Japan in Crisis

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

Or perhaps not so happy - As the world gets news updates on the natural disaster in Japan, more is being learned as just how unimaginably devastating this was. A 8.9 magnitude earthquake off the coast of north-east Japan spawned a ferocious tsunami that's caused massive destruction; flattening whole towns, starting raging fires, and killing thousands of people on Friday 11th March. Fast forward to today (Thursday 17th March) and the Fukushima nuclear power plant is threatening a full melt-down.

To this end, many people we know including ourselves, and the church we attend have provided what we can to assist the Japanese people most affected by this disaster. Also - MTG Mint Card has decided to donate 30% of the sales revenue from 18 March, 2011 to 31 March, 2011 JST to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). Médecins Sans Frontières was created in 1971 by a small group of French doctors and journalists in the aftermath of the Biafra secession, who believed that all people have the right to medical care regardless of race, religion, creed or political affiliation, and that the needs of these people outweigh respect for national borders.

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Also - along the same dark news, from Wizards -

Grand Prix Kobe has been postponed following Friday’s magnitude 8.9 earthquake and resulting tsunami in Japan. Originally to be held March 19-20, the Grand Prix will be rescheduled at a later date.

Due to significant safety, power, and travel concerns across the eastern portion of the country as well as a national call to conserve resources, Wizards of the Coast believes it is not appropriate to continue with the event as planned. We extend our thoughts and sympathies to all those affected by the disaster.

Magic Weekend Nagoya remains scheduled for June 11-13, 2011 in Nagoya, Japan. At this time Wizards of the Coast has no plans on postponing or canceling Magic Weekend Nagoya. If this changes, we will communicate this through our normal announcement channels.

For information about how you can help, visit www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami.

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We have the important stuff out of the way, and since this is a gaming blog for Magic the Gathering players, don't worry, we still have a bit of entertainment for you and since it is Saint Patrick's Day, something a propos -

One of the more strange cards in MTG -

Aisling Leprechaun,
Creature - Faerie, Legends Common
Whenever Aisling Leprechaun blocks or becomes blocked by a creature, that creature becomes green. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)
1 / 1

Yep - they're after me Lucky Charms. Don't mess with him, or you'll be 'Leprechauned' and green with envy. The only thing we can think of with this oddity is using Slay, Green Ward, or perhaps Circle of Protection: Green.

Stay green our friends !
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