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Messages - Chris M

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616
TV-9D9 / Re: TV series predictions (and wishes)
« on: March 13, 2008, 04:13 PM »
True about the Sopranos.  As it went on, I got more and more into it.  And I did watch every episode...thanks to being overseas and having nothing to do when I was off work except workout, sleep, and watch DVD's.

I would hate to see the language thing, but I think Fox or USA might be willing to push the envelope for this if violence is the issue.  Or you could always use Fox's cable station FX that really pushes stuff...especially if you remember the series "Over There" that was just filled with glorified violence and language.

617
TV-9D9 / Re: TV series predictions (and wishes)
« on: March 13, 2008, 02:33 PM »
I haven't followed the entire conversation or the development of this new series.  I've only read bit pieces here and there so I may be totally off my rocker. 

I hate the idea of SW on a movie channel.  The only ones that come as part of my satellite package is are the Encore stations.  I'm not going to subscribe to HBO or any other station simply to watch one show.  I loved the Sopranos, but I would wait until each season came out on DVD to watch.  I would do the same thing for SW, but I think there are a lot of people in the same boat as me.  As Paul mentioned, interest would wane from season 1 and the start of season 2.

Put it on one of the cable networks, TNT, USA, SciFi, or even if you want to get away from cable, Fox.  I think this will have a following, but the key is keeping the show accessible to the largest number of people.

618
Watto's Junk Yard / Re: The official shipping carriers suck thread
« on: March 11, 2008, 04:25 PM »
Well, my newest softball bat showed up here at work today.  The box was beat to hell, but thankfully the bat was intact.  Thanks UPS.

619
Watto's Junk Yard / Re: Last Living U.S. "Great War" Vet Honored
« on: March 11, 2008, 09:49 AM »
What was cool was a few years ago I was on my way home and we had the chance to stop in Germany for a while.  So me and a buddy rented a car and drove to Paris.  What was cool was being able to still see remnants of the trenches.  I'll agree with you on the technological innovations of the time to a degree.  The wide spread use of the machine gun is impressive and sadly, so was the use of chemical agents, and you can't forget the use of airpower, and tanks.  I've watched a little on the Military Channel, but it's just been "20th Century Battlefields."  Good show and it covers many conflicts.

It's really hard thought compare the two wars, at least for me, in terms of technology being that they both had their own innovations.  WWII saw the use of jets for the first time, although in a limited role and used by Germany for the wrong purpose.  We saw the first use of true "Special Operations" forces in the form of the Airborne, Ranger battalions, USMC Raiders, and UDT's.   

But we can't deny that WWI was an indirect cause of WWII.  The Treaty of Versailles set up Europe in such a way as to leave much animosity between countries and to guarantee a failure of the German economy.  As hard as it is, you have to give Hitler credit for ingenuity for getting around the stipulations of the peace treaty and forming flying and driving clubs and for getting an entire nation back on it's feet. 

As a historian, it's frustrating that there was such a gap in my college classes when it came to WWI.  I wish we could have covered more than we did.  I think my reasoning for following and studying WWII in as much depth as I have is due to my grandfather serving in Europe in tank destroyers and fighting from the Bulge to the end of the war.  (I actually travelled over the same roads that he did and was stationed for a while very near where he did some of his heaviest fighting.)

Jesse, I wish I could talk in depth with you on the subject, but sadly I'm lacking in detailed information.  Maybe we could put our two brains together and learn something here.

620
Watto's Junk Yard / Re: Last Living U.S. "Great War" Vet Honored
« on: March 10, 2008, 09:17 AM »
That is most impressive.  I think a lot of the reason why people "forget" about WWI is as you said, WWII get's the most press.  I also believe that because the US was involved in WWII far longer than WWI.  WWI was primarily centered in Europe, a small portion of SW Asia, and the North Atlantic.  While WWII had conflict in from the North Atlantic, to Europe, Africa, SW and SE Asia, and all over the Pacific.

The US economy was more geared toward war during WWII.  WWI didn't have the need for the entire US industrial might to get geared up.  There were also no "blatant" attacks to get  Americans riled up to go to war.  [io]And yes, I am a historian and I am aware there are numerous small "attacks" against US citizens and the like.[/i]

I also think that since the internet has become available, it has been easier to research WWII and get more perspectives on the war.  WWI survivors often haven't lived to that point and therefore couldn't reach a worldwide audience.  Of course, their stories survive through letters and oral stories, but those are much, much more difficult to come by. 

I feel like I'm rambling on so I'll shut up.  I wish I took more time to study up on WWI than I do.

621
Watto's Junk Yard / Re: How's the weather?
« on: March 7, 2008, 04:06 PM »
No problem...I didn't even think about the transplants.  I grew up out in Abilene, so snow was "common" during the winter. 

622
Watto's Junk Yard / Re: How's the weather?
« on: March 7, 2008, 11:40 AM »
Hey Paul, what part are you disagreeing with?

Wish I could have gotten a two hour delay before our schools opened, but I drove my wife to her school in Balch Springs and there was no need at all to delay.  I got to my school and the kids were having snowball fight.

623
Watto's Junk Yard / Re: How's the weather?
« on: March 6, 2008, 10:57 AM »
Stupidity is bred into some humans.

I'm lucky that I grew up in West Texas where we would get snow and ice several times in the winter so I got to learn how to drive and not drive in it.  I've taken those lessons with me.  What drives me crazy too is people that think just because they have four wheel drive they can still drive however on the road.  Apparently they don't realize that four wheel drive is to help you get a better start, not grip the ice better.  Once you're moving, the four wheel drive doesn't do a ton to help if you start sliding. ::)  Hell, I've got a huge 4x4 pickup and have hit some nasty patches before that caused me to slide and I was barely moving.

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Watto's Junk Yard / Re: How's the weather?
« on: March 6, 2008, 09:55 AM »
Sorry Morg about the weather for you Canuks.

Down here in Texas it's a blistering 43 degrees and we should start seeing snow later today.  We'll get up to an inch overnight and you will see people flip out and start stocking up on supplies.  School could get cancelled tomorrow and the temperature will be into the mid 40's.  People in Texas are stupid when it comes to ice.

625
Watto's Junk Yard / Lincoln thought about buying slaves' freedom
« on: March 5, 2008, 02:00 PM »
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,335189,00.html

Interesting read, and as a historian the possibility is absolutely fascinating.   I don't think it would have worked though.  The war wasn't just about slavery, it was about the right of a state to secede or nullify a federal that they felt hurt their economy or did nothing to serve their states best interest.

626
Watto's Junk Yard / Re: Do You Have Pets?
« on: March 4, 2008, 02:32 PM »
Sorry for the big pics.  If a mod knows how to resize, let me know. 

This here is my little girl, Tinkerbell.  She follows me everywhere I go.  A lab/Staffordshire PB mix.  Wonderful, sweet and super smart dog.  She looks like one of those nasty, human slaying pitbulls doesn't she?








627
A lot of guys I talk softball with complain constantly about trading bats and them not getting to the destination or the boxes show up cut in half, empty, or opened and resealed...again with nothing in them. 

Teams UPS, USPS, FedEx, and DHL must have a good supply of high end, high performing bats.

628
Watto's Junk Yard / Re: G.I. Joe - The Movie (Live Action)
« on: March 3, 2008, 02:44 PM »
IESB has the first look up of Dennis Quaid as Hawk.



I took a look at that pic.  What's odd is he is wearing and Army uniform, but has a gold missile command badge on his left/lower pocket.  It's also gold...the army does not have a missile command to the best of my knowledge, but the Air Force does.  However, the AF missile command (Air and Space command) badge is silver in color.  Now that I take a second look, it's all black, so it's not a real USA uniform, so I'm guessing this is that politically correct international military the movie is going to pitch.

I know details, but still would love to get uniforms correct.

629
Watto's Junk Yard / Discharge Day
« on: March 1, 2008, 12:30 AM »
Well, today was the first day for me to be a civilian in 8 years. 28 Feb 08 marked the end of my TOS with the USAFR and i was discharged from the Individual Ready Reserve. It felt kind of wierd, no phone call, no emails or anything. I'm just waiting for the paperwork with the DD214 to show up.

I kind of have mixed feelings. I'd go back in a heartbeat, strap on my gear and march through the gates of hell with my buddies. At this moment, my USAFR unit has a squad deployed to the sandbox. I was already IRR when they deployed, but talked to a handful before they left and I just felt like I was sitting on the sidelines and watching. I'm excited that I no longer have the concern of call up and deployment and time away from home hanging over my head, but I have friends in a foreign land and they are without me.

It's an odd feeling.  I guess any vets on the board know what I'm talking about.

630
Watto's Junk Yard / Re: JD Book Club: What Are You Reading Now?
« on: February 27, 2008, 11:39 AM »
I just started reading Battle Ready by Tom Clancy.  It's so far a good read, typical of Clancy's writing.  He goes into detail about CENTCOM and it's decisions and the POTUS decisions of the 90's leading up to the war in Iraq.  It's 2004 copyright means that a lot of the stuff will be good.  I'm looking forward to what conclusions he and Gen. Zinni come to.

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