budgie

I downloaded the game at last. I'm sually shy of online gaming because I fear a great fragfest with every man for himself. I have also modified my GR so much I could never play it online without crashing servers or being accused of cheating. Anyway, I loved the training and the way the weapons have a realistic kick. The graphics and sounds are fantastic (excellent draw distance - I hope they use the same engine for GR2!) I also enjoyed a couple of online games where everyone seemed to fight as a team. Others turned into a free for all. You know it's not gonna work out when the six gu

The only way the UN will cease to exist or be relevant is if everyone stops believing in it. So far only a few dictators and the Bush admisnistration have done that. The League of Nations proved to be ineffective - the UN is not even close to doing that now. If Saddam proves to be a real threat it will stand with America against Iraq. That's the way it happened in 1991 and the first Gulf War actually reaffirmed the UN's mandate. No need to count the the rest of the world community out just because they don't share the US president's world-view.

Godd point. The media may be responsible for many people's image of the mideast as a hotbed of america-haters. Unfortunately it is also the squeaking wheel that messes up the ride.

Well the US certainly does not deserve to be hated for all the good it tries to do in the world. People out there just want it to tread a little more lightly. It is certainly better to have freedom and democracy shoved down our throats than what some totalitarian political and religious interpretations have to offer. Just remember that the European and other allied nations that are traditional allies are distructful because of the way America seems to be imposing its values on the rest of the world. Remember countries such as France, Germany and New Zealand also have freedom and don't

As the US is the world's only Superpower, it is inevitable there will be a lot of jealousy, Also, as a woprld leader, America seeks to keep peace and stability in the world and to spread the ideas of democracy and freedom. However a lot of people win very different societies see this as imposing, meddling or trying to dominate. Can't please everyone. I thing the distrsut of America is deeper these days because of the boorish behaviour of that tool of a president. But remember the last one was derided in many parts of the world for his immoral behaviour. Again, you can't please veryone.

I got more from my contact at Ubi. Apparently "Grandmaster W." is just a puppet for an even more sinister leader behind the scenes - the mysterious "Uncle D!ck". And they still haven't settled on a name for the campaign. Now it's Operation Revive Democrativity. I think the Grandmaster needsa a new speechwriter.

This young man has caused me to reexamine my sexualilty. I feel something new and raw stirring withi...aw screw it, I'm gonna get another beer!

More from Ubi. Apparently the enemy leader is an enigmatic demagogue known only as "Grandmaster W." And they still haven't settled on a name. Now instead of Operation Restore Demotocracy, the PR guys are now floating Operation Return Democraticness.

I have contact UBi and they had this to say: "The Ghosts will be called in to a large, terrorist-plagued country to restore democracy after a cunning dictator and his cronies stole the election, cancelled taxes for the rich, imposed their religious values on the unwilling, abandoned the UN and started to threaten far away republics with massive military might. The new campaign with be called "Operation Restore Demotocracy."

@ Tollen; Letting the North Koreans starve would be dangerous. When a regime gets very weak at home it tends to lash out - which is partly why they are so boorish these days. A desperate North might actually attack the South to avert a coup at home and direct anger outward. That said, China will never let them starve. @ 300mag: Well said. time for China to step out and fill teh shoes it so desperately wants to be seen wearing. With great power coms great responsibility. Methinks they are more interested in the power. hey may also be wary of how America's position as top dog frequent

Actually political correctness is why they had the beards in the first place - showing sensitivity to the local customs. The reason they had to shave was politics. Just the opposite in out funny language. The Christian rightwingers and suburbanite nimbies back home didn't want to see US soldiers looking like the local savages. Lord no. They probably even got a letter from Laura Bush. As I understand it the issue was resolved in favor of the brass back home. The beards had to go.

I grant you that. At least the American president knows what he believes in and sticks to his guns.

I can't claim to be as morally upright as yourself, but I do love techno. For a real trance anthem try Rank One's "Airwave".

OK. So let's say the UN "goes to hell". The US invades Iraq. It certainly wins. Hopefully, the new regime is user friendly. Bush gets his oil, the Iraqi people get freedom - no more unaccounted for WMDs. The other nations are redfaced because they were ignored and it turned out for the better in the short term. But the honeymoon doesn't last. North Korea is even more scared they'll be next because they saw Iraq's regime fall. They ratchet up tension and rhetoric, threatening the South and Japan. Maybe the US deploys more troops to the area, maybe Japan, afraid of North Korean missil

I have a black belt in Origami.

(Best Yoda Voice); Hmm. I cannot teach him. The boy has no patience...

Don't panic my young padawan. North Korea got nervous because of Mr. Bush's unique view of the world and his eagerness to attack Iraq. They actually believed his rhetoric about weapons of mass destruction and got scared they would be next. What they are no doubt coming to realize is that as there is no oil in Korea, they don't have to be so worried. As for attacking the south, they have such a technological disadvantage that winning on sheer numbers even sounds silly. The North has a force only about 30% larger than the south (with combined US forces in korea, down to 25% when you fact

I have a fairly sharp kitchen knife, two bottle openers, some scissors for cutting chicken breast, a sturdy frypan and a cute smile.

I know what it's like Smatman. This is how I get killed on SP all the time. Line of sight is far too narrow so that when standing behind a wall, you can't really tell how much is exposed or not, and yet you still can't see past. I've accused the computer of cheating so many times but your case proves that the person behind the wall or round the corner is not as protected as he thinks.

Indeed Force is the only way to make Saddam, comply. Men like him understand nothing else. However, it weakens the world community to have one nation meet out this justice without the consent of the others. And with force he can be contained, as he has been for the last 14 years, until his own demise. Why force change when it is not the only option left?

Looks like the Columbia exploded while approaching. All seven astronauts on board. Not a good day all round. Sad to see these heroes die.

But the first guy that catches it will be pretty concerned.

By comparing ot to Top Gun I think they meant it was just another big-budget recruitment ad for the Navy

Well, It seems from the news on Yahoo, that the allies are not satisfied there is enough cause for a war right now. I must say, I agree for the time being. Without the backing of the international community, Bush risks diminishing America's overseas clout and setting a bad example for others to follow if he goes it alone without proof of Iraq's WMDs. With the backing of the UN, I'm sure special forces from NATO countries could train and equip a reliable opposition and let the revolution come from within. That, rather than all out war, might be more palatable to the allies. I have no l

With the right effort and dedication, Iraq can make a peaceful transition into democracy. It worked in Germany and Japan (although the Japanese interpretation of democracy is a little narrow they at least have freedom). But this is why the allies are needed on board. The UN has the best experience at nation-building, take East Timor for example. Bush (hate to say it) might be just as happy with a pro-American dictator who doesn't have WMDs as long as he can get his greedy mits on Iraqi Oil. Gotta satisfy the campaign contributors, right? But if he has the cooperation of more level hea