Archive for July, 2011

Book Review – Ian Slater’s “WW III”

In continuation of the warfare theme of the past few articles, the other day I finished reading Ian Slater’s book, WW III.

Set in 1990 and in the classic days of the United States versus the Soviet Union, NATO versus Warsaw Pact, Slater’s WW III takes us readers into a hypothetical world war.  And unlike many “thrillers” that bring forces to the brink of war before tensions are lowered, this book takes that next step and actually goes to war.  And unlike many of those other books, WW III has an extremely short title.  😉

The action in WW III starts in the Korean Peninsula.  North Korean forces launch a devastating aerial attack on airbases and military targets in the south before North Korean tanks and forces steamroll down from north of the 38th Parallel.  Thanks to North Korean special forces sabotaging everything possible to aid their comrades, the North Koreans have the U.S. and South Korean forces on the run, taking prisoners left and right and nearly pushing the rest of them into the Sea of Japan.

Not long after open war breaks out in Korea, Soviet forces launch a massive attack into West Germany through the strategic Fulda Gap.  The inferior but numerous Soviet tanks take a massive beating from the American M-1 tanks and American artillery shield, but as we read, the Soviets are able to keep pushing the U.S. and NATO forces further and further back into West Germany. Read more…

“Deadliest Warrior” – S03E01 – George Washington vs. Napoleon Bonaparte

Deadliest Warrior – Season 03, Episode 01 – George Washington vs. Napoleon Bonaparte

Season three of Deadliest Warrior starts out with a great battle as the weapons and battle tactics of George Washington and Napoleon Bonaparte are put to the test.

These two superior generals could not have more opposite armies, both of which unleashed amazing devastation against their enemies.

George Washington’s army was a mixture of state militias and a conventional army, and the troops were armed with whatever they could find.  As it was pointed out, Washington’s cannon were cast in bronze and commonly made from melted down church bells and statues.  In addition, Washington used guerrilla tactics, striking with hit-and-run “Indian” tactics to set up for larger attacks with his regular army.

Napoleon Bonaparte, on the other hand, had the finest troops and equipment in Europe.  His artillery was professionally manufactured and capable of launching incredibly powerful (and accurate) attacks from long range.  Napoleon’s army was very large, and when the infantry was in battle formation, a massive amount of lead was about to head in your direction.  His tactics were deceitful at times and he laid traps for his enemies, crushing them with everything in his inventory once the trap was sprung.  The long-range 8-pound cannon and cavalry forces helped ensure that the enemy was not just defeated but destroyed.

Between Washington and Napoleon, I’d wager on Washington being the winner in this battle.  Napoleon had better artillery and superior infantry, but Washington, outnumbered by the mighty British forces during the American War for Independence, found a way to win battles and ultimately win the war.  His patience and unconventional battlefield tactics proved victorious in the end.

  VERSUS

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“Deadliest Warrior” – S01E02 – Viking vs. Samurai

Deadliest Warrior – Season 01, Episode 02 – Viking vs. Samurai

Right off the bat I’ll say that Vikings and Samurai are two of my favorite fighting groups from history.

On one side you have highly disciplined, lightning fast warriors made famous during the feudal days of Japan, and on the other you have fierce warriors from ice cold Scandinavia made famous for their brutal aggression and terrifying raiding parties.  Both groups are armored, one using body armor and the other famous for wearing a helmet and carrying a tough shield.  Both carry long swords capable of killing opponents with ease.  And both are famous for their ways of arriving in battle, one on horseback and attacking on land, and the other riding on longships capable of sailing in the shallowest of water.

And both, Samurai AND Vikings, are fearsome, bad ass warriors.

Assuming that the Samurai and Viking arrive on foot and fight on an even playing field, it’s a tough call as to which one would win a battle.  I’d give a slight edge to the Samurai because of their discipline and lightning fast attacks, but the Vikings are still incredibly tough and aggressive, especially when going berserk.  Just take note that the Samurai has to kill the Viking without delay, otherwise it’s game over for the legendary Japanese warrior.

VERSUS

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“Deadliest Warrior” – S01E01 – Apache vs. Gladiator

Deadliest Warrior – Season 01, Episode 01 – Apache vs. Gladiator

Deadliest Warrior is a TV show that uses scientific evidence and real life tests to analyze the weapons and fighting styles of warriors throughout history.  Each episode puts two organizations (or specific leaders) head-to-head and see which one would theoretically win in combat.

As a fan of military history, combat, fighting, and weapons in general, this show was a natural attraction for me.  And for the most part, the episodes are quite entertaining (and rather bloody at times.)  Since season three of Deadliest Warrior begins very, very soon, I figured it was about time to go back and start reviewing all of the episodes from seasons one and two.

Season one, episode one analyzes what would happen if an Apache warrior was to fight against a Roman Gladiator.  One of them is a lightweight, agile fighter who uses stealth and agility to kill, while the other is a stand-up, tough warrior who can take a beating and still kill with a variety of weapons.

Without looking ahead at the results, I’d say that head-to-head in an arena the gladiator would win.  However, if the fight was in terrain more suitable for an Apache, with trees and other hiding spots suitable for hit-and-run attacks, then I’d give the edge to the Apache.

VERSUS

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The Pocket Chair – A Marketing Review

Don’t you just hate standing in line, standing there, wishing that you had some sort of chair to rest that aching body of yours instead of, you know, standing?

How about being able to sit while tailgating, or even when watching your kids play a sporting event?

I don’t know about you, but sometimes thinking about those problems keep me awake at night.  I mean, how advanced of a society are we that we don’t have instant chairs everywhere, providing rest and relaxation for anybody, anywhere?  Aren’t we supposed to be in the future by now?  Come on!

Worry no more!

The Pocket Chair website — www.PocketChair.com

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The Pocket Chair website – version 2 — www.PocketChair.com

Supposedly the Pocket Chair can solve that “always needing an instant seat” problem.  Take a look at the TV commercial and see what I’m talking about.

The Pocket Chair — TV commercial

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Magic Mesh – A Marketing Review

It’s summertime, ladies and gentlemen!

It’s time to open those doors and windows and let Mother Nature fill your home with that fresh summer breeze.  That is, let in the fresh air WITHOUT those damn bugs flying into your home.

Without taking the time to install a screen door, is there a way for you to open the front door (or back door or sliding door), and let it stay open, bringing in fresh air without letting in those pesky bugs?

Or if convenience is more of a concern, is there some kind of mesh product that lets you easily slip in and out of the house without bothering to manually open and close doors?

Perhaps, just perhaps, there is such a product in the market today.

Magic Mesh – www.MagicMesh.com

Say hello to the Magic Mesh!

– “Hello, Magic Mesh!  It’s a pleasure to meet you.  How are you today?”

Now that the salutation is out of the way, let’s take a look at the company’s TV commercial and try to comprehend if this seems like a worthwhile product.

Magic Mesh – TV commercial

So what exactly is Magic Mesh? Read more…

Rise of the Betta Fish

Yesterday I stopped by the local pet store (thankfully not Walmart!) and picked up a betta fish to join my freshwater aquarium.

Specifically this is a pretty blue betta fish and what I believe to be a male of the species.  I’m also not positive on this other part, but from what little Internet research that I’ve done, it looks like this is not a fancier Siamese fighting fish, although I did see them in the pet store.  All of the betta fish were in individual containers, each labeled with the same price tag.  Nothing else was mentioned about them.

This is my first time having a betta fish.  I knew about the male versions of the Siamese fighting fish (labeled and sold as betta fish here in the U.S.) fighting each other to the death.  My aquarium only had a black tetra (my blue gourami died the other day), and while I normally go for tiger barbs and other semi-aggressive, tropical fish, this time I went a different route and chose a timid-looking (and colorful) betta fish.

Without further delay, I present you with . . . Zeta!

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Book Review – J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”

About two weeks ago I finished reading J.K. Rowling’s fourth installment in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  It wasn’t until just the other day that I finally saw the movie again and felt prepared to write another book review and movie comparison.

Like the previous novels, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire starts out with Harry Potter suffering at the Muggle home of his aunt and uncle while waiting for the start of the next year of school at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  Harry is rescued by the Weasleys and allowed to temporarily live with them, including attending the final match of the prestigious Quidditch World Cup.

The Quidditch World Cup is what really starts the main plot line of the novel.  The story goes into detail about the guests sitting in the Top Box with Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys, and of course, the main Quidditch match itself involving Ireland versus Bulgaria.  It’s here in the Top Box where Harry is involved with several key characters including Ludo Bagman, Barty Crouch, Sr. (also known as Mr. Crouch), and Winky, the house-elf for the Crouch family.

The Ireland and Bulgaria teams battle for the Quidditch World Cup title, and even their mascots get involved at times.  The game comes to an epic conclusion with Ireland claiming victory and Ludo Bagman, head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports and a bit of a gambling man himself, owing quite a bit of money to Fred and George Weasley from a bet they made before the final match.

Chaos erupts that night after the Quidditch World Cup as Death Eaters arrive, destroying parts of the camping area and torturing innocent Muggles caught before them.  People flee from the danger and during the confusion Harry Potter loses his wand.  Moments later somebody unknown uses Harry’s wand to cast the Dark Mark into the sky, letting all the witches and wizards know that Lord Voldemort is returning to power.

Uh oh!  All those good wizards and witches are in serious trouble now!  Oh no!

And so begins the main plot line in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Read more…

Atlantis – STS-135 – The FINAL Space Shuttle Flight

It’s hard to imagine that this day has finally arrived.

From Columbia‘s first flight in STS-1 on April 12, 1981, to Atlantis‘s final mission in STS-135 on July 8, 2011, the space shuttle launches and landings have both thrilled viewers and inspired future astronauts for over thirty years.

Thirty years!

Since the early days of childhood I’ve been fascinated by flight and the space program.  I remember being in elementary school and receiving word over the P.A. system about the Challenger disaster.  I remember looking at newspapers lying on a table talking about the Columbia disaster while helping my brother move between college residences in February of 2003.

And now, sadly, I’m sure I’ll remember where I was as Atlantis took to the skies on the final space shuttle mission.

Launching of STS-135 Space Shuttle Atlantis on July 8, 2011.

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New Georgia Illegal Immigrant & Child Car Seat Laws

It’s finally July 1st, 2011, and the new laws targeting children improperly buckled into cars and illegal immigrants take effect.

The real problem is that BOTH subjects are a waste of the taxpayers’ time.

So let’s take a few minutes and discuss the issues.  😉

Illegal Immigration

Up first we have House Bill #87, also known as HB-87.  Georgia’s stance on illegal immigrants caught the national spotlight a while back when the bill passed the Georgia House and Senate and was then signed by Governor Deal.  This pretty much followed suit of Arizona’s tough anti-illegal immigrant laws, and, naturally, attracted some negative attention.

Alas, before HB-87 went into effect, a federal judge put two parts of the law on hold pending the outcome of a constitutionality lawsuit. Read more…