Top Five Indie Albums You Must Own Classic & New

Do you want to be an indie music fan, but don’t know where to start? Below are some of your core indie albums that every fan should have in his or her collection. Some are classic, others are a little more recent on the music front. Leave a comment if you don’t agree.

The Soft Bulletin’ by The Flaming Lips

Why:

It was the first album to fully harness the band’s commercial spirit

It set the groundwork for their amazing live shows

Songs like ‘Waiting For Superman’, ‘Race For the Prize’ and ‘The Spark that Bled’

They may be better known for their spectacular live shows featuring Wayne Coyne running across the crowd in a giant bubble, fancy dress costumes, glove puppets and much more but this album contains everything that is great about The Flaming Lips.

The introduction to opening track ‘Race for the Prize’ immediately informs you that something special is about to happen, the small count in and then crashing gong immediately gives way to a track that is almost too positive to imagine. Wayne Coyne may sound like Kermit the Frog on acid but as a lyricist and front man he is second to none.

Daydream Nation’ by Sonic Youth

Why:

Possibly the bands most accessible album

The vocal interplay of Kim and Thurston

It retains all the guitar fuzz that Sonic Youth are known and loved for

Tracks like ‘Teenage Riot, ‘Candle’ and ‘Silver Rocket.’

There has been an increase in the ‘Don’t Look Back’ series of gigs where a band plays a classic album from their history. In some cases you have been left wondering why an album was held in such regard that it required to be dragged out again years later but this can’t be said about ‘Daydream Nation.’

Opening track ‘Teenage Riot’ sets the tone with its high tempo and squalor and the noise and confusion doesn’t really give up over the rest of the album. It is not often that all the magazines will have the same opinion on indie rock but there appears to be universal acclaim for ‘Daydream Nation’ and it has captured the true genius of Sonic Youth. At times their albums have been patchy and perhaps too experimental for some ears but on this 1988 release they got it exactly right.

The Queen is Dead’ by The Smiths

Why:

The album features Morrissey at his most humorous

Johnny Marr starting to show his true talent on guitar

Brings together many different styles in one cohesive record

Tracks like ‘I Know its Over, ‘Cemetery Gates’ and ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes out’

For some, The Smiths will be the perfect template of an indie band such was the mix of intelligent lyrics and working class backgrounds. It is fair to say that the majority of the focus falls upon Morrissey but Johnny Marr showcased a sense of jangle guitar that went a long way to influencing the entire Britpop era.

‘The Queen is Dead’ album has a largely humorous streak running through it and it stands as a strong argument to people who say that indie music is all po-faced and afraid to have fun. Morrissey may set himself up as being pretentious at times but tracks like ‘Frankly Mr Shankly’ and ‘Vicar in a tutu’ indicated he could enjoy a laugh with the best of them.

‘Rings Around The World’ by Super Furry Animals

Why:

It was their largest and most ambitious album to date

It brought to light so many of their influences

It has Paul McCartney and John Cale appearing on it

Tracks like ‘Receptacle for the Respectable’ and ‘Juxtapozed Wit U’

Welsh indie wizards the Super Furry Animals have always been regarded as an innovative and adventurous band but this 2001 release showcased the band at their most “out there”. With not much emphasis on their techno past, this album crosses the gap between indie rock and classic 60s Beach Boys effortlessly. They have never quite managed to equal this masterpiece but they have created a great number of albums since.

Funeral’ by Arcade Fire

Why:

The vast array of instruments on show

Really powerful song, emotionally and musically

Fantastic percussion and rhythm sections

Tracks like ‘Wake Up’, ‘Power Out’ and ‘Rebellion (Lies)’

They pulled off one of the hardest tricks in music, namely writing an album about death and change yet making it sound like the most uplifting album of the year. There were a few stand out singles released from this record but collectively it worked tremendously and still stands up to repeated plays today.

Follow up album ‘Neon Bible’ took the band to a higher level and you can see them rivaling U2 and REM in a few years if they continue this upwards trajectory but ‘Funeral’ remains a must hear album for anyone drawn to grandiose statements and classic songs.

The Must See Attractions In Barcelona, Spain

If you think you are in need of a vacation, then Barcelona Spain is just the place you need to pay a visit. Barcelona is a place with history, culture, customs and excitement. Although Barcelona is full of culture and history there are fun things to do in the city as well. One thing that comes to buying it surfing along the Costa Brava. The waves are big, the winds are strong and you can surf for miles. Many people come to this area for some great surfing because of the waves. You will find that the beaches are just as beautiful as anywhere else in the world. The white Sandy beaches with the blue waters in the background are inviting.

Sailing along the Costa Brava is just as much fun. You can rent a sailboat or have a guide take you. The coastline is beautiful from the water and Barcelona has a beautiful coastline that can be enjoyed from a sailboat. If sailing is in for you, you might enjoy a boat Regatta race. Many of the sailing clubs hold Regatta races for visitors to see. If you have never seen a Regatta race you must see one why you are in Barcelona. If you have never done any sailing or surfing you can sign up and take classes while you are in Barcelona. This is just going to make your vacation more enjoyable.

The Mediterranean climate, water temperatures and sunny skies is why people travel to Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona is really about one thing and that is fun and excitement. After you have had a day in the sun, you can enjoy some fine cuisine at one of the many restaurants in Barcelona. You will find that the restaurants have America cuisine, Italian cuisine, French cuisine and Spanish cuisine. Whatever your taste is you will find a restaurant in Barcelona that has just what you want.

If you are looking for a little bit of nightlife in Barcelona, you will find that after the Sun goes down everybody gets out and enjoy some dancing, music and a few drinks. Although the fun and excitement starts a little later at night, you have nowhere to be the next day so enjoy some fun with the locals. You will see how they dance, how they enjoy the night and what they do to relax after a long day. After a night out, you might need a nice day relaxing by the pool or on the beach soaking up some sunrays.

One thing is for sure when you take your holiday to Barcelona your going to have exciting days, exciting nights and see so many different things. Traveling and vacations are not just about seeing historical sites they are about having fun, doing the things that you remember. You can plan your trip to Barcelona and plan to do just about anything. Take some time to enjoy the beaches, take some time to see the sights, but always make sure to have fun.

Five Things Visitors Absolutely Must Do In Cardiff-By-The-Sea California

The San Diego beach town of Cardiff-By-The-Sea is different from other Southern California beach communities.  How so?  Well, there’s our “Magic Carpet Ride” sculpture, a vast ecological reserve with hundreds of species of birds, the vast Pacific Ocean, incredible warm and sunny sandy beaches, a “restaurant row” with some of the best food in San Diego, hotels in Cardiff lodge bed and breakfasts and great surf breaks.

1.  Take A Good Close Look At Our “Magic Carpet Ride”

At the corner of Chesterfield and Highway 101 (across from the Cardiff Lodge) is a bronze sculpture of a surfer that has been the topic of much conversation and ridicule ever since it was installed.  The one-of-a-kind sculpture depicts a young surfer boy and is entitled “Magic Carpet Ride.”  Ever since it was unveiled in the summer of 2008, surfers and locals have been griping that the look of the “surfer” it too feminine and does not capture the essence of true surfing.  Called dorky by some, “gay” by others, pranksters have delighted in adorning the statue with pink skirts, braids, bikini tops, biking shorts, high heels, flowers, lingerie and teddy bears.  Take a walk by…. what do you think?

2.  Watch The Surfers At Cardiff State Beach

Cardiff State Beach stretches from our bronze surfer sculpture all the way south to Solana Beach with some of the most beautiful coast line in California.  The beach is popular with surfers because of the soft sandy bottom and mushy “perfect” waves for long boards.  Visitors, photographers and spectators love the views of the surfers from any where along the beach.  The nearby bed and breakfasts in Cardiff lodge many visitors who enjoy having lunch at the seaside restaurants while watching the surfers.

3.  Take A Hike On The Wild Side

San Diego County’s largest coastal wetland is San Elijo Lagoon, situated along the ocean between Cardiff and Solana Beach.  This lush habitat supports 305 plus species of plants, 22 species of fish, 23 species of reptiles and amphibians, more than 20 species of mammals and upwards of 300 species of birds.   The new San Elijo Lagoon visitor’s center on Manchester Avenue is open daily to the public free of charge.   More than seven miles of hiking and jogging trails branch out from the visitor’s center, so bring your walking/jogging shoes.

4.  Have Fun At The Beach

Cardiff’s beaches are wonderful places to work on your tan, read a good mystery novel, have a picnic with your sweetie, enjoy the antics of the surfers, body surf or go boogie-boarding.  The beaches are sandy, gently sloping, and the water is some of the warmest in San Diego county.

5.  Enjoy The Sunset From Your Private Hot Tub

Just 2 miles up Historic Highway 101 from Cardiff-By-The-Sea is a romantic inn located on a hillside above Moonlight Beach in the beach town of Encinitas:  The Inn at Moonlight Beach.  The Inn has four lovely guest suites overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  The Penthouse Suite is a favorite for honeymooners and those celebrating their anniversaries because it has its own private balcony and hot tub with phenomenal view of the Pacific Ocean sunsets.

Top 10 Must Visit World Cities

Top Ten lists are a dime a dozen on the web and one that crops up more often than most is travel-related lists with outlandish titles such as Top 10 Places You Must See Before You Die and other such morbid titles. This list is similar however we don’t see the necessity to insert the Before You Die bit, although it would be useful to visit these cities before you shuffle off this mortal coil.

When it came to choosing the appropriate criteria for selecting these cities, many statistics and facts were taken into account, before being readily dismissed in favor of the most crucial method of consideration of all … my humble opinion. So forgive me if your own favourite city is not included. I know how you feel as despite my best efforts to sneak one of my own personal favorite cities Dublin into this list, logic dictated that a Top 10 list would look a bit weird if it had 11 cities.

Now the next hurdle to overcome was to decide whether to categorise the cities on a graded basis from 10 down to 1 or take the lazy way and just sort them alphabetically, suffice to say, the lazy way was the landslide winner.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a massive sprawling city that offers charms galore. Bangkok is dotted with historical palaces and temples that offer a glimpse into the city’s ancient history, yet Bangkok offers much more than beautiful temples and glorious palaces. It comfortably nestles at the forefront of Asia’s most visited cities attracting millions of tourists each year. Majestic sites such as The Temple of the Dawn and The Marble Temple should not be missed. Lumphinee Park offers a diversion from Bangkok’s bustling city streets. Bangkok is a modern city that encompasses a bustling nightlife, supreme shopping experiences, delicious aromas that fill up the senses from the many gorgeous restaurants and marketplaces. Bangkok’s wonderful architecture and soothing climate solidifies its deserved place in this list and indeed why it so frequently crops up on similar lists.

Las Vegas

Well it had to be didn’t it? Surely no list of this nature could be complete without Sin City itself, Vegas. Vegas falls into the category of love it or hate it for most people and with visitor numbers increasing each year it seems most people love it. The Entertainment Capital of the World does not disappoint. Where else can you go for a gondola cruise in the morning, see the Grand Canyon in the afternoon and be back in time to see shows such as Siegfried & Roy, Cirque du Soleil and similar headline acts in the afternoon? Ok it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but it is a city that has to be seen to be believed. Oh, and did I mention you can also gamble there apparently.

London

Ok the weather is not ideal, and the food can be mediocre but no list of this ilk would be complete without including London. It has attractions and sights for people of all ages and is a cosmopolitan city on a grand scale. Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, London Eye, Tower of London is just a few of the majestic attractions in England’s capital city. If it’s good enough for The Queen well it’s good enough for me, just don’t forget your brolly.

New York City

So good they named it twice as the saying goes and there few cities in the world that offer the amount of iconic landmarks and attractions that New York can. Even leaving aside world famous attractions and sights such as The Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty, and Times Square, New York is such a vibrant pulsating city that it has more than enough to tempt visitors going back time after time. It is one of the world’s great shopping cities, has a nightlife second to none and has often been referred to as one of the world’s great cities. You won’t find an argument here.

Paris

I would like to say it was the romantic side in me that welcomes Paris to this list, but it is not, it is because it deservedly nestles here as it as a European heartbeat of culture, beauty and indeed romance and offers some of the most beautiful and majestic sights on the planet. The Eiffel Tower one of the most famous landmarks in the world proudly stands tall in this city that also is graced by Champs Elysees, Notre Dame and The Louvre. The Louvre is home to The Mona Lisa whose ageless beauty bewilders generation after generation. Paris should not be missed.

Rome

This historic city, known as The Eternal City, has some of the most historical sights in the world such as The Pantheon, The Coliseum and The Roman Forum. St Peter’s Basilica is just one of the many glorious churches in Rome, and is an essential visit while in the city. Trevi Fountain is yet another treat in this majestic city. And no it wasn’t built in a day.

San Francisco

The Bay area of California is home to one of America’s most popular destination retreats San Francisco as well as being one of the country’s most liberal cities. The hilly streets are as familiar as perhaps the city’s most famous landmark, The Golden Gate Bridge. The Bay itself sparkles under the warm sun whilst San Francisco is also renowned for its famous cable cars. The twisty streets in Lombard Street are another essential visit whilst harbor tours often include a trip to Alcatraz, the famous, though now inactive, prison. San Fran is a warm wonderful city with a new treasure each time you come, and no, you don’t need to wear flowers in your hair.

Sydney

Beautiful beaches, breathtaking sights and the famous Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge entwined with the beautiful weather and cosmopolitan cuisine make Sydney an unmissable city. The city is a hotbed of activity and one of the friendliest on the planet. Darling Harbour offers enthralling sights and attractions including museums, stunning hotels and shopping whilst The Rocks provides charm in abundance. Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognisable buildings of modern times and is an essential visit. Sydney has it all culture, arts, scenery, climate, and often tops Most liveable city polls. It’s not hard to see why.

Tokyo

A metropolis city on a grand scale Tokyo is a vibrant almost futuristic city that engulfs one’s senses from the start. Tokyo revels in shrines, museums, temples and the city’s Imperial Palace. Sensoji Temple reigns amongst Tokyo’s enduring sights along with The Meiji Shrine and The Imperial Palace itself. Museums align the streets competing with restaurants and shops of all descriptions. Those seeking a more modern approach have options like Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Dome City and Tokyo Disneyland. There’s truly something for everyone in this great city.

Venice

Many cities claim to be unique, and indeed many are but few can compare to Venice’s quirky charm and decidedly unique canals that transcend across the city. Romantic gondola rides alone do not capture the entire beauty of this marvellous city. St Marks Basilica is a glorious church that often has long lines to visit. It nestles in St Marks Square a wonderful open square with charming coffee shops and is a hive of activity as it is one of the most photographed parts of Venice. Doges Palace, The Bridge of Sighs, and The Rialto Bridge are further landmarks of this extraordinary city.

Find out more…

To read more about these and other cities, including great tourist sites, shopping destinations and accurate street maps, visit Go Street Maps at: http://www.gostreetmaps.com/.

 

 

What You Must Follow With The South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet has swept the country in the last four to five years as part of Americas continuing attempt to lose weight. However, not every dieter is finding success on this diet. Find out about what these dieters are doing wrongly, and how you can achieve great results on this diet. Dr. Agitation, a leading cardiologist, created the South Beach Diet. His aim was to get better his patients heart health, but he exposed that as a side influence his patients were losing a lot of weight.

The South Beach Diet approaches eating in an entirely different way. He claims that it is not a low-crab or a low-fat diet, but a diet that focuses on consumption the right crabs and the right fats. The South Beach Diet is based on the GI index. The diet restricts crabs in the first two weeks and then gradually re-introduces those crabs with a low glycerin index. The focus of this diet is teaching you to find the right carbohydrates and fats .He also recommends trading drenched fats with unsaturated fats.

With the South Beach diet, you will learn to eat good carbohydrates and good fats in the right proportions. The South Beach Diet usually follows the same idea as other glycolic index diets. First a little environment; when we have eaten, the crabs are then broken down into sugar, thus raise the sugar in our blood. After the initial two-week period, weight loss may slow some. In answer to the superior glucose level, the hormone insulin is released from the pancreas to take away the sugar as of the blood.

If we consume foods that are wealthy in crabs, we get a rapid add to in blood sugar, and then our pancreas releases a large quantity of insulin to counter it. When you are on the South Beach Diet, you will be eating three portioned meals per day, and two snacks. This in turn causes the blood sugar to fall quickly and you sense a lack of power, and then you crave more crabs and the thick cycle continues. If it keeps up then you are likely to increase weight as a result .Similar to the popular Atkins Diet, the South Beach Diet works in stages. In accumulation, your body becomes unwilling to the action of insulin. Once your body reaches this position then your body becomes more successful in storing the fat.

The meal plans on the program are very flexible so you can incorporate it into your lifestyle. So in stage one of this diet, most of the crabs are limited, this gives you body a rest from the sequence. This is theoretical to decide the insulin confrontation. The banned foods would be bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, fruit, milk, sweets, sugar and alcohol .The focus of this diet is teaching you to find the right carbohydrates and fats.. The focal point on the phase one fraction is to eat slant meat, chicken, fish and eggs. In this phase it is said that you can drop up to 14 pounds.

In the phase two fraction of the diet low GI crabs are gradually reintroduced. This would be most fruits, whole grain bread, cereals, pasta and skim milk. The South Beach Diet is safe but also very effective in eliminating excess fat from your body. You are theoretical to stay in this stage until you arrive at your aim weight. In phase three, you can reintroduce a wide diversity of foods. In this phase you are theoretical to keep your weight steady. Like many diets, the South Beach Diet is much less of a diet and more like a lifestyle change. This phase is intended to be life long. In all of the phases there is no boundary for portions, just eat enough to satisfy your wants. Actually snacking is advised, as extended as you snack on the suitable food in your phase.

The pay off is an 8 to 13 pound weight loss in the first two weeks on the South Beach Diet program .The extreme crab restriction in the first phase requires some grave will power. You may feel feeble. Also you wont be receiving your daily obligation of fruits and veggies so you may be omitted out on vitamins and minerals. The South Beach Diet is safe but also very effective in eliminating excess fat from your body. Also when you limit all the crabs in this phase you are receiving rid of a lot of good sources of fiber, vitamins and minerals. However nutrition experts are usually in favor of diets based on the glycolic index. Overall this diet generally follows the basic opinion of healthy eating. The consequence should give abundance of the nutrients one would need to stay fit. The meal plans on the program are very flexible so you can incorporate it into your lifestyle.

Must See Places in Asia

Featuring outstanding blend of ancient culture and rich history, Asia is an ideal place to gratify every traveler’s dreams and expectations. Myriad of incredible and infinite places of interests are scattered all through the continent and you can find almost everything in this part of the world. Whether you wish to take pleasure in countless of beach activities, or want a break from your busy schedule to enjoy pristine natural beauty of thick forests, Asia is right here for you. Explore top tourist destinations in Asia, meet different people, get acquainted with diverse culture, and enrich your knowledge.

Asia is also the home to the deities of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. People of different religious faiths are living in concert and you will be amazed to see the communal harmony regardless of villages or cities. Thousands of spectacular Architectural wonders as well as astounding sacred places like the Great Wall of China, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, the Tajmahal, Golden Temple, and Kiyomizu Temple make Asia alluring to the travelers. Asia is also the place where you can satisfy your palate with array of mouthwatering delicious foods.

The Great Wall of China: Being one of the seven wonders in the world, The Great Wall of China is a must visiting place in Asia. This architectural wonder, considered as the pride of China, was constructed in the 3rd century BC, during the Qin Dynasty. It is told that the wall is the only human creation in the earth which is visible from the moon. The wall has got an imposing length of 3,948 miles. A trip to the Great Wall of China would surely be one of the memorable experiences that you would cherish for the rest of your life.

Ha Long Bay: Are you tired of busy and monotonous schedule, and planning for a trip to the heart of the nature? Ha Long Bay could be the perfect choice for you. This is one of the must see places in Asia and has been recognized as World Heritage site by UNESCO. Positioned in the Hanoi, this bay embraces a massive 3000 islands. The panorama is simply breathtaking.

Taj Mahal, Agra: Nestled in the romantic and historic city of Agra, the Taj Mahal is the symbol of eternal love. The architecture is renowned for its immaculate beauty and highly acclaimed all over the world. The Taj is mausoleum of Mumtaj, wife of mogul emperor Shahjahan. UNESCO has recognized it as one of the World Heritage sites.

Forbidden City, China: Centrally located in Beijing, China, the Forbidden City is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This imperial Kingdom in China was functional during the period of Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. Featuring stunning art work, this time-honored Chinese palatial architecture is presently maintained by the Palace Museum. This astounding architecture encompasses 720,000 square meter of area and comprised of 8,707 bays of rooms.

Floating Markets in Thailand: Are you a shopping buff, and love to visit the best shopping destinations in the world? If the answer is yes, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the floating markets in Thailand. The country is known as the ‘Venice of the East’ and the floating markets are truly unique in its category. Damnoen Saduak (Klong Lat Phli) and the Tha Kha Floating market are among the most popular markets where you can enjoy shopping at its best.

SOUTH BEACH DIET COOK BOOK – a Must Have!

A few months ago, I got a call from my mother asking me to come over and see her new gift, a south beach diet cook book, which was given to her by her sister for her birthday. My mother had been on the plump side after spending a lifetime being slim and dare I say, sexy. Still, her look didn’t bother her at all. She was always stylish and knew how to get away with things. She did however have a hard time walking for long periods and it was obvious that she was uncomfortable with her new weight. The south beach diet cook book was a good gift and since it came from her sister, she didn’t feel insulted by getting such a gift. In fact, she was ready to try out something new so she had asked me to see if we could try new recipes from that book.

As a surprise to her, I showed up with a friend of mine who happened to own a south beach diet catering business. As one of the pioneers of such a unique niche of catering, she was well known in the circle not only because she was one of the first to do this, but she owned around 5 world class restaurants which were frequented by many people, both from the upper crust and those in the masses. To me she was an ideal person to bring with to see my mom My friend and I first went to the local market and sourced for what she considered were some of the must have basic components in any south beach diet. We spent an hour purchasing items and talking about our old college days, those carefree times, and past loves and paramours, wondering what those people were doing now. To her and me, it was bonding time, something we have not done in ten years or so.

My mom was very surprised when we entered the house with basket of herbs, vegetables and condiments. She was also equally happy to see my friend and she did not know that my friend was a south beach diet cook book fanatic as well. In fact, later on, she had given my mom a list of alternate herbs and vegetables that can be substituted for those in the south beach diet cook book that were not available in the market.

We started off that afternoon by preparing the kitchen table workplace. This is an old tradition done by my mom’s ancestors to a wooden food preparation table. We would cleanse it by pouring boiling water over the top and gently wipe the wetness with a thin cotton cloth, like the ones used for washable baby diapers. After this was done, we then figured out what meal to choose from the south beach diet cook book. The choice was done by chance by just flipping the pages of the book and letting my mom stop to which page she found interesting, which she did. We proceeded to have an afternoon of preparing and cooking a meal for four people, my dad included, and talking about food, experiences and part of our lives. The south beach diet cook book incident brought about an experience, a moment in time that I cherish forever.

How Long Must I Hold Neighbors Property Under My Condo Building In California?

On March 6 2007 I foolishly told a neighbor that he could store a few things under my condo building for 30 days on the beach in California. Well, a few things turned into a huge pile of stuff in the way of some construction we are doing.
I do not have his number…I really goofed-up!
The other owners want the stuff out and I have made amends to them for my error. How should I handle this so it is fair and legal?

Re-opened Question- The Iowa Class Bb’s Must Be Modernized And Reactivated!?

1. An Iowa class battleship has way to much armor to be pierced by Cruise missile or harpoon because cruise missiles carry only a 1000lb warhead and usually intercepted which is why they are never shot at ships often (or is there a chance to shoot them at another ship) and harpoons only have a 500lb warhead but not strong enough to pierce the Iowa since the harpoon lack the ability that most ww2 bombs did “Steel on target”.
2. The modern guns of the Battleship can rip a modern destroyer/cruiser in half, and a CV would be dead in the water after one hit or unable to launch aircraft if it got hit on top of it, Hell I think even a harpoon missile could do that if it was not intercepted!
3. True battleships can be targeted by Subs but that is why you usually have battleships screened by a destroyer or with subs, just like with any carrier fleet today.
4. Modern advances in the battleships could be made today at the cost little since ramjet projectiles have already been successfully tested and fired at 100nm with good accuracy and even with an improved warhead of HMX or RDX explosive.
5. Arguing the Battleships reactivation cost is useless since reactivation and modernization together costs as much as a modern missile frigate which I have come to view as being quite interesting since a BB can threaten a whole city conventially.
6. Manpower is a joke since it takes 5000+ men to run a CV when a Iowa class Battleship takes 1,921 men at maximum capacity (minimum is 800+) and with greater firepower and if range is a problem the Pentagon has already said they want more Tomahawks in the war on terrorism so the amount of tomahawks deployed on each battleship would be increased about 3x as much as they were in the Persian gulf.
7. A battleship can make decisions easier when invading on a beach easier than a destroyer using tomahawk missiles and a puny 5in gun that couldn’t make craters in runways of enemy airports.
8. Battleships have all weather status and are not affected by any kind of weather including hurricanes.
9. A Battleships will only take 1-2 million a year to maintain. At the same time an aircraft carrier cost’s several Millions to replace missiles and aircraft (if it wasn’t for the people who put money into the navy’s pocket because they have a house onboard the ship, we would have much less amount of Super carrier’s today).
10. Reactivation and Modernization will only take 1-2 years.
11. Reactivation costs are $500 million and modernization is $2 billion.
12. to further Technology of the Battleships would cost an additional million if not less for the projectiles to be but into production.
13. True no such personnel know or are trained to operate a battleship main gun but can easily be taught if trained properly since manning the main guns is an easy task just as with any gun.
14. Some reports have indicated a battleship’s main guns could be used as anti aircraft if the time detonation fuses could be computer operated with its target and shoot 10mm sabot shells plus shrapnel when shell explodes allowing it to be used as an: anti-air, anti-missile, and even anti-ballistic missile some cases said they mixed ramjet rounds with this shell design that it would be able to take out ICBM’s!
15. Some or all 5″ guns could be removed when the new ERGM comes out to replace the older 5” guns if you wanted to.
16. No ship or missile in the world is designed to take out the battleship with one shot or with many massed attacks.
17. Battleship Survivability is truly since the Iowa class battleship mostly consists of thick amounts of “Class A Steel” belt armor reinforced by large Bulk heads and Barbettes.
18. True the turrent on the USS Iowa did explode but it only did so little damage to the ship that it can easily be repaired and which was considered in the GAO Reports I read so that turrent has already been included into the mathematics of reactivating the battleships plus even after the explosion it did not render the whole ship inoperable could it have been with a modern destroyer or frigate.
19. True Air Superiority is necessary but when it comes down to shore bombardment, Planes can be: intercepted, sometimes ineffective economically and physically, time to respond even from 10 miles, and usually avoided by the enemy until the marines come on up to the shore to attack.
20. Currently building new battleships would be…..truly expensive depending upon their armaments and capabilities and just be a lot easier to reactivate and modernize our battleships today.
21. Surface ships were built for Naval presence, if we did not want Naval presence we would have built the arsenal ship back then but it came down to the fact that the arsenal ship could be easily struck by one harpoon missile and probably blow up the whole ship because of it’s weak armor and heavy armament beyond it’s own defensive capabilities to protect exposed weapons whereas the battleship can protect it’s magazine and it’s missiles with several anti-air/missile weapons and thick enough armor to make sure they don’t explode by the bullet proving that ships do need armor, even today. Hell The USS Cole Bombing proved our destroyers and frigates are unable to take a single hit from even a small speedboat with explosives, chances are they were probably using dynamite for the bombs which is a joke, hell when I read the article I laughed a bit myself, it’s a joke to think the U.S. Navy will never get hit when we are at war, even if it is with a third world country.
22. Iowa class battleships today cannot be compared with the ships of WW1 or WW2 due to the fact that technology back then against aircraft was completely ineffective in most cases whereas today trying to hit a destroyer with a single harpoon is almost impossible but massed attacks would sink a destroyer after 1-3 hits of harpoons.
23. In history the Iowa’s have been praised for their ability to put “steel on target” something that no other ship in the world is able to comprehend due to modern destroyers only shooting weak 5″ guns and cruisers of the same size guns, hell the only thing that separates the difference today between a destroyer and a cruiser is their length and the fact that cruisers carry a few more tomahawks and have one more gun than a destroyer, and most frigates today only shoot 3″ shells sometimes (I wonder what this world is coming to!).
24. The current intended replacement of the Iowa class battleships is the DD(X) destroyer, which is now being questioned since each will cost 3+ billion (USD) and small 19 pound explosive out of a 225 pound projectile is also being questioned on strength and the price of one projected DD(X) will mean that two Iowa class BB’s can be reactivated and modernized with extra money to spare and built in less time with greater firepower. I understand the concept of the DD(X) to have stealth on surface to “change the future of naval warfare” but if that’s true and the enemy does think they are unable to find the DD(X) on it’s radar they will fire at innocent civilians to try and find it or even if they spot it, it’s pretty hard not to spot a fishing boat out in the middle of the ocean fishing knowing that fish aren’t usually out that far but by the shore.
25. Battleship explosive power can easily be increased since current battleship shells use TNT and not RDX or HMX explosives which would give them a close 200lbs+ explosive force instead of a 145 lb force, the anti-ship shells of the Iowa BB’s would be used with this new warhead also.
If you wish you find out what I’ve gotten my sources from here they are:
About the Ramjet round- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramjet
About the Iowa class battleships- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_class_battleship
About the remaining Iowa class battleships- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Wisconsin_%28BB-64%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Iowa_%28BB-61%29

Some other commentary I came across- http://www.g2mil.com/battleships.htm
I would have liked to have list all of my sources but that would take to long so enjoy for now!

Ten Must Try When In Honduras

Honduras is one of the places you can visit in Central America for its natural coast lines and historical landmarks. There are many things to enjoy in this country where natural beaches abound. It is one of the pleasures offered by the place that many tourists would certainly enjoy.

1.) Copan Ruinas

Here is the topmost tourist spot offered by Honduras which highlights the ruins of the country’s Maya civilization. Many remain in awe of the sculptures that they can find in this famous landmark. This will surely win the hearts of tourists craving for remnants of history long past gone.

2.) Bay Islands

The natural coastlines of the Caribbean Sea can be found in this place. Many beach enthusiasts will find a lot of activities here such as diving, swimming and snorkeling. Boating is also possible, and you are most certainly welcome to take a stroll in its beaches just to enjoy the scenery.

3.) Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve

If you want a taste of nature, the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve is the place to go to in Honduras. A feast for the eyes of nature lovers, this tropical rainforest happens to be the largest of its kind in the entire Central America. Here, you won’t feel shortchanged when you’ve gone to this place and enjoyed the place.

4.) El Mercado Guamilito

Inside the industrialized city of San Pedro Sula is this spot where you will be treated to unique handicrafts. Here, you can buy a variety of wooden boxes specifically handcrafted, hammocks, Lencan pottery, leather items from Nicaragua. You will also see here handmade fabrics straight from nearby Guatemala.

5.) La Ceiba Carnival

Every third Sunday of May, you can witness a peaceful gathering called La Ceiba Carnival which happens to be the biggest of such events in Central America. Look forward to these mini-carnivals in the barrios. From here, you can move on to enjoy Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge with your children.

6.) Comayagua

One of the small cities found in Honduras is Comayuga. Despite this, it has retained much of architecture popular during the colonial Spanish era. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is built in the middle of the town square, and it is another proof of outstanding 18th-century architecture of that era when it was first built.

7.) Gracias

Gracias is proud to play host to three major churches, a museum and an old fort known as the Fortaleza de San Cristobal right above the well-known Hotel Guancasco. This place is conducive for strolling and viewing picturesque lifestyle of western Honduras. Cap this activity with a dip in the aguas temales (hot springs) just a few more kilomiters from this town.

8.) Omoa

See the beach in this part of Honduras, a short ride from San Pedro Sula, and experience a pleasurable day trip by passing by Omoa. You can also view the Spanish colonial era Fortress San Fernando in the area for one more taste of history. One would feel like he has stepped back in time when this fortress was still used and inhabited by soldiers.

9.) Tegucigalpa

The capital and the largest city in Honduras is urbanization gone wild nestled in a hilly terrain. The statue named Cristo el Picacho overlooks the city where free parking can be enjoyed at the park’s entrance. The park itself requires only a small amount for you to gain entrance to it, and there’s also the National Zoo situated on the hill where the Cristo el Picacho is found.

10.) Valle de Angeles

The Valley of the Angels is a tourist town a few miles off Tegus. Here, a tourist will enjoy shopping at relatively lower prices than items sold in the airport. Once you’re done, you can rest and eat at La Casa de mi Abuela (My Grandmother’s House) which happens to serve the best anafres in Honduras.

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