Intellectual Crusader

I recently watched a movie called "We Were Soldiers", starring Mel Gibson and Barry Pepper. It's a really good movie about the Battle of Ia Drang during the Vietnam War. However at the begining of the movie, there is a scene which depicts French soldiers being ambushed by the Viet Minh during the First Indochina War in 1954. During this scene, it looked like the French were using M1 Garrand rifles; and a French Officer who was trying to rally his soldiers against the Viet Minh, had what I think was a Colt 1911 Pistol. I could be mistaken about those weapons, but I started to think about the equipment that the French might have used during this war. I know that the United States supplied the French with weapons and Money, but did those weapons include M1 Garrands or M1 Carbines? Basically what I'm asking for is a list of the main infantry weapons used by French forces during the First Indochina War that lasted from 1946 - 1954. Any information is appreciative; thank you.

I am writing an argumentative essay on a flat rate tax system here in the United States. I have found great examples of how the flat tax has helped countries in Eastern Europe, but I also need to include my opposition a little bit.

While researching the subject, I have noticed that people think the flat tax will benefit the wealthy and screw the poor(pardon my French). What I am asking is how can I refute that claim? Or how can I put up a successful counter-argument?

I think that I can get away with saying that a Flat Tax will take away the burden off all people's income because the Federal government will use other taxes to get funds. So a low flat tax rate for all is possible. Will this argument be realistic?

I have almost everything else to make it a good essay. I just need to refute the opposition, otherwise I'll get points taken off, can someone help me out?

I have always been fascinated by the war between Tsarist Russia and Imperial Japan that occurred between 1904-1905. The political intrigue that led up to the war is quite interesting and I have always asked myself, "what could the Russians have done to turn the war into their favor". I would appreciate any examples of what the Imperial Russian Military should have done that would've helped them win the war. However, I would like to list the reasons that I think caused Russia to lose the war and sue for peace.

1. Logistical Problems: After the Japanese attacked, Russia had to transport reinforcements across Siberia all the way to Manchuria. This took very long, and all the while the Imperial Japanese army steamrolled into Manchuria, cut off Port Arthur, and defeated the outnumbered Russian army. By the time the reinforcements arrived, Japan already had a large foothold in Manchuria and severely defeated the Russians at the Battle of Mukden.

2. Underestimating The Enemy: Russia thought that the Japanese were Barbarians who could never match up against their own military. Tsar Nicholas II even kept insisting that Japan would not fight until they attacked the Russian Far East Fleet at Port Arthur; then he kept saying that the war would be over soon and end with a Russian Victory.

3. Incompetent Officers: The Russian Military was plagued by poor officers who usually got their rank for political connections rather thank skill. The Japanese Army was shocked many times by the bad descisions made by Russian commanders on land. Plus, the best officer the Russians had, Admiral Stepan Makarov was killed early in the war when his Flagship struck a mine.

4. Naval Quality: Although both the Japanese and the Russians had good quality Capital Ships, the Russian Fleet at Port Arthur was demoralized after the death of Admiral Makarov, and when the city itself was surrounded, it was destroyed by Japanese land artillery. The Russian Baltic Fleet, although possessing advanced Battleships, also had demoralized crews after sailing for thousands of miles, and the hulls of their ships were fouled, thus reducing their speed and giving the Japanese maneuverability among other advantages which helped them win the battle.

Those were the MAIN reasons that I think made Russia lose. If these problems were negated in some way, could the Imperial Russian Military have defeated the Japanese, or least forced a peace settlement that was more favorable to them? Detailed answers please?

Before I go in-depth into my question. I'd like to apologize beforehand if anyone finds my question offensive in any way towards them. IT IS NOT MY INTENTION TO OFFEND YOU. This is merely a question to examine the political intrigue of European colonization in East Asia.

Now - We all know that many Europeans came in mass to settle in the new world and even in Africa. But why was there never a large amount of settlers going to Europe's colonies in East Asia? Such as British Malaysia & Burma, French Indochina, the Dutch East-Indies, and the concession cities in China. These areas did have large amounts of resources, were located on good trade routes, and had enough land to allocate incoming colonists, so why did they not go there? I realize that if this did occur, the native Asian populations would have suffered even more under the colonies' European minorities. And it is possible that colonial systems similar to Apartheid would have appeared sooner or later.

I am not denying that the native Asian people's already suffered and were oppressed, but it would have been worse with a large amount of European locals controlling the colony's government.

Also, I know that the British did send some settlers to India, but I'm more focused on the colonies mentioned above.

Again, THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE OFFENSIVE NOR RACIST IN ANY WAY. I am just interested in the European Great Powers' and there reasons for not settling in Asia.

I can't really find anything on what Jesus said specifically about the Roman Empire. Obviously many Hebrews were bitter toward the Romans for conquering their homeland, but did Jesus give any opinion on the matter. He always told his disciples to "turn the other cheek". So that must have applied to the Romans as well.

I also think it is moving how centuries after his death, the Roman Empire adopted Christianity as their Religion with Jesus as their Messiah. The Empire that crucified the Son of God, soon hailed him as its Savior!

God Bless Rome!!!!

I have tried to transfer some of my music from my Mac iTUNES to my Windows iTUNES. I use a flash-drive, but when I remove the flash-drive, I can't play the transferred songs. The Windows itunes says that the songs cannot be played because the "original file" cannot be found.

I found a way to get around this. I just move the music from the flash-drive to my Windows desktop, and keep them as the "sources". But I don't want to keep them there forever. Is there another way to integrate the songs sources onto my Windows 7?

I'm also on the clock here; I have to return my Mac to my school in a few days. So I REALLY appreciate any help!

I am very fascinated with this personality disorder, and I have read a lot into it. However, a part of me has wondered, are Schizoids capable of showing love (or a least compassion) to family or a loved one? I know it is very rare for these people to get married, let alone form a relationship. But over time, can they learn to feel intimate with a person who cares about them? I would really like to hear from anyone who either has this disorder, or has experience dealing with them. I'm just curious is all.

Please note: Schizoid Personality Disorder and Schizophrenia are two separate and completely different mental illness'.

Also, if any of you have been diagnosed with SPD, and you feel that I have offended you in some way, I apologize.

I know that there is no specific date for the Roman withdrawal from Britannia. But in which Western-Emperor's reign did this military withdrawal reach it's climax?

Also, when did the Saxons invade and conquer Britannia? I know that the modern Anglo-Saxon British people are descended from those Barbarian invaders (no offense). But at what specific date did they land in Britannia and conquer the island for themselves?

I would also really appreciate specific dates if anybody has them. And maybe a time-line of the Western Roman Emperors when all of this was happening.

One more thing (sorry). But how does ARTHUR (the Romano-British leader, not the round table king) fit into this time-line? With the Saxon invasion and everything?

I'm reading into this site called Alternate-History wiki; and there's an article on the site about a Roman Empire that did NOT collapse and technologically excelled, centuries before OUR time-line. And they now hold territory in North, West, & East Africa. All of Europe (including European-Russia). All of Australia and New Zealand. All of India (including Pakistan & Bangladesh). A big Chunk of South America, and the Eastern half of our United States. I'm really interested in this and I'm still reading it. But I wonder what the world would really be like if the Roman Empire survived to do all this. I'd really like to hear other people's intake.

P.S. In this alternate time line, The Roman Emperor is also the POPE!!!! That is awesome!!!!!!

I heard it at an intro for a youtube video, but of course, the guy didn't say what the song was called. It had this hard rock guitar in the background, and the singer's voice had an electronic edge to it. The only lyrics i heard was....

YOUR LOVE IS MINE FOR THE TAKING

MY LOVE IS, JUST WAITING

TO TURN YOUR TEARS THROUGH THEMSELVES.

Sorry, but that's all I heard. Can anyone help me out?

I know that there are online groups for modern-day Atenists (Aten worshipers). But is there any Temple or physical place of worship for these people to meet and praise Aten?

Additional Info:

I am a Christian, but I am really fascinated by the ancient religion developed by Pharaoh Akhenaten. And when I learned that people had created atenist websites, I became even more curios about the Ancient (now REVIVED religion). But I've never heard of a place of worship for followers of Aten. Can anyone help me out?

If Richard the Lionheart had staid in the Holy Land for another season rather than going home. Could he have taken Jerusalem? Because the leader of the Muslims Saladin, died 6 months after he left; which left the Muslims fragmented and dis-hearted. Could Richard have taken advantage of the situation and marched on the Holy City?

I just got Dante's Inferno for Xbox 360, and I'm stuck at this one part in the game. When your inside the giant demon/ship and you start to hear Orpheus crying about his love Eurydice, how do you proceed from the point on? I've tried to jump up there, and I've moved that stupid box all around, but I'm getting really frustrated. Can any die hard gamers help me out?

Or is it a formality like we have. Like, we say Mr. Jones, Mr. Smith, etc. Is it like that in Japan? Or maybe, do you have to really know someone to address him/her by his/her first name?

I know Nightwish is the name of the band, but I don't know what this one song is called. One part of the lyrics goes (I think) [cut me free, leave me be], another part of the song is when (I Guess the guitarist sings) [I alone am the great white hunter]. The lyric examples I put maybe wrong, but if any dedicated Nightwish fan can help me, I would appreciate!!!

This is a school project, so any help would be much appreciated!

Is there a difference in the Constitution between persons and citizens when it comes to rights and privileges afforded under the law? This is for advanced placement government about the U.S. Patriot Act by the way.

A lobbyist group, or some organization that advocates this? I know we used to recognize them, but now we recognize the People's Republic of China as the legitimate government, and I thought that some people are angry about that. Especially Taiwan (Republic of China).

I know tidal power can be used for a whole area. But can a private home owner (who lived on the water) use it for his/her house? [say a plantation style home]