News:

And we're back!

Main Menu

Recent posts

#1
Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...
Last post by Zanza - Today at 08:27:59 AM
100 years ago would be six years after WW1. In WW1, I would understand a ban on beards: gas masks don't work as well with beards.
#2
Gaming HQ / Re: The Miscellaneous PC & vid...
Last post by Caliga - Today at 08:26:50 AM
She can make the Curacao Run in five fathoms!
#3
Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...
Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 08:23:12 AM
Always find this stuff kind of weird/interesting - something of institutional culture (and obviously there's always been exceptions for religious and cultural reasons). The Navy has basically always allowed beards but I think, for example, the US Navy doesn't (in fact I think growing a beard on a long voyage is a rite of passage in the RN). Could be wrong but I think only the French Foreign Legion are allowed beards - it has a sort of regimental association.

Similarly I think US military broadly frowns on tattoos, while UK forces would have no recruits without tattoos and the only restriction is no face tattoos. Again I think it's often a rite of passage to get tattooed on deployment.

And militaries always seem like uniquely condensed stores of tradition and institutional identity/culture, which I think makes it/them interesting in this respect of what they say about where they come from or the society they reflect. For example interesting the ban came in 100 years ago in WW1 with the military transitioning from basically just an imperial police force, to a large conscript army close to home - so they possibly needed to help create a single unified culture quickly?
#4
Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023
Last post by Zanza - Today at 08:12:00 AM
The evangelical right accepted that he is an embodiment of pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony and sloth, his divorces, his de facto pro choice views, fucking porn stars etc.

Why would not supporting Israel all of a sudden turn them away? Seems fairly inconsequential when you glorify this person.
#5
Gaming HQ / Re: The Miscellaneous PC & vid...
Last post by Syt - Today at 07:37:40 AM
I played Uncharted Water 2 on emulator. First character I picked was the indebted Italian guy because I thought he looked a bit like Han Solo. And of course he's deep in debt.

So I chuckled when he was entrusted with a ship and gave her an matching name:


#6
Gaming HQ / Re: The Miscellaneous PC & vid...
Last post by Josquius - Today at 07:09:40 AM
I'm playing sailing era at the moment. It's alright.
Though yes. Like uncharted waters takes liberties with history.


Lubeck has a black market and several piratey related quests go on there.
#7
Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread
Last post by Josephus - Today at 05:34:38 AM
Yeah, I'm also getting a lot of "Shows like Shogun" clickbait stuff.
#8
Gaming HQ / Re: The Miscellaneous PC & vid...
Last post by Syt - Today at 04:47:03 AM
Sailing Era looks like a newer take on Uncharted Waters, i.e. a JRPG set during the age of discoveries.

At any rate, this content description in one of their DLCs made me chuckle.



Not the EVIL HANSEATIC LEAGUE :o  :ph34r:
#9
Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...
Last post by Syt - Today at 02:39:31 AM
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/28/soldiers-beards-allowed-100-year-ban-overturned/

QuoteArmy allows beards as it ends 100-year ban
New policy will come into effect on Friday so that those on Easter leave have time to grow facial hair


Soldiers will be allowed to grow beards after the Army overturned a 100-year ban on facial hair, The Telegraph can reveal.

The King, who is Commander in Chief, signed off on the decision on Thursday to allow both officers and soldiers to wear beards.

The new policy will come into effect on Friday so that soldiers on Easter leave have time to grow a beard while away from work, The Telegraph understands.

Following a review of the Army's policy on appearances and beards, General Sir Patrick Sanders, the head of the Army, took the decision that "the appearance policy will change" after a survey of both serving and reservist troops.

The findings showed an "overwhelming majority" felt the Army needed to change its policy and allow soldiers to wear beards.

It comes after Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, said the beard ban was "ludicrous" when discussing the Army's recruitment crisis.

The move will bring the Army into line with the RAF and Royal Navy who already permit full beards.

However, troops have been told that conditions mean beards have to be "neat" as standards within the Army must not drop.

It was also stressed to personnel that the decision was not to be seen as a "free for all" and that any beards grown will be reviewed to ensure they are in line with regulations.

It is thought the original beard ban was introduced to ensure uniformity in appearance.

However, as the Army has struggled with recruitment, it has looked into ways to promote inclusivity and encourage men with beards to sign up.

Senior defence sources told The Telegraph there would be "dinosaurs" who will not agree with the decision.

They added: "Someone will say gas masks won't fit, but if there's a chemical threat then people will shave."

In a video released to personnel confirming the decision, Paul Carney, the Army Sergeant Major, said: "Our standards can't drop. The Army has a reputation for professionalism and a smart turnout, with our allies and with the British public.

"We must maintain and protect that reputation by continuing to look our best."





Huzzah! :cheers:
#10
Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023
Last post by Admiral Yi - March 28, 2024, 08:17:32 PM
Quote from: Jacob on March 28, 2024, 06:09:21 PMI'd flip it around... are you aware of any time where Trump has chosen to not throw someone under the bus and/or stay loyal to them over protecting his ego or taking profit?

Outside his family I haven't seen any loyalty displayed.  But I'm talking about political calculation, not personal loyalty.