CBS 60 Minutes: Swine Flu shots scandal – 1976

The world apparently on the threshold of a Swine Flu pandemic. Millions could be at risk. No one is safe. Governments positioning themselves for mass enforced vaccination programs. Ever get that hit of “I’m sure I’ve been here before”?

You should do, at least in the U.S.

You have been here before. Except last time, one person died, a handful of unconfirmed cases were noted around the world, and the U.S. government forced millions to take enforced flu shots.  

Oh, and one other difference – that time, the CDC was fully aware that that particular strain of the vaccine had not been tested as safe for humans and could lead to severe neurological disorders, paralysis, and even death. Thing is, they kinda forgot to mention this to the 46 million people that were forced to take the shot.

The above CBS 60 minutes film was broadcast once in 1976, and then never seen again. Until now, when it has ben unearthed. It’s quite satisfying to watch the former head of the CDC squirming when he denies ever being told of the risks, only to then be confronted with one of his staffers stating “well, actually, you knew because I told you so.” Fucker.

So, when the government tells you that you must take the shot to stave off the risk of death, make your own decision. But remember this and my earlier posts. And don’t think for one minute that your government isn’t capable of putting your life at risk by feeding you with propaganda and not quite giving you the full picture.

Me? I think I’ll pass and take my chances.

Facebook readers click here for the video.

Giant Bomb launches iphone app.

Giant Bomb - fucking awesome game site. They’ve just launched their iphone app that allows you to follow their articles and watch their videos (Persona 4 Endurance Run, anyone??) on your iphone. And this has to be one of the funniest videos I have seen from a game site an a hell of a long time. Do not drink milk whilst watching.

 Watch this, then go join the community over there. You won’t regret it.

Facebook users click here to see the video.

New Avoid Spikes comic now online!

Some things just need to be done for the betterment of all, and putting an end to Sega’s increasingly sad and depserate attempts to re-invigorate the Sonic franchise os one of them.

Dudes…you crossed the line of feasability with the godawful animated series. Anything after that is just pissing in your own beer.

Sonic is no Link, no Mario, no Master Chief. Fucking let it go already.

See this week’s crushing denouement right here.

Awesome webcammage: Sour ‘日々の音色’

Those loveable, crazy Japanese. If it weren’t for the national disdain for first-person shooters, I would want to be Japanese. They’re awesome. This video is but more proof of such.

The song is titled “Hibi no Neiro” (Tone of Everyday) and is utterly charming.

New Avoid Spikes comic now online!

So, I thought it was time to bring some new characters into the strip. This is Norbert Dentressangle. He’s not a geek, he’s a nerd. Hopefully he will appear from time to time and introduce some good geek vs.nerd material to the strip.

Catch a faceful of this week’s strip right here: BAM! And there it is.

UN and WHO accused of bioterrorism and intent to commit mass murder

Austrian investigative journalist Jane Burgemeister has filed charges with the FBI against the WHO and the UN, high-ranking world government officials and corporate heads, warning that a co-operative effort between government and pharma companies will lead to the greatest crime in the history of humanity.  Details after the jump.

Why so Serious? Sam to hit Xbox Live

Remember the big old black behemoth that was the original Xbox? Remember the old Duke controller that was large enough to have its own gravitational field?  Ah, those halcyon days.

One of the best…no, wait, funnest games in those days was Serious Sam. A totally silly, balls-to-the-wall no-story pure arcade action FPS. No overarching theme (really), just guns and endless waves of insanely bizarre enemies. If you fondly remember the game, read some awesome news after the jump!

The Geek Test

So, I think of myself as a geek, not at all a nerd, and (I would hope) never, ever a dork.

But after some conversations at work I was asked to define the differences between geeks and nerds. Was one good, one bad? Why? What is the difference? And how does someone know if they are a geek? And how geeky are they?

Nixon’s failed Apollo moon landing speech

So, we all know that the Apollo astonauts landed on the Moon and did their astronauty stuff there (playing golf, pulling donuts in the car, singing, all very pioneering).

Unless you are some half-witted tinfoiler who is convinced it was all complete fakery (despite fucktons of hard, physical, scientific and reprodcible evidence to the contrary), you’ll know that the Moon landings were, one of mankind’s greatest,  if not the greatest, achievements.

But when you look at the seat-of-your-pants technology involved, it’s a miracle the astronauts got there at all. The whole world watched in anticipation and prayer as the mission neared its goal. But even the powers that be knew that, should it have all gone horribly wrong the consequences would be felt the world over.  So much so that, should the worst have happened, President Richard Nixon would have delivered a very moving speech. Find out what that would have been right after the jump.

Geek time!

It’s geek-out time here again at dogsounds towers, and here are two little treats for your inner geek. Remember, the laws of physics cause geeks and nerds to repel, so nerds need not apply. Jump right in after the…uh…jump.

No new Avoid Spikes this weekend, or next

So, there’ll be no ‘Avoid Spikes’ this weekend. A thoroughly enjoyable (and utterly knackering) paintball day yesterday and personal commitments today mean there isn’t time. And I took a paintball to the thumb of all places  - the thumb -  which means drawing is not too easy at the moment. I also took a very painful shot to the neck that left me with a rather embarrassing bruise, which, if I wasn’t the charming and aloof batchelor that I am, would have raised some very diffcult questions…

I’ll try and get one drawn up during the week sometime if I can. And a heads-up, I’m away next weekend so same sitch there I am afraid. Normal service should be resumed in a couple of weeks.

See you on the other side!

Why do you play?

Or, more precisely, what are games to you? What niche in your life do they fill? Feel free to post your story and tell everyone how you got to where you are today.

For some, they are a simple distraction. For others, the main focal point of their life, their animus, the thing that drives them and defines who they are. For me? well, I’m probably most from the former, and a little bit of the latter. In terms of playing games, I’m probably fairly casual. They are a pastime, something to relieve boredom or stress. A way to work out the tensions of a crappy day at work, or the tensions and strains of everyday life. But, to a certain degree I would say that I have a passion for games. Not all my life, and not so much that I will put everything else on hold. But enough to keep me watching what is happening in the world of video games, and anticipating the next game with baited breath.

But why? Find out after the jump.

dogsounds reviews: Fallout 3

So, here we are again, another dogsounds reviews: is upon us. Being a part-time gamer (and not sitting on a huge pile of cash Scrooge McDuck-style) I have to pick and choose the games I buy, so it’s not often you’ll get a bad review from me.

But, to the chase. I have spent a pleasant few weeks wandering the Capital Wastelands, one man and his dog, and although I am still wandering and nowhere near fully complete I felt that I have experienced enough to offer a fully-fleshed review. In fact, there is so much to this game that there is no way that anyone who has reviewed it has come close to complete, if there is such a thing. So, how does the game stack up? Find out after the jump!

New Avoid Spikes comic now online!

So, here we are again, Apologies for the total lack of a follow-up pair of entries for the Ninetndo and Sony E3 press-conferences – no deliberate action on my part, a completely fucked broadband connection means I wasn’t able to upload anything. Ah well Let’s just say that Sony did OK, some good games, but they spent too much time going on about sales and the PS2 – which no-one actually gives a fuck about anymore. And Nintendo…well, what a waste of time that was. Somehow, only having a few games to show off, and these being cutting-edge for FIVE YEARS AGO is not a good strategy.

And the Vitality Sensor? What. The. Fuck?

Anyway, to this week’s strip. For everything there is always a first time. See this week’s strip for the first time right here.

E3 2009: Microsoft E3 press conference missing only fluffy kittens

So, it’s E3 time. Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo square up against each other to wow us with what is to come. In reality of course, it’s simply a big dick-waving session. But we win in the end.

Today sees Microsoft’s press briefing. Microsoft always try to make a big splash, and from what they have shown today they have done a pretty damn good job. It’s hard to imagine how Sony can better this. And Nintendo? Well, there’s no real point them turning up.

What did they announce? Find out after the jump!

New Avoid Spikes comic now online!

Yes, I know I have used this image on the left before, but this week’s strip is a single-panel affair, so I can’t make a teaser image out of it.

So my 360 died (another RROD on the back of a dodgy DVD drive) and I now have a spanky new Elite to replace it.

I thought perhaps I would be clear of future RRODs now that current motherboards have the Jasper confirguration – both the GPU and the CPU at 65nm, and cooler. But it looks like I have an earlier Falcon unit that has been sat around on the store shelf – so only the CPU is 65nm. Which sucks, seeing that it is the original hot ‘n’ spicy 90nm GPU overheating its motherboard and cracking the connections that causes the RROD.

I guess we will wait and see how long this one lasts, and then maybe I’ll get a Jasper. On the plus side, at least I have HDMI now, which looks sweet.  

Call 1-800 MYXBOX and we’ll send you a box and sticker so you can catch this week’s strip right here. 

New Avoid Spikes comic now online!

So, I am still waist-deep in the world of Fallout 3, and loving every minute. Even though a really poorly-timed glitch means I have to go back and play half the Operation Anchorage quest, which is awful. Arse.

Anyway, this week’s strip looks at one of the less-welcome possibilities of the technology in that game.  You may want to steel yourself. You have been warned.

Catch a rather disturbing eyeful of this week’s strip right here.

MP Anthony Steen: you’re a twat, shut the fuck up.

Who is this scary looking badger-face dude, I hear you ask?

Why, gentle reader,  this is Conservative MP Anthony Steen. Now, we don’t often take direct political sides here in dogsounds Towers, mostly because we lack the ability to defend our points in arguments because we suck at debate. But this guy, we are happy to say, is the kind of Tory scumbag that would make me never, ever, ever want to vote for that party. When I heard his tale earlier today, it drove me into a blind rage. Find out why he is the #1 arrogant, self-important and totally-out-of -touch-with-the-public clusterfuck in British politics right now. In my opinion.

New Avoid Spikes comic now online!

So, you can’t imagine the internal battle that raged in my GRATE BRANE to get the strip up today. Seriously, all I wanted to do was get up, get a coffee, do some natrual processes, and play Fallout 3. All day.

Hey, there’s people in the Capital Wastelands depending on me, man.

But, I have a three-day weekend this weekend, so I guess I still get two solid days to hang out in the future and shoot the extras from Mad Max. And I still  haven’t found Dogmeat yet (don’t tell me, I want the surprise).

Anyhoo, fire up your Pip-Boy, smoothskin, and catch this week’s strip right here, for only twenty bottlecaps or a pack of Mentats.  

“Don’t hit me!”

Star Trek: Who Pooed on Your Father?

Came across these films on my travels. Day Job Orchestra have re-dubbed some clips from Star Trek, by ingoring the original speech and going instead of what it looks  like the actors are saying. Fucking hilarious in spots.

Films after the jump. Facebook readers, click here to see the videos.