PaperArtillery

I think the Russians are primarily targeting the "rebels" in Syria, who incidentally have been known to engage ISIS when the "opportunity" comes round. It is, in military terminology, one great big clusterf#*@.

Based on what the debris field looks like in the video OP linked to, and the altitude from which the A/C fell, you're right in saying that the airframe must have broken up at its planned altitude, to say nothing of the lack of distress calls. Doesn't sound like pilot error, either, as A/C generally don't straight-up disappear from radar in good conditions without a little forewarning.

It amuses me how there's essentially no mainstream media reporting on what is swiftly becoming a proxy war between NATO and the CIS in Syria.

I'm not particularly condoning such things, but frankly, if I had that many terrible things happening to me, I'm pretty sure I'd be drunk 24/7 (as it is, I'm drunk 3/2, and/or whenever I'm on Il-2). I'm at high risk for MS and I remember, when reading over an "if you are diagnosed" pamphlet where it specifically advised not drinking, that I started laughing maniacally.

I haven't yet taken my amateur test, so no broadcasting for me, but I do have a Baofeng UV-5R+ of much infamy that I use to listen to local rescue squads, FRS/MURS/etc., and of course the local ham repeaters (K4MRA, K4KLH, KC4GXI, KE4CKJ, and W4PNT). An old friend of mine picked up ham radio for a non-sighted hobby (he's almost 100% blind), and got the 5Rs in a two-pack so I bought the extra and have been fiddling with it. It's a lack of get-up-and-go that's keeping me quiet, since I got plenty of radio experience a few years back working with Virginia's Emergency Management and such.

I'm over a week late, but nonetheless. L'shanah tovah!

Correction: as I'm currently in the United States, I figured I would give it a shot. Turns out it's pretty enjoyable - it looks amazing, at least on the weapons side of things, if the physics are a little screwy...true, it's not America's Army or CS, but it's not half-bad for a free shooter. Kind of like Soldier Front, but less poorly executed. It gets 4 out of 5 stars from me, but one of those stars is only because it's free.

That looks disturbingly like SolderFront...which I have been playing long enough that I don't see myself switching now, even if the game worked everywhere I'd want it to. It doesn't look bad at all, though, graphics and otherwise. Pretty authentic looking AK, from the trailer I watched.

Wow...I mean, his death isn't really in the same category as poor old Syd's...but still. Maybe, just maybe, Rogers and Gilmour might find it appropriate to forgive each other for a bit and do something for their late keyboardist. Floyd forever, and rest in peace, Mr Wright. "And I am not frightened of dying. Any time will do; I don't mind. Why should I be frightened of dying? There's no reason for it—you've gotta go sometime." - Great Gig in the Sky, Dark Side of the Moon [1974]