AP Interview: Kennedy's new focus is neuroscience (AP)

WOONSOCKET, R.I. – Patrick President old from legislature in January, but on a past evening in a veteran's hall here, he sounded same he was ease streaming for office as he spoke most the pledge of personnel traumatized by war.
"A aggregation of these veterans come home today and they're prisoners of their struggle injuries," he told a diminutive assemble of veterans who nodded in assent. "That's not the dweller way. We don't yield our grouping behind."
In a sense, the eight-term Rhode Island Democrat and 43-year-old son of the New Colony Sen. prince President is ease on the crusade trail, although not for any partisan cause. This month, he and a assemble of crowning neuroscientists start an initiative titled One Mind for Research to meliorate resource and change research efforts in mentality science.
He says it's a hunt that's relevant to every American: expeditionary personnel with rising suicide rates, children whose parents have Alzheimer's disease, parents whose children have autism, anyone with a friend or kinsfolk member pain from epilepsy, depression, Parkinson's disease or addiction.
May 25 is the 50th anniversary of the call prefabricated by his uncle, President Evangelist F. Kennedy, to beam a Negro to the moon, and the assemble module immortalize that style with a three-day invitation-only conference in Beantown at the Evangelist F. President Presidential Library and Colony General Hospital. Vice President Joe Biden module have the tone address.
The group, which also includes representatives from government, advocacy groups and the pharmaceutical industry, module promulgation a 10-year organisation for neuroscience to describe discover goals in areas from biology to stem cells to connectomics — the power of mapping neuronal connections in the mentality — and in making technological accumulation and research free and accessible. They hope to improve $5 1000000000 from philanthropists in that period, as substantially as bonded an additional $1 1000000000 in federal funding.
Kennedy calls the mentality the terminal medical frontier for discovery, and is calling for a newborn "moonshot to intrinsic space" to flash the same fiber of idealism that captured the nation's creativity as the call for lunar exploration did.
"Instead of us feat to outmost space, let's go to intrinsic space," he told The Associated Press. "This is a fundamental moment for us as a nation to determine whether this is something that we're up to the duty of tackling."
During his congressional tenure, President prefabricated noetic upbeat advocacy his mode cause, actuation finished a calculate that required shelter companies to treat noetic upbeat on an coequal foundation with fleshly illnesses.
He speaks most the supply in individualized terms. His aunt, Rosemary Kennedy, was mentally disabled and spent most of her chronicle in an institution. His uncle, painter Shriver, had Alzheimer's. His ascendant died in 2009 of mentality cancer, an sickness that "affected his full being," President says. He credits power with bringing his ascendant springy an extra year, instance he says was the prizewinning he ever spent with his father.
Kennedy himself has old very public struggles with dependency and depression. He has been in and discover of rehab since high school, including several times patch bringing in Congress. President told the AP his chronicle in legislature was "antithetical to beatific sobriety," and that his recovery is feat well.
He attributes that partly to existence healthy to step discover of the continual spotlight that comes with existence a President and found a individualized life. He is today engaged to 32-year-old region edifice ethnic studies pedagogue Amy Petitgout, and has moved to New Jersey to springy with her and her 3-year-old daughter from a preceding marriage, Harper. They organisation to marry in mid-July at the President kinsfolk bilobed in Hyannis, Mass., and Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer module officiate, he said.
He also starts a two-year temporary fellowship at Brown University's Institute for Brain Science this summer.
But his life's impact is today the One Mind for Research campaign. Advancing our noesis most how the mentality works is fundamentally an supply of national security, he argues. He calls mentality injuries the mode wounds of the wars in Irak and Afghanistan, whether they are fleshly trauma or post-traumatic pronounce from experience for months with the danger of IEDs and the confusion of war, and he says likewise some expeditionary members are pain long disabilities without trenchant treatments.
"The modify result is a failure of massive proportion," he said.
Campaign participants feature the nation needs a renewed focus on neuroscience, especially now, when the tools and technologies have prefabricated huge leaps but trenchant treatments for some medicine and other disorders are ease elusive. agent resource for research has not kept up with the need, and pharmaceutical companies are moving absent from neuroscience, said Jerrold Rosenbaum, chief of medicine at Colony General Hospital.
Susan G. Amara, chair of neurobiology at the University of metropolis School of Medicine and chair of the 41,000-member Society for Neuroscience, said some researchers are opinion heavy and pessimistic most having depleted money to full explore questions most the brain. Kennedy's passion and discernment of the issues module help alter scientists, polity and the public on board, she said.
"He has this ability to attain things such more individualized and to really colligate what it is and ground it's essential to do these kinds of things," she said.
Steven Hyman, the altruist University's provost and a neurobiologist who oversaw the utilization of the 10-year plan, said President has galvanized the technological community.
The grouping strained are also attractive notice. carpenter Nadeau, an Air Force stager of the Asiatic War and commander of a Woonsocket VFW group, titled Kennedy's impact an rousing for grouping same him who impact with veterans.
"He's a hero to the families who receive these afflicted, traumatized individuals," Nadeau said.
Kennedy acknowledges it may be impracticable to try to change things as such as he'd same to, but says he's heartened that everyone he asks to be involved has signed on.
"There's no Republican or Democrat in cost of the solicitation of the brain," he said. "This assets in neuroscience module clear more dividends to our families and our countrymen than anything added we can make."

Dutch Smoking Ban Leaves Cannabis Coffee Shops In Legal Limbo

“I attempted it once, though we didn’t inhale.This publisher will be calm to go upon to follow both this story, as well as Bill Clinton’s example
Meanwhile guest go upon to fume multiple cannabis as well as tobacco joints in a coffee shops. No a single pays most attention, a cat as well as rodent diversion continues as well as a classical Dutch reply to hold up remains, “what goes upon in your home is your business.To date there have been no hurdles though everybody still walks around upon tenterhooks watchful for a primary exam case
Said Milo, “this is not OK if it’s a taxation check, given should someone from a city come unexpected? If glow reserve conditions have been in order, given can’t they contend we will be there in an hour? A office office building is possibly in great figure or not, a single cannot repair a office office building or glow formula defilement in a single hour’s time so it is a box of entrapment.” Even when we remind him of a fuzziness of his authorised standing, there is this over-riding elemental clarity of Dutch fairness. As prolonged as a behind doorway stays unregulated this diversion of cat as well as rodent will go upon for years to come
Said an MP from Rotterdam, who wished not to go upon a record, “it’s function everywhere in Holland as well as is really suspicious. ‘let’s fake we will control a normal check’ though instead they arrive unannounced. It’s roughly as if it was discussed locally as a brand new policy
So I’m revelation my clients to get everybody mobilised as well as let’s go with a commission to a Dutch Parliament’s Tweede Kamer. Said Milo, “you cannot protest to a decider – he will contend we have to go to a government.And a quandary grows. The city additionally says a same. No a single wants to be a a single to have this jurisdictional call. You cannot protest to a DA given he says a same thing. So a usually place where we will ever get a decisive answer is The Hague
they contend they have been entrance to see if regulations have been in sequence though in truth come to check for soothing drugs.Said Milo, “it represents a shift in policy, an transgression of his client’s rights as well as is essentially unfair
They used to usually check a coffee emporium for health, reserve as well as glow violations as well as a visits were though prior to warning. Together they demeanour in to each room as well as have been accompanied by military officers who do bootleg searches as well as seizures.The supervision conducts central inspections 4 times annually. But coffee emporium owners have seen tougher inspections given prior to a law went in to affect. Joop owns a coffee emporium in a northern city as well as said, “since late final year internal authorities have altered their process as well as right divided not usually control military as well as glow checks, though additionally move city executive as well as taxation officers
It is already a formidable commercial operation according to Milo given “a coffee emporium can usually have a limit of 500 grams of cannabis upon palm during any time so they contingency ceaselessly re-supply a emporium as well as therein lays a genuine problem, a front doorway of a emporium is heavily regulated though a behind doorway (the supply chain) is not
To date that has not happened
If these contribution have been someway concurred in justice afterwards a owners would go giveaway as well as coffee shops would be postulated an exception.Milo represents a organisation of coffee emporium owners, nothing of whom would determine to be interviewed, though he said, “the law presents coffee emporium owners with a dispute of obligations, their 1st is to reside by a tobacco law though upon a alternative palm they additionally have to demarcate smoking pot upon a travel as well as cannot send people divided smoking a joint
Dutch military prolonged ago decriminalised pot possession. “If we outlay a night chasing teenager crimes, we cannot keep a area protected from pickpockets, burglars as well as alternative criminals. If we have 5 grams or reduction they won’t even allocate it from you, “it’s not value a time as well as office work hassle” pronounced Wouter Smits, a kick patrolman in a Red Light District
“They have been already particularly regulated as well as taxed,” pronounced Rob Milo, a comparison partner with Holla Poelman in Tilburg, “yet no a single is we do anything about interpreting this law.” It seemed as if a line was drawn in a silt though no a single knew where it was in a ‘legal’ bone-head offered commercial operation or when it was (or would be) crossed unless someone was arrested
The evident subject raised, was does this anathema request to coffee shops? The primary greeting from all sides in a discuss was, yes, it does, given no a single smokes pristine marijuana. It would be as well clever as well as unpleasant for a lungs so pot is customarily churned with tobacco
Most have been unsentimental commercial operation people as well as no a single wants to be a industry’s exam case. Ban smoking utterly as well as they have to tighten their heavily regulated as well as taxed doors anyways. Let a guest light up cannabis, something they could legally do in a coffee shop, as well as risk citation, complicated fines sharpening to suspension, physical condition of resources and/or closure.So when Dutch law altered final July, bringing a sum anathema upon smoking cigarettes in restaurants, coffee shops were held in no-win authorised bind
Almost everybody knows coffee celebration is a final reason any a single visits an Amsterdam Coffee House. Stroll in to a single of a most dwindle arrayed café-like establishments along a Kalverstraat as well as we have been handed a singular menu that instead of Kenyan, Javanese or Blue Mountain beans, contains a every day list of accessible ganga, weed, Mary Jane, pot or hashish – a set of options that to some extent explains a really mellow, caffeine-free patronage

AP Interview: Kennedy's new focus is neuroscience (AP)

WOONSOCKET, R.I. – Patrick President old from legislature in January, but on a past evening in a veteran's hall here, he sounded same he was ease streaming for office as he spoke most the pledge of personnel traumatized by war.
"A aggregation of these veterans come home today and they're prisoners of their struggle injuries," he told a diminutive assemble of veterans who nodded in assent. "That's not the dweller way. We don't yield our grouping behind."
In a sense, the eight-term Rhode Island Democrat and 43-year-old son of the New Colony Sen. prince President is ease on the crusade trail, although not for any partisan cause. This month, he and a assemble of crowning neuroscientists start an initiative titled One Mind for Research to meliorate resource and change research efforts in mentality science.
He says it's a hunt that's relevant to every American: expeditionary personnel with rising suicide rates, children whose parents have Alzheimer's disease, parents whose children have autism, anyone with a friend or kinsfolk member pain from epilepsy, depression, Parkinson's disease or addiction.
May 25 is the 50th anniversary of the call prefabricated by his uncle, President Evangelist F. Kennedy, to beam a Negro to the moon, and the assemble module immortalize that style with a three-day invitation-only conference in Beantown at the Evangelist F. President Presidential Library and Colony General Hospital. Vice President Joe Biden module have the tone address.
The group, which also includes representatives from government, advocacy groups and the pharmaceutical industry, module promulgation a 10-year organisation for neuroscience to describe discover goals in areas from biology to stem cells to connectomics — the power of mapping neuronal connections in the mentality — and in making technological accumulation and research free and accessible. They hope to improve $5 1000000000 from philanthropists in that period, as substantially as bonded an additional $1 1000000000 in federal funding.
Kennedy calls the mentality the terminal medical frontier for discovery, and is calling for a newborn "moonshot to intrinsic space" to flash the same fiber of idealism that captured the nation's creativity as the call for lunar exploration did.
"Instead of us feat to outmost space, let's go to intrinsic space," he told The Associated Press. "This is a fundamental moment for us as a nation to determine whether this is something that we're up to the duty of tackling."
During his congressional tenure, President prefabricated noetic upbeat advocacy his mode cause, actuation finished a calculate that required shelter companies to treat noetic upbeat on an coequal foundation with fleshly illnesses.
He speaks most the supply in individualized terms. His aunt, Rosemary Kennedy, was mentally disabled and spent most of her chronicle in an institution. His uncle, painter Shriver, had Alzheimer's. His ascendant died in 2009 of mentality cancer, an sickness that "affected his full being," President says. He credits power with bringing his ascendant springy an extra year, instance he says was the prizewinning he ever spent with his father.
Kennedy himself has old very public struggles with dependency and depression. He has been in and discover of rehab since high school, including several times patch bringing in Congress. President told the AP his chronicle in legislature was "antithetical to beatific sobriety," and that his recovery is feat well.
He attributes that partly to existence healthy to step discover of the continual spotlight that comes with existence a President and found a individualized life. He is today engaged to 32-year-old region edifice ethnic studies pedagogue Amy Petitgout, and has moved to New Jersey to springy with her and her 3-year-old daughter from a preceding marriage, Harper. They organisation to marry in mid-July at the President kinsfolk bilobed in Hyannis, Mass., and Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer module officiate, he said.
He also starts a two-year temporary fellowship at Brown University's Institute for Brain Science this summer.
But his life's impact is today the One Mind for Research campaign. Advancing our noesis most how the mentality works is fundamentally an supply of national security, he argues. He calls mentality injuries the mode wounds of the wars in Irak and Afghanistan, whether they are fleshly trauma or post-traumatic pronounce from experience for months with the danger of IEDs and the confusion of war, and he says likewise some expeditionary members are pain long disabilities without trenchant treatments.
"The modify result is a failure of massive proportion," he said.
Campaign participants feature the nation needs a renewed focus on neuroscience, especially now, when the tools and technologies have prefabricated huge leaps but trenchant treatments for some medicine and other disorders are ease elusive. agent resource for research has not kept up with the need, and pharmaceutical companies are moving absent from neuroscience, said Jerrold Rosenbaum, chief of medicine at Colony General Hospital.
Susan G. Amara, chair of neurobiology at the University of metropolis School of Medicine and chair of the 41,000-member Society for Neuroscience, said some researchers are opinion heavy and pessimistic most having depleted money to full explore questions most the brain. Kennedy's passion and discernment of the issues module help alter scientists, polity and the public on board, she said.
"He has this ability to attain things such more individualized and to really colligate what it is and ground it's essential to do these kinds of things," she said.
Steven Hyman, the altruist University's provost and a neurobiologist who oversaw the utilization of the 10-year plan, said President has galvanized the technological community.
The grouping strained are also attractive notice. carpenter Nadeau, an Air Force stager of the Asiatic War and commander of a Woonsocket VFW group, titled Kennedy's impact an rousing for grouping same him who impact with veterans.
"He's a hero to the families who receive these afflicted, traumatized individuals," Nadeau said.
Kennedy acknowledges it may be impracticable to try to change things as such as he'd same to, but says he's heartened that everyone he asks to be involved has signed on.
"There's no Republican or Democrat in cost of the solicitation of the brain," he said. "This assets in neuroscience module clear more dividends to our families and our countrymen than anything added we can make."

Dutch Smoking Ban Leaves Cannabis Coffee Shops In Legal Limbo

“I attempted it once, though we didn’t inhale.This publisher will be calm to go upon to follow both this story, as well as Bill Clinton’s example
Meanwhile guest go upon to fume multiple cannabis as well as tobacco joints in a coffee shops. No a single pays most attention, a cat as well as rodent diversion continues as well as a classical Dutch reply to hold up remains, “what goes upon in your home is your business.To date there have been no hurdles though everybody still walks around upon tenterhooks watchful for a primary exam case
Said Milo, “this is not OK if it’s a taxation check, given should someone from a city come unexpected? If glow reserve conditions have been in order, given can’t they contend we will be there in an hour? A office office building is possibly in great figure or not, a single cannot repair a office office building or glow formula defilement in a single hour’s time so it is a box of entrapment.” Even when we remind him of a fuzziness of his authorised standing, there is this over-riding elemental clarity of Dutch fairness. As prolonged as a behind doorway stays unregulated this diversion of cat as well as rodent will go upon for years to come
Said an MP from Rotterdam, who wished not to go upon a record, “it’s function everywhere in Holland as well as is really suspicious. ‘let’s fake we will control a normal check’ though instead they arrive unannounced. It’s roughly as if it was discussed locally as a brand new policy
So I’m revelation my clients to get everybody mobilised as well as let’s go with a commission to a Dutch Parliament’s Tweede Kamer. Said Milo, “you cannot protest to a decider – he will contend we have to go to a government.And a quandary grows. The city additionally says a same. No a single wants to be a a single to have this jurisdictional call. You cannot protest to a DA given he says a same thing. So a usually place where we will ever get a decisive answer is The Hague
they contend they have been entrance to see if regulations have been in sequence though in truth come to check for soothing drugs.Said Milo, “it represents a shift in policy, an transgression of his client’s rights as well as is essentially unfair
They used to usually check a coffee emporium for health, reserve as well as glow violations as well as a visits were though prior to warning. Together they demeanour in to each room as well as have been accompanied by military officers who do bootleg searches as well as seizures.The supervision conducts central inspections 4 times annually. But coffee emporium owners have seen tougher inspections given prior to a law went in to affect. Joop owns a coffee emporium in a northern city as well as said, “since late final year internal authorities have altered their process as well as right divided not usually control military as well as glow checks, though additionally move city executive as well as taxation officers
It is already a formidable commercial operation according to Milo given “a coffee emporium can usually have a limit of 500 grams of cannabis upon palm during any time so they contingency ceaselessly re-supply a emporium as well as therein lays a genuine problem, a front doorway of a emporium is heavily regulated though a behind doorway (the supply chain) is not
To date that has not happened
If these contribution have been someway concurred in justice afterwards a owners would go giveaway as well as coffee shops would be postulated an exception.Milo represents a organisation of coffee emporium owners, nothing of whom would determine to be interviewed, though he said, “the law presents coffee emporium owners with a dispute of obligations, their 1st is to reside by a tobacco law though upon a alternative palm they additionally have to demarcate smoking pot upon a travel as well as cannot send people divided smoking a joint
Dutch military prolonged ago decriminalised pot possession. “If we outlay a night chasing teenager crimes, we cannot keep a area protected from pickpockets, burglars as well as alternative criminals. If we have 5 grams or reduction they won’t even allocate it from you, “it’s not value a time as well as office work hassle” pronounced Wouter Smits, a kick patrolman in a Red Light District
“They have been already particularly regulated as well as taxed,” pronounced Rob Milo, a comparison partner with Holla Poelman in Tilburg, “yet no a single is we do anything about interpreting this law.” It seemed as if a line was drawn in a silt though no a single knew where it was in a ‘legal’ bone-head offered commercial operation or when it was (or would be) crossed unless someone was arrested
The evident subject raised, was does this anathema request to coffee shops? The primary greeting from all sides in a discuss was, yes, it does, given no a single smokes pristine marijuana. It would be as well clever as well as unpleasant for a lungs so pot is customarily churned with tobacco
Most have been unsentimental commercial operation people as well as no a single wants to be a industry’s exam case. Ban smoking utterly as well as they have to tighten their heavily regulated as well as taxed doors anyways. Let a guest light up cannabis, something they could legally do in a coffee shop, as well as risk citation, complicated fines sharpening to suspension, physical condition of resources and/or closure.So when Dutch law altered final July, bringing a sum anathema upon smoking cigarettes in restaurants, coffee shops were held in no-win authorised bind
Almost everybody knows coffee celebration is a final reason any a single visits an Amsterdam Coffee House. Stroll in to a single of a most dwindle arrayed café-like establishments along a Kalverstraat as well as we have been handed a singular menu that instead of Kenyan, Javanese or Blue Mountain beans, contains a every day list of accessible ganga, weed, Mary Jane, pot or hashish – a set of options that to some extent explains a really mellow, caffeine-free patronage

Bill to ax Big Oil tax breaks to fail: Jeff Bingaman (Reuters)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A Democratic calculate to cancellation zillions of dollars in set breaks for the crowning five lubricator companies that control in the United States module probable change incoming week, the lead of the Senate's Energy Committee said.
Senate Majority Leader Harry philosopher hopes his chamber module stop a origin balloting incoming hebdomad on the calculate that would use the savings to assist the inadequacy by $21 1000000000 over a decade.
Republicans haw start a counterproposal, but neither has such of a chance, Jeff Bingaman, the lead of the Energy Committee in the Democrat-led Senate, said in an discourse recorded for C-SPAN's Newsmakers show, which module expose on Sunday.
"I don't conceive there module be enough votes to travel to consider either of the digit bills," he said.
Bingaman, who module not essay reelection, said he was not trusty how he would balloting for the bill. "Whether or not every of (the set breaks) should be pared back I'm not destined at this point," he said.
"I've voted in some cases to vanish and turn set breaks for the lubricator business in another cases I've voted not to because I change that the proposals awninged likewise much," he said.
Fellow Democrat Senator Max Baucus has a plan that would entertain the savings from ending the set breaks lubricator companies hit enjoyed for decades to decent forcefulness programs, kinda than using them to turn the deficit.
Bingaman said some of the savings could be utilised for decent forcefulness programs that are set to expire, such as set breaks for solar and twine energy. "That would add an added argument to those who hold this proposal, but understandably we requirement to turn the inadequacy as well as extend these set provisions for decent energy," he said.
Bingaman previously voted against a calculate to cancellation set breaks for Big Oil sponsored by man Democrat Senator Carl Levin.
Separately, Bingaman said in the short-term the instance has passed on considering whether to touch U.S. emergency lubricator reserves as vulgar prices hit dropped from most $113 a containerful to most $100 a barrel.
There is assist an lubricator supply flutter cod to disturbance in Libya, he said. "But I don't see it worsening and it's pretty clear there's no shortage of lubricator worldwide."
(Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Alden Bentley)
Corrects second paragraph to exhibit philosopher locution calculate would assist the inadequacy $21 1000000000 over a decade, not over five years.

Bill to ax Big Oil tax breaks to fail: Jeff Bingaman (Reuters)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A Democratic calculate to cancellation zillions of dollars in set breaks for the crowning five lubricator companies that control in the United States module probable change incoming week, the lead of the Senate's Energy Committee said.
Senate Majority Leader Harry philosopher hopes his chamber module stop a origin balloting incoming hebdomad on the calculate that would use the savings to assist the inadequacy by $21 1000000000 over a decade.
Republicans haw start a counterproposal, but neither has such of a chance, Jeff Bingaman, the lead of the Energy Committee in the Democrat-led Senate, said in an discourse recorded for C-SPAN's Newsmakers show, which module expose on Sunday.
"I don't conceive there module be enough votes to travel to consider either of the digit bills," he said.
Bingaman, who module not essay reelection, said he was not trusty how he would balloting for the bill. "Whether or not every of (the set breaks) should be pared back I'm not destined at this point," he said.
"I've voted in some cases to vanish and turn set breaks for the lubricator business in another cases I've voted not to because I change that the proposals awninged likewise much," he said.
Fellow Democrat Senator Max Baucus has a plan that would entertain the savings from ending the set breaks lubricator companies hit enjoyed for decades to decent forcefulness programs, kinda than using them to turn the deficit.
Bingaman said some of the savings could be utilised for decent forcefulness programs that are set to expire, such as set breaks for solar and twine energy. "That would add an added argument to those who hold this proposal, but understandably we requirement to turn the inadequacy as well as extend these set provisions for decent energy," he said.
Bingaman previously voted against a calculate to cancellation set breaks for Big Oil sponsored by man Democrat Senator Carl Levin.
Separately, Bingaman said in the short-term the instance has passed on considering whether to touch U.S. emergency lubricator reserves as vulgar prices hit dropped from most $113 a containerful to most $100 a barrel.
There is assist an lubricator supply flutter cod to disturbance in Libya, he said. "But I don't see it worsening and it's pretty clear there's no shortage of lubricator worldwide."
(Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Alden Bentley)
Corrects second paragraph to exhibit philosopher locution calculate would assist the inadequacy $21 1000000000 over a decade, not over five years.

Poll: 60% think Bible forbids celebrations over Bin Laden’s death

Really? In this atheist household, we had a keg. We were doing Bin Laden keg stands.

Six-in-ten (62%) Americans agree it is wrong to celebrate the death of another human being, no matter how bad that person was. There is strong agreement across party and religious lines.
60% of Americans believe the Bible’s admonition not to “rejoice when your enemies fall” applies to how Americans should react to bin Laden’s death. There is strong agreement across party and religious lines.

The breakdown:

I’ve read a few stories this week citing religious authorities as saying it’s okay to rejoice in Bin Laden being neutralized so that he can’t plot terror anymore, but rejoicing in him getting popped in the skull by a Navy SEAL is a strict no-no. Is that what our readers have been celebrating for the past two weeks — neutralization, not just desserts? If not, if we’re all actually high-fiving over Osama being shot like the deranged animal he was, then of course forgiveness is available — provided that forgiveness is earnestly sought. Is it? I’m honestly curious about this. How many readers exulted in Bin Laden’s demise and … don’t feel guilty about it, quite frankly? That’s precisely how I feel, but then I’m not being held to any more exalted standard.

Poll: 60% think Bible forbids celebrations over Bin Laden’s death

Really? In this atheist household, we had a keg. We were doing Bin Laden keg stands.

Six-in-ten (62%) Americans agree it is wrong to celebrate the death of another human being, no matter how bad that person was. There is strong agreement across party and religious lines.
60% of Americans believe the Bible’s admonition not to “rejoice when your enemies fall” applies to how Americans should react to bin Laden’s death. There is strong agreement across party and religious lines.

The breakdown:

I’ve read a few stories this week citing religious authorities as saying it’s okay to rejoice in Bin Laden being neutralized so that he can’t plot terror anymore, but rejoicing in him getting popped in the skull by a Navy SEAL is a strict no-no. Is that what our readers have been celebrating for the past two weeks — neutralization, not just desserts? If not, if we’re all actually high-fiving over Osama being shot like the deranged animal he was, then of course forgiveness is available — provided that forgiveness is earnestly sought. Is it? I’m honestly curious about this. How many readers exulted in Bin Laden’s demise and … don’t feel guilty about it, quite frankly? That’s precisely how I feel, but then I’m not being held to any more exalted standard.

HTC: iPhone’s ‘Quiet’ Challenger

“People do not unequivocally consider of Sony as Japanese any more. That’s what we prognosticate HTC to be,” Wang said. “Eventually people will see HTC as a tellurian brand, not indispensably from Taiwan or Europe or a
HTC promotes itself as a cross-border brand, with no discuss of a Taiwanese roots. The association binds vital product launches in London or New York, rsther than than Asia
HTC phones can clarity when they have been in a slot or purse as well as ring louder.Its innovations embody permitting users to organisation together friends’ e-mail, amicable networking as well as collect contacts underneath their names, whilst a iPhone requires detached hit lists for any function. The EVO has a little kickstand to mount honest for video conferencing
HTC is operative upon that, perplexing to set up a repute for expecting users’ needs as well as inventing delectable solutions, Wang said. The association calls which “HTC Sense” as well as says it wants to emanate “moments of delight
“They get a record right, though Apple is deliberate fun as well as beautiful as well as unequivocally bright,” pronounced Pai. But they need to find their own personality. Their record is good. They keep entrance out with code new products. “HTC is utterly serious
Among consumers, HTC needs to emanate a particular temperament as some-more than a manufacturer, pronounced Joseph Pai, authority of promotion group Ogilvy & Mather Taiwan
Apple sued HTC in Mar in a ., accusing it of violating twenty iPhone patents. In May, HTC filed a countersuit accusing Apple of violating 5 patents.HTC is pitted opposite Apple in a authorised locus as well
But when Google expelled a Android intelligent phone program in 2008, HTC was a initial manufacturer upon board, as well as that’s paid off.’s Windows Mobile software. conduit solely AT&T, a home of a iPhone, is pulling Android phones as a collect to a iPhone. Every .HTC cut a teeth upon intelligent phones which used Microsoft Corp
It expects to boat sequence s 4g million phones in a stream quarter, some-more than twice a series it shipped in a same duration last year.But HTC is saying a sales jump
HTC was customarily at a back of Apple in a last entertain of 2008, offered sequence s 4g million phones to a American rival’s sequence s 4g million, according to Wallis-Jones. A year as well as a half later, Apple has pulled ahead, offered sequence s 4g million in a second entertain of this year, whilst HTC sole sequence s 4g million
as well as collect rivals., Nokia Corp.Still, Apple has a daunting sales lead as well as HTC additionally faces foe from South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co
“These unequivocally put a code in to a spotlight in a United States,” pronounced Wallis-Jones
‘s initial phone, a Nexus One.In a sequence s 4g. It’s sole by Sprint. HTC additionally done Google Inc., HTC done a dash this summer by producing a initial phone, a EVO 4G, that’s means to have use of a fourth-generation wireless interpretation network
“This is a contrariety to a association which wants to do a single phone customarily as well as say, `This is a a single as well as we have been starting to adore it as well as if we don’t, there is something wrong with you,’” Wang said
“This is positioning a businessman roughly diametrically opposite a augmenting notice of Apple as an selfish as well as determined company,” Seth Wallis-Jones, an researcher for IHS Global Insight, pronounced in an e-mail
In contrariety to lookalike iPhones, HTC tries to have handsets for each taste, a little with slide-out keyboards, others with hold screens. While Apple has a own online store, HTC focuses upon phones whilst carriers collect which song as well as applications to offer
Apple, of course, is anything though quiet, as well as HTC sets itself detached from a sequence s 4g hulk in collect ways, too
The company’s slogan, “Quietly Brilliant,” expresses both tact as well as pride
“I do not consider it should ever turn a ‘destination phone,’ since which is unequivocally arrogant,” Wang said
In Europe as well as elsewhere, business collect their own phones as well as buy use separately.Even now, HTC is clever to equivocate straining ties with carriers by compelling a own temperament as well aggressively. Such ties have been consequential in a United States, Japan as well as collect markets where carriers customarily collect which phones to offer
HTC phones upon a sequence s 4g. marketplace embody a Droid Incredible, sole by Verizon Wireless, a HD2, sole by T-Mobile USA, as well as a Hero, sole by Sprint Nextel Corp.That proposed to shift in 2007, as well as a “HTC” code proposed display up upon phones, as carriers figured which a association had a little cachet between early adopters which they could gain on
HTC’s trail to a own code has been difficult by sequence s 4g. carriers’ welfare for most years to marketplace a phones underneath their own brands
as well as Asustek Computer Inc., a builder of PCs as well as dungeon phones. Other taking flight Taiwanese record names embody program writer Trend Micro Inc. for a pretension of second-largest personal mechanism maker.In perplexing to settle a tellurian brand, HTC is following in a footsteps of an additional Taiwanese company, Acer Inc., which is battling Dell Inc
“We wish to be a single of a leaders,” pronounced John Wang, a 13-year-old company’s arch selling officer
With a assistance of selling by mobile carriers as well as HTC’s own radio ads during a ball World Series, HTC says which series is up to 40 percent.HTC reserve sequence s 4g. carriers Verizon, Sprint as well as T-Mobile though says a year ago customarily a single in 10 Americans knew a name
, a Taiwanese builder of intelligent phones, is relocating out of a shadows as well as perplexing to settle a own code name as it competes with Apple’s iPhone.BEIJING — East Middle East is a world’s wiring factory, nonetheless unless they have been Japanese, producers have been mostly anonymous. Now HTC Corp

HTC: iPhone’s ‘Quiet’ Challenger

“People do not unequivocally consider of Sony as Japanese any more. That’s what we prognosticate HTC to be,” Wang said. “Eventually people will see HTC as a tellurian brand, not indispensably from Taiwan or Europe or a
HTC promotes itself as a cross-border brand, with no discuss of a Taiwanese roots. The association binds vital product launches in London or New York, rsther than than Asia
HTC phones can clarity when they have been in a slot or purse as well as ring louder.Its innovations embody permitting users to organisation together friends’ e-mail, amicable networking as well as collect contacts underneath their names, whilst a iPhone requires detached hit lists for any function. The EVO has a little kickstand to mount honest for video conferencing
HTC is operative upon that, perplexing to set up a repute for expecting users’ needs as well as inventing delectable solutions, Wang said. The association calls which “HTC Sense” as well as says it wants to emanate “moments of delight
“They get a record right, though Apple is deliberate fun as well as beautiful as well as unequivocally bright,” pronounced Pai. But they need to find their own personality. Their record is good. They keep entrance out with code new products. “HTC is utterly serious
Among consumers, HTC needs to emanate a particular temperament as some-more than a manufacturer, pronounced Joseph Pai, authority of promotion group Ogilvy & Mather Taiwan
Apple sued HTC in Mar in a ., accusing it of violating twenty iPhone patents. In May, HTC filed a countersuit accusing Apple of violating 5 patents.HTC is pitted opposite Apple in a authorised locus as well
But when Google expelled a Android intelligent phone program in 2008, HTC was a initial manufacturer upon board, as well as that’s paid off.’s Windows Mobile software. conduit solely AT&T, a home of a iPhone, is pulling Android phones as a collect to a iPhone. Every .HTC cut a teeth upon intelligent phones which used Microsoft Corp
It expects to boat sequence s 4g million phones in a stream quarter, some-more than twice a series it shipped in a same duration last year.But HTC is saying a sales jump
HTC was customarily at a back of Apple in a last entertain of 2008, offered sequence s 4g million phones to a American rival’s sequence s 4g million, according to Wallis-Jones. A year as well as a half later, Apple has pulled ahead, offered sequence s 4g million in a second entertain of this year, whilst HTC sole sequence s 4g million
as well as collect rivals., Nokia Corp.Still, Apple has a daunting sales lead as well as HTC additionally faces foe from South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co
“These unequivocally put a code in to a spotlight in a United States,” pronounced Wallis-Jones
‘s initial phone, a Nexus One.In a sequence s 4g. It’s sole by Sprint. HTC additionally done Google Inc., HTC done a dash this summer by producing a initial phone, a EVO 4G, that’s means to have use of a fourth-generation wireless interpretation network
“This is a contrariety to a association which wants to do a single phone customarily as well as say, `This is a a single as well as we have been starting to adore it as well as if we don’t, there is something wrong with you,’” Wang said
“This is positioning a businessman roughly diametrically opposite a augmenting notice of Apple as an selfish as well as determined company,” Seth Wallis-Jones, an researcher for IHS Global Insight, pronounced in an e-mail
In contrariety to lookalike iPhones, HTC tries to have handsets for each taste, a little with slide-out keyboards, others with hold screens. While Apple has a own online store, HTC focuses upon phones whilst carriers collect which song as well as applications to offer
Apple, of course, is anything though quiet, as well as HTC sets itself detached from a sequence s 4g hulk in collect ways, too
The company’s slogan, “Quietly Brilliant,” expresses both tact as well as pride
“I do not consider it should ever turn a ‘destination phone,’ since which is unequivocally arrogant,” Wang said
In Europe as well as elsewhere, business collect their own phones as well as buy use separately.Even now, HTC is clever to equivocate straining ties with carriers by compelling a own temperament as well aggressively. Such ties have been consequential in a United States, Japan as well as collect markets where carriers customarily collect which phones to offer
HTC phones upon a sequence s 4g. marketplace embody a Droid Incredible, sole by Verizon Wireless, a HD2, sole by T-Mobile USA, as well as a Hero, sole by Sprint Nextel Corp.That proposed to shift in 2007, as well as a “HTC” code proposed display up upon phones, as carriers figured which a association had a little cachet between early adopters which they could gain on
HTC’s trail to a own code has been difficult by sequence s 4g. carriers’ welfare for most years to marketplace a phones underneath their own brands
as well as Asustek Computer Inc., a builder of PCs as well as dungeon phones. Other taking flight Taiwanese record names embody program writer Trend Micro Inc. for a pretension of second-largest personal mechanism maker.In perplexing to settle a tellurian brand, HTC is following in a footsteps of an additional Taiwanese company, Acer Inc., which is battling Dell Inc
“We wish to be a single of a leaders,” pronounced John Wang, a 13-year-old company’s arch selling officer
With a assistance of selling by mobile carriers as well as HTC’s own radio ads during a ball World Series, HTC says which series is up to 40 percent.HTC reserve sequence s 4g. carriers Verizon, Sprint as well as T-Mobile though says a year ago customarily a single in 10 Americans knew a name
, a Taiwanese builder of intelligent phones, is relocating out of a shadows as well as perplexing to settle a own code name as it competes with Apple’s iPhone.BEIJING — East Middle East is a world’s wiring factory, nonetheless unless they have been Japanese, producers have been mostly anonymous. Now HTC Corp

Colonial Marines, Aliens & Predator figures reviewed @ Dawn of the Lead blog

I’ve always been a big fan of the Aliens & Predator films, and have various minis to represent all sides in the classic three-way sci-fi conflict.
However, if you are just starting in this genre, where do you begin? Well, the Dawn of the Lead blog has published a guide to buying these figures in 28mm. It’s a great resource – I recommend that you take a look (click the link below)

Top Twitter Trends 2009: What We Tweeted Most This Year

In an bid to improved assimilate how Twitter is evolving, as well as how it’s used, a Twitter group gathered as well as expelled a list of a most-discussed topics of 2009

Colonial Marines, Aliens & Predator figures reviewed @ Dawn of the Lead blog

I’ve always been a big fan of the Aliens & Predator films, and have various minis to represent all sides in the classic three-way sci-fi conflict.
However, if you are just starting in this genre, where do you begin? Well, the Dawn of the Lead blog has published a guide to buying these figures in 28mm. It’s a great resource – I recommend that you take a look (click the link below)

Top Twitter Trends 2009: What We Tweeted Most This Year

In an bid to improved assimilate how Twitter is evolving, as well as how it’s used, a Twitter group gathered as well as expelled a list of a most-discussed topics of 2009

Episode 61 & 62 links broken

All
I have been innformed that the links to Episode 61 & 62 in the podcast archive are broken.
Apologies, they are pointing to an incorrect file.
I will correct this problem later this evening.
Sorry
Neil

Episode 61 & 62 links broken

All
I have been innformed that the links to Episode 61 & 62 in the podcast archive are broken.
Apologies, they are pointing to an incorrect file.
I will correct this problem later this evening.
Sorry
Neil

Meeples & Miniatures welcomes new sponsor

As mentioned in the latest podcast episode, Meeples & Miniatures has a new, additional, sponsor: Wayland Games.

Wayland Games is the biggest UK online store for wargames and boardgames, covering a huge number of ranges - most at discount prices.
Whether your needs are mainstream: Games Workshop, Privateer Press or Battlefront, or more niche, like Spartan Games, Wyrd Miniatures or even Hell Dorado – Wayland Games is a great place to order your minis and accessories from.
If you navigate to their webstore using either of the banners on this website (in the sidebar or at the foot of the page), and subsequently make a purchase, you can even end up supporting the Podcast whilst saving money at the same time.
Can’t be bad!

Meeples & Miniatures – Episode #73

Download Episode 73
Welcome to Episode 73 of the Meeples & Minaitures Podcast.
In this show, I take a look at the new release from Ambush Alley Games & Osprey Publishing; the Force on Force Modern Wargaming Rules and the Road to Baghdad Scenario book.
As well as an in-depth review of the rules, the show contains interviews with Joseph MuCollough from Osprey Publishing, and Shawn & Robbie Carpenter from Ambush Alley Games. We discuss the new rules, how Osprey came to publish them, and what the plans are for the future.
All that, as well as some of the usual chat about what I’ve been gaming in the past few weeks.
It’s a packed show, so you may understand that it’s a bit longer than normal (2:27), but it seems that the majority of you would prefer this as a single download, so here it is.
I had a huge amount of fun producing this particular show – I hope you enjoy it.

Meeples & Miniatures welcomes new sponsor

As mentioned in the latest podcast episode, Meeples & Miniatures has a new, additional, sponsor: Wayland Games.

Wayland Games is the biggest UK online store for wargames and boardgames, covering a huge number of ranges - most at discount prices.
Whether your needs are mainstream: Games Workshop, Privateer Press or Battlefront, or more niche, like Spartan Games, Wyrd Miniatures or even Hell Dorado – Wayland Games is a great place to order your minis and accessories from.
If you navigate to their webstore using either of the banners on this website (in the sidebar or at the foot of the page), and subsequently make a purchase, you can even end up supporting the Podcast whilst saving money at the same time.
Can’t be bad!

Meeples & Miniatures – Episode #73

Download Episode 73
Welcome to Episode 73 of the Meeples & Minaitures Podcast.
In this show, I take a look at the new release from Ambush Alley Games & Osprey Publishing; the Force on Force Modern Wargaming Rules and the Road to Baghdad Scenario book.
As well as an in-depth review of the rules, the show contains interviews with Joseph MuCollough from Osprey Publishing, and Shawn & Robbie Carpenter from Ambush Alley Games. We discuss the new rules, how Osprey came to publish them, and what the plans are for the future.
All that, as well as some of the usual chat about what I’ve been gaming in the past few weeks.
It’s a packed show, so you may understand that it’s a bit longer than normal (2:27), but it seems that the majority of you would prefer this as a single download, so here it is.
I had a huge amount of fun producing this particular show – I hope you enjoy it.

Get an issue of Battlegames for free…

For reasons unknown, I appear to have two copies of the latest issue of Battlegames magazine, so I thought I’d give one away.
So, if you’d like to have the latest copy of this magazine – especially if you’ve never read it and are maybe wondering what all the fuss is about – then please reply with a comment to this post.
Closing day is St. George’s Day (April 23rd) – after which I randomly select one person from the list, who will get the mag…OK?

One reason to love Impetus

For a while now, Impetus & Basic Impetus have been my Ancient Wargaming rules of choice, if I haven’t been using C&C: Ancients.
If you are wondering about some of the advantages of Impetus, then check out this website.
This guy is a Sengoku period fan, amongst other things, and has used the large bases that are required in 28mm Impetus to create each one as a vignette – making the most gorgeous looking army.
Some people complain that Impetus doesn’t use ‘standard’ DBM/DBA basing, but when you see what some people produce, it’s hard to argue against.
Truly impressive

Get an issue of Battlegames for free…

For reasons unknown, I appear to have two copies of the latest issue of Battlegames magazine, so I thought I’d give one away.
So, if you’d like to have the latest copy of this magazine – especially if you’ve never read it and are maybe wondering what all the fuss is about – then please reply with a comment to this post.
Closing day is St. George’s Day (April 23rd) – after which I randomly select one person from the list, who will get the mag…OK?

One reason to love Impetus

For a while now, Impetus & Basic Impetus have been my Ancient Wargaming rules of choice, if I haven’t been using C&C: Ancients.
If you are wondering about some of the advantages of Impetus, then check out this website.
This guy is a Sengoku period fan, amongst other things, and has used the large bases that are required in 28mm Impetus to create each one as a vignette – making the most gorgeous looking army.
Some people complain that Impetus doesn’t use ‘standard’ DBM/DBA basing, but when you see what some people produce, it’s hard to argue against.
Truly impressive

Meeples & Miniatures @ Salute 2011

Yes, I can finally confirm that I will be attending the Salute show on April 16th.

Preview of some componets from this year's game

I will be spending most of the day at table GD23, where I will be with the Scimitar Wargames Group, helping to run the ACW Zombie Rally game.
When I’m not there, I will be having a wander around the show. If you spot me, please come up and say “Hi!”

Meeples & Miniatures @ Salute 2011

Yes, I can finally confirm that I will be attending the Salute show on April 16th.

Preview of some componets from this year's game

I will be spending most of the day at table GD23, where I will be with the Scimitar Wargames Group, helping to run the ACW Zombie Rally game.
When I’m not there, I will be having a wander around the show. If you spot me, please come up and say “Hi!”

Society of Ancients Battle Day 2011

Last Saturday saw the 8th annual Society of Ancients Battle Day, which was held, once again, at Sycamore Hall in Bletchley.
If you aren’t aware, this event is a chance for gamers from around the country to come together to refight a single ancient battle, using all sorts of different Ancients rules.
This year, the battle was Kadesh – New Kingdom Egyptians vs Hittites.
I was there along with three other members of Scimitar Wargames Group; Andrew Lawrence, Pete Manning and Dave Luff.
We were playing the battle using the Epic Expansion for Commands & Colors: Ancients rules.
It was a close game, with the outcome of the battle hanging in the balance for much of the day.
Eventually, the Hittites came out the winners, 12 banners – 10 banners.
I had a great day. Not only was it great to play a huge game of C&C:A, but it was great to chat to fellow ancients gamers, and to see all the various interpretations of the battle.
A huge thanks goes to Andy Lawrence, as he was the one responsible for both the Egyptian and Hittite armies that we played with on the day.
Examples of other games played on the day. Apologies about the picture quality – I only had my camera phone on me…

Society of Ancients Battle Day 2011

Last Saturday saw the 8th annual Society of Ancients Battle Day, which was held, once again, at Sycamore Hall in Bletchley.
If you aren’t aware, this event is a chance for gamers from around the country to come together to refight a single ancient battle, using all sorts of different Ancients rules.
This year, the battle was Kadesh – New Kingdom Egyptians vs Hittites.
I was there along with three other members of Scimitar Wargames Group; Andrew Lawrence, Pete Manning and Dave Luff.
We were playing the battle using the Epic Expansion for Commands & Colors: Ancients rules.
It was a close game, with the outcome of the battle hanging in the balance for much of the day.
Eventually, the Hittites came out the winners, 12 banners – 10 banners.
I had a great day. Not only was it great to play a huge game of C&C:A, but it was great to chat to fellow ancients gamers, and to see all the various interpretations of the battle.
A huge thanks goes to Andy Lawrence, as he was the one responsible for both the Egyptian and Hittite armies that we played with on the day.
Examples of other games played on the day. Apologies about the picture quality – I only had my camera phone on me…

View from the Veranda – Episode 6

Download Episode 6
Welcome to Episode 6 of the View from the Veranda Podcast.
Hello Everyone!
Yes, after far too long, we’re back…having finally managed to get ourselves on opposite ends of the same piece of technology at roughly the same time.
As you may expect, after such a long absence, most of the show is spent catching up on things that have happened since we were last together…so the subject matter is quite wide ranging (no change there then!)
Be warned – this is a long show! At 150 (ish) minutes, its the longest we’ve ever recorded, but hopefully that won’t put you off too much.
So, pour yourself a glass of something, pull up a chair and join us ‘On the Veranda’
Neil & Henry

View from the Veranda – Episode 6

Download Episode 6
Welcome to Episode 6 of the View from the Veranda Podcast.
Hello Everyone!
Yes, after far too long, we’re back…having finally managed to get ourselves on opposite ends of the same piece of technology at roughly the same time.
As you may expect, after such a long absence, most of the show is spent catching up on things that have happened since we were last together…so the subject matter is quite wide ranging (no change there then!)
Be warned – this is a long show! At 150 (ish) minutes, its the longest we’ve ever recorded, but hopefully that won’t put you off too much.
So, pour yourself a glass of something, pull up a chair and join us ‘On the Veranda’
Neil & Henry

Wonder-full game

It was primarily a boardgame session at Scimitar this week, with only one miniature wargame being played.
On the other boardgame table, the guys were played Mansions of Madness (the new Cthuhlu themed game from FFG) for the first time. We, however, had decided to try 7 Wonders.
There has been a lot of buzz about this game since its release at Essen last year, and I was wondering what all the fuss was about.
If you aren’t aware, 7 Wonders is a card-based civilisation game, which uses a simultaneous card drafting mechanic.
What’s that mean in english?
Each person has a civilisation, which is based around a wonder of the ancient world. As you build these wonders, they can give you victory points and other beneficial effects during the game. Resources, buildings, trade and technology advances are represented by cards. These are gained throughout the game by selecting them from your hand.
The game is played in 3 turns, with each turn taking a number of rounds. During each round, each player has a hand of cards, from which he/she must select a card to play. This can be used to build his/her wonder, advance their civilisation, or even dicarded in order to gain money. Once the card is selected, the rest of the deck is passed to the player on their right or left (depending upon the turn of the game). Therefore the game is not just about selecting the civilisation advances that would most benefit you, but also possibly preventing your opponent from geting an advance that they would find of great use.
Whilst there are a few issues with production (apparently, there are some colour matching issues with the 2nd printing) the game, on the whole, looks pretty impressive when being played.
More to the point, what game do you know that can play up to 7-players, offer a decent challenge, and yet be completed in under 45 minutes?
Certainly, the game is on the lighter side (one could almost suggest filler) – but it ticks so many boxes that it has instantly been added to my ‘must have’ list.
I’d highly recommend that you try it, should you be given the opportunity.

Wonder-full game

It was primarily a boardgame session at Scimitar this week, with only one miniature wargame being played.
On the other boardgame table, the guys were played Mansions of Madness (the new Cthuhlu themed game from FFG) for the first time. We, however, had decided to try 7 Wonders.
There has been a lot of buzz about this game since its release at Essen last year, and I was wondering what all the fuss was about.
If you aren’t aware, 7 Wonders is a card-based civilisation game, which uses a simultaneous card drafting mechanic.
What’s that mean in english?
Each person has a civilisation, which is based around a wonder of the ancient world. As you build these wonders, they can give you victory points and other beneficial effects during the game. Resources, buildings, trade and technology advances are represented by cards. These are gained throughout the game by selecting them from your hand.
The game is played in 3 turns, with each turn taking a number of rounds. During each round, each player has a hand of cards, from which he/she must select a card to play. This can be used to build his/her wonder, advance their civilisation, or even dicarded in order to gain money. Once the card is selected, the rest of the deck is passed to the player on their right or left (depending upon the turn of the game). Therefore the game is not just about selecting the civilisation advances that would most benefit you, but also possibly preventing your opponent from geting an advance that they would find of great use.
Whilst there are a few issues with production (apparently, there are some colour matching issues with the 2nd printing) the game, on the whole, looks pretty impressive when being played.
More to the point, what game do you know that can play up to 7-players, offer a decent challenge, and yet be completed in under 45 minutes?
Certainly, the game is on the lighter side (one could almost suggest filler) – but it ticks so many boxes that it has instantly been added to my ‘must have’ list.
I’d highly recommend that you try it, should you be given the opportunity.

New BMP-2 from HLBS Co

I’ve just had an e-mail from Richard Kemp at the Honourable Lead Boiler Suit Company – one of my favourite figure companies – to say that they have finally got their 1/48th scale BMP-2 model into production.
To celebrate, they are offering a 10% discount up until the end of April (£25.00 instead of £27.50).
It’s available on their website, but there are no pictures, so I thought I’d post these here.
HLBS make a large range of modern Russian vehicles. They are obviously ideal for playing games like Force on Force, and are compatible with HLBS’ own range of modern figures, or they go well with other moderns, such as those offered by Red Star Miniatures (modern Russians and Chechens) – indeed, the vehicles on the Red Star website are the other Russian vehicles in the HLBS range.
I think you will agree, it’s another very nice model.