2010-07-29: Technical Difficulties.

[Viking-Sensei]

It reminds me a little of an old movie called Fail-Safe. After the Americans accidentally send a bomber to destroy Moscow, the US president convinces the Soviets that it was an accident by also bombing New York to prevent the Soviets from unleashing all-out nuclear war. There's a telling scene (that this reminds me of) where they've got someone in New York - Governor, or something - on the phone when the president announces his plan and tells the Soviet president that "the next sound you'll be hearing is the Governor's telephone melting".

[Graybeard]

It reminds me a little of an old movie called Fail-Safe. After the Americans accidentally send a bomber to destroy Moscow, the US president convinces the Soviets that it was an accident by also bombing New York to prevent the Soviets from unleashing all-out nuclear war. There's a telling scene (that this reminds me of) where they've got someone in New York - Governor, or something - on the phone when the president announces his plan and tells the Soviet president that "the next sound you'll be hearing is the Governor's telephone melting".

The actual situation is even more analogous to what's happening here than that. Spoiler'd for the sake of those who haven't seen "Fail-Safe" (and if you haven't, go rent it and watch it twice; it's almost 50 years old, but one of those must-see flicks):

Spoiler: show

The first time this meme comes up, it's the American ambassador to the USSR, whose phone has been patched into the "hot line" where the American president and Soviet premier are in tense "discussions" about the squadron of bombers that a screwup has caused to be launched against the USSR. At first the Soviet premier reacts angrily to that, but then the US prez tells him that that sound will be the signal for him (the prez) to order the Vindicator bomber currently circling over NYC to drop its bomb. The second high-pitched whine will then be that of the USSR ambassador to the UN's phone melting ... and the Soviets will know that the balance has been restored.

The American bomber eludes the Soviet defenses and bombs Moscow. The US ambassador's phone melts (and the high-pitched whine just makes you stop and gulp). The prez gives the order (and the bomber pilot commits suicide after obeying). We never hear the second phone melt, however. Instead, the movie ends with a "10 ... 9 ... 8 ..." countdown showing scenes of life in New York City. When it gets to 1, the credits roll.

INCREDIBLY powerful stuff, and the relevance to what's going on here is obvious.

[Boss Out of Town]

A communications disruption can mean only one thing . . . Invasion.

In Illinois, this time of year, it means a severe weather advisory. Tornadoes, thunder and lightning, mountainous clouds . . . waitaminute, is that a REAL mountain out there!!!??? . . .

[ChunLing]

While the elves mentioned the word, "war", I do not believe they actually declared it nor intended to do so. They were just interrupted at a most inopportune moment.