If a group like the NAACP had tried the same stunts in a more dictatorial country, say Iran or Cuba, how long would they have lasted? How long would an actual organization survive with their leaders constantly arrested, tried and executed with in a week of founding the organization?

Twitter, Facebook and the like have the advantage of anonymity when organizing and implementing plans.

Normally I'd agree with your position but here I think it is a bit tricky. By putting them in the game you are giving the Taliban legitimacy which a large amount of the US population would not approve of. You could also cause problems with the fanatical Muslim population because of the link the Taliban has with Islam. And lets face it the radical Muslims don't fuck around when showing their displeasure. All and all I think it was a good business strategy on EA's part to avoid that whole kettle of fish and come across that the change was inspired respect for the US armed forces. This minor controversy will also help generate hype and knowledge of the game. A win for EA on all fronts.

Well unless the radical Muslims take offense at not being included in the game...

Oh yea. The Liberals go to all the trouble of painting a moon up in the sky every night just to fuck with my head. They even moving it during the night and changing the shape nightly. /sarcasm

What I am saying is that Chinese universities have a tendency of fostering academic misconduct in an attempt to compete with the western world's research. The fact that the people who claim to have taken this picture doesn't seem to have any publications lined up makes me wonder about the authenticity of the work. Now maybe they do and it just wasn't reported but regardless between the pictures themselves, the fact they are out of China and no mention of publication I will take this with a large grain of salt.

I hate to besmirch the name of the good Chinese researchers that I know but I wouldn't trust this. There has been too many bad publications out of China and Chinese universities. The link doesn't even mention a journal that the results will be published in. They do say they will present the research at the European Planetary Science Congress but that is it. (Yes I RTFL.)

Now I'm not saying they aren't capable of doing this just that it smells bad enough for me to have my doubts. We will see.

I don't know. I think there is a day devoted to Loki. It is the day many of us have to pay for the 'privilege' of getting up early, dress nicely, sit in uncomfortable seats and listen to someone berate us for not living according to many arbitrary and contradictory rules. I really think the pure insanity would appeal to Loki quite a lot.
For some reason we just call it Sunday.

Yes I'm an American and I am fully aware of how stupid and asinine the process is. My girlfriend is Indian and is dealing with the process now - and has legally lived in this country since she was 13. I lived with a Nigerian guy who had to deal with it. I work with a Chinese woman who is dealing with it now for her and her family. A friend of mine from Turkey (with a phd in Physics from an American University) had one hell of a time. A good friend of mine's wife is from South America and is dealing with it as well. I never claimed it was fair or easy or logical, only that it can be done.

I fully admit our immigration policy needs to be fixed but until then the law is the law. If you want to come to the USA, you do it legally. It is precisely because I know so many people who have done it legally that I have no sympathy for those that do not. Any idea what would happen if I illegally entered and stayed in most central or south American countries? Or the countries in the middle east? I suggest googling it and finding out.

I realize you are being sarcastic but I would like to point out that he was here legally to begin with. Weird isn't it how some people can actually navigate the Byzantine immigration process instead of just sneaking across the boarder?

On one work machine I had a hard drive failure. On another machine I had a switch failure after replacing the power supply and motherboard. (Never using that supplier again.)

You are right a muslim temple/community center isn't going to hurt anyone but one so close to ground zero is still considered offensive by many Americans. People have the right to be offended by anything they wish. Personally, I'm offended by the Christian church across the street and the planed parenthood center but I acknowledge their right to be there. I will even defend their right to build where they did.

If I thought the Reverend was burning the Koran as a way to hold hostage anything then I wouldn't even suggest talking to him. To the best of my knowledge he is merely expressing his feelings towards the muslim faith just like people who burn the American flag to express what they think of the USA.

Like it or not, freedom of speech means more then just opinions you agree with.

I think a solution where you put the Imam and the Reverent together and say 'Both your actions are offensive to the other. I suggest a compromise that fixes it.' This stomps on no one's freedom of religion or freedom of speech.

You make a fair point about bowing to provocation acts but I disagree with your assessment of the situation. I think a more appropriate analogy would be this:

I decide to build an extension on my house that blocks your view. Meanwhile, you decide to cut down a tree in your yard that I particularly like. So we come to a compromise, you don't cut down your tree and I don't build my extension.

That is a compromise.

To the best of my knowledge (and I could be wrong) the Koran burning is something the reverend wants to do to show what he thinks of the Muslim faith. He is not depriving anyone of their property and doing nothing legally wrong (assuming he can get the permits for the fire). He isn't making any demands, he is just staging an act of protest against a religion in general. The offense the muslim people feel toward the Koran burning is similar to that of what Americans feel towards building a mosque so close to ground zero. There is nothing legally wrong with either action but people find both actions distasteful. This solution stops both actions without the government getting involved and shows a willingness for compromise and respect from both parties. I think that is a good thing.

But that is the beauty of it. New York Country Zoning laws play no part. The Imam, ideally, should volunteer to move the mosque as part of the compromise. Plus if it does smell a bit like terrorism, it is something the fanatical Muslims should understand.

However, I don't see it as terrorism for the simple fact the 'yokel' is not making any demands he just feels a need to perform his action. The Imam does as well. I'm merely putting forth a compromise that could be acceptable to both parties and offends the least number of people. No ones rights are stepped on and a solution is reached.

Ok, please explain to me how either of the two parties mentioned get their way with my solution? Plus isn't extreme provocation how the Muslim extremists are reacting? Rioting and protesting to stop the Koran burning? This solutions shows the radicals that we are willing to listen but we expect something in return.

Am I the only one who can't help but think that maybe we can use this nut to solve another issue? The minister won't burn the Koran if the ground zero mosque is moved. No one ends up being happy but this is what is known in my neck of the woods as compromise.

And just to make myself clear, I disagree with the mosque so close to ground zero and the burning of the Koran but I'll defend both of their rights to carry out their actions.

Well said. Plus I've already dated a redhead. The scars are healing nicely.