Two men, one with a suspected broken jaw, have been airlifted from the Antarctic's most remote research facility after an incident described as a "drunken Christmas punch-up". The brawl happened at the US-operated Amundsen-Scott South Pole station, located at the heart of the frozen continent.
After reports of the fight reached staff at McMurdo station, the headquarters of the US Antarctic Programme, which is located on Ross Island, a US Air Force Hercules was sent to pick up the injured man and the other worker. They were flown back to McMurdo, but it was decided the man's injuries were too serious to be treated in Antarctica and he was taken on to Christchurch, New Zealand, accompanied by a nurse and a paramedic.
Many of the McMurdo staff had been expecting a day off for Christmas but support workers returned to work to deal with the rare emergency medical evacuation.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Steve White ||
12/28/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Meanwhile, the Commie Chinese are orderly and just doing their thingy.
#2
Hmm! I know guys who frequent that spot, and I can believe at least one of them could be involved in a "drunken Christmas punch-up". None is employed by Raytheon, though.
#3
Raytheon Polar Services provides contract services at the base, everything from utilities to cooks and a bartender.
I wonder if the latter provision might provide a clue to the cause of this disgraceful episode.
I would bill the miscreants for the C-130 flight if it were up to me.
The usual suspects will no doubt blame global warming.
Posted by: Gromomble Oppressor of the Iowans8916 ||
12/28/2007 0:34 Comments ||
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#4
Just put some ice on the swelling.... They have plenty....
SYDNEY - An elephant toppled out of a truck and killed a circus worker in Australia on Thursday, police said.
I hate when that happens.
The man was killed, crushed to death, while the elephant was being offloaded from a truck, a spokeswoman for the New South Wales police department said.
Police said they had no other details of the incident, which occurred on the grounds of a circus in the seaside community of Yamba, about 700 km (435 miles) north of Sydney. The victim had been the handler of the elephant, named Anna, for two years, local television reported.
I hope the lellyphant is okay.
Posted by: Steve White ||
12/28/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
ION, SPACE [Livescience] > BLOG - ODD EVENT IN EARTH ORBIT - DID SPACE OBJECTS COLLIDE? Also, FIREBALLS SEEN ON WEST COAST.
*"Vincent" as TOM CRUISE in THE COLOR OF MONEY. Some thingy is red and sparkling up there.
Stuck in "Local" since this happened years ago. I was unaware that ol' Idi had made his Hajj. That explains a lot...
Ugandan dictator Idi Amin sent a hectoring message demanding an invitation to Queen Elizabeth II's silver jubilee celebrations and a Commonwealth meeting in 1977, newly released documents showed Friday. He threatened to show up with a 250-strong delegation, including dancers, to "give some advice on the current chaotic economic situation in Great Britain" which he blamed on "British Asians and Zionists".
Britain, which turned to the International Monetary Fund for help after a 1976 sterling crisis, held lavish celebrations to mark the queen's 25 years on the throne, including a service at Saint Paul's cathedral in London. A Commonwealth heads of government meeting was taking place around the same time and Amin made clear his intention to be at both, although inviting him would have been diplomatically highly sensitive.
Hundreds of thousands of people were killed under the eight-year regime of Amin, who died in 2003 and whose formidable character was portrayed in the 2006 film "The Last King of Scotland".
Continued on Page 49
#2
Yeah, well he's dead now. I know, because I rose a glass to guide his shade to Hell when I found out he snuffed it. My drinking buddies were a bit non-plussed though ;)
Posted by: Tony (UK) ||
12/28/2007 14:31 Comments ||
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When she spotted yobs vandalising a war memorial garden, Julie Lake sprang into action. As the daughter of a Second World War RAF pilot and granddaughter of one of the fallen in the 1914-18 war she felt it was her duty to intervene. But, after giving the main culprit a talking- to and a 'cuff round the ear', she finds herself facing the prospect of being arrested for assault.
Yesterday Mrs Lake accused police of failing to follow up her complaints about graffiti and other hooliganism in the memorial garden. "The memorial is a sacred place it's like a grave," said the 50-year-old. How dare these youngsters tarnish the memories of those who made a sacrifice for future generations? I've called the police and I've tried to talk to these kids, but I've got nowhere.
"I lost my temper in complete frustration after two years of patiently trying to get something done and immediately the police are after me. It's ridiculous. I did not go up to these boys intending to hit anyone but they when they started shouting abuse at me and my husband, Peter, who is recovering from cancer, I just snapped."
Continued on Page 49
#1
I do appreciate that people may get frustrated with this sort of situation but the appropriate response is to work with agencies like the police and local authority to find solutions.
Note to bureaucrat :
And there could be jury nullification, too...
#2
Laws pertaining to War Memorials are on the books. It's shame, but not surprising, they must be enforced by the daughters of veterans they are dedicated to.
South African War Memorial, Haymarket - Prohibition of Skateboarding etc.
Byelaws made under section 235 of the Local Government Act 1972 by the Council of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne for the good rule and government of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne and for the prevention and suppression of nuisances.
Interpretation
1. In these byelaws:
"the Council" means the Council of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Extent
2. These byelaws apply to the specified parts of the Haymarket, Newcastle upon Tyne designated in the Schedule to the byelaws and hereinafter referred to as the "designated areas".
Skateboarding
3. No person shall skate, slide or ride on rollers, skateboards, wheels, mechanical contrivances or other equipment in a designated area.
Schedule
4. The "designated areas" referred to in byelaw 3 and delineated by black hatching on the plan attached to these byelaws are as follows:
part of the land comprising the area to the north and west of the Haymarket Metro, Haymarket, Newcastle upon Tyne including the War Memorial and the fountains and bounded by Northumberland Street, St Mary's Place, Percy Street and the Haymarket.
Penalty
5. Any person offending against byelaw 3 shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.
The Common Seal of the Council of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne was herunto affixed this 21st day of October 2002 in the presence of:
J Marshall, Lord Mayor
V A Dodds, Head of Legal Services
The foregoing byelaws are hereby confirmed by the Secretary of State and shall come into operation on the 24th day of January 2003
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State
P Roswell
Senior Civil Servant
in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
London
SW1E 5DU
#3
Anti Social Behaviour Between April Sept 07 Complaints received re Adults & Young People 629 Police reporting forms = 440 From the public = 189 Action taken 146 letters sent to parents informing and warning them, their child was found in an ASB hotspot area
Determined to make up for a comparatively quiet year on the cock-up front, Avon & Somerset Police have hit the headlines. When Julie Lake tried to stop desecrating the war memorial in Mangotsfield (obviously not something ASP were interested in), fifteen yobs surrounded her. When she cuffe done of them in an attempt to break out, they immediately called ASP - who have now said they will arrest (you guessed it) Ms. Lake. A spokestwat for ASP admitted however that Mangotsfield has a problem with youth vandalism (translation: are we bovvered?). Inspector Gus Krouwel said:
"I do appreciate that people may get frustrated with this sort of situation but the appropriate response is to work with agencies like the police and local authority to find solutions."
Hogwash. It's the abject failre of ASP and other 'agencies' that caused this problem, and the likes of Gutless Gus who should face arrest and imprisonment.
#7
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the force is investigating an alleged assault on a 15- year-old boy.
He admitted however that Mangotsfield has a problem with youth vandalism. Inspector Gus Krouwel said: 'Neighbourhood police regularly receive complaints about groups of around eight young people gathering by the war memorial, drinking and leaving litter. "I do appreciate that people may get frustrated with this sort of situation but the appropriate response is to work with agencies like the police and local authority to find solutions."
I got a solution. How about the friggin cops do their jobs? Sounds like the "War on Crime" went out the door with the "War on Terror" over there.
#8
Gah! I knew from the title that it would be over here :(
She's right, the yobs know all about their 'rights', but aren't taught obligations and duties.
I was on the wrong end of one of those "that's assault" smartasses when we grabbed a kids wrist who was persistently trying to set off an emergency alarm. It was defused by someone else asking for their ticket - which surprisingly, they didn't have.
It hasn't stopped me getting involved if necessary - I'm just much more devious about it...
Posted by: Tony (UK) ||
12/28/2007 14:24 Comments ||
Top||
#9
Good for you Tony. We over hear call them "blanket parties". Best done in the dark streets.
#11
Been there, too. A young dipshit grabbed my arm and said he was gonna "Whoop your ass". I told him I was armed and he'd better let go. He did but later called the police and claimed I'd threatened him. Police got my story and nothing else was done. I got off lucky.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
12/28/2007 18:23 Comments ||
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#12
I told him I was armed and he'd better let go. He did but later called the police and claimed I'd threatened him.
I would think that when you went through your CCW class, they informed you to ALWAYS call the Police if you EVER have to warn anyone that you are armed, or, if it EVER becomes necessary to draw your firearm.
Whether shots are fired or not. Sounds like you could use some remedial instruction. Glad it worked out in your favor, it just as easily could not have.
#13
"I do appreciate that people may get frustrated with this sort of situation but the appropriate response is to work with agencies like the police and local authority to find solutions."
No you idiots, the correct response is to STOP the bastards, THEN call the law.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
12/28/2007 22:44 Comments ||
Top||
#14
VP is correct. Doesn't matter if you draw or not. Call the cops after so you can cya.
#15
Two points. I don't think you can get Jury Nulification in the UK because they have more or less professional jurors. I guess it could happen but it's a lot less likely than in the states.
Second, our 50 year old should simply have lied to the cops. No I did not strike him, I was afraid for my life with 15 of them. Her word vs 15 yobs and she'd have had them arrested for vandalizing rather than herself being in trouble. Sad when the best course is to lie to the cops but that's the world these days.
#1
While it may last a long time, I find it hard to believe that there is nothing out there that would disrupt it. That is, even the best shielding can't keep out all sorts of energy, such as high speed neutrons and cosmic radiation.
But that's an extreme. Typical shielding lets through all sorts of energy, some of which is bound to affect something in the system.
#3
The article reads to me like the research is pretty far upstream as yet. I won't delay my next computer purchase, waiting for it to come out... let alone descending to my budget.
#4
Somehow I doubt that storing my "Quake" scores for around a million years or so is a desirable, or even useful idea.
Computers live in "Dog years," Meaning that what's new today lives around seven years before it's obsolete, extremely long term storage seems so unnecessary, think what we stored on 7 1/2 floppys, it's unreadable today (Useless too) Because advancing technology made smaller (Floppy)and smaller (CD) media available, holding many mega-multiples of storage, retreval speed, and quantity both unmatched by past efforts, and unreadable with modern equipment.
So what does the future hold, unknown, but my bet is the optical disc (CD) will go the way of the LP record, Either Stereo, Hi-Fi- or mono.,
Seriously, how many of you still use (Not have, USE) a stereo record player? Damn few, I'd bet.
45's? Mono recordings? can you still get LP records(Anywhere other than museum, very old record stocks, or antique purveyors?
Didn't think so.
Anybody still got a handcranked Victrola?
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
12/28/2007 22:40 Comments ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Two men, one with a suspected broken jaw, have been airlifted from the Antarctic's most remote research facility after an incident described as a "drunken Christmas punch-up". The brawl happened at the US-operated Amundsen-Scott South Pole station, located at the heart of the frozen continent.
