Walsingham

It was a _little_ mendacious. " But I do believe the point is valid. If we abrogate the right of people to escape into drugs when there is no clinical evidence that says it is directly harmful or addictive then how long can it be before people begin abrogating other means of escape? And computer games already constitute an addiction, with clinics and specialists to help people trying to cut down. If not, explain the people leaving their kids to rot while playing WoW? The point is that, as you say, an individual should have the right to choose their own destiny up to a point. I'm not saying pot should be manadatory or even used daily or anything. I'm just saying that we are wasting resources badly needed elsewhere, and guilty of hypocrisy when we prescribe opiate painkillers over hashish.

That's a false premise, Commissar (Never thought I'd say that either, kumquat). The resolutions said Iraq had to comply or face the consequences. The French and Russians vetoed the consequences because they were making money from Saddam. I can forgive you for not knowing about Saddam's support of Hamas and other anti-Israeli groups (currying favour with the arab man in the street), but it did happen. This was one reason why 'Gorgeous' George Galloway was schmoozing the bastard. And if you think all fundamentalist states are the same then you are guilty of the very black and white thinking you have criticised in the past.

That is the coolest thing I have seen in a long time.

No offence, but I think you are talking through your hat here. I was playing last night. Had the Celts on the ropes. Squared up for a simultaneous assault on three cities (more on this in a moment) , and had blasted the burbs down to the stone age with 17 artillery units in a rather comfy little fortification complex appropriately sited. The cities had less than 6 cits, and no extra city improvements left after the shelling. I was also keeping an eye on them with espionage. In one turn three veteran infantry popped out, and two turns later three more VETERAN infantry appeared. This was on WARLORD setting. ~~~~ With the above behaviour in mind and realising the AI was using fixed rates for production, based presumably on the 'class of the city' rather than its actual condition at the time of production (Capitals are always able to crank out units in a couple of turns, no matter what else is happening) I have the following recommendations: 1. The AI is able to launch small seaborne raids. You will not be able to stop this, since as I say he is working on a fixed scale for production. Nor is he bothered by the fog of war. Solution: Leave one city on your coast undefended. But position units nearby. He will always head for the least defended city. When he does, you can kill him. 2. The enemy capital has fixed scales of production that allow it to churn out a basic unit every couple of turns, no matter what. It is also always defended by three or four units, no matter what else is happening. Solution: Never ever seize the enemy's capital until last. Position a couple of defensive units nearby and when they become available add artillery. Break road links and pound units leaving the capital for the front, or cause them to attack your position. 3. The enemy can produce units without restraint on production, but DOES have to obey unit cost restrictions. Solution 1: When conquering his cities enslave the popn, and then drive them ahead of your army. He will seize them and fill up his unit quota with dross. Solution 2: When provoking a war, ensure you seize his strategic unit-building assets (like Iron) in the first move. He will immediately magic units into being (more proof that he does this, fishboot) that do not use the resource in question. DO NOT KILL THESE, but make peace asap. He will now have a roster full of dross. This means he will regard his military as inferior to yours and be more pliable. 4. The AI does most of his cheating when not directly observed. If you use a logistic strategy to bomb his improvements, for example, leaving him alone for a couple of turns will result in instant magic goblin workers coming in the night and reapiring the damage. Solution: if you do attack something, leave mountain based troops observing the area. 5. As previously stated, AI cities have an automatic number of defenders. Do not attempt to whittle away his defenses as if he were human. You have to win in the first round, because it is always the first round. For this reason you should always fight in at least eight units armies. Never ever succum to the urge to attack quickly before he digs in, or anything remotely sensible in real terms. Always wait for overwhelming strength, even if it means delays. 6. Finally, if you ever meet any of the design team who foisted this obnoxious approach on us, punch them. Repeatedly.

Don't bother being a lamewad and keeping your kit. You will be far more angry and up for vengeance when you find it has all been knicked. Plus scraping your way 'up' to new kit is fun. Also there is a possibility to win some of it back in fights later on. And you can choose the kits, provided you are some of the simpler character classes. I have played through as a fighter (became mage slayer) and a cleric (became specialist cleric). besides, I definitely recommend carrying the character through. It ties you much closer to the story.

1. But the capital will still be in the middle. Even in a federation the capital attracts investment, bureaucrats, companies and other goodies. bear in mind that if we Brits had just drawn a line around the region and had tried to be all sensitive about ethnic roots then the Sunnis would have got feth all from the get go. 2. I love this constant 'Left Wing' fantasy that the US has dark Sith-like powers. It may have escaped your notice but the US can't choose governments just like that. It has backed coups in the past, and even assassinated people, but that was a long while ago with a different CIA, and a different world. I don't believe they could do it again. Or would try. 3. A fundamentalist Shia state couldn't move beyond its borders in any direction either, for it would be trying to move on Sunni states, the Turks or the Afghans. All of whom would send them packing in no uncertain terms. Not going to argue with you on the alleged Al Qaeda links to Saddam. Even on the internet I've only come across a single individual who believed that. The Iranian Shias are becoming progressively more moderate. Debate, calls for more democratic freedom, and even native (ghastly) rock and roll. 4. Nation building has never been easy.

I think the point was the timing of it. You know, wait till people arn't drowning in said city <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Nonsense! We should make em guide the pilings in.

Not really. And I'm not saying that _I_ agree. I'm saying thee are plenty of people who would like to see the two things as equivalent, and would be 'up' for banning computer games. First They Came for the Jews First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me. Pastor Martin Niem

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAh it moves so fast!

I don't think it is daft to question rebuilding a city that is already underwater. If you are going to build a city from scratch, build it someplace above sea level. Or build it like Venice and make the canals part of the sewage system, I mean charm.

I agree. I also think that the war correspondents in Iraq ought to put down the mic and grab a rifle. Nothing like untrained people in a crisis situation. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> * Walsingham draws his side-arm and shouts "Hell Yeah!"*

I just remembered some reasearch I saw a while back suggesting that computer games should be re-defined as a substance of abuse. For the escapist qualities and the atrophying of body and social contacts that accompanies chronic playing. Remember that when we fight for the rights of pot smokers we fight for our own as well.

"Always try to be one of the good guys, because there's way too many of the bad." - Preacher.

I'd also quite like it legalised just annoy some of the people who are against it, and to shut up some who are for it.

I forgot to say earlier that I think a good leader would recognise teh strain and do everything in his or her power to reasssure the officers about their families, I am just saying that irrespective of that one has a duty to discipline and sticking to the job under such circumstances.

The sad thing is that even if this family are not that bad I have encountered many that are. NOW MAKE WITH THE FUNNY

In a ideal world, I agree. but can you image having to try to stop looting the same day your wife or kids died <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I admire your compassion. To omany people would not see this at all. But the fact is that men and women from all services do manage to cope with things like this and do their duty. We rely on them doing this to help us in crises. And as I say you have to be harsh to maintain discipline in such crises. In short exercise every degree of compassion, within the bounds of them doing their duty effectively. You would not appreciate it if your squadmates on the battlefield decided not to fight 'because people were shooting at them'.

Actually, a lot of films do precisely that if they are on a budget.

Yes is Dynaheir. You may find a more interesting female priestess, who is EEEEVIL, but fantastic. Shan't say where or why. BG is great for exploring. Don't rush through the main plot. It will wait for you.

I played it and thought it was absolute rubbish. Both sides had identical units, with different graphics. No unit variation, no tactical variation, boring missions. No excuse for something so shoddy. Find someone you don't like and chuck it at the back of their head. You will be happier.

Yep. Yet again the fabled and highly suspect compatibility mode does Jack. I have never got it to work for ANYTHING.

Er... he intentionally said 'city of Louisiana' to highlight the error the Secretary of the DHS made.

Kumquat: I simply meant I never thought I'd say I agreed with a kumquat (the fruit). I should have been clearer. I'm not clear on the idea that you believe it could be racial but not economic discrimination. I find the latter more common in humans in general. I'm not sayinga lot of folks aren't racist, its just more folks are snobs. I've aired my views on the cops before. I can empthise with them being cranky, but if you put on any kind of uniform and swear to protect peope, that's what you bloody well do. If you get compassionate about that and allow people to avoid their duty because they're stressed you make things worse. If one guy dodges out then everyone starts looking for ways to do it. Maybe some of the military chaps here who've seen action will back me up.

Loyalty and compassion as God traits. I'd say that animals do not know balance. Most will eat anything they can lay their jaws on, and in as great quantities as possible. The predators certainly don't practice anything except opportunity consumption.

I think you may be preaching to the converted. Nor, I might add is small attention span and instant gratification a problem only to the CRPG industry. Our whole society is ailing with it. Grud dang it.