Tuesday, 26 Oktober 1999 0030Z
A quickie clarification.... -Totentanz

I was reading the PF mailbag, and I noticed a rebuttal to an editorial I made HERE. People, the PF newsies have no control over the insanity we do here at Fort Bundy. Really. We're the "fringe element", so to speak. If you have comments, feedback, etc over something said here - send it OUR way. We'll be glad to talk to you. Hell, we love to hear ourselves talk...err, I mean we love to communicate with members of the TF community. If youse gots grief about something you see here, don't take it out on The Hal and company. ^_^ A comment for [CMG]East , who sent in that mailbag entry - the "weenies" comment was something Tater added, that's commonly known as "colour commentary". It's not the "Official Opinion of PlanetFortress" or anything like that. Tater likes to make news reporting interesting, and thank goodness he does, else we'd see more of the plague of cut-n-paste that's common all all too many other sites. (not going to mention any, cause there's also several GOOD sites, that make an effort, too)

Anyhow, after my ISP being messed up for a coupla days - lost email from that, etc. - I think I'm about ready to jump back on track. Bundy and ben seem to have succumbed to some Real Life(tm) issues that need attention, so I'll do my meager best to entertain you folks. But I'll leave you with this parting thought. TF is MORE than just a game - it's a method of social interaction. Just like those maniacs playing Ultima Online and EverQuest and yes Real Life(tm) as well, TF has it's own community, with all the attendant benefits and responsibilities. Just because it's easier to be anonymous cause you can hide behind an alias and an IP address, does NOT give you the justification to act like a complete arsehole. Bet you wouldn't if you had to had to be face to face with someone. Remember, personal accountability for your actions is something ALL should practice. Don't be a Prek.

Tuesday, 19 Oktober 1999 2130Z
An apology for my silence... -Totentanz

I'd like to apologize to the faithful readers and the people I've been corresponding with in email on my last editorial. I've been hit with an annoying combo of illness, busy at work, preparation for a clan match (CanalZone, yeah baby!!) and a recent spat of computer problems. The fact that I went and bought myself a Sega Dreamcast to make myself feel better didn't help the available time, either. ^_^

Anyhow, to the Mercs I've been corresponding with - I'll be getting back to you shortly. For the readers, a sneak peek into what this madman is covering next in this Mercenaries issue. Part two will include what *I* think is right, good and viable about this movement, and how I feel it could be made into an asset to the TF community. That's right, your eyes are not tricking you - I plan on doing a rational, reasonable look at it from "their" side. Also, as an added bonus, I intend an interview of 2 of the people who side themselves with the Merc movement, but have demonstrated to me that they are indeed fellow honourable warriors who merely think a bit differently about the idea of clan allegiances.

After I wrap up this Mercenaries edition on the Fort, I'll start working on my next one. If you think I stirred up a maelstrom with this one, wait till you see the NEXT target on Uncle Tot's hit parade. I guarentee that it's going to cause some massive, uhm, "issues". I'll leave you with that tease to ponder. But I think I better lock away my Dreamcast if I'm going to make any headway - SoulCalibur is just too much fun. TTFN!

Wednesday, 13 Oktober 1999 2030Z
Fire for effect, over... -Totentanz

While reading through the Oktober 11th news (excuse the spelling, I've lived in many countries, and some things stick with me), I found an item posted by Mr.Potatohead, labelled "Grass Root Killers". After reading the cut-n-paste from the person maintaining this site, my Brody-detector read at maximum, and all the alarms in Fort Bundy went off all at once. I knew this was a bad sign, even just from the tone of that small post. So, after suiting up in full protective gear, I decided to follow the link, and see what else these cretins had to say... Allow me to quote some of this stuff here. As is the tradition here at Fort Bundy, the offensive material gets the YELLOW text - as fits them, and RED gets used for item of special emphasis. Grab your Asbestos undies and your Kevlar - we're off on another strange journey, into the arsehole zone....

From their section titled "We are TM":

So, we have 3 different types of TFC Mercenaries.

Mercenary - Just plays alone. Does what they need to do to win and be the best they can be. - Ok, I can deal with that - no problems whatsoever..
Lone or Semi-Mercenary - Plays the game, but when someone crosses their path, they dedicate the rest of their time to killing that player, and ruining his ego. - This, is commonly known in TF as a "complete prek". "when someone crosses their path"? - what kind of utter crap is this. So, if this person decides to, they are going to abandon all semblences of TEAMplay, and go hunt someone down? PREK!
True Mercenary - Taking requests! Ruin the egos of the players on the other team that cross you, piss off your team, or are just plain out butt cracks. - This, friends is what I refer to as a poster child for retroactive birth control. THIS is exactly what is WRONG with the TF community today (NOTE: I use the term "TF community" to include both TF1 and TFC). There is absolutely no call for this sort of behavior. They go around ruining games for other people, for their own sick sense of pleasure. This is the type of cretin I would like to see added to a Community-wide Banlist. In Tot's triumverate of of "Cheaters, Lamers and Arseholes", they rank firmly in both of the last two categories.

Mind you, that was a quote from the webpage itself, describing what they are. Disgusted yet? But wait, let's go over some more, now.. oh, and remember:

Apart from what you may think, True Mercenaries is NOT a clan!!! If anything, we are an ANTI-clan organization!

Going down their roster page, some of the people listed there are obviously confused, and didn't bother to read the "We are TM" page. Minor issue, only.

Then the webmaster has a section entitled "Clans", and in the about clans, he gives a decent description there about clans. He actually makes a GOOD statement in it- "Lastly... CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER in the TFC gaming world. " Finally, a bit of sense in the madness, even if it does contradict the definition of their organization. Then he has a place for clans to submit their info to be listed there. WHY? I would have to say that that there is more confusion going on here, on the part of the webmaster/grand poobah of this place.

And another important point about clans and this whole "Mercenary" idea. In all three of the major TFC "leagues" - the IGL, STA, and OGL - have a No Ringers policy. What does that mean - it means that unless you are an legit, active member or recruit of the clan in question, you can NOT play in a match, otherwise that clan in in violation of the rules, and subject to disciplinary action. Usually at the least, that match is forfeited due to violation of the rules, and possibly even ejection from the league. Kind of makes the idea of Mercenaries working for clans USELESS, huh ?

Ok, lets go back into rant mode. here's some choice quotes from some of the members of this "fine organization". *spit* NOTE: I purposedly did NOT put in mailto tags in there names. There's an old saying - " sure, you can wrestle a pig - but you'll BOTH end up covered in mud."

Fox - I have nothing to say, u wont c me but i will c u... - Lovely. intelligent AND literate, :P

[::]4*L0M[::] - [::]4*L0M[::] is GOD's gift to bounty hunting. Any time any place if the price is right. - Gee, what do get paid in? I'm kinda fuzzy on this whole "Bounty Hunter" concept in TFC, myself.

Zurf - Im willing to piss of anyone (practically)if you ask if u ask nicely enuf (and the target isnt a clanner(dont wanna be killed by an entire clan)). i have lots intersting was to kill them slowly, or quikly (3 feet outside the base) and im capable of being a total ass hole - oh boy, another real winner here, and oh-so brave too. How about being hunted by an entire Commonality? ^_^

Q - Death has no set schedual but I'll be happy to arrange the meeting. Clans are for the emotionally deprived. If I thought that being in a clan would make me a better person I still wouldn't join one. - for the emotionally deprived, eh? I'm wondering if he got turned down by a few, you know?

Drool - I'm the fat guy with the big gun that just took out half your clan. See? I'm waving. At you. - Uhm. excuse me. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Ok, I feel better now. At least this one was humourous.

WhiteShadow - I dont care to get a score of 1/50 as long as my frag is YOU. - Wow, impressive. But it seems to me that a GOOD Mercenary would be a PROFICIENT one, eh?

Ok, that's enough before I get any more nauseous. What should be, as proponents of Honour, Sportsmanship and Team Play, do about this? Time for Tot to play with the new toy! That's right - it's instapoll Time!!!

The last thing I wanted to address, and this one is a sad one - to me at least. Mr. Potatohead has ALWAYS been a proponent of the principles we espouse here at the fort, and even in his capacity as the excellent newsie that he is, if he did post an item with some sort of questionable or disagreeable content, he would always put a witty comment at the bottom, that would give an indication of his view of that item. The comment this time was nothing like that. Tater, please - I'm hoping that it was merely a mistake, and that you didn't manage totake the time to check out the content of that item your received. You had always done that on "the Sycamore Tree" (which I miss greatly). Give me a sign, please? And folks, PLEASE do NOT flame Tater on this matter - he's a good person that does not deserve any abuse. Ok?

Tot walks out of the commo centre, lighting another Pall Mall. He mutters, "It going to take a lot of Geritol and cough syrup to help blot this from my mind, to be able to rest." Brothers, sisters - fellow warriors - I've had my rant. It's time to decide what the TF community should do able this. I await to hear your voice in this matter.

Sunday, 10 Oktober 1999 2300Z
A little something from TF past, to lighten your day -Totentanz

I was digging through my archives of old TF stuff I had stored away, and dug up this little gem. I had saved it, back when I was still an HPB, and unfortunately, all too often, this is STILL a truism. I'd like to dedicate this to the warriors of clan [30+] - a fine bunch they are, and they host 2 of the best-run and most enjoyable TFC servers I've had the pleasure to visit, despite them being West Coast, and me on the East.

The HPB's Prayer
----------------
Lo, while I step off the battlements into the green grass,
I shall not fear the 30 ping snipes.
I shall not fear, for I am so lagged, I will merely find myself in
the comfort of my respawn.
And tho I die quickly, albeit over and over again,
I shall not want.
For in the end I know,
they are all ping.
Amen.

A Dream To Some
Howdy all you people in TFC-land. This is Teatime speaking ...

Looks like good ol' Bundy not only suffers on CRS but also starts to lose his marbles. I mean: What else could have him so confused that he gives another old geezer like me the opportunity to blabber about such old-fashioned stuff like Honor, Sportmanship and Fairplay.

I think we are like those Knights of the Round Table in this movie "Excalibur", searching for the Holy Grail. Our Holy Grail is the ideal of Honor, Sportmanship and Fairplay, in which we seek the rejoice and prospering of TFC as a game everybody can enjoy. Hey, I have just seen this movie a week ago (for the tenth time I guess, this film rocks) and I remember one scene very clearly: On the evening before the battle against his sister Morgana and their son Mordred King Arthur is presented the vision of the wizard Merlin, awoken from the enchanted sleep Morgana had put him in. Approached by this vision Arthur asks: "Are you a dream?" whereas Merlin answers:

"A dream to some ... A NIGHTMARE TO OTHERS"

Have a nice day ...

Between a rock and a hard place
That's what standing in for Honor and Sportmanship sometimes feels like!

On the pubs you try to get the "obviously clueless" people to play the game right. "Obviously clueless" are not only those people named "Player", but often enough others who still haven't understood that TFC is more than just running around, killing other players and occasionally steal the flag.

In discussions on forums or newsgroups on the other hand I find myself condemning "rough" tactics like respawn camping, spamming or early scout rushes because the ordinary pub player can't deal with it.

So in game I piss off the group of the lesser skilled player who feel patronized and critized, while outside the game I piss off the more experienced players who also feel patronized and critized.

Both groups think I would want to tell them how to play the game.

Which is right :-) because both groups miss that TFC on pubs is primarily about fun. Not only the fun the single player has but the fun the game is giving to everybody taking part. Let's call it the "overall fun".

The "overall fun" can be found when all partipicants play not only the way the game was supposed to (meaning to look for the team to succeed instead of looking for personal glory or having cheap fun by killing less experienced players) but also play it in a way everybody can enjoy it.

Skilled player will enjoy a hard game which challenges them. Less experienced player wouldn't enjoy such a rough game, as they are not up to that level of gameplay. On the other hand a skilled player won't find much of a challenge in a game with predominatly medium skilled players. The general level of skill should define the way the game is played. If the number of skilled players is high the game can be played harder. If the skill level is rather "medium" skilled people should try to adjust and refrain from tactics like those mentioned above. That means if Mr. Newbie finds himself in game with plenty of highly skilled clan-members he might consider leaving. If Mr. Kickass-Clannie finds himself in a game with a bunch of medium-skilled players he should either slow down a bit or leave to look somewhere else for a challenge.

Unfortunately many have forgotten and still countless others have never known how Ms. Fonda betrayed (not only the idea of our "country") but the men who served and sacrificed during Vietnam Please take the time to read and forward to as many people as you possibly can. It will eventually end up on her computer and she needs to know that "we will never forget". Lest we forget..."100 years of great women" Jane Fonda should never be considered. The first part of this is from an F-4E pilot. The pilot's name is Jerry Driscoll, a River Rat. There are few things I have strong visceral reactions to, but Jane Fonda's participation in what I believe to be blatant treason, is one of them. Part of my conviction comes from exposure to those who suffered her attentions.

In 1978, the Commandant of the USAF Survival School was a former POW in Ho Lo Prison-the "Hanoi Hilton". Dragged from a stinking cesspit of a cell, cleaned, fed, and dressed in clean PJs, he was ordered to describe for a visiting American "Peace Activist" the "lenient and humane treatment" he'd received. He spat at Ms. Fonda, was clubbed, and dragged away. During the subsequent beating, he fell forward upon the camp Commandant's feet, accidentally pulling the man's shoe off-which sent that officer berserk. In '78, the AF Col still suffered from double vision-permanently grounding him from the Vietnamese Col's frenzied application of wooden baton.

From 1983-85, Col Larry Carrigan was 347FW/DO (F-4Es). He'd spent 6 years in the "Hilton"-the first three of which he was "missing in action". His wife lived on faith that he was still alive. His group, too, got the cleaned/fed/clothed routine in preparation for a "peace delegation" visit. They, however, had time and devised a plan to get word to the world that they still survived. Each man secreted a tiny piece of paper, with his SSN on it, in the palm of his hand. When paraded before Ms. Fonda and a cameraman, she walked the line, shaking each man's hand and asking little encouraging snippets like: "Aren't you sorry you bombed babies?" and "Are you grateful for the humane treatment from your benevolent captors?"

Believing this HAD to be an act, they each palmed her their sliver of paper. She took them all without missing a beat. At the end of the line and once the camera stopped rolling, to the shocked disbelief of the POWs, she turned to the officer in charge...and handed him the little pile. Three men died from the subsequent beatings. Col Carrigan was almost number four. For years after their release, a group of determined former POWs Including Col Carrigan, tried to bring Ms. Fonda and others up on charges of treason. I don't know that they used it, but the charge of "Negligent Homicide due to Depraved Indifference" would also seem appropriate. Her obvious "granting of aid and comfort to the enemy", alone, should've been sufficient for the treason count. However, to date, Jane Fonda has never been formally charged with anything and continues to enjoy the privileged life of the rich and famous. I, personally, think that this is shame on us, the American Citizenry. Part of our shortfall is ignorance: most don't know such actions ever took place. Thought you might appreciate the knowledge.

To whom it may concern:
I was a civilian economic development advisor in Viet Nam, and was captured by the North Vietnamese communists in South Viet Nam in 1968, and held for over 5 years. I spent 27 months in solitary confinement, one year in a cage in Cambodia, and one year in a "black box" in Hanoi. My North Vietnamese captors deliberately poisoned and murdered a female missionary, a nurse in a leprosarium in Ban me Thuot, South Vietnam, whom I buried in the jungle near the Cambodian border. At one time, I was weighing approximately 90 lbs. (My normal weight is 170 lbs.). We were Jane Fonda's "war criminals." When Jane Fonda was in Hanoi, I was asked by the camp communist political officer if I would be willing to meet with Jane Fonda. I said yes, for I would like to tell her about the real treatment we POWs were receiving, which was far different from the treatment purported by the North Vietnamese, and parroted by Jane Fonda, as "humane and lenient." Because of this, I spent three days on a rocky floor on my knees with outstretched arms with a piece of steel rebar placed on my hands, and beaten with a bamboo cane every time my arms dipped. I had the opportunity to meet with Jane Fonda for a couple of hours after I was released. I asked her if she would be willing to debate me on TV. She did not answer me, her husband, Tom Hayden, answered for her. She was mind controlled by her husband. This does not exemplify someone who should be honored as "100 Years of Great Women." After I was released, I was asked what I thought of Jane Fonda and the anti-war movement. I said that I held Joan Baez's husband in very high regard, for he thought the war was wrong, burned his draft card and went to prison in protest. If the other anti-war protesters took this same route, it would have brought our judicial system to a halt and ended the war much earlier, and there wouldn't be as many on that somber black granite wall called the Vietnam Memorial. This is democracy. This is the American way. Jane Fonda, on the other hand, chose to be a traitor, and went to Hanoi, wore their uniform, propagandized for the communists, and urged American soldiers to desert. As we were being tortured, and some of the POWs murdered, she called us liars. After her heroes-the North Vietnamese communists-took over South Vietnam, they systematically murdered 80,000 South Vietnamese political prisoners. May their souls rest on her head forever. Shame! Shame!

(History is a heavy sword in the hands of those who refuse to forget it. Think of this the next time you see Ms. Fonda-Turner at a Braves game)