U.S. Offical who resigned over Afghan War- Matthew Hoh

This is Awesome.  You don't have to agree with the guy, but let's look at this.  He served as a Marine Captain in Iraq (and claims he enjoyed hearing about his unit "whacking a bunch of Iraqis") and now is the (former) Senior Civilian Representative for the U.S. Government in Zabul Province, Afghanistan.  His reasons- the people we're fighting don't want -anyone- else to be there, not even other Afghanis.  Nevermind the US who supports a "corrupt local government" (his words).  Also, this is a civil war that's at least 35 years old (see "Charlie Wilson's War for the Hollywoodized fict-history of the Russo-Afghan conflicts in the 80s).  I think you can hear his big brass 'uns clacking as he walks down the hall.    This story is all over the place right now.  BadassesWithMoustaches is cutting-freaking-edge on this story, but check someplace else for developments because I'm too busy/lazy to update this all that often.   Here's his 4 page resignation letter: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/hp/ssi/wpc/ResignationLetter.pdf?sid=ST2009102603447

Paul Haggis- "Crash" Director

http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.ap.org/crash39-director-paul-haggis-quits-scientology-ap I wasn't a huge fan of "Crash."  I thught it was a little schmaltzy and simplistic- so that's not why this guy gets a badass stamp of approval today.  Homeslice quit Scientology (sure, I'll capitalize it) which is, I hope, a sign of things to come for the "church" that isn't.  But more than that his reason for quitting: Scientology's stance against gay marriage.  Now it would have been awesome if he just said, "well, after 35 years I realized this was bullshit" but it may be better that he said (I paraphrase), "I can't sit idly by and let you guys consent to discrimination against gay people... it's especially hypocritical, because this town is known as a Mecca for gays, and my two sound guys have been together since before I started making movies."  So, no more Scientolo because of gay rights, plus a little face stubble in the pic equals the badass stamp of approval.

Abe Lincoln

No I didn't say "Hey Blinkin." It's Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president. He was born in a log cabin, but he didn't build it himself despite rumors to the contrary. He's on the $5 bill and the penny. He wouldn't let the Confederates take federal property (Fort Sumter) so they decided to start the Civil War. Then he emancipated slaves who were still in the South (which is to say the first declaration was kinda meaningless and shifted the focus for most people onto the issue of slavery instead of states' rights). He did manage to save the Union (with a little help from Grant and Sherman and a few hundred thousand soldiers) and was killed the same week that Lee surrendered.


Interesting trivia: was acutely aware of how goofy he looked, especially at 6'4 and wirey as a pipe cleaner. Is said to have had a high pitched voice. Was socially inept and was prone to telling off color jokes while amongst polite society (awesome). He is said to have enjoyed watching wrestling. He completed the equivalent of a 9th century online degree- he was mostly self taught and became a lawyer. We get a day off from work and school to commemorate his birthday.

Verdict: 100% badass.

Jonathan Coulton

I'm not sure I'm ready to commit to entertainers being badasses, but I'm going to make an exception in this case. Jonathan Coulton has become a nerd icon with his "Thing a Week" compilations which include "First of May" (Rated "R") a rousing rendition of "Baby Got Back" and "Code Monkey." He'll be rocking Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) again this year and yours truly sincerely hopes for "Still Alive" the end credits theme for Valve's game "Portal." How can you not like a song about science, cake and guns sung by a deranged mainframe?

Pens fan crashes Stanley Cup Celebration...

First- go Pens.  I started watching when Jagr was dropping straight pwnage with that ridiculous mullet and FOX was trying comet trails on slapshots.   Second- my new hero, read the full story here: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/How-a-Penguins-fan-crashed-the-Stanley-Cup-party?urn=nhl,180369   From the Daily News, here's how Kraft maneuvered down from the stands to the ice, in his own words: "So I go over in position where a family member might be, and after about 15 minutes, (defenseman) Philippe Boucher(notes) skates over and points to the guy in front of me. When that guy raises his hand, I raise mine. The security guard sees both of us, opens the door and everyone just assumes I'm a relative. "Once on the ice, it's open season. I have access to the tunnel back to the locker room and it's just a big celebration - players everywhere, hanging out, playing music and spraying champagne. "A couple players pick me up and swing me around. I'm spraying a bottle of champagne. Amazing."    Amazing, indeed.

Nicola Tesla

Intel claims to have "invented" over the air electricity... suck it bitches, this crazy Croat had that going on while your grandpappy was still in diapers. Plus he was played by David Bowie in "The Prestige" so how effing cool does that make him? So happy birthday to another misunderstood genius. If only they had the math you needed to make the world believe.

Billy Mays

No, I'm not a sap. This guy was a badass and his show Pitchmen really showed that he enjoyed what he did and that helping people made him happy. Not my cup o' tea (making people happy), but I give him crazy props. He should have been up here sooner, but I've been slacking on this blog... you'll be ok.

EDIT: Oh nose! Coroner's report says the Colombian Cola was a contributing factor in his passing. Stay off the blow, kids.

2nd Edit: the family had a separate autopsy performed and their guy says coke wasn't a factor... I still advocate avoidance.