So let me see if I can boil this down for the people in the back of the class...the USA and the Dutch are calling on the world to quell the Russian peril...?

Hmmm. I may be a little slow but I think we've seen this end game before. What is it that they say about those who don't remember their history?


I do not think it is overstating to say that the complete domination of 40% of the board by two powers with absolutely no credible challengers is the real issue here and I think it is pretty clear what the result will be. There are only two geopolitical players left on the board and a bunch of regional players with virtually no ability to act globally.

Seems to me that rather than cold war rhetoric as peddled by Rudi, what we should really be getting back to is a study of imperialism. Any study of same would conclude that despite controlling less than 30-40% of the globe, the European empires were able to set the agenda for the world for several centuries AND that the inheritor of that mantle, the USA still, two centuries later is still in command of a large swath of the globe despite having central command of less than 10%.

Any way you do the math, if the regional powers hope to fight colonialism, they need to band together and throw the bums out. Does that mean they have to overlook their own petty regional squabbles? Absolutely.

TM



Edward Morley
Transportation Consultant
Senate Republican Office of Policy
1020 N Street #248
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 651-1773
(916) 324-1022 (fax)

-----Original Message-----
From: Rudi van Hal [mailto:rvhgames(at)xs4all.nl]
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:39 PM
To: 'Former Trout'; 'Cat23 1200 List'; DC110(at)diplomaticcorp.com
Cc: 'Bret Pollack'; 'David E Watson'; 'Jerry Todd'; 'Jim Atkins'; 'Lee Taylor'; 'Mike Hoffman'; 'Randolph'; 'Rob Ackerley'; 'Rob Bristol'; 'Rob Bristol'; 'Rudi Van Hal'; 'Rupert Armstrong'; 'Steve Lytton'; 'Suzanne Castagne'; 'Ted Morley'; Morley, Ted
Subject: RE: Guns, Germs and steel 1264 / DC110 - Summer 1869 Russian Press



Rhetoric: the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion

Russia calls for a holy crusade against the USA/Dutch world domination. It is no use fighting rhetoric with rhetoric, so let’s focus on the facts instead.
[list=1:b97844fca9] [*:b97844fca9]USA and Holland combine for 60 centers. Even with some gains this year, they will below 40% of the total of 175 centers. World Domination is accomplished these days by controlling less than half the world it seems. [*:b97844fca9]Which powers have a significant border with the USA (a) and Holland (b) and neither (c) [list=1:b97844fca9] [*:b97844fca9]Powers which could fight the USA [/list:b97844fca9][/list:b97844fca9]
<![if !supportLists]> i. <![endif]>Britain (8 centers)
<![if !supportLists]> ii. <![endif]>Brazil (17 centers)
<![if !supportLists]> iii. <![endif]>France (23 centers)
<![if !supportLists]> iv. <![endif]>Japan (11 centers) [list=1:b97844fca9] [list=1:b97844fca9] [*:b97844fca9]Powers which could fight Holland [/list:b97844fca9][/list:b97844fca9]
<![if !supportLists]> i. <![endif]>China (13 centers)
<![if !supportLists]> ii. <![endif]>France (23 centers)
<![if !supportLists]> iii. <![endif]>Japan (11 centers) [list=1:b97844fca9] [list=1:b97844fca9] [*:b97844fca9]Powers with no significant border with either Holland or the USA [/list:b97844fca9][/list:b97844fca9]
<![if !supportLists]> i. <![endif]>Austria (19 centers)
<![if !supportLists]> ii. <![endif]>Russia (20 centers)

So Russia calls upon its neighbours to prevent the USA/Holland World Domination without contributing to it (due to lack of opportunities).
Now let’s look at the powers that can fight the Gruesome Twosome:

Britain:
Britain is already at war with the USA and can’t attack Holland (been there, done that I guess).
Full commitment against the USA would leave Scandinavia vulnerable. Who could benefit from this? ...... Russia!

Brazil:
Brazil is already at war with the USA and has virtually no border with Holland. Not much would change for Brazil

China:
China can turn on Holland but will have to pull units from his northern borders to do so. This would leave his home centers vulnerable. Who could benefit? …… Russia!

France:
France has a significant border with the USA and a smaller one with Holland. In order to follow Russia’s suggestions, France has to commit all its resources to fight the USA and Holland on 2 fronts.
This would put the European centers at risk. Who could benefit from that? ….. Austria

Japan:
Wait a sec, Wasn’t Japan until recently not ALL OUT committed against Holland? What happened? Does anyone recall? I do know that Russia currently holds several centers that were until recently controlled by Japan.

So a summary of facts:
<![if !supportLists]>n <![endif]>Russia calls for an all out fight against powers that control less than 40% of the world.
<![if !supportLists]>n <![endif]>Russia and Austria can’t participate in that fight
<![if !supportLists]>n <![endif]>Russia and Austria are the powers in the position to benefit from this crusade


I’m not calling upon anyone to do anything. I’m just presenting facts and leave it to people to draw their conclusions.

On behalf of His Royal Majesty King William III

Rudi
First Secretary


From: Former Trout [mailto:former.trout(at)gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 04:56
To: Cat23 1200 List; DC110(at)diplomaticcorp.com
Cc: Bret Pollack; David E Watson; Jerry Todd; Jim Atkins; Lee Taylor; Mike Hoffman; Randolph; Rob Ackerley; Rob Bristol; Rob Bristol; Rudi Van Hal; Rupert Armstrong; Steve Lytton; Suzanne Castagne; Ted Morley; Ted Morley
Subject: Guns, Germs and steel 1264 / DC110 - Summer 1869 Russian Press


Cast this game to the turf. It's over.



Holland has complete and utter control of the Indian Ocean. Gaining control in Africa and the Mideast. And being given gifts in the south Pacific by Japan. The powers that could prevent his advance have chose instead to bicker and stab amongst themselves turning a blind eye to Hollands unchecked growth.



The USA has exploded recently. He currently has NO significant threat to him. No vulnerable front and it is only a mater of time before he cracks Brazil and England. And he will continue to pick up gains as Japan collapses.



Who will turn and stop them? Who will stop bickering and stabbing and make a global concerted effort to stop them? Anyone? It would take all of the lesser powers - by name: Austria, England, France, China, Russia, Brazil and Japan - just to start to counter their strong holds. Anyone?



I am guilty of the bickering and stabbing myself. But I have given every effort imaginable to join those forces against Holland and USA. No real willing partners. Not even in certain area's where it would seem beneficial. I am tired. Tired of trying to band forces together to fight the super powers. Tired of neighbors, who should be allies, choosing to squabble over scraps while H and U continue to grow UNCHECKED!



Russia is now fully committed to repaying China. Not because of his stab, but because since we started talking, he has continued to turn a blind eye to Holland and disregarding the fact that he COULD make a difference. Every unit I have will now be thrown in that direction. If people, namely Austria choose to gobble up my centers as I redirect them then my point to this press will only be amplified. If France continues to be the patsy to these two powers, then I say hike that skirt up higher and bite the pillow a little harder. Soon they will swallow you up as well.



End this now, so I don't have to watch 7 players watch as their lack of awareness and desire to counter 2 players bites them in the ass.



USA and Holland - well done. Not sure how you got to that point before I joined, but what ever spell you cast over the rest of us deserves my applaud.



Dave I am coming for you...



Russia.