Ok. I've just been lurking up to this point, but some things just cry out for a response.
If you have no military experience, you shouldn't say that "soldiers are trained and required to follow orders without question". This is simply untrue. Soldiers are trained to perform specific actions as a response to specific actions, but they are also trained to THINK. You may find this hard to believe, but the US forces right now are the most educated they have been ever. These men and women are NOT stupid, and do not follow orders blindly. They use their judgment. Some of them have bad judgment, as with those who have been accused and CONVICTED of rape and murder. Judgment still applies. Laws still apply. Just because the military are in another country does not mean they are not bound by our laws, and just because they are in the military doesn't mean they had their brains sucked out when they signed up.
As for your quote of Deuteronomy 17:2-5, that's a very accurate quote. The Bible also says in Matthew 25:5 "Then he [Judas] went out and hanged himself." and in Luke 10:37 it says "Go and do likewise". That doesn't mean I'm going to do it, or that I think you should. Anything taken out of context can be made to say anything. As I learned in my logic class, if you begin with a false assumption, you can prove anything.
Not everyone associated with a specific group believes or follows all the beliefs of that group. All people are individuals and have the free will to make up their own mind on how they want to believe. Not all Moslems are radical Moslems, and not all Christians are radical Christians. Yes, I am a Christian. But I don't believe the same way as all the people I go to church with; and they are free to believe what ever they like. It's not my place to enforce my beliefs on other people. However, it IS my place to share what I believe with others. You can take it or leave it. That's YOUR choice.
As to the original topic, I'll reserve judgment on the game until I have more unbiased information, or I see it for myself. Right now there's too much gut reaction to it for there to be any real discussion about the game itself. Saying the game is bad because you kill people that don't believe the same way your character in the game believes is like saying everyone should just play nice and wander around Azeroth and hold hands in World of Warcraft. That wouldn't be much of a game, would it?
I can only give you my experiences in regard to question #3. For me it was about 8 years from the end of my BS to starting my MS. During that time, I lost my edge as far as school goes. That first semester was a BEAR! Keep your focus (older students do better at that). Always understand what your ultimate goal is (you do have an ultimate goal, don't you?). All the sacrifices for your advanced degree will pay for themselves quickly after graduation!
I would say the hardest part of going back to school after being away for so long is getting back into the swing of going to classes. At first, for me, it seemed like I had more free time. Then I realized how much prep time I was spending for class. I think I worked harder during the 2 years I spent on my MS than during most of my other jobs before and after.
Anyway, don't spend too long thinking about it, because if you're like me, you'll try to talk yourself out of it. Jump on the opportunity and get that advanced degree.
I have to say, I really enjoy my Insight. I've had it for 4 months now and love to drive it to work. I average about 62MPG, but have gotten up to 75MPG on long trips. And don't let the size fool you. You can cram lots of stuff into it. If you don't need more than 2 seats, go with the Insight. And BTW, depending on the state you live in, you may be able to take any of these cars in the HOV lanes. Virginia allows any hybrid car in HOV, as well as CNG.
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If you have no military experience, you shouldn't say that "soldiers are trained and required to follow orders without question". This is simply untrue. Soldiers are trained to perform specific actions as a response to specific actions, but they are also trained to THINK. You may find this hard to believe, but the US forces right now are the most educated they have been ever. These men and women are NOT stupid, and do not follow orders blindly. They use their judgment. Some of them have bad judgment, as with those who have been accused and CONVICTED of rape and murder. Judgment still applies. Laws still apply. Just because the military are in another country does not mean they are not bound by our laws, and just because they are in the military doesn't mean they had their brains sucked out when they signed up.
As for your quote of Deuteronomy 17:2-5, that's a very accurate quote. The Bible also says in Matthew 25:5 "Then he [Judas] went out and hanged himself." and in Luke 10:37 it says "Go and do likewise". That doesn't mean I'm going to do it, or that I think you should. Anything taken out of context can be made to say anything. As I learned in my logic class, if you begin with a false assumption, you can prove anything.
Not everyone associated with a specific group believes or follows all the beliefs of that group. All people are individuals and have the free will to make up their own mind on how they want to believe. Not all Moslems are radical Moslems, and not all Christians are radical Christians. Yes, I am a Christian. But I don't believe the same way as all the people I go to church with; and they are free to believe what ever they like. It's not my place to enforce my beliefs on other people. However, it IS my place to share what I believe with others. You can take it or leave it. That's YOUR choice.
As to the original topic, I'll reserve judgment on the game until I have more unbiased information, or I see it for myself. Right now there's too much gut reaction to it for there to be any real discussion about the game itself. Saying the game is bad because you kill people that don't believe the same way your character in the game believes is like saying everyone should just play nice and wander around Azeroth and hold hands in World of Warcraft. That wouldn't be much of a game, would it?
I'm sure PETA would have a field day with that one, since they have such a bad time with people eating hissing cockroaches!
I can only give you my experiences in regard to question #3. For me it was about 8 years from the end of my BS to starting my MS. During that time, I lost my edge as far as school goes. That first semester was a BEAR! Keep your focus (older students do better at that). Always understand what your ultimate goal is (you do have an ultimate goal, don't you?). All the sacrifices for your advanced degree will pay for themselves quickly after graduation!
I would say the hardest part of going back to school after being away for so long is getting back into the swing of going to classes. At first, for me, it seemed like I had more free time. Then I realized how much prep time I was spending for class. I think I worked harder during the 2 years I spent on my MS than during most of my other jobs before and after.
Anyway, don't spend too long thinking about it, because if you're like me, you'll try to talk yourself out of it. Jump on the opportunity and get that advanced degree.
Good luck.
I have to say, I really enjoy my Insight. I've had it for 4 months now and love to drive it to work. I average about 62MPG, but have gotten up to 75MPG on long trips. And don't let the size fool you. You can cram lots of stuff into it. If you don't need more than 2 seats, go with the Insight. And BTW, depending on the state you live in, you may be able to take any of these cars in the HOV lanes. Virginia allows any hybrid car in HOV, as well as CNG.