Hmmm . . .
Well, there are Dark Minion rules:
MEDM includes minion cards-a new type of card with a new type of template-the background is iron with a "rusted" purple tint. In MEDM, minions are used as hazards called agents. An agent is a hazard that represents an individual that has been sent on a covert mission by the Dark-lord or one of his Dark Lieutenants. However, not all agents are minions. The two agents on the normal hazard template are "non-Minion agents:" My Precious and Lobelia Sackville Baggins.
The concept of minions used in a non-agent fashion will be introduced in Middle-earth: The Lidless Eye (a stand-alone expansion due out in the Spring of 1997). In The Lidless Eye, minions will be used like characters, but each minion will be under the influence of one of Sauron's Dark Lieutenants.
So minions being used as characters and hazard agents were both concepts at the release of Dark Minions.
On the other hand, this same last paragraph indicates that agents played like characters happens instead of being played as agents, so to return to the original subject:
Great Secrets wrote:Alternatively, you may play this card as a resource on yourself if you have at least ten cards in your play deck. In this case, you and your opponent reverse roles.
I think the key is "alternatively." This indicates an either/or situation. If it is played as a resource permanent event, such play precludes it being in play as a hazard event.
It seems to me by nature of its being a permanent event, it is declared as a resource, it resolves as a resource and therefore comes into play as a resource -- meaning that it is a resource as long as it is in play. Once it is in the discard pile, I fully agree it must be treated as a hazard, but I do not see how it should be treated as in play as a hazard when it was not played as such -- some effect should be needed to change its status.
I'll think about it some more, though.