Howitzer

(a) What Steve said. ( Hakko: I agree that there is no "right" in the constitution regarding driving, etc. But, neither are there rights regarding riding a bicycle, or walking between two towns; I don't need a license to do either (where I live at any rate). I live by the law our government lays down, and if a law is wrong (in my opinion) I'll fight to change it. But, I will not lay down and worship the law, nor look to the governement for my salvation. © Regarding the SS. I will not condemn the men who served in it as a group. I will condemn individuals, and actions and philosophies. Condemning a group is, in simple terms, exactly how Hitler inspired a nation to kill. He "labeled" others (jews and others) as bad, root causes of Germany's woes and the people followed his lead. (d) Hakko: I leave you with this question...Should SS vets (and I mean waffen-ss soldiers, not concentration camp butchers) be proud of the service to their country? Steve C. [This message has been edited by Howitzer (edited 03-11-2000).]

Hakku Ichiu wrote: quote: ...no matter how bravely or nobly individual Waffen-SS units fought, or how nice individual members of the SS were to dogs and little children, the entire organization is tainted at its root. The SS was the armed wing of the National Socialist German Workers' Party; they were thoroughly implicated in the Holocaust; any judgement as to the nature of the SS as an organization starts there. Anyone who doesn't believe that the NSDAP was all that bad, or that the Holocaust wasn't such a big deal has their own issues to face. Hakku: First, I agree the organization is tainted, but organizations are made up of people. It is just not possible to stick the a label on the SS and for all time ignore the fact the many of the men and indeed UNITS in the fighting arm of the SS served with valor and honor; not for a philosophy, but for their country. People join organizations for many reasons. Some join because they agree with the organization's philosophy, some join to be on the "winning" side at the time, some join because they feel it is their civic duty to serve in their country's "elite" or best fighting force, some join because their friends did, etc, etc. When it comes to organizations (as opposed to individuals) you CANNOT apply an all encompassing label. You can try, but it will fall off eventually. [bTW, regarding the goverment's "right" to censor license plates...the government is US. They have no rights we do not permit through law.]

Ya know... This USED to be America, and you USED to have freedom of speech -- USED to. Is putting WAFFN SS on your license plate asking for trouble? Sure. But, is it "morally" wrong? Not in my opinion. I wouldn't praise that group as a whole, exactly because of the divided (and divisive) nature of the organization. Just don't get me started on the KDLang thing!...just DON'T get me started! Steve C.

Here! Here! Yahoo! Awesome! I Dig It! Steve C.

Correction! In my post on the 101st books (The Road to Arnhem, Seven Roads to Hell, etc.) I butchered the author's name. I spelled it Charles Baggett (do'h! ). The correct spelling is: DONALD BURGETT! My apologies to a gifted writer and honored veteran! Steve C.

Colin...me thinks thou protest too much [This message has been edited by Howitzer (edited 03-08-2000).]

Hey Colin...ease up! I'm sure that Nick wasn't writing for the grognards out there...you never now who your audience will be on the wild wild web. Steve C.

I know! I know! (hand raised high)... With a Ferdinand or Elefant gun! (smiling proudly) Steve C.

DOG PILE! release date!...ReLeasE dATe!...RELeaSE DaTE!...RELEASE DATE! Which emoticon do I use to symbolize my falling into violent, information vacuum-driven convulsions!

Isn't the question here more of general mechanical reliability. For instance, motor trouble (notorious Sherman radial engine plug fouling), track throwing or other subsystem failure? Aside from "bogged/immobile" I haven't seen any other non-combat failure modes for vehicles. Anybody have more details on this? Steve C.

I heartily endorse both Antal books. I have read both and they are very good thought provokers, and pretty good stories, too. For WWII I suggest... "Seven Roads to Hell: A Screaming Eagle at Bastogne" by Donald Burgett "The Road to Arnhem" also by Donald Burgett He has a third on the Normandy drop titled "Currahee!". All are excellent small unit accounts and a good airborne trooper's view of the world at that time. As I understand it, it is mostly first hand accounts from the author's own notes which he laid down in 1946 or thereabouts. Not published until the 1990's I believe. Numerous top notch scenarios and operations just waiting to happen! [This message has been edited by Howitzer (edited 03-09-2000).]

Dear CM "Boarders"... I would like to poll this astute and erudite body in order to pick your collective brains on what defines a GOOD scenario. Realizing that almost any scenario in CM may be FUN, which of the following items are MOST important? (Feel free to add others, too.)... 1. Historical accuracy (ideally) or relevance/possiblity (at a minimum) of the scenario as a whole. 2. Accurate unit mix. (This doesn't mean that an unusual mix is verboten. For instance, the US units surrounded at Bastogne comprised a real mixed bag due to their encirclement and the desperation of their defence. See item #1.) 3. Realistic terrain and weather. 4. Realistic off-map support (Being careful to remember CM's scale and historical limitations, such as available arty & ammo.) 5. Clear objectives for both sides, with enough background info to set the stage. 6. Objectives that are in line with victory locations/conditions. 7. Difficulty level and/or play balance. (For instance, must each side always have an equal chance to "win"?) So, turn on that "stream-of-consciousness" mode and provide your input! Thanks, Steve C.

Well, I'm kinda sitting on the fence... On the one hand -- I want it now! On the other hand -- I want it now! BUT, I'll use the lull to finish playing other games I haven't finished. I know when CM is released, all my so-called free time will evaporate overnight. On the third hand (yes, I'm a mutant) -- There does come a time in development of any software that it must actually be released. Later, Steve C.

To All Combatants. Combat Mission preview article now posted at the InsideMacGames website. Head over there pronto and check it out! That is all. Steve C. [This message has been edited by Howitzer (edited 02-28-2000).]

Matt, That sky backdrop is simply beautiful. Talk about adding ambiance! Simple, yet stunning! Steve C.

Hey CoolJ... I partially agree with you on the patches...they cheapen the game IF some stated feature(s) was left out of the initial production release...if the patches are to fix bugs or conflicts, I view them as proper and necessary support of the program. Steve C.

Hold on now. As a Mac user, I prefer the game be released sooner rather than later, regardless of the effect on any PeeCee users. Don't you PC guys have a gamma correction in your "autobat.exec" or "sys.config" files? (Just kidding! ) Steve C. [This message has been edited by Howitzer (edited 02-22-2000).]

Hey Matt, great news! So, your wife had the ol' "Roto-Rooter" procedure. Yuck! Tell her to get well soon! Best Regards, Steve C.

Super link! I have gone through both Otto's and Karl's area. Very thought provoking pictures and quite a contrast. Thanks for posting this link. Steve C.

Steve, Thanks for the update! I am super-psyched, but trying not to go psycho! I saw a previous post of yours which mentioned a "TCP/IP demo". Is that a planned release after TCP/IP coding gets done (for massive test/debug)? Thanks, Steve C.