The Old Hack

It is barely -- barely -- possible that it might also have had something to do with World War One, the catastrophically botched Treaty of Versailles, the failed communist revolution in Germany and its far right wing reaction in the form of the rise of independent right wing militias (many of which Hitler absorbed into the later SA), the horrific years of financial instability during the 1921-1923 hyperinflation, the assassination of several key political figures, the continual erosion of Germany's government and Constitution, the Wall Street Crash in 1929 and the constant abortive attempts by other right wing figures to achieve dictatorship during 1930 to 1933. Plus a few dozen other unimportant details like horrible unemployment, decreasing faith in the government, the German Army's secret preparations towards rearmament throughout the 20s till Hitler came to power (whereupon the man discarded secrecy, making it appear as if he had magically pulled an entirely new army out of his rectal orifice), and the overconfident conviction of Germany's right wing leaders that Hitler could be controlled after being appointed Chancellor. But that is just the opinion of a few dozen historians who have studied the topic all their lives. They are probably mistaken and everything proceeded from just that one movie.

My friends. Behold the glory of... PRE-CAMBRIAN PARK.

I'm sorry, but I don't think Chuck Norris will win this one. Chad Boseman will.

Maybe stele trail? Or Rosetta Stone trail?

Big talk from the Pharaoh who had almost 600.000 stone blocks hauled and precisely fitted into a pyramid. And didn't even allow his workers to get stoned.

Curse you, C++ users! You have escaped the wrath of Windows 1500 BCE for now, but one day we shall have our revenge!

ROFL. Thank you. That one just saved my day. XD

May 4, 1945 The Nazi forces in Denmark surrender late in the evening. Households all over the country burst into celebration at the news. Blackout curtains are torn from windows and candles put on display. The display of candles to celebrate our freedom becomes traditional on this evening for many years to come.

Besides, it's not that easy being green.

Ahem.

But not a dollar short, I hope!

I'd first check to see what my drink had been spiked with, then try to find out who did it.

Moo.

On an only mildly related note: if you play a rogue in World of Warcraft, do not attempt to pickpocket faction leaders. They do not seem to appreciate it. At least Lady Sylvanas, Banshee Queen of the Undead, did not find it amusing.

Don't tell me that you of all people don't know when this happens. It is clearly due to a botched attempt at mummification where they used too much green dye again. And not enough bandages.

Do you think it is... some sort of demonic duck?

In other words, she has turned into a Pan Galactic Gargoyle Blaster?

Look, people had been hurt, we needed bandages from somewhere and you were conveniently close, okay?

Yes. Once again, I am gravely disappointed. When, oh WHEN will we get the answer to the question "How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could and would chuck wood?"

I am not sure how it works in the US but in the Danish Army it is very, very difficult for any officer to get themselves fired. That would involve the Officer's Academy admitting it had made a mistake and it is loath to do so. I cite as an example an amazingly incompetent lieutenant I once had the dubious pleasure of serving in the vicinity of (not under his direct command, praise all that is holy). This guy screwed up again and again, got a man under his command seriously injured, tried to obtain information he was not entitled to and generally made a hairy nuisance of himself. It was not until the idiot managed to give seventeen men severe food poisoning (by ordering an entire platoon to drink stagnant water where he believed that the water purification kit soldiers carried would be enough to make the water potable. It wasn't.) that he was 'relieved of command duty'. He spent the rest of his contract shuffling papers whereupon he was quietly discharged.

That was just to cover for his mistake. You wouldn't believe how it can undermine the confidence of your troops once they get the idea into their heads that you don't know which way to hold a map. The worst part is... I know of at least one story where this actually happened. A genius lieutenant in the US Army who was based south of a major city was supposed to take his unit to a training ground. His unit consisted of one platoon, a light tank, and a jeep and driver for his own convenience. This supergenius actually did hold his map the wrong way and could not be persuaded that this was so. As a result, he valiantly led his men straight towards the heart of the city (Chicago, I think it was.) The fact that construction grew denser and that they were clearly entering the suburbs instead of reaching open land failed to impress on him the possibility that they might be headed the wrong way. He insisted that they would soon be at their destination. Meanwhile, some of the locals had notified the local authorities of what was going on and several units of police were sent to stop this unexpected invasion. The hapless police officers set up a roadblock while wondering what they would do if the invaders decided to press on (the operative word in the construction 'light tank' is 'tank', not 'light'). They had this suspicion that their pistols and shotguns would not make much of an impression on a tank of any weight class at all. The parade arrived whereupon the lieutenant got into a shouting match with the cops. At this point the driver of the tank had had enough (passing several road signs that clearly read 'Now Approaching Chicago' or words to similar effect had not helped his confidence in his commander). He did a K-turn on some unfortunate person's lawn and headed back to base. The infantry followed him. The outraged lieutenant ordered his jeep to pursue the mutineers but they would not be persuaded to resume their advance on Chicago. Thus this brilliant offensive failed to achieve its objective and in the aftermath the lieutenant found himself transferred to a desk job that did not involve the use of map or compass.

It sorta does. 25: No matter how well it would perform, I will never construct any sort of machinery which is completely indestructible except for one small and virtually inaccessible vulnerable spot. 27: I will never build only one of anything important. All important systems will have redundant control panels and power supplies. For the same reason I will always carry at least two fully loaded weapons at all times.

Drat, someone had to introduce logic and rationality into this discussion. Spoilsport. *muttermuttergrumble*

Stupid continents and their drifting around. You'd swear they were deliberately trying to get in the way.