Characterization and Context

 Had the kind of day where it felt like I was putting out a fire and somebody helpfully gave me a hose filled with gasoline.

Anyway, since I am out of ideas in general at present (or rather, out of energy to turn ideas into anything solid), here's some compare/contrast of FE3 vs FE11 to illuminate why I like one of the most despised games in Fire Emblem.  This has nothing to do with sprites, battle animations, unique color schemes, reclassing, dismounting, or stats.  It has to do with characterization, something else people found lacking in FE11.

( In which I bang on about my favorite FE game... )

Anyway, I know that one's reaction to a game does depend heavily on frame of reference and expectations, but I really shouldn't feel so... apologetic... in liking FE11 or its hero.  The remake took something I liked and improved upon it in ways that clicked with me (mostly in characterization).  And I still like FE11!Marth-- depressive, poetic, snarky, nerdy, and intermittently vengeful-- better than any other Lord of my acquaintance. 

Also, raphien ?  I'm 99% convinced of your Theory of Ephraim now, right down to shoving away Tana as a deliberate act.  Too damned many coincidences on display here.  Too many.

Also

 With regards to the Westboro Baptist Church verdict:

I have seen a great deal of bitchin' and moanin' from all sides of the political spectrum, from whining about a "liberal pinko kommie" Supreme Court (Justices Scalia, Roberts, and Thomas are surprised to hear they are now "liberals") to complaints that people should protest outside Justice Roberts's house and see how well he likes it.  I saw complaints about how "common sense and decency" should have taken precedence over the First Amendment and how a group that "isn't really a church" shouldn't be protected.

All of these people are missing the point.  Freedom of speech is freedom of speech, and "common sense and decency" don't come into it when you're already standing in your little designated protest area waving a sign.  Standards for common sense and decency evolve, but you will always have the right to take up a placard and proclaim yourself an asshole.  If all the Constitution did was protect the speech that the Silent Majority wanted to hear, then we'd all be in trouble.  

And beware of the desire to silence people because they're not "real" Christians and their "church" is really a cult.  The church you save thereby may be your own.

PS: I like how centrist and left-wing bloggers frame the Westboro nutters as "anti-gay" while right-wingers frame them as "anti-war." Hint: one of these themes is FAR more dominant in Westboro's escapades than the other.  Disingenuous skunks.