Things Noticeable this week

[Puhbear69]

Originally Posted by rupertramjet

The situation in Paris was not a simple 'take him out' one. The soldiers tried at first, to take him using non lethal force, they realised that they could not when one of their number was injured by the machete. They then fired at close range, so a minimal risk to onlookers.

fff...

I paid my respect, because with a machete one cannot shoot. And of course he seemed to have his adrenalin under control. If he would pull out a second weapon, he is still on target from the soldier.

I'm a bloody amateur, I never shoot with a gun or a machine-gun and I fear I wouldn't hit a farm-door in a short distance, whatever my adrenalin is under control or not. Personally I think I would be a great danger for onlookers.

The soldier took no lethal force - therefore my respect.
(and the attacker stands for further questions on hand - as a side effect.)

[gedly]

Originally Posted by Devius

Bailout negotiations between Athens and its creditors have stalled. The possibility of Grexit, or euro exit, has re-emerged and bond yields have soared. The yield on two-year Greek government bonds has risen from 6% to 10% in less than two weeks as spooked investors have dumped their holdings. And the shrill rhetoric last seen at the height of the crisis in 2015 has returned.

As far as I'm concerned Greece is well and truly up the creek. After all, it's a small country with a small population (11 million) and very modest resources. In fact, it's number of visitors per annum is double its population and tourism is a vital source of foreign revenue. Most of its industry is based upon agriculture and there is modest industry based upon shipping and oil refining. Leaving the euro could have just a greater risks as well as benefits for the Greeks.

[DTravel]

I've seen POV videos from police special op units training exercises and live fire incidents. Situations like that in Paris happen very fast. Some may not believe it but there frequently isn't time to aim at small rapidly moving targets like limbs. That is part of why police are trained to aim for center of mass. Its a larger target moving less erratically relative to its size, so easier to hit and takes less thought and time to shoot at. The kinds of incidents that police have to respond with deadly force to are frequently at very close range, literally almost arms reach. Hesitating can give the threat enough time to take those couple of steps, especially since the threat only has to reach the officer's hands and not the officer's body.

[Dr Pepper]

Originally Posted by DTravel

I've seen POV videos from police special op units training exercises and live fire incidents. Situations like that in Paris happen very fast. Some may not believe it but there frequently isn't time to aim at small rapidly moving targets like limbs. That is part of why police are trained to aim for center of mass. Its a larger target moving less erratically relative to its size, so easier to hit and takes less thought and time to shoot at. The kinds of incidents that police have to respond with deadly force to are frequently at very close range, literally almost arms reach. Hesitating can give the threat enough time to take those couple of steps, especially since the threat only has to reach the officer's hands and not the officer's body.

There's a very simple mantra/corollary with these situations-and its quite simple and understandable: 'You're better off judged by twelve (or three if its a court martial!) than carried by six!'......the implication ought to be obvious...

[scoundrel]

Congratulations and my compliments to the people of Romania. For five days there have been peaceful mass protests across the country in which hundreds of thousands of citizens defied the winter weather and risked possible violence from the security forces to demonstrate against an emergency law passed by the ruling party in office. The law was going to de-criminalise misconduct in public office offences in which the amount of public money stolen was less than €44,000. The purported reason was that Romania's prison system is overcrowded. But quite by coincidence the leader of Romania's ruling political party, a man called Liviu Dragnea, is shortly about to face criminal trial accused of embezzling €24,000 of Romanian taxpayers money.

In a move which was very dangerous but which speaks well of the character of many demonstrating Romanian citizens, many mothers took their small children with them into the demonstrations, to teach them how important it is to defend and stand up for the integrity of their young democracy, and that if they have the will and the courage, their voices can make a difference.

The Romanian prime minister has just announced a few minutes ago that the cancellation of their anti-corruption laws cannot stand and that the decree which cancels these laws will itself be repealed tomorrow (Sunday).

This is a refreshing victory for common sense and speaks really well of Romania's common people, who had the public spirit and the balls to overturn a really cynical abuse of power.

Well done them.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38868736

[Devius]

Some supermarkets are rationing the number of iceberg lettuce and broccoli customers can buy - blaming poor growing conditions in southern Europe for a shortage in UK stores.

Prices have also risen, with Lidl's iceberg lettuce up to £1.19 from 42p.

Customers have posted photographs on social media sites of empty lettuce shelves in Tesco stores, alongside signs asking them to limit lettuce purchases.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister, Theresa May, said the government knew there was a "situation", and that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was "monitoring" it.

Details:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38851097
http://www.itv.com/news/2017-02-03/l...f-the-iceberg/

My local M&S was cleaned out today - but I went to two nearby Tesco branches which seemed fully stocked.

But I was wondering - why would folks do a panic buy on iceberg lettuce and broccoli anyway?

[DTravel]

Originally Posted by Devius

Some supermarkets are rationing the number of iceberg lettuce and broccoli customers can buy - blaming poor growing conditions in southern Europe for a shortage in UK stores.

Prices have also risen, with Lidl's iceberg lettuce up to £1.19 from 42p.

Customers have posted photographs on social media sites of empty lettuce shelves in Tesco stores, alongside signs asking them to limit lettuce purchases.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister, Theresa May, said the government knew there was a "situation", and that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was "monitoring" it.

Details:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38851097
http://www.itv.com/news/2017-02-03/l...f-the-iceberg/

My local M&S was cleaned out today - but I went to two nearby Tesco branches which seemed fully stocked.

But I was wondering - why would folks do a panic buy on iceberg lettuce and broccoli anyway?

Because someone on the news told them it was running out?

If you believe His Royal Highness Trump, we have illegal Mexicans just stealing it off the ground here. I'm sure if you represent a large corporation and asked him nicely he'd be willing to issue a royal decree banning all our exports of it. (Please note that this paragraph may contain Trump-approved alternative facts for your convenience.)

[vannax]

Originally Posted by DTravel

Because someone on the news told them it was running out?

If you believe His Royal Highness Trump, we have illegal Mexicans just stealing it off the ground here. I'm sure if you represent a large corporation and asked him nicely he'd be willing to issue a royal decree banning all our exports of it. (Please note that this paragraph may contain Trump-approved alternative facts for your convenience.)

Yes.
Because if there's one thing large corporations love, it's banning the export of their products.

It burns!

[seany65]

Posted by Devius:

"Some supermarkets are rationing the number of iceberg lettuce and broccoli customers can buy - blaming poor growing conditions in southern Europe for a shortage in UK stores...

Prices have also risen, with Lidl's iceberg lettuce up to £1.19 from 42p...


A spokesman for the Prime Minister, Theresa May, said the government knew there was a "situation", and that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was "monitoring" it...

Details:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38851097
http://www.itv.com/news/2017-02-03/l...f-the-iceberg/

But I was wondering - why would folks do a panic buy on iceberg lettuce and broccoli anyway?

Are we sure that it's not actually the EU 'punishing' us for wanting out?

Anyway, maybe these 'Panic Buyers' actually went out to by TV's, chairs, beds or bread and milk, but they panicked and ended up buiyng iceberg lettuce and broccoli?

[vannax]

Originally Posted by seany65

Posted by Devius:

"Some supermarkets are rationing the number of iceberg lettuce and broccoli customers can buy - blaming poor growing conditions in southern Europe for a shortage in UK stores...

Prices have also risen, with Lidl's iceberg lettuce up to £1.19 from 42p...


A spokesman for the Prime Minister, Theresa May, said the government knew there was a "situation", and that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was "monitoring" it...

Details:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38851097
http://www.itv.com/news/2017-02-03/l...f-the-iceberg/

But I was wondering - why would folks do a panic buy on iceberg lettuce and broccoli anyway?

Are we sure that it's not actually the EU 'punishing' us for wanting out?

Anyway, maybe these 'Panic Buyers' actually went out to by TV's, chairs, beds or bread and milk, but they panicked and ended up buiyng iceberg lettuce and broccoli?

This is how it begins.
Soon, you will have hoards of crazed vegetarians roaming the streets after dark, prostituting themselves for a scrap of wilted lettuce or an apple.
They live, we sleep.