kalvasflam

Is it just me or has this series had a lot of clip shows. I mean, isn;t this the third one? That's a lot for a 50 episode show. Anyhow, if you do watch it, a good portion of the clip show show is stuff that happened, oh 3-4 episodes ago. THey really are just not trying anymore. 316146[/snapback] Amen to all of the above. At this point, the best resolution would be if all the major cast just died off, since they aren't doing another CE project anyway, I figure, what difference could it possibly make now.

The shuttle program really ought to be phased out. It's been a long time coming, the replacement program for it should've been really locked in place by the mid 90s. And the first replacement should've been there a few years ago. It's an expensive and somewhat inefficient program to run back in the 90s, and now it's just a waste of time. But unfortunately it's still needed because no credible alternatives that can be put in place tomorrow. If you have to cast blame, blame poor management at NASA, and frankly, it transcends beyond politics, because both sides need to share the blame for the state of NASA today. There is also a very core question that needs to be asked on what NASA's mission really is: Is it a fundamental/scientific research mission or is it an operational mission focused on servicing (by which I mean servicing satellites, supporting ISS, etc) and exploration. To me, there are fundamental differences that has to be resolved. Fundmental/scientific research means essentially doing research that may not have immediate benefits. From what I know, NASA in the 90s had a very large fundamental research mandate that had very little to do with operations of spacecraft. But I think it's something absolutely necessary. Then there is the servicing/exploration, which is quite different, missions to repair satellites, bringing up food to the space station to replace crew, etc, these are unglamourous missions, but essential to things like keeping the ISS running. I think the way ISS is set up is supposed to be R&D focused, but it doesn't seem to be run well that way. The best solution, and this goes beyond the shuttle, is to split NASA into two components. One focused exclusively on pure engineering matters and exploration, i.e. building new space crafts, sending people to Mars/Moon, and more mundane tasks such as support missions for ISS or launching satellites etc. And another arm focusing on research, i.e. running the ISS as what it really should be, an orbital laboratory. As well as a bunch of Earth based R&D projects. The two element has to cooperate well, but they each need their own separate charter. By the way, from what I know now, there are people in NASA who love the concept of going to Mars, it's a gigantic engineering challenge, and there are people who thinks it's an absolute waste of time. For the latter group, you guessed it, they're a bunch of scientists engaged in fundamental research, and for the most part don't even have any remote dealings with space related exploration They're also the ones who are getting their funding cut, so, it's all about the money in the end. Sorry about the tangent, but the bottom line with the shuttle program is it needs to be replaced just as soon as possible. But I can tell you now that there will be a bunch of people who will oppose the idea as well as the idea of the shuttle itself, and you got it, those guys are the R&D guys on Earth who will get their budget cut for what will essentially be a new engineering program. Using heavy lifters like Energia is a good short term solution, but in the long term, things like the X34 is the way to go.

All things considered, that's actually a little more realistic considering physics than Bling gundam's mirror coating. The beam actually reflected the right way with Impulse v Freedom.

Where did the idea that you don't pay a price for being in the middle of the road come from? 315052[/snapback] It's the whole point of playing both ends. So you don't pay a price for being stuck in either camp. That's basic... of course, the key thing is to remember that this isn't always a permanent state of affairs. As Orb so nicely proves.

Yeah but they didn't get taken out of the picture. Neo Gundam? 315039[/snapback] they paid a price... the idea with middle of the road is, you don't pay a price... Orb was middle of the road, and it go squashed coming, and soon it will be, it got squashed going.

It depends on the guy who is sitting in the middle of the road. If he is nimble enough, he's ok for a while, but eventually it'll catch up to them. But even the guys at Anaheim had to pay when they played both sides, remember 0083?

I think the Requiem is going to be something similar to the Federation's Solar System. He doesn't really seem afraid of Djibril as opposed to reluctant to follow him. 315021[/snapback] Daddy is what we in the business call a fence sitter. Even though he is a frigging moron since he gave up fence sitting when he allied Orb with EA. The die is already cast... and daddy needs to go. As the saying goes, the middle of the road is great... great for getting run over by both sides. Wolfx, you should also be amazed that the reflective property of Bling gundam which seem to violate the law of physics.

Guardian Of Unity Forerunner. 314907[/snapback] Gawd, and I bet you're not just making that up.... that is just sad. I wonder if Babi has an acronym too.

And yet she totally ignores the important foreign relations aspect of that leadership role. Comparison to Padme isn't very good, because she did conduct diplomacy within the galactic senate before going back to Naboo (yeah I know, no equivalent body in CE, but guess what, PLANT/ZAFT is considered a foreign entity) Orb was pushing back, which was why it was a perfect time to drop a speech and pray. Like you said, Azrael, a winning force is not as likely to listen as when a situation becomes less tenable... like when ZAFT was getting pushed back. Oh well, all this is a nice theoretical discussion. Time to move on. DOM has that kind of a name? Geez, I was hoping they'd come up with something better, if they ever had Gelgoogs, I wonder what acronym it would've had. All those Gs would make the naming convention a bit more difficult. Someone has gone acronym crazy on Fukuda's team.

Ack, we're going around in circles now. I agree that ZAFT might not listen. But the point is still drop the broadcast anyway, since it won't hurt doing it. Appearences... and if it gains Orb a respite, then it's a bonus. As for ZAFT winning, that wasn't the case right before Shinn showed up... they were getting pushed back, remember? But think of it, if Cagalli can do a broadcast from Rouge, she damn well better be able to do it from Bling Gundam. Unless of course, Bling gundam was actually meant for combat, and Rouge was meant act as a PA system. Remember, a leader is more of a politician than just a front line grunt, and the latter is the role Cagalli is taking on while more or less neglecting the former. After all, if Shinn happens to skewer her, how could she possibly lead her men? And before anyone say it... this isn't hating Cagalli, I'm just pointing out that she's not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

The Fox guys has to suffer through the insults, they realized what a mistake they made when they saw CN ratings for FG. So, they now have to take it up the ass... but, FG is safe as long as ratings are good, but if ratings even look wrong, FG will end up like the other long list of shows. Besides, you have to remember, the television industry guys have no shame. They'd sell their closest relatives if it meant ratings.

Remember Joe's line while Louis was trying to save him: "Think of me as one of your children.... no, not Meg."

With Japan, it's not a direct analogy, the point is both instances, there are serious choices to be made in the long term, but there are short term decisions which can have immediate benefits. And no, talking is not capitulating. Remember, even during the height of the EA assault, Uzumi continued to try to negotiate. Why? Even though it doesn't work, it looks good to the rest of the world. "See, we're trying to be reasonable, those other guys aren't." Again, this is a point I'm trying to make that appearences sometime can overrule reality. Look at Saddam, the man is a monster, yet a good part of the world sympathizes with his point of view (NOT HIM): "see, I'm trying to prevent war, and the damn Americans are just attacking." And he had his people continuing their banter in the UN even after the fight started because it puts up the appearence of being reasonable. Appearence vs Reality... Reality is that Orb will go down if flames if it doesn't try to change the current appearences, which as you rightly point out is ZAFT thinking Yuna and daddy are in charge and with Jibril. But a regime change means that things will have to be reexamined. Remember, under Cagalli, Orb was neutral, so there is precedent. I think Dullindal of all people has to try to appear to be reasonable. Remember, he is showing pictures of EA slaughtering civilians, his commanders went out of the way to "avoid civilian casualties." He is also putting up an image of what he is and what he is trying to accomplish. If he screws that up, then his support goes away, as it is, he already has to worry about real Lacus, he can't afford to appear to be unreasonable. The bottom line is this: Cagalli making a little speech doesn't hurt a damn thing. The worst that can happen is the on scene commander for ZAFT says "no, we're gonna keep pounding." It's a smart thing to do, you don't lose anything by saying this stuff, and you have things to gain. There is also a tactical consideration with Dullindal. Even if he turns around and say: "ok, fine, I want to occupy Orb right now," it still takes time for him to get the message to his commanders on scene. Time is what Orb needs, more time to continue evacuation of civilians which didn't start until well after the fight had started. You have to remember, Cagalli doesn't know ZAFT commanders are trying to limit damage to civilians. That's the fine line I'm trying to draw between what matters more, ideals or being able to save a few more lives.

Nope, I'm saying Cagalli need to examine her priorities. The same situation during the end of WWII Japan, the government examined their options and their priorities, and picked a course of action that didn't involve even more of their people killed. You have to remember, for them, famine was a real threat toward the end of the war. Here, Cagalli need to examine her priorities, defending her home is one thing, defending her home at the potential cost of all those civilians getting caught in the cross fire is quite something else. Which was why a step like a broadcast to ZAFT and giving them an option of not continuing the assult is a good idea, again, everything to gain, nothing to lose. Although she doesn't know this, Dullindal have to appear to act reasonably. Squashing Orb when they appear to give into you isn't a reasonable action. Dullindal would need to tread carefully, or his subordinates might rebel. The odds of success is not all that tilted. Remember, if nothing else, she is buying time.

King of the Hill is actually pretty entertaining, totally different from Simpsons, or Futurama. I actually didn't like Futurama much. Although I have to say, Seth Green's American Dad is really hilarious. It's almost a carbon copy of Family Guy in character translation, and you have to love Klaus the goldfish... heh heh, he's German. I watched the episode where Louis took martial arts and the family ended up in a big brawl last night on CN. It was just funny as hell.

All true, but the point still stands, it doesn't hurt at all to try. ZAFT doesn't have to believe it... and odds are, they probably won't, but if Cagalli didn't try at all, she would never know what the results would be. Think of it like being dealt a free hand in a round of poker where you don't lose anything by playing, but standing to gain a lot if you won. As for fighting back, the result is not take some damage, it would be Orb getting totalled. In my view, they're even less prepared for invasion this time than the last time. Remember, if nothing else, she might be able to buy some time. Dullindal can do whatever he wants, it would be up to her to try to counter his arguments. But if she just keeps fighting, well, she would effectively putting Orb's ideals ahead of the well being of its people. Keep in mind, I'm looking at this based on information available to the individual, not a omniglobal view. Use a historical analogy. Think about the end of WWII, the Japanese could keep fighting and hold on to their ideals (whatever those happened to be), even after two atom bombs. But at some point, reason had to prevail, because if it didn't, then it would have been invasion, or something even worse, and Halsey would've been proven correct, and the Japanese language would've indeed only been spoken in hell.

Damn, I think the season is over. That's too bad.. Have to wait till Sept to get new episodes. I think the show trumps the Simpsons, but that's just me.

We'll ignore super heroes and their insane machines and look at reality: 1) In reality, Orb does not have a chance against ZAFT in the long run. 2) Continued fighting will ensure that all (or more) of Orb eventually gets wrecked. 3) ZAFT commanders (as far as they know) and Cagalli wants to get rid of Jibril. In theory, if Jibril gets handed over, the best case is ZAFT goes away. The worst case is ZAFT demands even more, which makes ZAFT look pretty bad because they're moving the goal posts. The reason for making a quick broadcast is that it is possible to achieve the following, none of which are bad for Cagalli or the citizens of Orb: 1) temporary cessation of hostilities 2) chance to realign the defenses when hostilities recommences. 3) a chance to evacuate the citizens of Orb to shelter before the battle reaches them 4) a chance to consolidate her power in Orb, and toss in a token offering At worst, you get no response from the ZAFT commander on scene, and the fight continues. But now, Cagalli would've had an image of trying to be reasonable. I agree with the trespasser analogy and the need to take care of ones own house, it makes sense. But Cagalli is only at this moment regaining control of her own house, and she is trying to fight multiple battles at once, not exactly a recipe for success. The reality of the situation is that Orb can't stand up to ZAFT, unless something has changed, and Orb suddenly rivaled ZAFT in terms of real military power. Continued fighting means Orb eventually gets overwhelmed. As Cagalli continues to fight, it just means ZAFT will pour in more reinforcements, almost a guarantee that it will wreck more of Orb, which is exactly what Cagalli doesn't want. This of course begs an answer to a bigger question, specifically regarding Uzumi's ideals. Which is, we'll stay neutral, and will defend ourselves to maintain our neutrality. The real question is, what is the cost of neutrality? i.e. what matters more? The lives of the citizens in Orb, or the ideal itself. Meaning, if you had to sacrifice one, which would go first? I think what Uzumi is really saying is that we don't want to be involved, and to stay neutral, I'm going to play both sides off of each other, and in turn, staysafe. It's a very good plan until one side gains too much power, or if you don't have a smart enough guy in the middle playing both sides off. Again, this is just all second guessing the situation on what real life people would consider doing. With the series so full of plot holes as it is, this is one issue that doesn't even rate much. And F360... I wasn't as harsh the second go around Remember, I don't hate Cagalli, I just don't think she is very astute.

Ah, you're talking reality, I'm talking politics. I know it might be futile, but a few words never killed anyone... ok, that's not true, but in this case, it doesn't hurt to try. The worst that can happen is status quo, they all keep fighting. But there is indication that the ZAFT commanders might actually hold up for a while and consult their bosses. Gilbert might want to kill Orb regardless, but you have to remember, so far, he is supposed to be lying to his people with just "I want Jibril" Then, if Orb promises hands over Jibril, tosses in yuna and daddy, and then say: "look guys, we are neutral again, here are the offending parties." What does it hurt. For Cagalli, she gets rid of potential rivals, has a look of reasonable and intelligent leader. If Dullindal keeps going after Orb, then he looks bad. It's all about appearences. On the one hand, you see an unreasonable Dullindal if he presists in attacking Orb after Cagalli promises to find and turn over Jibril, and on the other if Cagalli keep doing what she does, you see Orb in chaos, harboring war criminal. To the outside world, Dullindal looks more right as time goes on, "see those Orb lunatics, they harbor a war criminal, and to boot, they're dangerous with all their technology." Finally analysis... Cagalli: DUMB. Ok, ok, too harsh... not very skilled in the art of politics.

Here we delve into the realm of politics, and we again see why Cagalli is absolutely unfit to rule. Having thrown Yuuna into the brig, she decides to continue to fight ZAFT. Now, there is no good logic behind this. We can examine what ZAFT say they want: namely purple lips Jibril. Orb initially responded with a lie. Having thrown Yuna in jail, Cagalli's next move should've been ordering a broadcast to ZAFT asking them to stand down, give her a little time to find and turn over Jibril, or possibly even invite some of ZAFT troops to Orb to help search for Jibril. Her excuse for needing the time is that she just threw out a bunch of people that launched a coup, and it's taking time to get things organized. Why would this be a good move? Well, Cagalli gains everything, she tried a peaceful solution. It spares Orb's military capacity from having to fight ZAFT if it works. Keeps her people (civilians) from getting involved (we know that civvies are going to die anyway even in an action limited to just military targets) more than they have already. The worst case scenario is the plea falls on deaf ears, but Cagalli loses nothing by doing this, and gains in the eyes of others because she tried to be reasonable in spite of the ZAFT attack. There is at least some evidence that ZAFT troops are only interested in Jibril, thanks to Dullindal saying that Jibril is the way to end the war. And better yet, Cagalli might be able to throw Yuuna and daddy to the dogs too, by saying "it's Orb's ideal to be neutral, and these people who want to ally with EA's war criminals are not a part of Orb." Th0is would be what a crafty politician would do. If it works, the battle goes on for a few minutes, and then stops. Now in the heat of battle, it might be a little difficult to disengage, but once the commander of ZAFT troops hears this, odds are, he will probably pull his troops back, after all, why continue an unnecessary battle when the other side is going to hand you what you want. The other reason for stopping is that he would've seen things aren't going well, so, if he waits, he gets additional reinforcements for a full push if talks fall apart. But the problem with continuing to fight and to "defend" Orb, she is ensuring that no one on the other side knows that Yuuna and company got tossed in jail, and Orb is willing to turn over Jibril. (I'm assuming this, since it's unlikely that Cagalli and company would want to shelter Jibril in the first place) So, ZAFT now keeps attacking because they are assuming that Jibril is still being protected, and idiot Cagalli keeps fighting back because she sees ZAFT invading... but now, for no good reason, because Yuuna and company are finished. Don't you just love the irony? Just another reason why Cagalli is DUMB.

That's a good point... I assumed that this was built before, you get that kind of from the speech Uzumi made. But he could've had Erica start the project, but put it on hold after EA invaded. Ah well, Bling gundam.... bah.... I'm waiting for the gundam called Fuzzy pink bunny of love, imagine being killed by something called Fuzzy pink bunny of love Gundam.

Another interesting thought The Bling gundam has been around for at least two years. We can surmise that because old fart Uzumi died two years ago. Now, interestingly enough, when Orb was blown, it seems that EA troops likely occupied Orb, however briefly. Yet, they somehow managed to miss the Bling Gundam. So, either EA is incredibly incompetent, or Uzumi is incredibly paranoid enough to have so many hiding places to hide his treasure trove of weapons that these units can't be found even with an extensive search.

I'm just wondering if it's too much to ask for a gundam series that is focused on a good old fashion war without all the BS that comes up about super weapons, ultra fantastic plans, and all that. Kind of like WW II without the genocidal maniacs running around the world. Actually, that makes it more like WWI or Napoleanic era warfare. I'd also like to see some military realism. i.e. you don't need to introduce a new super weapon every five to ten episodes, but use military strategy and tactics to win battles. I know, I'm asking for too much.

Not a bad idea. The Girty Lue assault on Armory One was actually one of the few bright spots in all of GSD. It had well executed action, and Neo didn't look like a total moron that he became later on. We can title it the adventures of Girty Lue, and even if it dies at the end, I don't mind, meaningful story... that's all I ask.

Technology leaps notwithstanding, the whole let's rush the show and then not have any reasonable strategy on either side makes no sense to me. Now, may be GSD has great back story about realistic military operations, like assault on Carpenteria and Gibralter, but we sure as hell don't see it. Heck, I didn't even think ZAFT could hold on to Gibralter base at all, considering how EAF would nearly have that rock surrounded. It's as if the writers all took a stupid pill between GS and GSD. Now, may be the CE universe doesn't have to die, but we could have a short series (20 episodes) or OVA focusing on specific battles in a region. You can have overlaps into GSD, but kind of like 08th MS team and 0080 side stories. Those were great. That might actually really flesh out this so called second war they're having. Example: You could have a story about how Dullindal got his hands on Destroy data. I assume he didn't just hand over a design to EA. Or something to that effect. Or may be a development of Destiny/Legend, and have a decent side story. Hopefully, it'll make up for some of the poor story telling going on in GSD.