title_0

{"item":{"status":"visible","url":"\/2011\/12\/29\/shuffle-tubby\/","trash":"","name":"shuffle-tubby","parent":"","title":"Shuffle tubby","date":"2011-12-29 11:29:58","filepath":"posts\/2000953_shuffle-tubby.xml.json","type":"post","content":"Shufflin Teletubby!\n<iframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aQKMJ3SDw_A\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>"}}

title_1

{"item":{"status":"visible","url":"\/2011\/12\/27\/message-to-president-obama-veto-ndaa\/","trash":"","name":"message-to-president-obama-veto-ndaa","parent":"","title":"Message to President Obama: Veto NDAA","date":"2011-12-27 23:44:26","filepath":"posts\/2000989_message-to-president-obama-veto-ndaa.xml.json","type":"post","content":"Here is a message sent to President Obama concerning NDAA.\n<blockquote>Subject: Veto NDAA\n\nHonor your oath and uphold the constitution by vetoing the National Defense Authorization Act (HR 1540). \u00a0Send the whole bill back requesting a cleaner version with the detainment and extradition portions removed. \u00a0This is a time when you can publicly shame Congress for being detrimental to our civil liberties. \u00a0In the end you may actually garner a few independent, moderate, and libertarian votes in 2012.\n\nAlthough, you can't take the moral high ground since you ordered the killing of an American citizen and separately killing his son without Due Process in Yemen (a country in which we are not militarily engaged), you still have an opportunity to right some wrongs and stand up for what defines America.\n\nOf course, I have written my Congressmen, but you are next in line in the \"checks and balance\" system we enjoy in the US. \u00a0Please, don't fail us.\n\nA concerned citizen,\n[REDACTED]<\/blockquote>\nread <a href=\"http:\/\/www.8bitrobot.com\/2011\/12\/21\/letter-to-congress-ndaa-hr-1540\/\">a letter to Pelosi, Boxer, and Feinstein<\/a> about NDAA<\/em>\n\nread <a href=\"http:\/\/www.8bitrobot.com\/2011\/12\/22\/boxers-response-to-ndaa\/\">Senator Boxer's response<\/a><\/em>\n\nNDAA? \u00a0Find out more at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aclu.org\/blog\/tag\/NDAA\">ACLU<\/a> or <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gpo.gov\/fdsys\/pkg\/BILLS-112hr1540enr\/pdf\/BILLS-112hr1540enr.pdf\">read the bill yourself.<\/a><\/em>"}}

title_2

{"item":{"status":"visible","url":"\/2011\/12\/27\/sadlers-wells-wtf\/","trash":"","name":"sadlers-wells-wtf","parent":"","title":"Sadler's Wells: Harnesses, Skateboard, and Crutches = WTF","date":"2011-12-27 11:58:29","filepath":"posts\/2000986_sadlers-wells-wtf.xml.json","type":"post","content":"Warning: NSFW<\/strong>\n\nAlthough odd, this performance is extremely interesting. \u00a0It reminds me of something from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B00006FXQN\/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zygmy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00006FXQN\">Samuel Beckett<\/a><img src=\"http:\/\/www.assoc-amazon.com\/e\/ir?t=zygmy-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00006FXQN\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" style=\"border:none !important; margin:0px !important;\" \/>.\n\n<iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OwCoSxi9TJU\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\nIt's extremely surreal."}}

title_3

{"item":{"status":"visible","url":"\/2011\/12\/26\/shufflin-grandpa\/","trash":"","name":"shufflin-grandpa","parent":"","title":"Shufflin grandpa","date":"2011-12-26 11:38:45","filepath":"posts\/2000970_shufflin-grandpa.xml.json","type":"post","content":"This dance is old.\n<iframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8-0J4SHJdvY\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>"}}

title_4

{"item":{"status":"visible","url":"\/2011\/12\/23\/id-cut-down-every-law-in-england-to-do-that\/","trash":"","name":"id-cut-down-every-law-in-england-to-do-that","parent":"","title":"I'd cut down every law in England to do that","date":"2011-12-23 11:18:53","filepath":"posts\/2000975_id-cut-down-every-law-in-england-to-do-that.xml.json","type":"post","content":"<iframe width=\"420\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PDBiLT3LASk\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n<blockquote>\n\"So, now you give the Devil the benefit of law!\"\n\n\"Yes! What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?\"\n\n\"I'd cut down every law in England to do that!\"\n\n\"Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned 'round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, Man's laws, not God's! And if you cut them down, and you're just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety\u2019s sake!\"<\/p>\n--Paul Scofield in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B000LPR6GA\/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zygmy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000LPR6GA\">A Man for All Seasons<\/a><img src=\"http:\/\/www.assoc-amazon.com\/e\/ir?t=zygmy-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000LPR6GA\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" style=\"border:none !important; margin:0px !important;\" \/><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>"}}

title_5

{"item":{"status":"visible","url":"\/2011\/12\/22\/boxers-response-to-ndaa\/","trash":"","name":"boxers-response-to-ndaa","parent":"","title":"Boxer's Response to Letter Regarding NDAA (HR 1540)","date":"2011-12-22 17:19:06","filepath":"posts\/2000977_boxers-response-to-ndaa.xml.json","type":"post","content":"<img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-802\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;\" title=\"congress\" src=\"http:\/\/www.8bitrobot.com\/media\/uploads\/2011\/11\/congress.png\" alt=\"congress\" width=\"127\" height=\"68\" \/>Today I received a letter in response to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.8bitrobot.com\/2011\/12\/21\/letter-to-congress-ndaa-hr-1540\/\">a message I sent Senator Boxer<\/a> regarding NDAA (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.votesmart.org\/bill\/14203\/37467\/national-defense-authorization-act-for-fiscal-year-2012\">HR 1540<\/a>). \u00a0The response was extremely quick and deflates my \"<a href=\"http:\/\/www.8bitrobot.com\/2011\/12\/21\/letter-to-congress-ndaa-hr-1540\/\">It\u2019s like talking to a wall<\/a>\" statement a little.\n\nIn her letter, which is posted below, Sen. Boxer explains how the bill was passed and describes the multiple attempts to amend it by Sen. Udall and Sen. Feinstein to protect our civil rights. \u00a0Although she voted for HR 1540, she explains how she was against it.\n\nIn addition, Senator Boxer is working to produce (co-author) a bill titled the\u00a0Due Process Guarantee Act (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.opencongress.org\/bill\/110-s2003\/show\">S.2003<\/a>), which \"protects American citizens arrested within the United States from being held indefinitely by the U.S. military.\" <\/em>\n\n <\/em>S.2003 is nice and all, but will it keep Americans from going on vacation overseas? \u00a0Our cage gets smaller and smaller, doesn't it?\n\nTo be fair, I should withhold my response until after the reader has had a chance to read her response, which is well-intentioned and comforting. \u00a0Boxer and her aids have my respect for the quick response and attention.\nDear [REDACTED]:<\/p>\nThank you for writing to me about provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) concerning the military detention of enemy combatants. \u00a0I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.<\/p>\nI was deeply disappointed that the final version of the NDAA did not include important language authored by Senators Mark Udall (D-CO) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) \u00a0regarding detainees that would have protected civil liberties while helping to keep us safe. \u00a0During floor consideration of the NDAA, I voted for an amendment offered by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.govtrack.us\/congress\/vote.xpd?vote=s2011-210&sort=district\">Senator Udall<\/a> that would have replaced the detainee provisions in the bill with a requirement for the Administration to report to Congress on detention authorities. \u00a0Unfortunately, this amendment failed by a vote of 38-60.<\/p>\nI also voted for an amendment offered by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.govtrack.us\/congress\/vote.xpd?vote=s2011-213\">Senator Feinstein<\/a> that would have clarified that mandatory military detention would apply only to terrorist suspects captured outside the United States. \u00a0This amendment also failed by a vote of 45-55.<\/p>\nI have now agreed to be a co-sponsor of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.opencongress.org\/bill\/110-s2003\/show\">S.2003<\/a>, the Due Process Guarantee Act. \u00a0This important bipartisan legislation would protect American citizens arrested within the United States from being held indefinitely by the U.S. military.<\/p>\nI strongly oppose any expansion of military detention authority that erodes our civil liberties. \u00a0However, I voted for the National Defense Authorization Act because it includes a number of provisions for our troops and their families, including a pay raise requested by President Obama and important health care benefits.<\/p>\nAgain, thank you for writing. \u00a0Please feel free to contact me again about this or other issues of concern to you.<\/p>\nSincerely,<\/p>\nBarbara Boxer\nUnited States Senator<\/p>\nI really do appreciate Senator Boxer's attempt at correcting this assault on our civil liberties, yet I am still\u00a0disappointed\u00a0she approved it by voting Yes<\/strong>.\n\nIt is obvious our military needs services and pay. \u00a0However, by allowing these provisions to pass in the Senate and the House, she effectively undermines everything they have fought and continue to fight for. \u00a0It is the same as offering\u00a0a soldier gold to take down the banner they revere and carry into battle. \u00a0In a way HR 1540 is an indirect form of dirty money.\n\nBoxer may be on track for correcting the issue, but it is unconciousable to vote Yes on something so wrong and unconstitutional with only the hope of correcting it later. \u00a0As everyone knows, once one gives up even a little bit of liberty, it is near impossible to get it back.\n\nSenators in minority have a duty to stand ground by refusing any bill that degrades our individual civil rights. \u00a0In this case the troops will have to wait on some services and opponents can lambast the minority with emotional arguments about not helping soldiers. \u00a0But, at least a\u00a0dissenting\u00a0Senator can hold those nasty parts of the bill high and point the blame right back.\n\nIn short, this is the difference between a Statesman and a Senator. \u00a0Who will protect what makes America America if our leaders won't?\n\nWho got us into this mess? \u00a0Ask\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.votesmart.org\/candidate\/26755\/howard-mckeon\">Howard P. 'Buck' McKeon (CA - R)<\/a> and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.votesmart.org\/candidate\/845\/adam-smith\">Adam Smith (WA - D)<\/a>.\n\nread the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.8bitrobot.com\/2011\/12\/21\/letter-to-congress-ndaa-hr-1540\/\">original message<\/a> to Senator Boxer, Senator Feinstein, and Rep. Pelosi.<\/em>\n\n "}}

title_6

{"item":{"status":"visible","url":"\/2011\/12\/22\/diy-how-to-swaddle-a-baby\/","trash":"","name":"diy-how-to-swaddle-a-baby","parent":"","title":"DIY: How to swaddle a baby","date":"2011-12-22 11:25:53","filepath":"posts\/2000968_diy-how-to-swaddle-a-baby.xml.json","type":"post","content":"Relevant.\n<iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/W4SnaQ1DVJM\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\nvia <a href=\"http:\/\/boingboing.net\/2011\/12\/21\/how-to-wrap-a-baby-in-swaddli.html\">boingboing.net<\/a><\/em><\/p>"}}

title_7

{"item":{"status":"visible","url":"\/2011\/12\/21\/libgdx-multiple-stages\/","trash":"","name":"libgdx-multiple-stages","parent":"","title":"Libgdx: Creating multiple Stages degrades performace","date":"2011-12-21 11:16:07","filepath":"posts\/2000961_libgdx-multiple-stages.xml.json","type":"post","content":"While working on a game using the ever wonderful <a href=\"http:\/\/libgdx.badlogicgames.com\/\">libgdx<\/a>, I noticed slow performance when I was using two different <a href=\"http:\/\/libgdx.l33tlabs.org\/docs\/api\/com\/badlogic\/gdx\/scenes\/scene2d\/Stage.html\">Stages<\/a>. \u00a0One stage was the game HUD and the other served as a poorman's dialog.\n\nI didn't notice the choppy\u00a0performance\u00a0hiccups until after I called draw on the second stage then returned back to the original HUD stage.\n\nI had something like the following (WARNING:<\/strong> pseudocode):\n<code>\nStage hud = new Stage();\nStage dlg = new Stage();\n...\nhud.addActor(widget1);\nhud.addActor(widget2);\ndlg.addActor(widget3);\n...\nvoid render() {\n  if (show == HUD) {\n    hud.draw();\n  } else {\n    dlg.draw();\n  }\n}\n<\/code><\/p>\nAfter seeing the problem, I had a suspicion the performance degrades when swapping between Stages and I still am not sure why it does so. \u00a0At any rate, I fixed the problem by using only one<\/strong> Stage then adding and removing <a href=\"http:\/\/libgdx.l33tlabs.org\/docs\/api\/com\/badlogic\/gdx\/scenes\/scene2d\/Actor.html\">Actors<\/a> when needed.\n\nSo, the code ended up something like this:\n\n<code>\nStage ui = new Stage();\nVector<Actor> hud = new Vector<Actor>();\nhud.add(widget1);\nhud.add(widget2);\nVector<Actor> dlg = new Vector<Actor>();\ndlg.add(widget3);\n...\n\n\/\/ Call show() when you want to switch context\nvoid show(what) {\n  ui.clear();\n  Vector<Actor> widges = hud;\n  if (what == DLG) {\n    widges = dlg;\n  }\n  Iterator iter = widges.iterator();\n  while (iter.hasNext()) {\n    ui.addActor(iter.next());\n  }\n}\n\nvoid render() {\n  ui.draw();\n}\n<\/code>\n\nThat cleared up my performance trouble.\n\nFind out more about libgdx at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.badlogicgames.com\">Badlogic Games<\/a><\/em>"}}

title_8

{"item":{"status":"visible","url":"\/2011\/12\/21\/letter-to-congress-ndaa-hr-1540\/","trash":"","name":"letter-to-congress-ndaa-hr-1540","parent":"","title":"Letter to Congress: NDAA - HR 1540 (Updated)","date":"2011-12-21 10:28:50","filepath":"posts\/2000965_letter-to-congress-ndaa-hr-1540.xml.json","type":"post","content":"<img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-802\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;\" title=\"congress\" src=\"http:\/\/www.8bitrobot.com\/media\/uploads\/2011\/11\/congress.png\" alt=\"congress\" width=\"127\" height=\"68\" \/>Updated: <\/strong>Senator Boxer sent a very quick and sincere reply to this message. \u00a0You can\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.8bitrobot.com\/2011\/12\/22\/boxers-response-to-ndaa\/\">read it here<\/a>.\n\nNDAA (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.votesmart.org\/bill\/14203\/37467\/national-defense-authorization-act-for-fiscal-year-2012\">HR 1540<\/a>) has some provisions slipped inside which give the government the power to detain American citizens without due process indefinitely. \u00a0There is no requirement of proof or any validation for the reason of detainment. \u00a0It is solely up to the\u00a0discretion\u00a0of the US Government.\n\nI sent this (or a slightly different\/tailored version) to Boxer, Feinstein, and Pelosi.\n<blockquote>You are a Senator, right? \u00a0You understand the importance of our nation and what defines it, right? \u00a0You took an oath, right?\n\nHow can you vote Yes on a bill that has provisions which give the President\/Government the power to detain its citizenry without Due Process?\n\nWhat country are we in? \u00a0This is America and you voting for HR 1540 clearly indicates you care very little for the fundamental rights we cherish.\n\nYou, Feinstein, Pelosi, Obama, anyone associated with the GOP are one massive let down after another.\n\nYou have no idea how it feels to have leadership that does not have the general welfare of its people in mind. \u00a0It's like talking to a wall.\n\nSince when did the US government get beyond the reach of the people? \u00a0There is no one to turn to; no alternative. \u00a0Everyone in office is the same, detrimental.\n\nThese are harsh words, but my intention is to help you realize what you are doing to our rights and liberties. \u00a0Senator Boxer, you have made some strong decisions and stood up for civil rights in the past (Telecom immunity and Net Neutrality), but you have also made just as many bad decisions. \u00a0It is perplexing.\n\nIt appears you may need to adjust your tack, even if it means heading against the wind. \u00a0Don't betray us, even if it is politically easier for you to do so.\n\nI'll close this message with the following quote.\n\n\"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.\"<\/blockquote>\nRecall the fabled question of \"When does an apple cease to be an apple?\" \u00a0Is it after the first bite? the second? \u00a0Once all the fruit is eaten away, you realize you have only the core.\n\nWhile we keep whittling away our civil rights, liberties, and freedoms, when does America cease to be America?\n\nAmerica was founded on the principle of \"For the people; by the people.\" \u00a0When our government stops protecting the rights that in turn protect us, it is no longer American.<\/strong>\n\nmore info on NDAA and its ramifications at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ibtimes.com\/articles\/269456\/20111219\/ndaa-2012-spirit-u-s-human-rights.htm\">International Business Times<\/a> and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/motherjones.com\/politics\/2011\/12\/did-congress-just-endorse-rendition-americans\">Mother Jones<\/a>.<\/em>\n\nsee how your <a href=\"http:\/\/www.votesmart.org\/bill\/14203\/37467\/national-defense-authorization-act-for-fiscal-year-2012\">congressman voted<\/a> on NDAA<\/em>"}}

title_9

{"item":{"status":"visible","url":"\/2011\/12\/20\/garbage-day\/","trash":"","name":"garbage-day","parent":"","title":"Garbage day","date":"2011-12-20 11:30:38","filepath":"posts\/2000907_garbage-day.xml.json","type":"post","content":"<iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oOpgdGrpqn0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>"}}