tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post1391506695537065595..comments2023-05-12T05:10:20.941-04:00Comments on Raven Crowking's Nest: Interview with Venger Satanisravencrowkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-813980468793518262020-01-27T14:24:09.752-05:002020-01-27T14:24:09.752-05:00Welcome!
Welcome!<br />ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-82215633217566891012019-11-11T08:31:10.232-05:002019-11-11T08:31:10.232-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Blucherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07884756297191632350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-23696674537737041552019-11-07T11:47:35.948-05:002019-11-07T11:47:35.948-05:00I had to really think about whether or not to let ...I had to really think about whether or not to let this comment through, or just mark it as spam. It comes across as an anonymous hit against the author rather than against the product. Really, if you have a specific and honest review of the product, I am all for hearing about it. This, though? It tells more about the writer than the intended target.<br /><br />Really, I get it. Venger is to the Right of most of us, and hasn't really thought his political opinions out to the degree that some of us have. Okay. The whole point of talking about these things is to give people the opportunity to re-evaluate what they believe. <br /><br />But that doesn't mean that it is okay to attack him with the most rudimentary ad hominem possible. I don't want any part of that sort of bullshit.<br /><br />TL;DR: If you are going to post, post honestly and respect the forum if not the individuals.ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-6961531577922491612019-11-05T14:42:33.014-05:002019-11-05T14:42:33.014-05:00Cha'alt is derivative drool and isn't wort...Cha'alt is derivative drool and isn't worth pursuing. Dull, tired and pathetic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-15759875002611559612019-09-22T10:19:32.997-04:002019-09-22T10:19:32.997-04:00It should also be noted that, if statistical data ...It should also be noted that, if statistical data is being skewed, alternative data, or alternative rational interpretations of that statistical data, should exist.<br /><br />An argument that says "Don't look at the data" is not the same thing.ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-80847302876912268632019-09-22T10:17:50.111-04:002019-09-22T10:17:50.111-04:00Cost, outcome, and WHO ranking on healthcare syste...Cost, outcome, and WHO ranking on healthcare systems can, indeed, be skewed based on one's interpretation. You seem determined to do so. <br /><br />But these things are pretty basic. You either prefer evidence-based reasoning or you do not.ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-52611405529056789432019-09-22T08:34:17.205-04:002019-09-22T08:34:17.205-04:00Statistical data can be skewed via one's inter...Statistical data can be skewed via one's interpretation, that was my point. Venger Satanishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04447932700800930510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-84440802922618591672019-09-22T08:32:11.674-04:002019-09-22T08:32:11.674-04:00Thank you, MARS! If you or anyone else would like ...Thank you, MARS! If you or anyone else would like to do a Q&A, simply get in touch. Cha'alt is receiving high praise from all quarters, and I'm excited to talk about it. Venger Satanishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04447932700800930510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-79629736856270914622019-09-19T19:54:00.028-04:002019-09-19T19:54:00.028-04:00If a person couldn't be to the Right of me wit...If a person couldn't be to the Right of me without being a Nazi, I would be surrounded by Nazis. <br /><br />Believe me, the politics discussion was not acrimonious....and recent events regarding a certain podcast made me feel that it was important to include. ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-68722664632127487242019-09-19T16:44:05.109-04:002019-09-19T16:44:05.109-04:00After mutually acknowledging this was probably not...After mutually acknowledging this was probably not the ideal forum in which to engage in debate over social/economic/political issues; well, I think the DC was just too darned high and some failed rolls occurred. Soooooo....Gaming anyone?<br />In all seriousness; I am a huge fan of both you gents, and was really looking forward to more insight into your processes regarding design and where you feel your work lands in the current RPG landscape. I've played in a few of Daniel's DCC games, and have chatted with Venger via email & in person at GaryCon and have found you both to be interesting people who both possess that rare endangered species called INFORMED opinions regarding Gaming. Best- MARSDoomsayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614608297816909272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-8533162046114066352019-09-17T15:28:29.830-04:002019-09-17T15:28:29.830-04:00Yes, Obamacare mandated that you must purchase ins...Yes, Obamacare mandated that you must purchase insurance or suffer penalties. Frankly, I can see why people disliked it. <br /><br />But in order to have healthcare, you need to be able to actually use it. After you have paid your premiums and co-pays, if your insurance approves you, you have coverage. Otherwise, even if you have insurance, you do not. The US is, after all, the country where people die because they cannot afford insulin.<br /><br />So, before we go further down this road, are you really going to tell me that you believe that the ACA was a success? That Obamacare gave the majority of Americans ACTUAL coverage rather than an illusion thereof? <br /><br />Because that is something I once believed, until the weight of evidence demanded that I change my mind.ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-53861907954442980342019-09-17T15:20:56.928-04:002019-09-17T15:20:56.928-04:00So, no, you didn't "do that, too". B...So, no, you didn't "do that, too". But you are welcome to try again!<br />ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-60834982544200054112019-09-17T15:19:46.516-04:002019-09-17T15:19:46.516-04:00Yes...I directed you toward actual statistical dat...Yes...I directed you toward actual statistical data, and you direct me toward opinions as to why that data should be ignored.<br /><br />If you can point to *actual data* that shows I am wrong, that would be fantastic.<br />ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-30036809382253110202019-09-17T15:18:27.714-04:002019-09-17T15:18:27.714-04:00"Some Americans have healthcare"...?
Du..."Some Americans have healthcare"...?<br /><br />During the year 2016, 91.2% of Americans had health insurance coverage, according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_insurance_coverage_in_the_United_States<br /><br />That's what I would call the vast majority.<br /><br />Venger Satanishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04447932700800930510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-76668367549423723982019-09-17T15:15:52.496-04:002019-09-17T15:15:52.496-04:00Yeah, I can do that, too...
https://www.businessi...Yeah, I can do that, too...<br /><br />https://www.businessinsider.com/10-reasons-why-the-us-health-care-system-is-the-envy-of-the-world-2010-3<br /><br />https://www.nationalreview.com/2017/04/american-health-care-system-has-good-results-high-expenses/<br /><br />https://business.financialpost.com/opinion/william-watson-why-canadas-best-health-care-system-just-got-ranked-last-again<br /><br />https://www.city-journal.org/html/ugly-truth-about-canadian-health-care-13032.html<br /><br />And last but not least, Steven Crowder's rebuttal to the Jeff Daniels TV series The Newsroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=qOhDFCcmgvY<br /><br /> Venger Satanishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04447932700800930510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-80864843489936464142019-09-16T16:38:39.352-04:002019-09-16T16:38:39.352-04:00Anerican media tends to portray the US as a place ...Anerican media tends to portray the US as a place people go to for "medical vacations".<br /><br />In fact, more Americans leave the country for procedures than people come to the US for the same.<br /><br />https://www.cdc.gov/features/medicaltourism/index.html<br /><br />https://www.statista.com/statistics/890134/top-medical-tourism-countries-by-industry-index/<br /><br />https://patientsbeyondborders.com/medical-tourism-statistics-facts<br /><br />(This last one lists top destinations as "Costa Rica, India, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United States").<br /><br />But the best info is here:<br /><br />https://medicaltourism.com/Forms/facts-statistics.aspx<br /><br /><br />ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-39341380135393975352019-09-16T16:31:05.663-04:002019-09-16T16:31:05.663-04:00On the healthcare front, fear of losing what you h...On the healthcare front, fear of losing what you have makes it much, much harder to gain something much, much better.<br /><br />And this shouldn't be surprising, millions of dollars are spent on advertising to make you feel this way. Given that over 90% of American media is owned by six corporations, all of which are owned by people with a vested interest in the status quo, it should hardly be surprising that the media also works to (1) prevent you from understanding, and (2) ensure that you fear the alternative.<br /><br />But the World Health Organization isn't just making things up. And statistics about life expectancy, happiness, and quality of life are not simply invented from whole cloth. Other nations get stuff you do not, simply because people who already own half your country would like to own a bit more.<br /><br />Money is like blood. When it circulates things go well. When half of it pools in a very small part of the body (yours or the national body), things don't go nearly so well. <br /><br />I guarantee you that, in Canada, I have more choice - more Freedom - in terms of my medical care than you do. I can go to any doctor I want; my insurance doesn't give me a list to choose from. I don't have to check my bank balance before I go. Nor do I ever need worry that a medical condition might cause me to go bankrupt.<br /><br />https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/643000-bankruptcies-in-the-u-s-every-year-due-to-medical-bills/<br /><br />On top of that, on average, I get to live longer than if I lived in the States.ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-52577378483567146602019-09-16T15:52:25.078-04:002019-09-16T15:52:25.078-04:00Simply put, the data shows that procedures in the ...Simply put, the data shows that procedures in the US are generally NOT "fast and performed by the best doctors with cutting-edge medical technology." You are thinking of France or Italy, perhaps?<br /><br />The good news is that you can fly to France, stay at a nice hotel for a week, get a procedure done, and then fly home. Depending on the procedure, you may even save a significant amount of money!<br />ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-83442711654616432642019-09-16T15:47:57.771-04:002019-09-16T15:47:57.771-04:00That's one way of looking at it. Another is th...That's one way of looking at it. Another is that it isn't antisemitic to criticize Israel's government, just as it is not Islamophobic to criticize Saudi Arabia. Both countries are engaged in genocide, which we should not be supporting. <br /><br />But, either way, you are still paying for others to have things you do not.<br /><br />And, just to be clear, both Israel and Saudi Arabia have a better healthcare system than the US does. At least you're better than Slovenia.<br /><br />http://thepatientfactor.com/canadian-health-care-information/world-health-organizations-ranking-of-the-worlds-health-systems/ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-85790366806765642222019-09-16T15:31:35.863-04:002019-09-16T15:31:35.863-04:00It was kind of a joke, but I was also trying to ma...It was kind of a joke, but I was also trying to make the point that Israel is surrounded by Muslims who are hostile to its very existence. Obviously, Israel's population is mostly Jewish. There are quite a few on the left who propose the BDS movement (boycott, divest from, and sanction), which is nothing short of antisemitism. <br /><br />I trust that you aren't name-calling Israel in the same spirit of Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and similar Democrats. Israel is the only Democracy in the Middle East, which is one of the reasons why the US supports that allied country. <br /><br />Venger Satanishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04447932700800930510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-21393013161777588872019-09-16T14:26:27.051-04:002019-09-16T14:26:27.051-04:00That has to be a joke. :(
I really had to wrestle...That has to be a joke. :(<br /><br />I really had to wrestle with whether or not to simply delete the comment.<br /><br />First off, Israel is not a Muslim nation.<br /><br />Second off, the situations are not remotely related. The US gives more money to Israel every year than Israel spends in its universal healthcare system. You are literally paying for them to have health care.<br /><br />The Muslim ban (Obama's and Trump's) targets specific persons, on the basis of religion, and denies them entry to the country. <br /><br />If I was suggesting that the US pay for every other foreign nation EXCEPT Israel, you would have a point. But, of course, in that case my argument about paying for others to have things you do not have would be even stronger.ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-81531346961294788742019-09-16T14:00:33.191-04:002019-09-16T14:00:33.191-04:00Israel healthcare... are you suggesting some kind ...Israel healthcare... are you suggesting some kind of Muslim ban?<br />Venger Satanishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04447932700800930510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-55445723373707096682019-09-16T12:28:56.427-04:002019-09-16T12:28:56.427-04:00/Some/ Americans have healthcare.
A thorough exam.../Some/ Americans have healthcare.<br /><br />A thorough examination of healthcare is not only beyond the scope of a gaming blog, but it is far beyond the scope of the /comments section/ of a gaming blog.<br /><br />At the end of the day, though, regardless of what issues are at play, you can look at things like doctors per capita, average outcomes for the same conditions, and even average lifespan to determine whether or not a system is better. And the current US system is worse than the US system when I was born (Upper Peninsula Michigan). It is also far more expensive.<br /><br />For example, not only does Israel have universal healthcare, but their outcomes are better than yours, and you pay for it. The US gives more to Israel than the cost of their healthcare system. You are literally subsidizing a benefit for others that you do not have yourself.ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-33570165767987150622019-09-16T12:18:03.504-04:002019-09-16T12:18:03.504-04:00There are a lot of factors going into healthcare. ...There are a lot of factors going into healthcare. If we want to have a debate on healthcare services and costs vs. benefits throughout the world, we can do that. But this is primarily a gaming blog, so that's why I'm not going to drop pages and pages of information with links, testimonials, corroborating evidence, etc. Suffice it to say that population, taxes, wait times, supplementary insurance, and other issues are at play.<br /><br />Since America DOES have healthcare, your repeated "American exceptionalism" comment doesn't make sense. Venger Satanishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04447932700800930510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801483473113363785.post-25875478187856068232019-09-16T12:01:37.839-04:002019-09-16T12:01:37.839-04:00(If you were here in Toronto, you would probably h...(If you were here in Toronto, you would probably have taken your daughter to Sick Kids Hospital, which is a 5 minute walk from where I am sitting right now. My second child had difficulties at birth and was taken there for over a week. My nephew beat leukemia with their help. I feel for your anguish, but I would rather you and yours had healthcare where you didn't have to go into debt to save your daughter's life. And, if you are privileged enough to be avoid going into debt over medical/drug costs, then I wish that on everyone else as well. American exceptionalism isn't supposed to mean that everyone except America can have health care.)ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.com