Hawk MMS

Just heard on the Radio that it was suicide. How sad. "I'm just taking my time, moving along, you'll forget about me after iv'e been gone..."

<H1 class=head _extended="true">Should have seen this one coming I guess... Iranians Outraged by `300' Movie</H1>Tuesday, March 13, 2007 By NASSER KARIMI, Associated Press Writer Story tools TEHRAN, Iran — The hit American movie "300" has angered Iranians who say the Greeks-vs-Persians action flick insults their ancient culture and provokes animosity against Iran. "Hollywood declares war on Iranians," blared a headline in Tuesday's edition of the independent Ayende-No newspaper. The movie, which raked in $70 million in its opening weekend, is based on a comic-book fantasy version of the battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C., in which a force of 300 Spartans held off a massive Persian army at a mountain pass in Greece for three days. Even some American reviewers noted the political overtones of the West-against-Iran story line _ and the way Persians are depicted as decadent, sexually flamboyant and evil in contrast to the noble Greeks. In Iran, the movie hasn't opened and probably never will, given the government's restrictions on Western films, though one paper said bootleg DVDs were already available. Still, it touched a sensitive nerve. Javad Shamghadri, cultural adviser to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said the United States tries to "humiliate" Iran in order to reverse historical reality and "compensate for its wrongdoings in order to provoke American soldiers and warmongers" against Iran. But aside from politics, the film was seen as an attack on Persian history, a source of pride for Iranians across the political spectrum, including critics of the current Islamic regime. State-run television has run several commentaries the past two days calling the film insulting and has brought on Iranian film directors to point out its historical inaccuracies. "The film depicts Iranians as demons, without culture, feeling or humanity, who think of nothing except attacking other nations and killing people," Ayende-No said in its article Tuesday. "It is a new effort to slander the Iranian people and civilization before world public opinion at a time of increasing American threats against Iran," it said. Iran's biggest circulation newspaper, Hamshahri, said "300" is "serving the policy of the U.S. leadership" and predicted it will "prompt a wave of protest in the world. ... Iranians living in the U.S. and Europe will not be indifferent about this obvious insult."

I did find this: ...has seen little action since it first entered service. The only notable exception is during the Eritrean-Ethiopian War (1998-2000). For the latter half of the conflict, Su-27As were used extensively by Ethiopia in CAP (Combat Air Patrol) missions and as escorts for Mig-21 and Mig-23 bombers. In the course of their service, Ethiopian Su-27s shot down two Eritrean MiG-29s; some of the Flankers were flown by Russian & Ukrainian trainers (some of whom were accused of being mercenaries), while some were flown by their Ethiopian pupils.

I digress. also, think the raptor craze is over the top as well.

I have both and LOMAC is rough. WOE and its predecessors are a blast. Easier to learn, operate and the guys here have made some amazing addons and mods. Even if they there are a bunch of flanker lovers here (just kidding the sim needs all the flankers it can handle). They have added so many aircraft and other itmes that the game is more than worth the 30 bucks.

Ahhh the commie comment was a joke. Just thought a little lively aircraft debate would help liven things up. I would cringe at the flanker in Israeli markings. That would most likely imply something has gone tragically wrong. Stick with us . Seriously, you have all helped me understand the interest placed in to the modern SU aircraft. Thanks for your input.

Very Nice Feature. Overall this community seems to be great. I am new here and am very impressed. To those of you that make it happen. Thanks.