tcpip | RPG Review Issue 2, Israel and Gaza, Season's Festivities

The second issue of RPG Review has been released. It has a review of Pathfinder Beta Edition, Fantasy Australia, an interview with James Flowers of Redbrick, three Middle Earth articles, including Warhammer FPG linked scenarios in The Shire, Rolemaster PBeMs, three Dragon Warriors articles, a review of Grey Ranks, computer utility programs, a review of Hellboy II, Christmas advice from Orcus, and a Sacred Time song. I must say, I'm particularly impressed with the RPG on the Szare Szeregi; obviously a great (if awful) setting, really cool characters and character development and excellent simple game mechanics to capture the psychology and dramatic tension.

Transferring to a more contemporary warzone, the Israeli offensive in Gaza has claimed some 290 Palestinian lives. Nominally, this is in response to the firing of Qassam rockets by militants (which claimed 1 life) after the ending of a six-month ceasefire. However, it also follows an eighteen month blockade of Gaza by Israel, which has turned the place into a prison, prohibiting the entry of even the most basic supplies of electricity, food, fuel and medicine. Just two weeks ago, following a statement that described the embargo on Gaza as a "crime against humanity" (which indeed it is) the UN Human Rights investigator, Richard Falk, was expelled from the region by Israel.

Far from such troubles in a corpereal sense, the past week has been one of traditional festivities. Spent Christmas eve with Jenne P., at her chanukah/solstice gathering (she's a pagan Jew) and a number of ALP members in Brunswick. Conroy's Internet filter was the subject of much conversation with nobody expressing any approval of his plans. Christmas day was spent at Brendan E's, abode with movies, drinks and an excellent BBQ feast. Best wishes to all of you for the New Year.

Threaded | Flat

What really gets me about Israel & Palestine is nobody in power seems to be able to appreciate the fact that is mind-meltingly obvious to everyone else on the planet: the only reason the omgz evil ones have attacked you is because YOU attacked THEM. Because they attacked you, because you attacked them, because.. and so on.

I almost wish God exists so his voice could boom down from the heavens, saying "Both of you pack it in, or I'll put a lightning bolt up both your asses".

Figured as much, but appreciate the explanation. Read about it in the papers this morning and my automatic assumption was that they'd come up with an excuse to use their toys again. 1 death is hardly a number worth making such a fuss over, even if the whole blockade thing was not withstanding.

In typical fashion I note the US govt sided with Israel. And they wonder why the muslims hate them so... *shakes head*. Glad to be here in NZ where a bit more sense prevails.

I am glad you had a decent holiday season. I just finished the last of the left-over cabbage rolls from a festive feast, with breaded cauliflower, and I am consuming a steady diet of beers left over from the same event. People seemed to appreciate my gifts, which makes me happy.

On a less political note, good to see the second issue!

It reminds me of the old Imazine (a good thing!), though with a less self-reflexive letters column (even better!).

Just finished RPG Review 1. I enjoyed the retro 70s APAzine look, although to achive that fully peeps should send you individually formatted pdfs and you'd simply merge them..

It's a great old skool 'zine with high content and a good read.

Bit like your blog..

Pathfinder does have some brand recognition in it's name. The Pathfinder adventures are well written and well crafted.

In the setting the Pathfinders Society has a real role, admittedly as a bunch of Indy style adventurers, so there is some internal logic to the name.

OGL 3.6 would be so SPI, man!

Mind you, DragonQuest... mmm.. carefully numbered paragraphs of wargame goodness!

I'm babbling..

Interesting you use a photo from the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

Peace.

You are leaving like autism's man - in the your fabricated world .
In your fabricated world doesn't exists cannibal medieval regimes , doesn't exists criminal traffic of women for harems , doesn't exists genocide of Christians in Darfur , there Sudan's crime authority (friendly to HAMASTAN) killed already hundred of thousands really peaceful people whose guilt was only that they weren't Moslems ...
In the your artificial world you biggest fighter for freedom and independence of peoples … But where your courage to support really people of Kurdistan ?
People with ancient history, peculiar tradition and folklore in contrary of "Palestinians" , that haven't any sign of different people but only integral party of great Arabic People .
By the way , if anti-Hitler coalition troops were warring according to your principles , Hitler regime till now rules half Europe , because inhabitants of Berlin or Vine and especially Prague were much more innocent then inhabitants of Gaza . Czechs and Poles didn't select for Hitler . But Germans voted for Hitler not by 80-90% and 13 years before capture of Berlin or Dresden by anti-Hitler troops . This cities were destroyed almost totally !
Remind you that they didn't phone to inhabitants of that cities to warn about danger bombing as Israeli authority are doing in Gaza . But even Nazi solders didn't hide after backs of German kids like it doing HAMAS !

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Anti-HAMAS War in Gaza Strip