US watch

[BritDownUnder]

Apparently the fuel moves along the pipeline (actually 2 pipelines, one carrying petrol and one diesel/jet fuel/heating fuel) at 3 to 5 mph. I wonder if it will move a bit faster now.

The largest shareholders are those good ole Koch Brothers.

[PS_RalphW]

I have seen a comment that they paid 5m dollar to the hackers to get their systems back. Not seen original report.

Its reported in the Torygraph. Just the paper to gloat at Biden's problems

[clv101]

If they paid AND then got the systems back online, that suggests a higher degree of competence from the hackers than usual.

I hear Ireland has also had a ransomware attack today, but unlikely to be Darkside.

[Catweazle]

I found this disturbing analysis of US literacy. Just as worrying - the UK isn't much better.

https://www.wyliecomm.com/2021/08/whats ... racy-rate/

[adam2]

I found this disturbing analysis of US literacy. Just as worrying - the UK isn't much better.

https://www.wyliecomm.com/2021/08/whats ... racy-rate/

This I have long viewed with great concern. No direct experience of the USA, but plenty of UK experience of poor standards of literacy both at work and in the wider world.

When I worked as a building maintenance engineer a fair part of my work was in fact remedial literacy and basic arithmetic teaching to new recruits.
Even some of the managers had very poor literacy skills. Emails with such bad spelling that the spellchecker could not work out what they meant.

And a lot of people can very slowly spell out the words, but lack the capacity to understand very simple written instructions. By the time they have read the eighth word, they have forgotten the meaning or context of the first four words.

As an example a lot of people struggle with public transport because they cant read a timetable.

And as for numeracy a fair part of the populace cant work out simple percentages or fractions. Or everyday weights and measures.

[kenneal - lagger]

................Or everyday weights and measures.

What? Even grams and kilograms?

[adam2]

Yes, IME a significant proportion don't understand how many grams are in a kilogram. And even if they did learn it at school, they have firstly forgotten
this and secondly would be doubtful as to whether "half a kilo" is more or less than "four hundred and seventy five grams". And as for milligrams, forget it.

[Catweazle]

I read that a US burger chain launched a "1/3rd Pounder", but it wasn't a success because many customers thought the "1/4 Pounder" was bigger.

[Lurkalot2]

. And even if they did learn it at school, they have firstly forgotten

Forgetting what i was taught at school is something that was brought home to me in the past few years. I did pretty well at school but when my daughter was talking about her school work ( she's 16 and currently studying for her A levels) i realised there was several things i knew i had been taught but had pretty much forgotten through simple lack of use. I've been a woodworker for most of my life so calculating or dividing measurements and angles has played a part but i don't think i've ever done such things as multiple equations since leaving school and would need a refresher at least . Or help from my daughter as she certainly seems smarter than her parents.

[adam2]

During a riot, a white man shot and killed two black rioters and injured a third.
The shooter claimed self defence but was charged with murder. They have now been acquitted.

[flash=]https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-59358172[/flash]

This verdict could lead to more rioting, though the weather is getting a bit cold for rioting. Appeals for calm have been issued, a sure sign that riots are expected.

[kenneal - lagger]

He deliberately put himself in danger by travelling many miles to the disturbance from his home and then complained that he was attacked when he started shooting so had to defend himself! He claimed he went there to defend businesses from rioters. And an American jury let him off!! Says a lot about Americans in general that a jury could be selected to achieve that result.

Police in the UK would have shot him if he had started firing, That's if they hadn't arrested him before he started shooting.

[BritDownUnder]

Not really related to other posts but I thought this article was interesting. Up to 80 thieves pillage high-end California department store Nordstrom. Could this be part of the future now that things are getting in short supply? What will the reaction of the authorities be?

I like the use of the word "pillage". It brings back memories of the good old days of Vikings and Danegeld etc.
More signs of collapse or just moral decline.

[adam2]

I dont think that the organised looting of expensive but non essential luxury goods is related to "shortages" just large scale theft. If this sort of thing becomes more common then I foresee several consequences.
Firstly more arming of store security, and even of sales staff where lawful, and calls to change the law to permit carrying weapons where not permitted at present.
Secondly an acceleration of the move away from high street shopping and towards on line.
And finally the opening of luxury stores within gated residential developments, so as to restrict access.

[clv101]

... move away from high street shopping and towards on line.

Your typical FedEx van must have 100 packages at start of day, probably a few phones/laptops/consoles etc £thousands worth. Soft targets for neo-highwayman.

[BritDownUnder]

There was a time in New Zealand when you just could not send laptops through the post or via courier as they would just get stolen. I think tracking and other things, presumably firing a lot of people, got on top of this problem but you are quire right. Holding up a a courier vehicle just out of the depot would probably be a lucrative day, assuming you had a similar sized van to put it all in, or just stole the vehicle.

I think stealing mail order items stops the thief, or thieves, from viewing items they specifically want to steal adding an element of uncertainty to the crime. Nothing like trying before you buy... errr steal... err loot.

There was a good sign outside a house in New Orleans during the 'issues' they had there after that hurricane.
"Warning! Drunks with guns. U loot. We shoot!".