1BC Civ Forums / Off Topic Discussions / More Than a Game, Civ in Real Life

History Rocks!

Locus Coeruleus — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:05:03 GMT

I remember seeing this series on History Channel some time ago. This was one of my favourites:

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOgl87Ts5DU]History Rocks: Iran 1979[/url]

Geopolitics of the Southern Caucasus

Locus Coeruleus — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 23:40:50 GMT

An interesting read on a not-often considered part of the world. Granted it is seven years old (2000), and you may wish to consider the source, but there is some good, interesting information in there.

[url=http://meria.idc.ac.il/journal/2000/issue4/jv4n4a6.html]Armenia and the Middle East[/url]

[quote]Editor's Summary: The South Caucasus region--consisting of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia--can be said to be the new, northern extension of the Middle East. Armenia must maneuver between the rivalries and alliance systems of Iran, Russia, Turkey, and the United States to find a stable role in this new system. Local disputes and conflicting interests make this a difficult task. Yet the South Caucasus has become a more stable area than anyone might have expected. [/quote]

and it ends...

[quote]Armenia, long in a Russian sphere of influence, must maneuver among all these interests and rivalries in order to preserve its independence. For Armenia, the most urgent tasks are:

--To increase and develop the partnership with Georgia and closer relations with Israel, as potential allies who are not seeking sub-regional hegemony.

--To resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peacefully.

--To build normal relations with Turkey.

--To intensify cooperation with Russia, Iran, and the United States without being too dependent or influenced by any one of them.

One leading potential danger for Armenia is to lose its options by its gradual, forced drift toward an emerging axis of Russia and Iran, which sees itself competing with a U.S.-Turkey-Israeli bloc. Such an outcome would also damage Armenian relations with Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Still, Armenia's chances in pursuing its independent policy, despite certain limitations, are actually increasing. In international terms, the South Caucasian sub-region has been far more stable over recent years than might have been expected. Armenia's management of its foreign policy has been a key factor in that sub-regional balance.[/quote]

Seemingly still relevant today.

More information on Armenia:

[url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/am.html]CIA-The World Factbook: Armenia[/url]

[url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107292.html]InfoPlease-Armenia[/url]

Enjoy! ;)

Dave Matthews Does History

Locus Coeruleus — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:49:40 GMT

Here is a fun, arrogant little tune with historical themes to it. :)

It's nothing new, but non-the-less, a great song!

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMAnYUwIhk0]DMB: Don't Drink The Water[/url]

[b]Don't Drink the Water[/b]

Come out, come out, no use in hiding.
Come out, come out, can you not see
Theres no place here, what were you expecting?
No room for both, just room for me.
So you will lay your arms down,
Yes, I will call this home.
Away, away, you have been banished.
Your land is gone, and given to me.
And here I will spread my wings.
Yes, I will call this home.
Whats this you say, you feel a right to remain?
Then stay and I will bury you.
Whats that you say, your fathers spirit still lives in this place?
Well, I will silence you.
Heres the hitch, your horse is leaving.
Dont miss your boat, its leaving now.
And as you go I will spread my wings.
Yes, I will call this home.
I have no time to justify to you,
Fool, youre blind, move aside for me.
All I can say to you my new neighbor,
You must move on or I will bury you.
Now as I rest my feet by this fire
Those hands once warmed here, but I have retired them.
I can breathe my own air and I can sleep more soundly
Upon these poor souls,
Ill build heaven and call it home.
Cause youre all dead now.
I live with my justice
And I live with my greed in me
I live with no mercy
And I live with my frenzy feet
I live with my hatred
And I live with my jealousy
I live with the notion that I dont need anyone but me
Dont drink the water
Dont drink the water
Blood in the water
Dont drink the water

The Invisible Nation

Locus Coeruleus — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:31:11 GMT

[url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/09/books/09grim.html?_r=1&ref=world&oref=slogin]In Northern Iraq, the Kurds Find Success Amid Struggle[/url]

[quote]The script for Iraq was supposed to go like this: The dictator topples; the oppressed masses celebrate; democracy takes root; and the United States, showered with gratitude, embraces a new, pro-Western ally in the hostile Middle East.

That’s exactly what happened, Quil Lawrence argues in “Invisible Nation,” but you have to look north to see it, in the three Kurdish provinces of Iraq. “Americans now sit transfixed by their entanglement in the horrible civil war unfolding in Arab Iraq, but they scarcely notice that Iraqi Kurdistan is slowly realizing all of America’s stated goals for the region,” he writes.[/quote]

[quote]Quietly, and happy to be left alone, they have developed a semi-autonomous enclave that is pro-democracy, pro-American and even pro-Israel. It is Muslim but not theocratic. There is no insurgency, and no American soldiers have been killed there. Almost by accident, Mr. Lawrence writes, Iraqi Kurdistan has turned out to be “one of the most successful nation-building projects in American history.”[/quote]

[quote]He begins, sensibly enough, with a brief overview of Kurdish history and an answer to the irritating question inevitably put to every Kurdish spokesman: What exactly is a Kurd? Much hinges on the reply. For years the Turkish government simply denied the existence of its millions of Kurds, calling them “mountain Turks who have forgotten their language.”

In fact, the Kurds are a distinct, ancient ethnic group with their own non-Arabic language who inhabit parts of Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq. Like the Palestinians, they are a people without a homeland and are much less likely than the Palestinians to get one. This is the discordant note in Mr. Lawrence’s otherwise upbeat account, a little-engine-that-could story in which courageous, determined Kurds, overcoming repeated betrayals by the Western powers, manage to create from the ruins of Iraq a virtual state that cannot become actual without throwing the entire Middle East into chaos.[/quote]

[quote]Mr. Lawrence describes “soft partition” as the Kurds’ best bet. Only 2 percent of Kurds wish to remain part of Iraq, but a declaration of nationhood would bring armed intervention from adjacent powers. By lying low and taking advantage of continuing strife between Sunnis and Shiites, Mr. Lawrence writes, they can continue to develop separately and, with a little luck, persuade the United States to build a permanent military base in Kurdistan.

“The key was to keep American patronage, and to do that, they would need to stay a tiny bit invisible,” Mr. Lawrence writes, reading the mind of the Kurdish leadership. “The Kurds could have a country in everything but name, and that way none of the neighbors could accuse them of trying to redraw the map.”[/quote]

[quote]For the first time in nearly a century the Kurds hold a winning hand — from which they need to discard the trump card of nationhood. Mr. Lawrence, a sympathetic but not uncritical observer, makes it easy to root for a people whose struggle has long seemed, to quote Neville Chamberlain on Czechoslovakia, “a quarrel in a faraway country between people of whom we know nothing.” For a change, the Kurds now have a chance at something.[/quote]

Math

Scipio Africanus — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 19:52:37 GMT

A thread for talking about MATH! I'm teaching an introductory statistics class, which is _almost_ a dream come true. I really do love statistics.

Anyway, I thought it might be fun to have a thread for nothing but math questions and concepts :D

The first question. Which of the following is correct, (A) or (B)?

(A) Σ⁴_{i = 1} (Y_i+ 4) = (Y₁+ 4)+( Y₂ + 4)+( Y₃+ 4)+( Y₄+ 4)+( Y₅+ 4)

(B) Σ⁴_{i = 1} (Y_i+ 4) = (Y₁+ Y₂ + Y₃+ Y₄+ Y₅) + 4

oldie but a goodie

Tosk — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:41:04 GMT

Top this for a speeding ticket.

Two California Highway Patrol Officers were conducting speeding enforcement on I-15, just north of the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar. One of the officers was using a hand held radar device to check speeding vehicles approaching the crest of a hill.The officers were suddenly surprised when the radar gun began reading 300 miles per hour. The officer attempted to reset the radar gun, but it would not reset and then turned off.

Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had in fact locked on to a USMC F/A-18 Hornet which was engaged in a low flying exercise near the location. Back at the CHP Headquarters the Patrol Captain fired off a complaint to the USMC Base Commander. The reply came back in true USMC style:

Thank you for your letter. We can now complete the file on this incident.You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Hornet had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked on to, your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it, which is why it shut down. Furthermore, an Air-to-Ground missile aboard the fully armed aircraft had also automatically locked on to your equipment location. Fortunately, the Marine Pilot flying the Hornet recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile system alert status and was able to override the automated defense system before the missile was launched to destroy the hostile radar position. The pilot also suggests you cover your mouths when cussing at them, since the video systems on these jets are very high tech. Sergeant Johnson, the officer holding the radar gun, should get his dentist to check his left rear molar. It appears the filling is loose. Also, the snap is broken on his holster.

Thank you for your concern.
Semper Fi.
__________________

T-Rex Sue

queen val — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:50:40 GMT

I was watching Discovery Channel today and they are doing more test on the T-rex Sue. With all the equipment and everything else they have they are able to tell the age of the T-rex Sue and what caused her dead and believe it or not the sex. I was watching the next thing which is Mega beast. They showed a Mega Beaver. It looks like a HUGE rat with Huge teeth. It is amazing that now they will have to rewrite the history books. LOL They keep finding ancient animals and boy, it is just amazing. Now they are going to tell us as humans that we did come from Ape like things. lol the web site is: Discoverychannel.com, then type in T-rex and they have alot of headings to read. Very Very Interesting.:w00t::hehe: Yes I'm nuts. I love things like that learn . See old queens can learn new things.

Dubai is Nuts!!!!

Locus Coeruleus — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:46:46 GMT

I can see the potential for this to go P&R, but I hope it doesn't.

This is just fantastic!!!

[url=http://www.dubai-architecture.info/DUB-GAL1.htm]Dubai Architecture[/url]

A Tale of Two Cities

Locus Coeruleus — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 23:34:13 GMT

Recently visited Memphis in December. Have lived in Nashville the past 6 years.

Snapped some photos while in Memphis:

[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5493/memphis2007031rr2.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[b]Nathan Bedford Forrest Park[/b]

[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/7900/memphis2007040yr9.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[b]Jefferson Davis Park[/b]

[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/69/memphis2007041kw8.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[b]...a True American Patriot???[/b]

[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/9412/memphis2007037zz1.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[b]Confederate Park[/b]

They sho' iz proud of their Southern Heritage in Memphis, Tennessee.

Nashville, on the other hand...

[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/456/nashvilleparthenon005rx9.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[b]The Parthenon Lives!!!!!![/b]
[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/6947/nashvilleparthenon006vo6.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/9688/nashvilleparthenon002no8.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Nashville, on the other hand, prides itself in being the "Athens of the South", with the Parthenon, and it's [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashville%2C_Tennessee#Education]many Universities and Colleges[/url].

Never, in the field of human endeavor ...

Tosk — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:48:03 GMT

This does not really fit the P&R forums but it may need to be moved there ...

Darn looks like the your-o-peens are quite far ahead of the U.S. in the "No child left behind" field of indoctrination.

*****************************

Never, in the field of human ignorance, have so many known so little about famous Britons.

A quarter of the population think that Winston Churchill never actually existed, a survey suggests.

While a poll recently named him the greatest Briton of all time, the wartime prime minister is seen by many as a mythical figure along with the likes of Florence Nightingale and Sir Walter Raleigh.

Winston Churchill, the 'greatest Briton of all time,' is merely a myth to some. This could well have something to do with the TV insurance adverts inviting viewers to "challenge Churchill" and featuring a lugubrious talking dog.

According to the survey of 3,000 respondents, many believe the inspirational Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi, Cleopatra and the Duke of Wellington are also characters dreamed up for films and books.

Some think Charles Dickens was himself a character in fiction rather than the creator of David Copperfield, Oliver Twist and Martin Chuzzlewit.

In a damning indictment of the nation's historical knowledge, many of those surveyed said they believe Sherlock Holmes was a real person, along with the pilot Biggles and even the Three Musketeers.

Almost 50 per cent were certain that Eleanor Rigby existed not just in the imagination of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. And they were in no doubt about the existence of King Arthur, Lady Godiva, Robin Hood and Dick Turpin. In many cases such characters were based on real historical figures but their exploits have been embellished. While there was a highwayman called Richard Turpin, the famous ride he is said to have undertaken from London to York in a day was made by another rogue.
Similarly, there was an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman named Godiva, but there is no evidence that she rode through the streets naked. And there is only vague evidence that King Arthur ever existed, let alone led his Knights of the Round Table.

Robin Hood is a similarly shadowy figure. The poll, carried out by UKTV Gold to test the nation's general knowledge, suggests that the under-20s are most lacking in basic historical education.

Historian Correlli Barnett said: "This suggests a complete lack of common sense and respect for our greatest heroes of the past."
"Churchill and Wellington were great men, but this suggests we no longer value people of great achievement.
"It's all about celebrities and popular culture. What it also tells us is what is going wrong in our school curriculums.
"Something must be completely lacking in our national education that people could be so ignorant as to think these people never actually existed.
"No doubt these other ones like Robin Hood, people mistake as being real because they have recently been featured on the TV."

By REBECCA CAMBER Last updated at 21:12pm on 3rd February 2008

Ancestry and Ethnicity.

Locus Coeruleus — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 22:39:32 GMT

I have recently been talking to my grandparents about where we all come from, being a Caucasian American from the USA with diverse background who is very keen on world history, this has always been interesting to me. So I have found out about my great grandparents ethnicities this much:

3 Italian Great Grandparents
1 English
1 Scottish
1 German
1 Polish
and 1 that is 1/2 French and 1/2 Irish.

4 of which I had been fortunate enough to have met. My German great-grandfather was actually born in Canada but moved here to the USA when he was 15. The rest were either born here to immigrants, or moved here from the old country at a very young age around the dawn of the 20th century. That I am not entirely sure of.

Technically speaking, that would make me 3/8 Italian, 1/8 English, Scottish, German and Polish, and 1/16 French and Irish.

On otherwords, I am your typical 3rd/4th generation Caucasian American of European decent. :)

If people would like to share, I'd be interested to see where other folks families come from, whatever part of the world that may be.

Cheers.

Get Your Country Here!!!

Locus Coeruleus — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 23:29:53 GMT

Get your modern, 21st Century, Western Style Country Here!!!!!

[url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070918/ap_on_fe_st/belgium_for_sale]Someone tries to sell Belgium on Ebay!![/url]

Speaking of the Yahoo tabloid!!! :w00t:

[quote] Hidden among the porcelain fox hounds and Burberry tablecloths on sale at eBay.be this week was an unusual item: "For Sale: Belgium, a Kingdom in three parts ... free premium: the king and his court (costs not included)."

The odd ad was posted by one disgruntled Belgian in protest at his country's political crisis which reached a 100-day landmark Tuesday with no end in sight to the squabbling between Flemish and Walloon politicians.[/quote]

New World Order: Econoism

grandgeneral — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 14:04:47 GMT

New World Order: econoism, or a government fused with its economy, could it save our world? A more in-depth description of Econoism is a government that works so dependently and its economy so dependent on the government, that they become one. Every working person must give 20% of their money to the government, and 10% of that is returned to them when they need. Every person will be a working person, and the government will be rich enough to build structures like the new "sky city" being planned in japan, and it would be a prospering government. Nations would easily unite with such a government to get the same benefits as that nation would.
This government is a blend of communism, democracy, imperialism, and feudalism. Though not as harsh as communism, more in control than democracy, not as powerful as imperialism, and less corrupt than feudalism.

would this system work, if it could be started in a country as powerful as china, or russia? I want the people of the 1-Big Community to make a possible scenario, to prove it can work.

Russia Claims the North Pole

Locus Coeruleus — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:04:32 GMT

[url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1642905,00.html]Russia Claims the North Pole[/url]

Yes, folks, imperialism is alive and well.

Boy, this country sure has been in the news lately.

Global Warming Test

Tosk — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 23:58:22 GMT

oddly... I got 100%.

I thank bb's because, as usual ... they made me do the work. BB's are my source of news ... not the posts necessarily but ... the links.

I follow the links and then I am forced to do my own research. You can't get that by listening to talking heads on either side of the issues. You have to do the research and ... at no other time has it been so easy.

The Internet is a vast storehouse of papers and thought... some crud, some pure gold...

Here you can read peer reviewed scientific papers not available at a normal library ... and certainly not on the talking head bs news stations ... and all from the comfort of your home, while drinking coffee, before starting your day.

And still ... so many just go for the talking head sound bites. I rarely watch news at anymore ... only during major elections or disasters or wars...

Even then ... I am shocked at the stuff that comes out of their mouths ... and that they have the nerve to say it ... glib sound bites while offering not a shred of proof for anything they throw out.

[url=http://www.geocraft.com/WVFossils/GlobWarmTest/start.html]global warming test[/url]

If you are 100% certain that your side is correct, and has it all 100% figured out already, then this test and the explanations/links are probably not for you. ;)

What happened to bin laden?

grandgeneral — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 23:36:30 GMT

LAst we heard of bin laden, are confirmed reports of bin laden being at the battle of tora bora in late december of 2001. of course their have been suspicions of him being seen in plenty of places. But no one has had a confirmed report of bin laden being anywhere. My theory? i Have 2. 1) he died in Tora Bora. I believe while hiding in a tunnel at tora bora, a bomb collapsed said tunnel, trapping bin laden inside. Osama is Dead!:w00t: Theory 2) Osama has a new alias. Osama being the son of a ***, i mean billionaire, he has the resources to get facial surgery to change his appearance, and the ability to forge a new identity, osama is hiding in pakistan, and still in control of al queda.

You've seen what i think, what do you think?

And pAlpster, No whacko chuck norris theory:P!

So -- Will the "Surge" Work in Iraq?

Colonel D. — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 21:18:54 GMT

I think the situation is close to being beyond recovery, although if anyone can turn this around it is "King David" Patreus. Your thoughts?

Index of Economic Freedom

Locus Coeruleus — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 10:46:56 GMT

Brought to you by the Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal.

[url=http://www.heritage.org/research/features/index/countries.cfm]IoEF 2007[/url]

Enjoy. ;)

Where Da Oil At???

Locus Coeruleus — Fri, 11 May 2007 23:54:28 GMT

Interesting Image I found on AsiaTimes Online.

[IMG]http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/images/me-oil-xzz.gif[/IMG]

The Risk if we "Lose the War"

Scipio Africanus — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 09:17:09 GMT

So many "wrong" behaviors that our Central Asian authorities would LUV to rid us of. Lose and we're well on our way to letting them have their way :p[URL=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/08/23/turkmenistan.ban.ap/index.html]Lip Synching Banned in Turkmenistan[/URL]

Darwin works in mysterious ways...

Tosk — Tue, 15 May 2007 17:24:05 GMT

Took a back road ride to Albuquerque this weekend to shake out the bike ... been quite a while since I have ridden her. Pulled into a rest area to have a smoke. Just before I fired up the ole Zippo to get my fix I happened to look to my left ... about 15 yards upwind of me stood the poster child for Yup magazine yapping away on his cell phone. He looked my direction just as I flipped the lid and a look of total horror came over his face. He attempted to run ... to make his escape from this horrible, fire breathing creature ... but Opsie ... he misestimated the curb and face planted. Cell phone deconstructed in a spray of flying plastic parts ... the snoz erupts blood in a fountain of stupid ... I couldn't help it ... I broke up ... laughing like a hyena on crack.
This Goober is standing among ideling cars and semi's. In the distance you can see the beautiful, smog infested skyline and a few stacks spewing God only knows what and this moron is concerned about a cigarette being lit downwind of him.

Couple hours later, I had lit a cigarette and was smoking it on my bike on the way home through some nameless burg, a chick on a puddle jumper passed me ... She began to fake splutter and frantically waved her hand in front of her face to clear the air ... smoke absolutely BILLOWED out of her exhaust and the whole road behind her became and continued to be an oily smoke screen as she zoomed off.

The power of advertising on idiots never ceases to amaze me.

Kosovar Guerilla's attack Orthodox Serbs

Greek Stud — Fri, 19 Mar 2004 00:24:54 GMT

[URL=http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040319/ap_on_re_eu/kosovo_clashes_8]NATO Sends Backup As Kosovo Unrest Wells [/URL]Well, the same KLO guerilla's that attacked the old corrupt regime in Serbia-Montenegro are conveniently not mentioned in the news. When NATO went into the Balkan region, Russia warned that taking the KLO off the group terrorist list was not a good idea. The ethnic clashes are also national clashes that NATO has fueled by not ending corruption.The public humiliation of Milosovich is fine, but journalists dangerously marked it as a Serbian Orthodox identy. Now Albania's who came to the region from the Caspian region have settled in Kosovo and Albania. They want an ethnic nationalistic sovereign country. That means the Serbian Orthodox culture remeniant from the Serbian Empire are sitting ducks. Just like Milosevich cleansed Moslems in the mountains of Montenegro and sent troops into lower Kosovo in response to the organization of terrorist networks (which I would say Milosevich's regime resembles), the KLO has been free to reorganize and raise funds from the women sex-slave trade. Many of the women interviewed by journalists said NATO and American troops were their top clients since intervention.Now the KLO has continued to burn Serbian Orthodox Churches whom had no part in Milosevich's ethinic cleansing.My personal anger of the conflict of not being able to reach relatives in Belgrade ever since the 1999 bombings, I have still had no contact with my family since that time. The KLO are burning our churches, they do not deserve to be free of the "terrorist listing", they are a terrorist group that has incited violence once again in the Balkan region.

Iraq Surge

Timeless Watch — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 16:22:34 GMT

If initial reports are right... though the "surge" is only its begining, there are some improvements on the field in Baghdad as there are 2 new "players" - one american general and one iraqi general.

I know from media that most americans are opposed to the surge.

However, If the surge (in its still initial surge) was to have a good affect - perhaps it could have a positive effect on support for its continuation and perhaps it could help one John McCain move his presidential campagin forward (right now he seems stuck)?

Opinions please.

Timeless

North Korean Missile Tests

psweetman1590 — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:24:02 GMT

I found this article, and thought that it's been a while sinse North Korea was the center of discussion here, so why not throw it in and see what happens?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060620/ap_on_re_as/nkorea_missile_test

I don't happen to know much about the political situation there, so I'll just leave you guys with that article, and read any replies there may be.:)

Francis Urqhurt

Timeless Watch — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 20:55:25 GMT

Meet Francis Urqhurt, Cheif Whip of the English Tory party.
Urqhurt wants to become PM and in order to achieve that he will betray his friends and allies and will be up to lots of mischief and corruption.
But what I loved best about him is his sardonic attitude and the fact that - you actually do end up loving this evil person. not because you sympethise with him but because... well... he plays he's role so well! He's just so charming as the devil in desguise.

Its actually a BBC Drama and I would expect English viewers to like it more then anyone else as you do need to have a feel for british politics in order to relate.

When I spotted the TV drama I wasnt much in a position to comment about british politicians, i was young (in my late teens) and i was living in Israel... disconnected. But I always loved politics and it was just too good.

Then I went book spotting and eventully i found the books (which all end differently then the series which is based on the 3 books). I also eventully read the books and then bought the DVD's (about 10-15 years after first spotting it and never seeing it again since).

It is just brilliant.

why am I posting this:
First, because if you like politics and if you have a bit of a clue about how it works in the UK then you should watch this. its good stuff. they say that John Major (former UK PM) was literly following the series to learn some tricks!
Second, in tribute of the lead star... the actor that played the cheif whip and who's name became a synonym with Francis Urqhurt - [url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6346897.stm]Ian Richardson[/url] who passed away 2 days ago. May he rest in peace.

If you want to start with the books (which again, differ from the series although they are mostly parallel) then its:
[b]1. House of Cards
2. To Play the King
3. The Final Cut[/b]

All written by [b]Michael Dobbs[/b].

WorldMapper.org

Locus Coeruleus — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 22:56:56 GMT

(for the Civilization junkie in all of us!)

[url=http://www.worldmapper.org/]Worldmapper.org[/url]

[quote]Worldmapper is a collection of world maps, where territories are re-sized on each map according to the subject of interest.

366 maps and PDF posters will be finished by February 2007. Use the menu above or click on a thumbnail image below to view a map.[/quote]

Example:

[b]Total Children[/b]

[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6479/totalchildrenpl9.png[/IMG][/URL]

[quote]Worldwide, children make up a third of the population. In 2004 there were 1,826 million children aged under 15. Only children under 15 are shown in this map and graph. Africa has the highest percentage of children. In Uganda and Niger half the population is under 15 years old. In Italy, Spain and Japan only 14% of the population are children aged under 15.[/quote]

[url=http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=5]Total Children[/url]

Have fun!!!!

Leave it to Beaver

Tosk — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:07:37 GMT

1957 vs 2007

Scenario: Wally pulls into school parking lot with rifle in gun rack.
1957 - Vice Principal comes over, takes a look at Wally's rifle, goes to his car and gets his to show Wally.
2007 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Wally hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Scenario: Beaver and Clarence get into a fist fight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Clarence wins. Beaver and Clarence shake hands and end up best friends. Nobody goes to jail, nobody arrested, nobody expelled.
2007 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Beaver and Clarence. Charge them with assault, both expelled and sent to juvenile hall where they learn hard core crime.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Scenario: Beaver won't be still in class, disrupts other students.
1957 - Beaver sent to office and given a good paddling by Principal. Sits still in class.
2007 - Beaver given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. School gets extra money from state because Beaver has a disability. Ward hire's an "advocate" (aka lawyer) to sue the school for a costly special program for their child...whom they messed up in the first place by being lousy parents.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Scenario: Beaver breaks a window in the family's car and Ward gives him a spanking.
1957 - Beaver is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2007 - Ward is arrested for child abuse. Beaver removed to foster care and joins a gang. Beaver's sister is told by state psychologist that she remembers being abused herself and Ward goes to prison. June has an affair with the psychologist.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Scenario: Eddie Haskel has a headache and takes some headache medicine to school.
1957 - Eddie shares headache medicine with Principal out on the smoking dock.
2007 - Police called, Eddie expelled from school for drug violations. Eddie's Car is impounded to be searched for drugs and weapons.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Scenario: Beaver takes leftover firecrackers from the 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.
1957 - Ants die.
2007 - BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Beaver charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Ward goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Beaver falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Miss Landers. Miss Landers, hugs him to comfort him.
1957 - In a short time Beaver feels better and goes on playing.
2007 - Miss Landers is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Scenario: Pedro fails high school English.
1957: Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college.
2007: Pedro's cause is taken up by state democratic party. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he can't speak English.

Dubai Glitz Goes Global

Locus Coeruleus — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 15:40:34 GMT

Forward Thinking: A Vision Towards the Post-Oil World.

[url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15359298/site/newsweek/]article here[/url]

99 LuftBalloons

Locus Coeruleus — Fri, 05 May 2006 10:22:46 GMT

Here's a bit of history for you. :)

[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99_Luftballons]wiki[/url]

I heard this song on the radio yesterday, the German version. It's not everyday we here songs in German on the radio here in Nashville, TN. So I was compelled to see what the scoop was on it.

As it turns out it's got quite an interesting story, commetary on the Cold War escalations, behind it.

Cheers.

The Reflection Thread

Levinoss — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 00:18:28 GMT

Sry if this has been posted before. -.-

When you look back at your life so far, what do you see? Who has played a major role in your life? Who do you call your mentor? Why? If you could pass the next generation a pearl of wisdom, what would it be?

Reflection is not just an image in water but it’s a gateway to your soul, and a story of your life.

What Do I see when I look back at my life so far?

I see a spiritual journey of life that I could never replace. I bless every moment that I have spent walking on earth. From the hard times to the bad, it makes me who I am, and where I will go.

Who has played a major role in your life?

My Mother, and sister.

Why?

Two of the most spiritually strong women that I have ever met, and I admire most out of anyone. They both have been mothers to me, and have raised me from the little brat that I am. I would do anything for them.

Pearl of wisdom for the next generations?

Live life, don’t waste it. Honor your ancestors because if not for them you wouldn’t be here. Learn from your mistake and make new ones.

Was just in a mood for something like this. Dont be Afraid to post

~Lev

Hey Scip, about your signature

Konrad von Richtmark — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 15:31:57 GMT

[i]The ideal military, is one so powerful it becomes obsolete. Scipio[/i]

Is it you who said this, or Publius Cornelius Scipio? I can imagine the both of you as types who would say such a thing.

Red Buttons, dead at 87

Tosk — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 01:20:55 GMT

Red Buttons and John Wayne were playing cards while filming Hatari ... Red Buttons was sitting there at the table watching the brush when a leopard came walking out. He kept trying to get John Wayne to look at the leopard, but Wayne kept looking at his cards. Finally when the leopard got close, Red was about to come unglued. He said "Duke, wouldja look at that leopard?" and Wayne looked at him and said "Buttons, go see what he wants!"

< S > Red you will be missed.

[url]http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060714/sp_nm/buttons_dc_6[/url]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

Tosk — Tue, 04 Jul 2006 02:01:23 GMT

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. â€” That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, â€” That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. â€” Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred. to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. â€” And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

â€” John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Where's Ahmadinejad heading?

RabiAkiva — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 07:55:49 GMT

[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4527142.stm] Iranian leader denies Holocaust[/url]

The Iranian leader keeps repeating himself. The gist of his speaches is crystal clear. Israel should not exist. The Jews have invented a lie and if the Europeans and Americans must believe the lie, well, let them host the Jewish Nation themselves. But not the Middle-East.
Oh, does mr. Ahmadinejad _own_ the Middle East?
Does mr. Ahmadinejad have any explanation where millions of Jews went in Europe between 1939 and 1945? Did they disappear into thin air? What exactly is the lie, when there is so much proof?
Does mr. Ahmadinejad deny the historic roots of the Jewish people with the strip of land beteen the river Jordan and the mediteranean see, that even the Koran supports?

I get the creeps from these speaches. If a political leader doesn't even try to hide his distorted world view and has no problems to fly in the face of public opinion, then what is the hidden message? Dropping a nuclear bomb on Israel would be justified?
I do not have to take it that far. Iran continues to support Hezbollah. Apart from the annoyances Hezbollah causes in the north of Israel, and the less than succesful efforts of Hezbollah to recruit their own set of Palestinians terrorists, Hezbollah is also co-responsible for Syrian oppression in Lebanon.

Ahmadinejad has made remarks of this kind on three very recent occasions in public speaches. The international world has repsonded with the usual diplomatic rejection. I guess this is what will happen a third time. In addition we have Iran's nuclear program. When will the response become more firm and what effective possibilities do we have, after all?

Psychology of MMORPG's

cleopatra143 — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 01:43:51 GMT

A really interesting project on learning the psychology of MMO's. You can participate by answering some questions and or read the results of ongoing research.

[url]http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/[/url]

I find it quite amazing that in almost all age catagories, there are more WOMEN gamers! Could this just mean that only women fill out survey's? =P

Scientific proof at last.

Tosk — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 08:00:09 GMT

I am now convinced that global warming is in fact caused by man. :D:D:D

[img]http://dingo.care2.com/pictures/c2c/galleries/albums/49/514235347/misc/global%20warming.jpg[/img]

The Apocalyptic Message of President Ahmadinejad to President Bush

Locus Coeruleus — Mon, 29 May 2006 11:56:23 GMT

I have stumbled across this website established by a pro-Iranian/pro-Democracy (note: Pro-Democracy) Iranian American citizen living here in the States, apparently:

[quote]Amil Imani is an Iranian-born American Citizen and pro- democracy activist living in the United States of America. Imani is a columnist, literary translator, poet, and novelist, who speaks out for the struggling people of his native land, Iran.[/quote]

Here he takes issue with the Letter written from Ahmadinejad to Bush a few weeks ago:

[url=http://amilimani.com/index/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=2]The Apocalyptic Message of President Ahmadinejad to President Bush[/url]
I especially liked the reference to a similar incident prior to the Islamic conquests of the Persian Empire:

[quote]It is said nearly 1,400 years ago that Umar Ibn Al Khattab, the second of four Islamic Caliphs sent a letter to King Yazdgird III of Persia to commit Bei'at (Joining with caliph and accepting Islam.) Umar wrote, "Once upon a time your land ruled half the known world but what has it come down to now? Your troops are defeated on all fronts and your nation is bound to collapse. I offer you a way to rescue yourself. Start praying to Allah, a single union God, the only God who created everything in the universe. We bring you and the world his message. Worship, Allah the only true God."

If we replace King Yazdgird III, with President Bush, Persia with the United States, and Persians with United States citizens, and the signature of Umar with Ahmadinejad, the new president of the Islamic Republic, the outcome could look horrific.

But there was also King Yazdgird III response to Umar. Mentally replace Yazdgird's name with President Bush and Ahura Mazda with Jesus Christ, and then you'll get the picture:

"In the name of Ahura Mazda, creator of Life and Intelligence:
You, in your letter wrote that you want to direct us towards your God, Allah without having the true knowledge of who we are and who we worship. It is amazing that you occupy the position of Caliph (Ruler) of Arabs, yet your knowledge is the same as a lowly Arab rambler, roaming in deserts of Arabia, and the same as a desert tribal man!

"You suggest we worship a united and single God without knowing that for thousands of years Persians have worshiped the mono God and they pray to him five times a day!

"When we established the tradition of hospitality and good deeds in the world and we waved the flag of Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds, in our hands, you and your ancestors were roaming the deserts, eating lizards, for you had nothing else to feed yourselves and burying your innocent daughters alive." (An old Arab tradition, because they preferred male children to female)

"You behead God's children, even the prisoners of war, rape women, attack the caravans, mass murder, kidnap people's wives and steal their property! Your hearts are made of stone; we condemn all these evils which you do. How can you teach us Godly Ways when you commit these actions”?

"Is it Allah who commands you to murder, pillage and to destroy? Is it you the followers of Allah who do this in his name? Or is it both”?

”Tell us. With all your military campaigns, barbarianism, murder and pillage in the name of Allah O Akbar, what have you taught to this Muslim Army? What knowledge have you taught the Muslims that you also insist on teaching it to non-Muslims? What cultures have you learned from your Allah, now that you want to force teach it to others?"

"I beg you to remain with your Allah O Akbar in your deserts and do not move close to our civilized cities, for your beliefs are 'much fearful' and your behavior is 'Most Barbaric'!"[/quote]

And here is another article by the same author on Ahmadinejad:

[url=http://amilimani.com/index/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=2]Iran’s Ahmadinejad is Not Unhinged[/url]

very interesting... and potentially frightening...

To Kill an American.

Tosk — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 08:04:14 GMT

You probably missed it in the rush of news last week, but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a newspaper an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American.

So an Australian dentist wrote an editorial the following day to let everyone know what an American is, so that they would know when they found one.

Written by an Australian Dentist...

**********

"An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek.
An American may also be Canadian, Mexican, African,
Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani or Afghan.
An American may also be a Comanche, Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, Seminole or one of the many other tribes known as native Americans.
An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim.
In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan. The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses.

An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.
An American lives in the most prosperous land in the history of the world.
The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the God given right of each person to the pursuit of happiness.
An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in return.
When Afghanistan was over-run by the Soviet army 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their country!
As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan. Americans welcome the best of everything...the best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the best services. But they also welcome the least.
The national symbol of America, The Statue of Liberty, welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built America.
Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September 11, 2001 earning a better life for their families. It's been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 different
countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists.
So you can try to kill an American if you must.
Hitler did.
So did General Tojo, and Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung, and other blood-thirsty tyrants in the world. But, in doing so you would just be killing yourself. Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.

******

Good one, mate!!!!

Wow Kinda surprised

Tosk — Sun, 14 May 2006 12:40:38 GMT

That no one started a thread about the great Mexican boycott of may 1st.

but just in case anyone cares ... on May 1st, as a result of the Mexican boycott, national retailers reported 4.2% lower sales for the day, with a 67.8% reduction in shoplifting.

Buenos dias!

Good News From the Desert?

Locus Coeruleus — Sun, 09 Apr 2006 20:27:07 GMT

[url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060409/ap_on_re_mi_ea/saudi_reformer_king]Saudi King faces Challenges in reform[/url]

Baby steps...maybe there is hope afterall!