Favorite Rock band.

@Young:

I know it’s not middle earth, but the trolls in “Willow” were awesome, so thats my choice (stupid answer eh?).

Whenever you blast one with a magical wand great things happen! The bloody meatball with dragons heads was awesome.

This year saw various “celebrations” of the 70th anniversary of the “Dam Busters” raid.

I have a problem with this, since it was in effect an act of terrorism, which killed about 1600 civliians and had minimal effect on German industry.

It’s rather like the German government celebrating the anniversary of the bombing of Rotterdam.

Still, more people are offended by the fact that the commander called his dog “nigger” than the destruction of human life. Don’t worry, though, as in the new film version the dog is renamed “digger”. So that’s all right, then.

Undoubtably,…The Big E
CV-6 Enterprise

“Tall Paul”

Two things on Mark’s comments.

Further to Marc’s comments
#1.  Looking at the Agrarian society farmers model.  It’s important to distinguished that in the Nomad society, the Raider/warrior is the Farmer.  Pillaging as he moves along, living off the milk of his horse, loot from the conquest, bounty of the land.

As for Mongol Officers - Let’s review some important distinctions.  I wouldn’t necessary call Mongol officers “Staff” officers in the sense we know them - but it’s important to note that Mongol officers were not needlessly expended - but rather protected.

The Mongol battlefield tactics were a combination of masterful training with excellent communication and discipline in the chaos of combat. They trained for virtually every possibility, so when it occurred, they could react accordingly. Unlike many of their foes, the Mongols also protected their ranking officers well. Their training and discipline allowed them to fight without the need for constant supervision or rallying, which often placed commanders in dangerous positions.

Whenever possible, Mongol commanders found the highest ground available, from which they could make tactical decisions based on the best view of the battlefield as events unfolded. Furthermore, being on high ground allowed their forces to observe commands conveyed by flags more easily than if the ground were level. In addition, keeping the high command on high ground made them easier to defend. Unlike the European armies, which placed enormous emphasis on personal valor, and thus exposed their leaders to death from anyone bold enough to kill them, the Mongols regarded their leaders as a vital asset. A general such as Subutai, unable to ride a horse in the later part of his career due to age and obesity, would have been ridiculed out of most any European army of the time. But the Mongols recognized and respected his still-powerful military mind, who had been one of the Genghis’ most able subordinates, so he was transported around in a cart.

Vader. Cult icon. Leader. Revolutionary. Visionary. Only sith capable of dancing ‘Can’t touch this’ and do it better than MC Hammer.

A true American.

GG

“Soldiers of the Western Front! Your great hour has arrived. Large attacking armies have started against the Anglo-Americans. I do not have to tell you more than that. You feel it yourself. WE GAMBLE EVERYTHING! You carry …the holy obligation to give everything to achieve things beyond human possibilities for our fatherland and our Fuhrer!” –-Von Rundstedt

stated so well by him at the onset of the great gamble in the west dec. 16th 1944. Very inspiring.

Also:

“Now is the winter of our discontent
    made glorious summer by this son of York…” spoken from Sir Laurence Olivier as Richard III the entire opening soliloquy of act one scene one. Its the greatest thing i ever heard coming from any actor.Its so intense and perfectly done for such a hard bunch of lines setting the tone of where Richard III’s ambitions are. I love that entire movie.

thanks