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Is Charlize Theron the next James Bond?
Fatherly By Blake Harper
There is nothing that the internet loves more than baseless speculation and there are few things the internet loves to baselessly speculate about than who will be taking Daniel Craig's place as the next James Bond. Countless actors have been tied to the role, most famously Idris Elba, but the newest name being tossed around as Craig's replacement is none other than Charlize Theron.
Support for Theron first developed during the Oscars, where she and Craig presented Best Supporting Actor and while their time onstage was brief, the interaction was enough to make us wonder what it would be like if the South African actress was chosen as the next James Bond. And it wasn't just us who were enticed by the idea of Theron carrying on the Bond legacy, as Twitter immediately began campaigning for the Oscar-winning actress.
A few people even had a creative way to keep Craig in the franchise.
While Theron has not been officially connected to the 007 films in any tangible way, she does seem like she would be a good fit for the role. She already proved her action star potential as Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road and also demonstrated a little more ass-kicking ability in a Budweiser commercial that aired during the ceremony.
Craig even admitted during their on-stage banter that he was intimidated by his co-presenter.
"Seriously, Charlize Theron could kick my ass," Craig remarked.
If that's not an endorsement, we don't know what is.
This article originally appeared on Fatherly. Follow @FatherlyHQ on Twitter.
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How the Marines would stomp the Russians in the Arctic
Business Insider By Blake Harper
About 90 Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Lejeune carried out a mock air assault in Iceland in October 2018 as part of the initial phase of NATO's largest war games since the end of the Cold War.
The NATO war games, called Trident Juncture 2018, will begin on Oct. 25, 2018, in Norway and include more than 50,000 troops from 31 countries.
According to NATO, the purpose of Trident Juncture is "to ensure that NATO forces are trained, able to operate together, and ready to respond to any threat from any direction."
But the war games are also largely seen, by the East and West, as de facto training for a fight with Russia.
Along with the carrier USS Harry S. Truman, the US has sent about 14,000 troops to the games, and the initial mock air assault was to help prepare Marines for a large-scale amphibious assault to be carried later in Norway.
But that's not all the Marines did.
Here's how they trained in Iceland for a potential cold-weather fight with Russia.
Marines load onto a CH-53E Sea Stallion aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) while conducting an air assault in Icelandic terrain on Oct. 17, 2018.
(Photo by US Marine Corps)
The 90 US Marines aboard the USS Iwo Jima were first loaded onto MV-22 Ospreys and CH-53 Sea Stallions.
Source: US Marine Corps
A V-22 Osprey departs from USS Iwo Jima for an air assault in Icelandic terrain on Oct. 17, 2018.
A US Marine posts security at Keflavik Air Base in Iceland on Oct. 17, 2018.
Where they set up a security post.
US Marines post security at Keflavik Air Base in Iceland on Oct. 17, 2018.
"During the air assault we landed on an airfield and immediately set up security which allowed for the aircraft to leave safely," Cpl. Mitchell Edds said.
A US Marine aims his weapon while posting security during a mock air assault in Iceland.
"We then conducted a movement to a compound where Marines set up security to allow U.S and Icelandic coordination," Edds said.
US Marines hike to a cold-weather training site in Iceland on Oct. 19, 2018.
A Marine adjusts a fellow Marine's gear as they prepare to move for a cold-weather training hike in Iceland on Oct. 19, 2018.
Cold-weather insulated boots used by US Marines in Iceland on Oct. 19, 2018.
In fact, they appear to have tried out their new cold-weather boots, which were just issued by the Corps.
Source: US Marines
US Marines overlook a training area from a hill in Iceland on Oct. 19, 2018.
US Marines set up camp during cold-weather training in Iceland in October 2018.
Where they began setting up camp.
US Marines set up tents in Iceland in October 2018.
"We're just getting the gear out — the tents, stoves and stuff like that, making sure we know how to use it … and making sure we know how to use it before we get to Norway," one US Marine said.
Business Insider contacted the US Marine Corps to find out more about the cold-weather training they conducted, but the Corps did not immediately respond.
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This 50-year-old jet is the starting point for great fighter pilots
Airman Magazine By Blake Harper
For more than 50 years, the Northrop T-38 Talon has been the principal supersonic jet trainer used by the U.S. Air Force. The twin jet-powered aircraft, which has tandem-seats for the instructor and student pilot, is the world's first supersonic trainer.
Air Education and Training Command is the primary user of the T-38 for joint specialized undergraduate pilot training. Air Combat Command and the Air Force Materiel Command also use the T-38A in various roles.
Its design features swept wings, a streamlined fuselage and tricycle landing gear with a steerable nose wheel. Critical components can be easily accessed for maintenance and the aircraft boasts an exceptional safety record.
More T-38s have been produced than any other jet trainer and have been used by the U.S. Navy, NASA, and many foreign air forces in addition to the Air Force.
More than 1,100 were delivered to the Air Force between 1961 and 1972 when production ended.
In 1953, Northrop Corporation engineers envisioned developing a small twin-engine "hot-rod" fighter. It would be decidedly different from the majority of early jet designs, which tended towards large, single and heavy engines.
A Northrop YT-38-5-NO 58-1191 in flight over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., 10 April 1959.
(US Air Force photo)
The N-156 project began in 1954 with the goal of producing small, agile fighters that could operate from the decks of the Navy's smallest escort carriers. That market disappeared as the Navy focused on large carriers. However, Northrop continued development with the goal of selling the lightweight fighter to allied air forces.
Then, in the mid-1950s the Air Force issued a General Operating Requirement for a supersonic trainer. Northrop entered a modified N-156 and won the competition, receiving an order for three prototypes, the first of which, designated YT-38, flew in April 1959. The first production T-38 Talons were delivered to the Air Force in 1961. By the time production ended in 1972, 1,187 T-38s had been built.
AETC utilized the T-38A to train Air Force pilots that would eventually fly diverse operational aircraft, such as the F-4 Phantom II, the SR-71, the KC-135 and the B-52 in the 1960's and 70's. At the same time, the AT-38B variant was equipped with a gun sight and practice bomb dispenser specifically for weapons training.
A T-38 Talon flies in formation, with the B-2 Spirit of South Carolina, during a training mission over Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Feb. 20, 2014.
(Photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder)
In 2001, most T-38As and T-38Bs were being converted to the T-38C, with its "glass cockpit" of integrated avionics, head-up display and electronic "no drop bomb" scoring system, which has prepared student pilots for flying everything from the A-10 to the B-2 to the F-22.
Advanced JSUPT students fly the T-38C in aerobatics, formation, night, instrument, and cross-country navigation training.
Test pilots and flight test engineers are trained in T-38s at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
AFMC uses the T-38 to test experimental equipment, such as electrical and weapon systems.
Two T-38 chase planes follow Space Shuttle Columbia as it lands at Northrop Strip in White Sands, NM, ending its mission STS-3.
(NASA photo)
Pilots from most NATO countries train in the T-38 at Sheppard AFB, Texas, through the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program.
NASA uses T-38 aircraft as trainers for astronauts and as observation and chase planes on programs such as the Space Shuttle.
In 1962, the T-38 set absolute time-to-climb records for 3,000, 6,000, 9,000 and 12,000 meters, beating the records for those altitudes set by the F-104 in December 1958.
A fighter version of the N-156 was eventually selected for the U.S. Military Assistance Program for deployment in allied air forces. It was produced as the F-5 Freedom Fighter, with the F-5G advanced single-engine variant later renamed the F-20 Tigershark.
Although upgrades are expected to extend the T-38C's service life past 2020, the Air Force has launched the T-X Program and is engaged in a prototype competition to replace it.
In response to the 1973 OPEC oil embargo, from 1974 to 1983, the U.S. Air Force flight demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, adopted the T-38 Talon, which used far less fuel than the F-4 Phantom.
The USAF Thunderbirds, T-38A "Talon" aircraft, fly in formation in this autographed picture dating back to 1977.
Primary Function: Advanced jet pilot trainer
Builder: Northrop Corp.
Power Plant: Two General Electric J85-GE-5 turbojet engines with afterburners
Thrust: 2,050 pounds dry thrust; 2,900 with afterburners
Thrust (with PMP): 2,200 pounds dry thrust; 3,300 with afterburners
Length: 46 feet, 4 inches (14 meters)
Height: 12 feet, 10 inches (3.8 meters)
Wingspan: 25 feet, 3 inches (7.6 meters)
Speed: 812 mph (Mach 1.08 at sea level)
Ceiling: Above 55,000 feet (16,764 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 12,093 pounds (5,485 kilograms)
Range: 1,093 miles
Armament: T-38A/C: none; AT-38B: provisions for practice bomb dispenser
Unit Cost: 6,000 (1961 constant dollars)
Crew: Two, student and instructor
Date Deployed: March 1961
Inventory: Active force, 546; ANG, 0; Reserve 0
Source: AF.mil
This article originally appeared on Airman Magazine. Follow @AirmanMagazine on Twitter.
7 movie quotes that perfectly apply to military life
Eric Milzarski By Blake Harper
It's easy to poke fun at the movies that screw up a portrayal of life in the military. Hell, most veterans and troops make drinking games out of just uniform errors alone — and that's not even touching plot holes or the nonsensical dialogue.
But this isn't that list. These films got the tiny details right. In fact, in addition to perfectly executed one-liners, these films get many things right.
1. A large portion of troops only enlisted for the benefits.
"Sir, I got lost on the way to college, sir." – Anthony Swofford, Jarhead (2005)
(brokenhills | YouTube)
2. We love f*cking with civilians.
"I wanted to meet interesting and stimulating people of an ancient culture… and kill them." – Pvt. Joker, Full Metal Jacket (1987)
(13579111317192329 | YouTube)
3. There isn't much that scares officers.
"Nah, I don't think so. More like chewed out. I've been chewed out before." – Lt. Aldo Raine, Inglorious Basterds (2009)
(Andrew Heaston | YouTube)
4. NCOs f*cking hate meaningless small talk.
"Good Morning, Sergeant Major" … "How do you know what kind of goddamn day it is?" – Sgt. Savage to Sgt. Maj. Plumley, We Were Soldiers (2002)
(DMartyr11 | YouTube)
5. NCOs are cocky only because they can back it up.
"My name is Gunnery Sergeant Highway. I've drunk more beer, pissed more blood, banged more q**ff, and stomped more ass than all of you numb-nuts put together." – Gunny Highway, Heartbreak Ridge (1986)
(Kyo003 | YouTube)
6. Deployments are hell…
"Saigon… sh*t. I'm still only in Saigon." – Capt. Willard, Apocalypse Now (1979)
(okidokivideos | YouTube)
7. No matter what, we're all American GIs.
"We're all very different people. We're not Watusi. We're not Spartans. We're Americans, with a capital 'A.' You know what that means? Do ya? That means that our forefathers were kicked out of every decent country in the world. We are the wretched refuse. We're the underdog. We're mutts! Here's proof: his nose is cold! But there's no animal that's more faithful, that's more loyal, more loveable than the mutt. Who saw 'Old Yeller?' Who cried when Old Yeller got shot at the end? I cried my eyes out. So we're all dogfaces, we're all very, very different, but there is one thing that we all have in common: we were all stupid enough to enlist in the Army." – Pvt. Winger, Stripes (1981)
(Movieclips | YouTube)
This is how you definitively rank challenge coins
Challenge coins have a special place in the hearts of many. Enlisted troops keep them as souvenirs to commemorate a specific moment while officers display them at every opportunity to build clout. It's like a hardened war-fighter's version of collecting trading cards.
But not all challenge coins are created equally. This is especially important when it comes to the military's drinking game. If two troops or vets are in a bar and someone calls, "coin check," whoever doesn't have one must buy the drinks. If you want to take it to the next level (or if everyone pulls a coin), have the person with the worst coin buy while the troop with the best coin chooses what the group is drinking.
There isn't a clearly defined ranking system, but here's the generally accepted hierarchy if you want to call someone out.
Think of these are having a pair of twos in a game of poker.
(Coinsfornothing.com)
8. Any store-bought coin
At the very bottom are the "at-least-I-have-it" coins. There's no challenge involved in getting these coins. There's nothing unique about them and they cost a couple of bucks at the Exchange.
They often have just an installation marking, regimental crest, or a generic rank on them. But, hey, they're better than nothing.
It only counts if it was given on a military installation, at any military event, or from a military-related company.
(Gregory Ripps)
7. Promotional coins
An obvious but effective marketing gimmick popular among companies who've done their homework is to make a branded military challenge coin. Companies will often give these to troops and vets on a whim and it's more about spreading brand recognition than displaying individual achievement.
Nonetheless, they're usually pretty nice and we rank them slightly higher than a store-bought coin because you have to be at the right place at the right time to get one.
Some commanders put plenty of thought into their coins. See the exceptions below.
(Photo by Lieutenant Junior Grade Samuel Boyle)
6. Unit coins
This is the category under which most coins fall. Each unit commander can commission their own coin to be made with the unit insignia alongside the names of the senior enlisted and hand them to deserving troops.
Determining where each coin falls within this level is easy. Battalion coins beat company coins. Brigade coins beat battalion. Divisional coins beat brigade. Branch coins may beat divisional coins if and only if they weren't just bought at a store and were actually given at the Pentagon level.
Some are generic, some are spectacular — hence why they're in the middle of the list.
(Photo by Cpl. Jesus Sepulvada Torres)
5. General officer coins
Each general officer has a coin made specifically for them. Fun side note: Officers who have coins made almost always pay out-of-pocket to have something to give to troops. Since generals have a nicer paycheck than captains, their coins are nicer and more prestigious.
To get a general officer coin, you have to do something outstanding enough to warrant a nice coin. This could be in addition to an official military decoration or officers may just feel like handing them out like candy. It depends on the general officer.
And a coin from that school's commandant is higher than just attending that school.
(Photo by Tech Sgt. Eugene Christ)
4. School coins
Many military schools also hand a nice challenge coin to each graduate along with their diploma. The troop worked hard to get through it and the diploma will oftentimes end up forgotten in an "I-love-me" book.
School coins rank as high as they do because it takes far more effort to get one than just giving a proper salute to a general.
Impressing the most impressive men in military history at least gets you a beer.
3. Medal of Honor recipient coins
Not all, but many Medal of Honor recipients also have challenge coins that they can give to troops and vets.
Just shaking hands with one of America's greatest is impressive enough. Getting a coin from one of them means that you will always choose the drink during a coin check.
There are also two exceptions to this ranking system that should also be taken into account should there ever be a tie or an appeal. A really cool unit coin can still beat a school coin if everyone in the group can agree that it meets these two criteria:
• Best design
If the coin is well-crafted and you can tell that the designer put plenty of heart into making such an outstanding coin, that person gets the boost.
I'm personally a sucker for bottle opener coins, so if I had to pick… you know where my vote is going.
(Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)
• Best backstory
Every coin should have a story to tell. If your story is something lame like, "I met this person and they gave me a coin," you don't lose points but it certainly doesn't earn you any.
If the coin has some major significance, then you're clearly the winner.
Being a soldier in the 101st and receiving a coin from the commanding general is great. Being a Marine and receiving one from him is far more impressive.
(Photo by Spc. Rashene Mincy)
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How to defend your coast without sailors or guns
Logan Nye By Blake Harper
An engineer at the respected RAND Corporation has a suggestion for small countries that want to keep their enemies at bay but can't afford a proper navy: use loads of sea mines and drones. It seems obvious, but the advice could prevent America getting dragged into a world war.
Explosive ordnance disposal technicians simulate the destruction of a submerged mine.
(U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Charles White)
Engineer Scott Savitz names a few countries in his RAND post, such as Bahrain, Taiwan, and the Republic of Georgia, two American allies and a potential future member of NATO. While all of them spend significant portions of their GDP on defense, they are all also potential targets of larger neighbors with much larger navies.
So, it's in the best interest of these countries (and the U.S.) if those countries can find a way to stave off potential invasions. RAND's suggestion is to spend money on mines and drones, which require much more money to defeat than they cost to create. This could cripple an invading fleet or deter it entirely.
While mines are a tried and true — but frowned upon — platform dating back centuries, modern naval tactics give them short shrift. Unmanned drones in water, air, and on land, however, are reaching maturity.
A Royal Norwegian Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Commando collects information during a mine-countermeasure dive during exercise Arctic Specialist 2018.
(U.S. Navy)
The idea is for the smaller nations to build up mine-laying fleets that go on regular training missions, laying fake mines in potentially vulnerable waters. This would create two major problems for invading nations: An enemy force capable of quickly saturating the water with mines as well as thousands of decoys that would hamper mine-clearing vessels.
And, mine clearance requires warships to sail relatively predictable patterns, allowing the defending nation to better predict where invading forces will have vulnerable ships.
The drones, meanwhile, could be used for laying mines, directly attacking enemy ships, conducting electronic surveillance, or even slipping into enemy ports to attack them in their "safe spaces" — a sort of Doolittle Raid for the robot age. They could even be used to target troop transports.
While the Russian, Iranian, and Chinese Navies are much larger than their Georgian, Bahrain, and Taiwanese counterparts, they don't have much sea-lift capability, meaning that the loss of even a couple of troop ships could doom a potential invasion.
All of these factors could combine to convince invading forces to keep their ships at home, or at least slow the attacking force, meaning that reinforcements from the U.S. or other allied forces could arrive before an amphibious landing is achieved.
It's easier to contest a landing than it is to throwback an already-fortified foothold.
A underwater drone used to measure salinity, temperature, and depth information is recovered by the U.S. Navy during normal operations.
For Bahrain and Taiwan, both island nations, ensuring that an enemy can't land on their coast nearly protects them from invasion. As long as their air forces and air defenses remain robust, they're safe.
The Republic of Georgia, on the other hand, has already suffered a four-day land invasion from Russia. While securing their coastline from naval attack would make the country more secure, it would still need to fortify its land borders to prevent further incursion.
A Navy drone, the Fire Scout, lazes a target for the MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter that accompanies it.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Trenton J. Kotlarz)
For America, allies that are more secure need less assistance and are less likely to collapse during invasion without large numbers of American reinforcements.
But, of course, mines remain a controversial defense measure. They're hard and expensive to clear, even after the war is over. And while sea mines are less likely to hurt playing children or families than leftover landmines, they can still pose a hazard to peacetime shipping operations, especially for the country that had to lay them in the first place.
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That time Hollywood's favorite outsider visited the Screaming Eagles
Harold C. Hutchison By Blake Harper
Hollywood legend John Wayne is a patriotic icon — he's the All-American hero of cinema. Between his 1968 film, The Green Berets, and his visits to the 101st Airborne, Wayne dedicated a good portion of his life to supporting the troops. But he wasn't the only Hollywood legend to pay a visit to the Screaming Eagles.
Robert Mitchum, who played an elite Marine Raider taking part in the Makin Island raid in Gung Ho and assumed the role of a pilot in the Doolittle Raid in Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, also paid the 101st a visit during the Vietnam War. Mitchum, who was best known for his iconic roles as villains in the original Cape Fear and The Night of the Hunter, received an Academy Award nomination for his role in The Story of G.I. Joe.
Mitchum's visit came around the time that elements of the Screaming Eagles, under the command of Major David Hackworth, took part in Operation Harrison, an effort to locate, track down, and destroy the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong using guerrilla tactics and artillery fire. The operation was somewhat successful — least 288 NVA or VC were killed and another 35 were captured, but 42 Americans died in the process.
A senior officer is briefed on the progress of Operation Harrison by a commander in the field.
(US Army)
The problem was, the majority of targeted Communist unit, the 95th Regiment, split up into smaller groups and evaded detection well enough to avoid having the hammer dropped on them. Even a B-52 strike would do little real damage. In essence, the Americans had done some damage to the enemy — but not without great cost.
Mitchum playing an ill Admiral Halsey in the film 'Midway.'
(Universal Pictures)
In the video below, get a glimpse of Mitchum's visit with the troops, which lasted an hour and a half. The clip shows him firing a M79 grenade launcher, commonly called the "Blooper," and watching a demonstration of a M72 light anti-tank weapon, or LAW. It's also a pretty good look at an artillery unit supporting Operation Harrison.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z7NVq7huhM
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US fighters and bombers sent clear warning to Iran
US fighters and bombers conducted a deterrence patrol over the Persian Gulf on May 12, 2019, as a warning to Iran, which the US has accused of plotting attacks on US interests in the region.
During the mission, US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress heavy, long-range bombers were accompanied by F-15C Eagles and F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters. The bombers and escorts were supported by a KC-135 Stratotanker providing aerial refueling.
US Central Command explained to Business Insider that the flight was intended to send a message to Iran and others that the US military is ready to defend its interests.
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off from Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, May 12, 2019.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Gardner)
The bombers were deployed to the CENTCOM area of responsibility last week after the US reportedly received intelligence showing "clear indications that Iranian and Iranian proxy forces were making preparations to possibly attack US forces in the region," a US Central Command spokesman said.
Source: US Central Command
(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nichelle Anderso)
May 12, 2019's patrol was the first mission for the four B-52s deployed to the CENTCOM area. "They're here to defend our forces and interests," a US Air Forces Central Command spokesperson told Stars and Stripes.
Source: Stars and Stripes
the USS Abraham Lincoln.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zachary S. Welch)
A U.S. B-52H Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 28th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, May 12, 2019.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Keifer Bowes)
While emphasizing that the US does not seek war with Iran, the White House has stressed that any attack by Iran will be met with "unrelenting force."
Source: White House
An Airman piloting an F-35A Lightning II receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker.
The fifth-generation F-35As were moved into the theater for the first time in April to support ongoing operations. These stealth fighters have already conducted strikes in the region.
Source: US Air Forces Central Command
An Airman piloting an F-15C Eagle receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker.
The F-15Cs were already in theater but were moved last week "to be best positioned to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region."
F-15C Eagle refueling during deterrence patrol.
As CENTCOM bolsters its firepower, Iran has issued several warnings, at one point calling the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier a "target" rather than a threat. Iran has not yet, it appears, escalated beyond rhetoric though.
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4 insane things service members can do to stay awake
Tim Kirkpatrick By Blake Harper
Not all deployments are created equal. Some troops primarily work at a desk performing critical operational tasks, while others are out and about undertaking various missions in the bush. Regardless, both schedules usually consist of long hours and a heavy workload which can run anybody down.
No matter the nature of the mission, staying in the fight and being alert is the key for any personnel deployed.
Cpl Daniel, a fire team leader, 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, posts security while members of the Afghan Narcotics Interdiction Unit search a compound during Operation Speargun in Urmuz, Afghanistan.
So if you're worried about falling asleep when you need to be at your best, check out these simple tricks of the trade to stay awake whole on deployment.
1. Bangin energy drinks
May seem obvious to the average population that drinking a Redbull or pounding a Monster will get their minds firing on all cylinders. But in most cases, deployed troops just don't sip a single energy drink — they take it to a whole new level by chugging multiple cans of the all mighty Rip-it.
Splashing water on your face works well too — but that's no fun.
2. Coffee lip
One ration the military never seems to ever run off of is coffee.
When you're occupying a patrol base or sitting in a fighting hole, coffee machines will be scarce. So instead of filtering water through the grounds, pack a solid pinch of instant coffee from the ole handy dandy MREs into your lip. It tastes like sh*t, but it can help you keep shuteye at bay.
3. "Spicy eyes"
This doesn't refer to "the look" that civilian reporter who came by the FOB to interview the colonel gave everyone. It means sprinkling a small amount of Tabasco sauce onto your finger and rubbing the contents under your eyes. Spicy!
If it burns a little and wakes you back up, you're doing it right.
There's nothing worse than drifting off while on post.
In fact, if you get caught sleeping, that's a crucial offense. The human body has a natural way of rejuvenating itself by excreting adrenaline into the blood stream. You can accomplish this by pinching yourself, or if that doesn't work, delivering a light love tap across your cheek.
It might seem a bit extreme, but it could also save your life and the lives of your comrades.
Can you think of any others? Comment below.
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It's official: President orders Pentagon to create space command
Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty By Blake Harper
U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the establishment of a space command that will oversee the country's military operations in space.
Trump signed the one-page memorandum on Dec. 18, 2018, directing the Department of Defense to create the new command to oversee and organize space operations, accelerate technical advances, and find more effective ways to defend U.S. assets in space, including satellites.
The move comes amid growing concerns that China and Russia are working on ways to disrupt, disable, or even destroy satellites on which U.S. forces rely for navigation, communications, and surveillance.
The new command is separate from Trump's goal to create an independent space force, but could be a step in that direction.
Speaking at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Vice President Mike Pence said: "A new era of American national security in space begins today."
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence
(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Codie Collins)
Space Command will integrate space capabilities across all branches of the military, Pence said, adding that it will "develop the space doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures that will enable our war fighters to defend our nation in this new era."
It will be the Pentagon's 11th combatant command, along with well-known commands such as Central Command and Europe Command.
Space Command will pull about 600 staff from existing military space offices, and then add at least another 1,000 over the coming years, the Associated Press quoted an unidentified U.S. official as saying.
Its funding will be included in the budget for fiscal year 2020.
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Why service animals are a perfect match for veterans
This article is sponsored by Nulo Pet Food.
The rigors of combat leave a lasting impact on many veterans who have proudly served. As painful as it is to admit, as a society, we've mostly left these troops to fend for themselves and find their own path in coping and healing.
No two roads to recovery are alike, but there's one method that's proven, time and time again, to be an effective way for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress to see through the haze — and that's adopting a support animal.
Whether it's an officially certified and properly trained service animal or just a pet that offers its unconditional love, it's been proven that animals can get veterans through their struggles.
NULO – SAVED
As many veterans who are accompanied by a support animal can tell you, a little nudge of love can make the biggest difference in the world. Such is the story of Andrew Einstein and his dog, Gunner.
And the two have been inseparable ever since.
(Nulo)
When he was deployed in August, 2011, a grenade went off near Andrew. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and lost the hearing on his right side. The road to recovery was long, lonely, and painful. Without adequate support, Andrew went through dark times. He reached his lowest point less than ten months after the injury, and intended to end his own life.
Thankfully, he made it through the night. The very next day, he met Gunner. He wasn't the biggest or the most energetic dog, but this little puppy didn't want to leave Andrew's side. Gunner chose to stick by Andrew, despite of all the hardships he's endured.
The bond between the two grew with each passing day. Today, Andrew and Gunner participate together in various runs and obstacle courses across the country. Competition after competition, the pride Andrew has for Gunner, as he successfully navigates the various challenges, can only be described as the pride a parent has for a child.
"Service dogs allow people to live a life they otherwise wouldn't be able to live because of whatever issue or disability they're suffering from," says Andrew. "It's near impossible to do anything on your own and having a support system — whether it be one dog, a team of people, it doesn't matter the number — if you don't get help, you're gonna get worse. But if you ask for help, you'll get better. You're still the same person, nothing changes, except your life getting better."
Andrew found that support system in Gunner.
To learn more about Andrew and Gunner's incredible journey — and to explore the amazing ways a service animal can impact lives — visit Nulo's website.
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The infamous Polish cavalry charge against the Nazis actually worked
Blake Stilwell By Blake Harper
On Sept. 1, 1939, the Nazi war machine rolled into Poland, touching off World War II in Europe. Nazi propaganda would have the world believe Polish cavalry were intentionally charging Nazi tanks, thinking they were no more than the toothless dummies the Treaty of Versailles allowed them. In the aftermath of these battles, the dead horses and cavalrymen appeared to back this claim and the world would believe the myth of the Polish cavalry for much of the war. But in reality, there was a Polish cavalry charge that was a tactical success.
(Laughs in Polish)
The Poles had very little chance of retaining their country during World War II. The Nazis invaded Poland at one of the heights of their military power. The Soviets invaded Poland from the other side. Poland stood little chance of fighting them both off – but that doesn't mean the Poles didn't try. The Polish had already fought off the Red Army in the 1919-1921 Polish-Russian War, but this time, things would be different.
Poland has a pretty spectacular military history, even if it wasn't a country for much of that time. Napoleon recruited Polish troops, as did the Russian Tsar and the Hapsburg monarchy. It was probably Polish forces who kept Eastern Europe from falling to Muslim invaders in the 1600s, as Polish troops were critical to winning the Battle of Vienna. The final death blow to the Ottoman invaders was the now-famous cavalry charge led by the elite Polish Winged Hussars. The Hussars cleared the Ottomans from the battlefield and delivered a rout so hard, Muslim armies would never threaten Vienna or Western Europe again.
So yeah, the Poles are no joke – but time passed, and Poland fell behind in its military development while Nazi Germany famously re-armed in a way that would make any dictator's mouth water. The Soviet Union had a large army, even if it wasn't as well-trained or well-equipped. The Poles still fought both valiantly and nowhere was that more apparent than at Krojanty.
On the first day of the Nazi invasion, the Germans broke through the Polish Border Guard very early in the day, which forced the rest of the Polish defenders in the area to fall back to a secondary defensive position. In order to make an orderly retreat and not lose all of the defenders to German infantry, someone had to cover the retreat and force the Germans to slow their advance. That fell to the 18th Pomeranian Uhlan Regiment, a cavalry regiment that saw action fighting the Red Army in the 1919 war with the USSR. They would make one of history's last great cavalry charges.
No, they weren't wearing wings but that would have been awesome.
The 18th Pomeranian Uhlan Regiment found the Nazi German 76th Infantry Regiment, comprised of 800 armored reconnaissance vehicles along with 30 heavy guns, waiting to advance on the free city of Danzig. The 76th was actually part of the left wing of the XIX Panzer Corps under Gen. Heinz Guderian, which had been slowed across the line by Polish resistance. In order for the Poles in the area to get to the secondary defense of the River Brda, the 76th would have to take heavy losses, which would cause a delay for the entire motorized division on the Nazi left flank.
What would a cavalry unit do in a situation where the enemy is sitting around, waiting for orders? Charge, of course. The Poles took the enemy by surprise with a heavy cavalry charge of two squadrons, consisting of 250 angry Poles on horseback. They completely disbursed the German 76th. It was a complete tactical success, allowing for the rest of the defenders to make it to the relative safety of the River Brda. The Polish cavalry was quickly disbursed itself, however, by a German counterattack of heavy machine guns from nearby armored vehicles. They lost a third of their cavalry, but the rest of the defenders lived on to fight again.
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3 myths about females in combat positions, dispelled
Jacqlyn Cope By Blake Harper
Women have always been present in war, whether it be as nurses tending to the wounded or in other career fields not typically exposed to combat. The truth is, even women who are not designated in combat positions still experience run-ins with enemy fire and combat situations and continue to do their jobs.
The recent lifting of the restriction that kept women out of combat positions stirred a flurry of controversy. Even still, some wonder if this was the best choice for the military because of the "myths" that have surrounded women and their military service.
Let's dispel a few of those myths.
3. Myth: Women are too nurturing to pull the trigger.
Yes, women have children, and yes, women often are nurturing, but saying a woman wouldn't pull the trigger to save herself and her fellow service members just because it's not thought to be in "her nature," is obviously false. Women who choose to be in the military and sign up for a combat position know what's at stake and are aware they're not out there to play house or coddle babies.
Although you may not think of your mother going out and kicking some ass on the front line, there are women out there who would love to take a stab at it (literally). That's why the military decided to allow women to choose if they think they have the ability to fight alongside their male counterparts in combat.
Not every woman has children but, even if motherhood instills a nurturing disposition, you can bet that it only would further drive a woman to accomplish the mission and destroy whatever lies in her path to keep her children, and her team for that matter, safe.
Do animals coddle enemies trying to attack their family? Think about that.
2. Myth: Women are not strong enough.
Long before the U.S. military allowed women to enter career fields other than nursing, there was a stigma centered on females' physical capabilities. To date, standards in every military branch are separated and women's qualifications on PT tests are lower than men's.
But just because women perform their PT tests at a lower standard than men doesn't mean that some women have not exceeded the minimum, and even surpassed men in their ability.
Or literally carried them. (U.S. Army photo)
Combat position requirements will not be lowered for women but that doesn't mean some can't rise to the challenge. The women who have broken the stigma of weakness by meeting the physical qualifications of combat positions led the way for others to break free and challenge themselves.
All the way. (U.S. Army photo)
1. Myth: PMS will get in the way of completing duties
The biggest myth is about the mood swings that spring out of the blue, making the work environment tense. If this is the case, then every workplace in the U.S. is always tense because women work everywhere and, surprisingly, still do their jobs — and do them well.
When it comes down to it, women know being in the military is not about being pretty, smelling nice, or letting emotions go wild on those around them. How do you think women in the military are doing their jobs right now? Women are professionals and can handle day-to-day stressors and the deployment conditions just like men. PMS is more of an issue for some of the men in the military than the women who serve.
Recently, a survey taken by SOCOM on the opinion of male special-ops personnel included statements such as, "I think PMS is terrible, possibly the worst. I cannot stand my wife for about a week out of every month. I like that I can come to work and not have to deal with that (E-6, SWCC)."
PMS: Worse than ISIS.
Apparently, women are men's worst nightmares during PMS.


The scope of this heritage North Sydney family home included a new kitchen, fireplace unit and bathroom vanity with shaving cabinet. Bondi Kitchens directed the design realisation, manufacture and installation of this joinery package.
Simple and sophisticated. This monochromatic interior fitout creates a sleek finish with classic shaker style detailing in Dulux Natural White and Caesarstone 'Fresh Concrete' benchtops. The use of custom Made Measure black handles, recessed LED shelves and integration of appliances enhances a timeless kitchen and living space.
We worked in collaboration with designer Jessica Enander, director of Nordic Space.


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10 Hardest Rock Band Songs to Play
Celebrating the anniversary of the video game series by diving into its most difficult tracks
Grant Sharples
November 19, 2020 | 12:08pm ET
I remember taking drum lessons when I was 10 years old. I desperately wanted to learn how to play the drums, but I had a difficult time wrapping my head around certain theoretical concepts. This wasn't the component I was even interested in. When I received an iPod Nano as a birthday gift two years later, I realized what it truly was that I wanted to learn. I had purchased songs by AFI, Rise Against, and Blink-182 for my new high-tech device, and I wanted to learn how to play them on my drum kit.
At my drum lessons, we primarily played marching music and elementary jazz. I'm still grateful for the fundamental training I received through those lessons, but I never really had the opportunity to play the music I wanted that early in my life. But that's when the Rock Band series, now 13 years old, was at its cultural zenith. You could walk into any of your friends' houses and see Rock Band instruments haphazardly strewn across the floor or lazily piled in a living room corner. When I had started teaching myself how to play drums for songs I downloaded from iTunes, I understood that playing in expert mode for Rock Band drums was as identical as you could get to playing real drums without a proper kit.
Now, as someone who's played drums, guitar, bass, and other instruments for a decent chunk of my life, I admit that some Rock Band songs are simply cruel. Whereas some songs are challenging but still enjoyable, others are exceptionally unfair. But that's part of the joy of them. There's a reason that a group of friends trying to get through nearly any death metal song in the Rock Band franchise usually results in a laughing fit.
10 Bands You Probably Discovered by Playing Guitar Hero
So, we decided to take a deep dive into all four Rock Band titles (and a little DLC) to see what the most difficult songs from the series are. We've also supplied some easier alternatives for each song, but if you're feeling up to the challenge, then dust off those plastic instruments and plug in your seventh-gen gaming consoles.
10. Aerosmith – "Train Kept a Rollin'" from Rock Band (Guitar)
Aerosmith's "Train Kept a Rollin'" from the original Rock Band is easily one of the most difficult songs for a guitarist in the game. As plenty of classic rock is, this track is brimming with showy guitar solos, and hitting every note is far from a minor accomplishment. Although Aerosmith would get their very own Guitar Hero game, it was Rock Band that gave them love first.
Try This Instead: For an easier classic guitar song to play, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' "I Love Rock N' Roll" is available in Rock Band 3.
09. Abnormality – "Visions" from Rock Band 2 (Bass)
The bassline in Abnormality's "Visions" is restless. Its high-speed walk-ups and walk-downs are difficult to keep up with, and "Visions" is less of a song and more of a musical adrenaline rush. Rock Band 2 does a great job of projecting that chaos into a video game, as it's even more difficult to play in real life. Abnormality is a death metal band after all, and what is a death metal band without agonizingly difficult songs?
Try This Instead: Lacuna Coil aren't exactly a death metal band, but "Our Truth" from Rock Band 2 is a much easier alternative for those who still want to play metal without destroying their fingertips.
08. The Beach Boys – "Good Vibrations (Live)" from Rock Band 3 (Vocals)
Brian Wilson's exquisite, masterful vocals are nearly irreplicable. It's almost cruel to expect gamers to match Wilson's (and the other Beach Boys') range in Rock Band 3, but Harmonix put players to the test with a live version of "Good Vibrations". Not only are you tasked with singing Brian Wilson's part but also Carl Wilson's. The Beach Boys were known for their clean (and painfully challenging) harmonies, and asking amateur gamers to compete with that is almost unfair.
Try This Instead: "Good Vibrations" is the only song by The Beach Boys in the entire Rock Band canon, but you can always try singing easier songs from their '60s contemporaries in The Beatles: Rock Band.
07. Dream Theater – "Panic Attack" from Rock Band 2 (Drums)
Drummer Mike Portnoy is famous for his work in the prog-metal band Dream Theater, and it's why "Panic Attack" is one of the most difficult songs for a drummer in Rock Band 2. There are even several sections in a 5/8 time signature, which can be confusing for both musicians and non-musicians alike. Dream Theater formed while its members were studying at Boston's Berklee College of Music, and that virtuosity shines through in their music.
Try This Instead: For something that's less of a metal full-body workout but still prog-minded, Rush's "Tom Sawyer" is still a relatively challenging option in the original Rock Band.
06. Primus – "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" from Rock Band 3 (Bass)
Just as Brian Wilson is famous for his vocal work and Mike Portnoy is known for his drumming, Les Claypool is famous for his impressive, mind-boggling basslines. Playing it in Rock Band 3 is hard, but playing it on an actual bass is significantly harder. Claypool combines tapping and strumming on "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver", two techniques rarely heard on a bass guitar. This is the most difficult song for Rock Band bassists for good reason.
Try This Instead: There are very few bands that sound even remotely like Primus, but if you want an easier but still iconic bassline, there's always Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Give It Away" in Rock Band 2.
The Outlaws
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Why Mining Companies Could Expect Many Benefits To Be Had
Frank Holmes
•Gold traders were bullish for the fourth-consecutive week. The increased optimism related to gold prices stems from the recent turmoil in global markets as well as the continued dovish stance by the Federal Reserve.
•The Swiss National Bank introduced a negative interest rate on deposits this week. The move, aimed at relieving upward pressure on the franc, should make gold relatively more attractive than franc-denominated assets.
•Gold exports out of Switzerland reached the highest level this year. Furthermore, in order to meet rising demand from Asia, Swiss refineries are working at full capacity.
•President Barack Obama indefinitely withdrew more than 52,000 square miles of waters off Alaska's coastline in order to protect the wildlife in the area. However, miners should get some leeway when it comes to the new law if the Republican-backed proposal bans the Endangered Species Act from applying to the sage grouse for one year.
•Barrick Gold Corp. is suspending its Lumwana operations in Zambia following a newly established increase in the mining royalty rate. The rate is set to increase from 6 percent to 20 percent for all open-pit mines.
•With diamond prices on the rise due to short global supply, retailers are looking for opportunities to invest in, or secure supplying deals directly from, individual mines. This would allow them to avoid the intermediate processes all together. Chow Tai Fook, the world's largest listed jeweler, said it is specifically looking at Canadian projects, providing a great opportunity for many mining companies to make a deal.
•Moving into 2015, many benefits are expected to be had by mining companies given the current environment. Specifically, declining energy prices and depreciating operating currencies could lead to lower costs and expanding margins. The chart above illustrates that costs seem to be rolling over now. Additionally, more mining companies could close their cash-negative assets, focusing attention on productive assets instead. Consolidation remains an opportunity for the industry as well, especially given the recent correction in gold prices.
•Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. expects gold prices to recover next year due to increasing demand from China and India. The bank forecasts a gold price of $1,280 by the end of 2015.
•Contrary to other positive forecasts, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) is predicting a continued slide in gold prices down to $1,000. This is because of higher interest rates alongside tamed inflation due to falling oil prices.
•India's government is taking a wait-and-see approach before making any official policy decisions to stem rapidly growing gold imports. Gold imports have risen six times, substantially weakening the country's trade account.
•The recent damage done to the Russian economy and the ruble are leading some to speculate that the government will begin selling gold. The desperate move could put downward pressure on bullion prices.
Courtesy of http://www.usfunds.com
Frank Holmes is the CEO and Chief Investment Officer of U.S. Global Investors. Mr. Holmes purchased a controlling interest in U.S. Global Investors in 1989 and became the firm's chief investment officer in 1999. Under his guidance, the company's funds have received numerous awards and honors including more than two dozen Lipper Fund Awards and certificates. In 2006, Mr. Holmes was selected mining fund manager of the year by the Mining Journal. He is also the co-author of "The Goldwatcher: Demystifying Gold Investing." Mr. Holmes is engaged in a number of international philanthropies. He is a member of the President's Circle and on the investment committee of the International Crisis Group, which works to resolve conflict around the world. He is also an advisor to the William J. Clinton Foundation on sustainable development in countries with resource-based economies. Mr. Holmes is a native of Toronto and is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario with a bachelor's degree in economics. He is a former president and chairman of the Toronto Society of the Investment Dealers Association. Mr. Holmes is a much-sought-after keynote speaker at national and international investment conferences. He is also a regular commentator on the financial television networks CNBC, Bloomberg and Fox Business, and has been profiled by Fortune, Barron's, The Financial Times and other publications. Visit the U.S. Global Investors website at http://www.usfunds.com.
More from Silver Phoenix 500
By Jack Chan
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Andy Schectman: 'Silver Has Become a Buyer's Market'
Vince Lanci: Why Silver's Price Has Been Lagging Gold's
Peru became the world's largest producer of silver in 2012.


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Q: JTextField order of numbers left to right I am trying to make calculator and i have an issue with JTextField. When I click numbers(JButtons) like 1,2,3,4,5 , they appears on JTextField like 54321. So, how can i change this to show 12345 instead of 54321?
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {

    JButton clickedButton = (JButton) e.getSource();

    String displayValue = parent.getDisplayValue();

    String clickedBtnValue = clickedButton.getText();

    parent.setDisplayValue(clickedBtnValue + displayValue);

contentPane = new JPanel();
    textField = new JTextField(30);
    textField.setAlignmentX(Component.LEFT_ALIGNMENT);
    contentPane.add(textField);
    textField.setHorizontalAlignment(JTextField.RIGHT);
    textField.setBounds(10, 11, 152, 32);
    textField.setColumns(1);
    textField.setComponentOrientation(ComponentOrientation.LEFT_TO_RIGHT);
    textField.addActionListener(eng);
    setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
    setBounds(100, 100, 184, 312);

    contentPane.setBorder(new EmptyBorder(5, 5, 5, 5));
    setContentPane(contentPane);
    contentPane.setLayout(null);

A: Did you really think about this BEFORE you asked the question?
You are in control of your code so you should understand what your code is doing:
parent.setDisplayValue(clickedBtnValue + displayValue);

The code is doing exactly what you tell it to do - the button text is appended before the existing text.
If you don't like it displayed that way then you can try:
parent.setDisplayValue(displayValue + clickedBtnValue);

If you want a better solution, you can use the replaceSelection(...) method as demonstrated in: How to add a shortcut key for a jbutton in java?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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The Hassan II Trophy (official name: Coupe internationale Hassan II de football), was a friendly football tournament organised by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation that was played in Casablanca. There have been three tournaments: the first in December of 1996, and the remaining two in the summers of 1998 and 2000 as warm-ups to big tournaments such as 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000.

Summary
Four editions took place, in 1996, 1998 and 2000 and 2008. The Moroccan national team competed in each of the four tournaments, along with numerous invited national teams at their choice, and for the first edition in 1996, they tried to invite the 1996 European champions, Germany, but they refused to participate, so they invited the runners-ups instead, Czech Republic. The four participants of the first edition were Nigeria, the 1996 Euro finalists Czech Republic, the newly independent Croatia and hosts Morocco. and the inaugural tournament was won by Croatia after prevailing over the Czech Republic in the penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw. At least 6 players that started in the Croatia team that started the final would go on to achieve Bronze in the 1998 World Cup two years later.

Belgium, England, World Cup hosts France and hosts Morocco were the four participants of the second edition, which was won by France after beating Morocco in the final, also on penalties, after 2-2 draw). The France team that started the final would go on to win the World Cup a few weeks later.

The 1999 LG Cup (Morocco).

Jamaica, Japan, 1998 World Cup champions France (Morocco favored France probably because of their WWII history) and hosts Morocco were the four participants of the third edition, which was won by France after beating Morocco in the final 5-1.

The Moroccans intended to host a fourth edition of the competition in May of 2002 as a warm-up for the 2002 World Cup, which would include the 2000 European Champions France, and either Japan or South Korea, the World Cup hosts, but they failed to hold the tournament for unknown reasons, but some sources claim that was due to geographical problems as Morroco and Japan/South Korea are too far apart, thus interfering with the team's program (schedules, train E.T.C) for the upcoming World Cup.

The Moroccans then tried to host the fourth edition of the competition in May of 2004, and the RSSSF states that it took place "probably in May; invited teams possibly Argentina, South Korea and Cameroon", but there is no official records of the 2004 King Hassan II International Cup Tournament. On 28 April 2004, Morocco faced Argentina at Stade Mohammed V, but the game went down as a friendly.

Winners

Top Scorers

See also
 Lunar New Year Cup
 LG Cup
 Tournoi de France

References

External links
Official website

International association football competitions hosted by Morocco
International men's association football invitational tournaments

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


First up, we've finally got some FORUMS over at The Fallout Shelter, home to webcomics such as ROTFW and The Rogues Gallery.
Next, we're on Top Web Comics now, to see if it's does anything to attract more readers to the site, if not then meh.
Anyway I said last week I would try to think of something to write about, and well I got nothing, so I'm going to talk about the first thing that comes into my head.
……….damn this is taking longer than I thought. OK I got a topic.
Robot's, aren't they just cool? As you may or may not have noticed, in EN Lothar is a cyborg (and if ANYONE says ANYTHING about "Robotocization" I retain the right to make fun of you), this has a lot to do with my affection with robots and things or a robotic nature, one of his inspirations, was the Terminator films, personally one of my favourite movie trioligies, although #3 was subpar, but still enjoyable. Whether it be giant robots with guns the size of a warehouse strapped to it's arms, Arnie blasting away with a shotgun while having his face melted off, or those little tiny spy robot thingies they have in practically every spy film now. Robots are cool.
I suppose it all started when I first saw "Transformers" when I was a kid. I'm talking about the ORIGIONAL Transformers here, not the crap that's on TV today, Optimus Prime beating the crap out of Megatron while spouting phrases like "No harm shall come to any one as long as I'm around" or "Buy our toys!". While Megatron was having his arse handed to him,. Starscream was plotting the best way to take over the Decepticons while thinking of a good excuse when it miserablly failed, while Soundwave was just standing there…emotionless, with a very creepy voice. The cool thing about Trasnformers is that essentially you have 2 toys in one, a robot and whatever the hell it transforms into. You could have Optimus Prime being a robot one second then have him in truck mode running over you sisters My Little Ponies, and that took some work in my house, my sister had THOUSANDS of those little plastic bastards, I had about 7 transformers at the time (I have a few more now), and belive me trying to kill every one of her ponies took a while.
Anyway, but the thing about robots I probably like the most is the fact that whenever you see they do a tnne of property damage. Think about the scenes in Terminator 2 where Arnie and the T-1000 (The liquid metal dude) fight in the mall and then take it outside, see how much damage they cause. And then think about the Mechs in the MechWarrior games, one of the funs things in those was getting an enemy base and stomping on all the soldiers. I mean yeah you've got lasers, but your in a 15 tonne mech, and they're just guys with laser pistols, why waste the ammo? It's especially fun in MechAssault when they scream.
Moving on from just plain robots we have Cyborgs, which is kinda what Arnie was in the Terminator films. The difference between a robot and a cyborg is basically that robots are all mechanical, cyborgs have "alive" parts, like Lothar in EN, or the "Borg" in the newer Star Trek (Ok yeah Star Trek is kinda boring "I think this space phenomenon is basically a transdimensional whatchamacallit thats has intercepted the parsecticanal, done a dosey do around some gamma radiation thereby taking in Einstein's theory of E=MC Hammmer *snore*") Arnie was said to be a cyborg in Terminator, as he had skin ans muscles over his robotic skeleton, but I tend to group the Terminator as a "Robot" for some reason. I dunno why. A more accurate description I think of a cyborg would be Master Chief from Halo, metal skeleton added, increased brain capabilities, muscle enhancements, able to carry around an A.I construct in his head, etc etc. And what did Master Chief do with these abilities? Blew up Halo, which is basically a small PLANET. So yeah, Cyborgs rock.
Ok I'm done now, maybe next time I'll type something people may be actually interested in.


A modern, 1 bedroom condo is now available to rent at Rhythm Sathorn – Narathiwas superbly located Narathiwat road in the heart of the business district of Sathorn and just 9 minutes walk (710 metres) from Chong Nonsi BTS station. This high rise Bangkok condo built by AP Thailand, completed in just 2014 has great local amenities nearby including Empire Tower, The City Viva, Tesco Lotus, Singaporean Embassy, BNH Hospital, New Sathorn International School and Lumphini Park.
Situated on a low floor of Rhythm Sathorn – Narathiwas this modern condo unit is North facing overlooking the roof gardens and has 1 double bedroom, 1 modern bathroom and has 38 sq.m of living space including a balcony with un-blocked views city views. The unit is tastefully furnished with modern stylish furniture, wooden floors throughout, kitchen with built in units, electric hob, microwave and fridge-freezer. The double bedroom is separated from the living room by a sliding door which can be opened up for more space. The bathroom is fully tiled with ceramic tiles and a rainwater power shower.
Rhythm Sathorn - Narathiwas is a high rise condominium project, developed by AP Thailand, located on Narathiwat in the heart of the business district of Sathorn and within walking distance of Chong Nonsi BTS station. Construction of Rhythm Sathorn - Narathiwas was completed in 2015 and the project consists of a single building with 27 floors with total of 300 units.