Wildhack

I've read that non-penetrating hits can frequently cause fragments of a tanks interior surfaces to shatter, ricochet, and cause serious wounds. I believe it's called "spalling"?

Yes, that's an interesting observation and I agree with it. A question might be, though, which type of society provides the greatest benefit to mankind? And maybe the answer is we are better off with a mix. Including even the theocratic oriented nations. Even though I admit they tend to irk me on a personal level. "Flying planes into a building was a faith based initiative." - Bill Maher

I'm almost sure that article I read was in Newsweek, but I couldn't find it using Google. Anyway, I did come across one study that seemed to support the idea that the most successful democracies also tend to be more secular. I'm sure a few people could find fault with the data gathering methods used or such, but someone asked for a link and here is one. This is a long scientific- looking at least - paper, but I sure didn't read the whole thing. Below are a few paraphrases from the conclusions. Take them for what you will. (One note - anyone who says that sexual dysfunction is low in Japan must be on drugs. I've seen some samples of their very large porn cartoon industry (Hentai), and it is so bizarre it is almost beyond belief. Combine that with school girls commonly selling their used underwear to businessmen, etc., and you get the idea. So I'm a little skeptical of this study myself for this one reason alone.) Edit - reading this again, I'd probably also take issue with the definition of "successful". The U.S. has certainly contributed vastly more to the sciences, arts, and the alleviation of human suffering than any piss ant Scandinavian country ever has. There might also be something needing to be said for inventiveness and dynamism. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://moses.creighton.edu/JRS/2005/2005-11.html In general, higher rates of belief in and worship of a creator correlate with higher rates of homicide, juvenile and early adult mortality, STD infection rates, teen pregnancy, and abortion in the prosperous democracies (Figures 1-9). The most theistic prosperous democracy, the U.S., is exceptional, but not in the manner Franklin predicted. The United States is almost always the most dysfunctional of the developed democracies, sometimes spectacularly so, and almost always scores poorly... No democracy is known to have combined strong religiosity and popular denial of evolution with high rates of societal health. Higher rates of non-theism and acceptance of human evolution usually correlate with lower rates of dysfunction, and the least theistic nations are usually the least dysfunctional... Indeed, the data examined in this study demonstrates that only the more secular, pro-evolution democracies have, for the first time in history, come closest to achieving practical “cultures of life” that feature low rates of lethal crime, juvenile-adult mortality, sex related dysfunction, and even abortion. The least theistic secular developed democracies such as Japan, France, and Scandinavia have been most successful in these regards.

I know I'm out of my depth with a lot of the people on this forum, but I read something interesting recently which may relate to this. The piece claimed that the most stable, happiest countries in the world tended to be the most secular. Perhaps greater religiosity may be more a function a people trying to cope with difficulties and forces in their lives over which they feel they have little control, rather than education levels? But in any case, I think I disagree with your idea on an instinctual basis. If the education you are speaking of is a madrasa or a seminary, maybe. But if we are talking about modern colleges of science, I doubt it.

I fully uninstalled WMP for Firefox months ago myself, but then dropped my guard while doing a 'critical' Windows update and got nailed with it again. Thankfully however, Firefox actually automatically turned it off for me a couple of days ago.

It's to the point now that I'm even sad to see the Nazis go. A very interesting and historically important generation quickly fading into the twilight. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/air-force-obituaries/6299837/Generalleutnant-Gnther-Rall.html

Another vote for Patriot. It was a long time ago, but I do remember anticipating that game for what seemed like years. And then finally getting it and quickly giving up in shear frustration. I think I may have even questioned myself at the time as to whether I was just too dumb to comprehend something so deep... I'll also admit that I'm a fan of MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role playing games), and have been greatly disappointed in all the recent offerings. The dumbed down, linear, so called WoW clones. I do currently play EVE Online, but I long for a better/newer/different adult oriented 'sandbox'.

As far as current requirements for special forces go, you guys may well be right about needing to have completed one hitch, etc.. What I remember about being asked in boot camp happened, err, well lets just say something over twenty years ago. But I do remember one other thing about that day. Not a single person stepped forward and said "put my name on the list, sir".

The one thing I remember is that everyone is given the opportunity to sign up for special forces fairly early in boot camp (at least with regard to the Navy). But after that, I'm sure some serious vetting begins. I'd be a lot more worried about washing out due to lack of character or low IQ than physical fitness. Almost anyone can get in shape if they really want to.

As a yank I've been waiting for years to blithely ask an Australian waitress to 'put a dingo on the barbie' for me. But after having to cancel a planned trip there last year, I wonder if I'm ever going to find the chance. Thanks John, I laughed.

Just (vaguely) remembering a blurb I heard on the tv yesterday, I believe there are about 400 American military advisers currently in Georgia.

My neighbor swears that Claritin is a miracle cure for her hayfever. And I believe that Zirtec is also another one of these new class of drugs that are used to treat allergies (and that are now sold over the counter). I'm not sure how they work, but I believe they are supposed to be much safer to use on a regular basis than anti histamines or decongestants are? GL

Be sure to (eventually) play CMBB against a human opponent. Even if you have to buy a copy for a friend, or go to the Opponent Finder forum. Multiplayer takes CMBB to a whole new level. And welcome. Come visit in the "General Discussion Forum" as well if you ever have some free time.

My brother recently complained that an HQ unit of his just spontaneously died for no good reason. But I think the one thing I could say is that this problem is exceedingly rare (we are now playing our 20th or so PBEM QB)

The Scenario Depot has a search feature with filters that can be useful, and quite a few of the scenarios have been reviewed. http://ns9.super-hosts.com/~dragonlair.net/combatmission/ Favorite tank is kind of dependant on the time frame. When you're almost completely invulnerable it's easy to start thinking you're the next Patton, but try playing the other side in these situations to find out why a lot of people use various armor limits with CMBB. Here's one example: http://schlepper.hanse.de/redwolf/armorrules/