upon a human being...well, except maybe for a lack of exercise and missed hours that could be spent out of doors getting exercise and social interaction. Of course, a firmer han... More..
Pets & Animals > Animal Rights & Issues Have 'Animal Rights' gone too far?: 6 of 50
When issues of "rights" come up, one has to realize that we're dealing with a metaphysical issue. If one looks at animals in the wild, you're dealing with a state of nature that is more to the thinking of a philosopher like Hobbes than one like Rousseau. An animal's right to life, liberty and well, the pursuit of furthering i... More..
Hobbies & Games > Role Playing & War Games Are high costs preventing younger players from trying Dungeons and Dragons?: 3 of 19
I was hooked by Dungeons & Dragons at the ripe age of ten, standing in a local bookstore holding the old "red box" edition in my hands, gazing in wonder at the wizard and warrior preparing to do battle with the red dragon perched atop his treasure horde. From that point on, a good portion of my allowance, birthday money, and ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Terrorism Are we safer now than we were immediately after 9/11, or have we just been lucky?: 12 of 72
While terrorists may never again fly hijacked planes into our buildings again, to say we are safer from terrorism six years after the worst terrorist attack on American soil would not be the truth.Our President sees no problem in handing over authority of our ports to companies owned by foreign nations. The argument is that w... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US News Should management of bridges and tunnels be left to private business or local government?: 5 of 29
It seems that whenever a government program or project is in trouble, one of the first calls to correct the problem is to allow private business to take over. It happened with Social Security, and now with the bridge collapse this "solution" is being offered in the case of bridges and tunnels.The problem here is focus. The go... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Religious Speculations & Criticisms Does a lack of a religious foundation diminish ethics?: 6 of 33
Does a lack of religious foundation diminish ethics? Of course not. There are millions of people walking the earth at this very moment that have no religious foundation for their ethical behavior that are doing just fine. In fact, some of the most feared people on the planet currently are devoutly religious.It amazes me how m... More..
Hobbies & Games > Role Playing & War Games Game master tips: Advice for role-playing non-player characters (NPCs): 2 of 11
Unlike the players, who only have to focus on one character at a time during a game, the game master is operating a plethora of characters that flesh out the game world. There are a few key points that, if followed, can provide game enrichment for the players and satisfaction and organization for the game master.First, while ... More..
Education > College Life Should colleges ban firearms?: 5 of 18
Colleges banning firearms is an empty gesture. University campuses are places of higher learning and, one would hope, a gathering place for more enlightened individuals. In the case of Virginia Tech, if there had been an armed security guard or a campus police officer in the right place at the right time, the tragedy might ha... More..
Creative Writing > Essays Essays: Death: 18 of 59
I've ended a life with my bare hands. Killing something is a profound event. No, profound isn't powerful enough. To take a life can shake the pillars of one's soul, and to commit such an act without baring your soul for examination afterward is to be inhuman. To traffic with death can give the most headstrong and strong-wille... More..
Politics, News & Issues > People in the News Will Michael Moore be remembered for his contributions as a film-maker or as a political activist?: 10 of 27
Michael Moore's films will, quite frankly, be remembered more for their political messages than they will for their quality. This is largely in part due to the reactionary nature of our current political system, where everything is highly polarized and partisan. However, it's also due to the way in which Moore portrays himsel... More..