JediMaster

Even smart people can do stupid things when they're desperate.

The definition I saw that I think fits best is "Someone who does something difficult not because they must, but because to do otherwise is unthinkable to them". I do think the term is thrown about a bit too loosely by some, whilst others are not correctly recognized, usually for political reasons, and that is a shame.

I hope you are wrong but fear you are right. Another thing Pearl Harbor taught us was that while in the West a military response to an economic situation was unthinkable, it was not for Japan. Again, I don't know if the Chinese leadership would think that way or not, and hopefully the example of WWII would point out to them just how WE think, but I can see the possibility of the following sequence of events: 1. China does something the US (or a close ally) doesn't like. What it is, doesn't matter... 2. US responds with economic sanctions of some sort that hurt, possibly talking other nations into joining it 3. China leadership fears internal dissent/strife threatening their power as fallout of sanctions 4. Rather than wait for that, or make amends or whatever to get sanctions lifted, China decides to attack an American interest in the area (base/CBG/whatever) as a misguided attempt to demonstrate power and force the relaxation/removal of sanctions but with no intention to actually get into a shooting war 5. US predictably responds with a shooting war to Chinese leadership's horror and bafflement This would TOTALLY suck. However, when two sides have such different perspectives, it is not impossible.

So they were flying in trail formation instead of echelon I guess. What a tragedy.

China doesn't really care about being a "world power." They don't care a lot about Africa or South America or Europe. They DO want to be #1 on their block. Japan, Thailand, Russia, India, Australia, Vietnam...they want to be unchallenged in their own sphere. The US is too influential over there for them. They want the trade, they don't want political interference. So while calling Russia a "regional" power was an insult to Putin's ideals, China WANTS to be a regional power. They don't like the US being a power in their region as we aren't located there. Would China attack the US? Mainland, Alaska, even Hawaii? I don't think so. Would they attack a US base near them if things went south? That I could believe. In South Korea or some other "nearby" location, yes, if they felt we were interfering with their affairs too much. I also get the feeling they might have that "Pearl Harbor" mentality of striking and inflicting damage, then sitting back and saying "hey, we don't a war, we did what we set out to (teach you a lesson) and we're satisfied if it goes no farther." Depends on whether they pay attention to WWII history or not. They have a curious outlook on history, between ancient and recent, so it's hard to say how they'd think about it.

I say you get some custom targets printed out that look like walking cancer tumors instead of silhouettes and take 'em down to the range and SHRED THEM.

How DARE you! *slap*

Yes, and G940 stick I have, mmm, yes! Come, fly now we will! Fly...or fly not.

Uh...er...mmmm... I got nothin.

Interesting.

FC2 was FC1 + BS1 map + 1.12 patch, or in other words "fairly minor." FC3 has benefited from being in DCS World immensely.

Yes, because if the jammer had NOT suppressed the radar the ship would've promptly shot down the Su-24, the bodies would've been strung from the yardarms, and the crew would've thrown fish at them while posting the videos to YouTube to the tune of "Let it Go". Because that's what Americans always do. There is no such thing as self-restraint and NOT firing on a neutral plane that is NOT attacking. Of course.

Other than the birth of my 2 daughters, who are now 5.5 and 3, I'm living in the same place and pretty much doing the same thing as I have for the last almost 15 years...with the exception that I had a job for 10 years as an IT contractor for the USAF that went south (some of you know the story, not really interesting) and now I'm doing a far lesser job for far less money for the FAA. So for me time hasn't changed that much (my car is 11 yrs old next month!), but watching the changes around me makes me feel ooooooold...

Because bikini.

If you had "Duke" in front of your name they might.

Will we get a Darrell Waltrip voice mod for the radio? "Pontiac 1-1, boogity boogity boogity!"

Like the pilots would both bank into each other and the 747 wouldn't have banked LEFT.

Very short list of countries with conventional (non-VTOL) carriers.

To protect them being ID'd by overheads from American satellites and UAVs.

So will the demo be by a B or an A? As the A isn't on order there, but has the best export prospects, I'm not sure which they'll send.

As any shopping trip to Walmart will prove, competition at the low-end of any market is fierce.

Are you ANTI Beaver??!?! You are a traitor to your nation, then!!!!11111111111111

Windows 8.1 Update 1 has improved things quite a bit. It's still not "as good as 7", but it's no longer worlds worse. When DX12 comes out, and will apparently not be for 7 (as DX11.1 is currently also not), it may be that the benefits will finally surpass the downsides. Of course, by then Win9 could be out and either make 8 look like crap...or heaven.

Just playing devil's advocate here, but the US military doesn't pay enlisted men that great. The benefits offered are ok, but if you can make more money doing the same job, and the people you're working with and for are ostensibly all former US military, why WOULDN'T you go?

Meh. I was picturing something that looked a lot better than THAT!