Tim Worstall

Forbes not getting with the program here

Six people, including three children were killed at a Nashville elementary school Monday when a 28-year-old alleged shooter opened fire at the private Christian school, marking a stark contrast to almost all mass shootings in recent years—this time, the alleged assailant was a woman.

The 28-year-old alleged shooter also died after a confrontation with police at the Covenant School in Nashville, Don Aaron, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, told reporters Monday.

Before Monday’s shooting, there had only been four women assailants in 172 mass shootings in the U.S., as documented by The Violence Project since 1966, which documents shootings involving at least four fatalities, not including the shooter.

Err:

Hale had reportedly begun using male pronouns, including on Linkedin.

Snigger

The obvious question Bailey had to answer as a consequence is where is the evidence of excess demand? In a country with consumption flatlining and incomes falling there can be none. He obviously has not noticed that simple fact.

Ahem:

Sigh

On the Royal Mail being threatened with administration:

Staggering, isn’t it, that something considered a universal public necessity for more than 180 years is now reduced to the risk of insolvency by being privatised.

Could it be that alongside water, electricity, gas, buses, trains and essential telecoms, the mail service needs to be nationalised to guarantee that such basic public services might continue to exist?

‘Tater’s rather missed the point about the Royal Mail. The management is threatening to do that in order to frighten the unions. Because union agreements do get torn up in administration.

It’s a declining business, things have to change, the unions won’t let the changes be implemented.

But of course it’s private landlords who are evil

A social landlord claimed refugee tenants were lucky to have a roof over their heads and that mould was “acceptable” in their homes, an investigation has found.

A manager at Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), the housing provider whose failure to treat severe mould led to the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, made the remark to a colleague, according to a damning report into the landlord’s wider conduct.

We can all write the Salon piece on this, can’t we?

The shooter entered The Covenant School for children aged four to 12 around 10am on Monday and began “firing multiple shots”.

She was shot and killed by police roughly 14 minutes after they received a call about an active shooter at 10.13am.

Metropolitan Nashville Police identified the shooter as Audrey Hale, 28, and said she carried out a targeted attack.

The suspect left behind a manifesto that “indicates that there was going to be shootings at multiple locations, and the school was one of them,” Nashville Chief of Police John Drake told NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt.

Mr Drake identified the suspect as a woman and referred to the assailant by female pronouns but in response to reporters’ questions, he said: “She does identify as transgender.” Whether the suspect identified as a man or woman was not made clear.

Caused by the violence against transpeople no doubt.

Not a high risk thing then

The number of deaths registered in England involving Covid-19 vaccines causing adverse effects is miniscule compared to the number administered – 59 compared with 144.7 million.

I’d be surprised if a 144 million of absolutely anything at all – walking upstairs, packets of Smarties, lying in bed of a morning – does not cause that many deaths.

Also known as winning

A serial sperm donor who has fathered 550 children is being sued amid accusations his prolific donations increases the risk of accidental incest.

True, winning at evolution is perhaps better described as achieving grandchildren but he’s certainly increased the odds there, hasn’t he?

No, no, no

Timothy, of Bath, Somerset, is charged with 11 counts of sexual offences against the boy over three years from October 2016, all of which he denies.

No:

Timothy Schofield

Fun facts about Mexico

 

When it comes to touristic cities around the world, there is always something new you can learn every day. When you start to think about Mexico, what comes to your mind? Maybe tequila, tacos, beaches, and mariachis… but Mexico is more than that! It also has an incredible natural and cultural diversity that will amaze you. Check out some fun facts about this amazing country below, we are sure they will surprise you!

Mexico is home to the world’s largest pyramid

Most people often associate pyramids with Egypt, but Mexico has its own too! The Great Pyramid of Cholula in Puebla is the largest in the world by volume. It’s 25 meters high and its base is 300 by 315 meters wide. Its total volume is 4.5 million cubic meters, which makes it much larger than the one in Giza; however, it is much less popular as well. The main reason for this is that it’s hidden inside a mountain. The pyramid has a particular feature: a church built by the Spanish conquerors on its top.

69 different languages are spoken in Mexico

Mexico is one of the richest linguistic countries in the world. Aside from Spanish, you will find 68 Indigenous languages, including náhuatl, mixtec, and otomi. You won’t find any other country in America with such a vast diversity. These Indigenous languages are recognized as national languages as well.

Mexico City is the second city in the world with the most significant number of museums

Mexico City is a fantastic cultural destination with numerous museums. You will be surprised by all the things you will learn when you explore the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Bellas Artes Museum, and many more. You can find more than 170 museums plus remains of several Aztec constructions all over the city. This makes it the second city in the world with the higher number of museums, only surpassed by London, with over 200 of them.

Mexico is a big-time Coca-Cola consumer

Mexicans drink 163 liters of Coca-Cola per person annually. This rate of consumption is unique to this country. Unfortunately, the high consumption rate also translates in people’s deteriorating health, with increased rates of diabetes and overweight. Aside from Coca-Cola, locals also consume large amounts of junk food, and they lack exercise on their routines. Since 2013, the government has introduced taxes to this type of food and has invested in content about high fat and sugar to change people’s minds on how they deal with unhealthy habits.

Mexico is Latin America’s most visited tourist destination

Mexico receives significantly more visitors than any other country in Latin America. It is listed on the top ten most visited countries worldwide, which comes as no surprise to anyone, given its perfect mixture of culture and nature seen in its incredible monuments and Caribbean beaches.

Mexico Visa Requirements

If reading all these fun facts about Mexico has made you want to visit it soon, then you should learn about the documentation you’ll need for a smooth entry. In this case, you will need the Mexico Tourist Card. This travel document isn’t a visa, but it’s mandatory for all incoming visitors. Before your trip, you must go through these health recommendations to keep you healthy during your time in Mexico. iVisa is a trustworthy platform that can process your digital application to get the tourist card, which they will send to you by email. Just show it to immigration authorities in Mexico and you’ll be ready to enjoy this beautiful country! Remember that you can connect with their customer service agents if you have questions about the procedure. They are available 24/7!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fat people triggered by existence of cure for being fat

The nonstop TV ads for Ozempic ― a diabetes medication that has off-label use as a weight loss drug ― are plenty annoying: “Oh, oh, oh, Ozempic!” the unnervingly upbeat TV spot goes, sampling the 1970s classic-rock hit “Magic.”

For some people who’ve dealt with eating disorders, the TV spots ― along with suspected celebrity use and media coverage that some feel glamorize the drug ― aren’t merely annoying; it’s all been emotionally triggering. In some cases, talk of Ozempic is pushing those in recovery one step closer to relapse.

Presumably the problem is now there is a cure they’ve no excuse for being fatty lardbuckets any more.

Well, yes, but

The latest Grocer 33, in which the trade magazine looks at 33 best-selling food and drink products, shows that the biggest annual hike has been for Mr Kipling Angel Slices.

This time last year, an eight pack of the cakes was as little as £1.42 as Asda but now costs £3.50 – a rise of 146 per cent. Sainsbury’s now charges £3.45 for a pack, 138 per cent more than the £1.45 it was charging 12

Were they at a special promotional price that year ago?

Culture? ABBA?

ABBA fans have been banned from wearing 1970s “disco wigs” to the pop group’s virtual concert because they are “culturally insensitive”.

Ticket-holders for the ABBA Voyage show – which is held at a purpose-built venue in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and features holograms of the band performing their greatest hits – received an email telling them Afro-style hairpieces are “not appropriate” for the event.

In the email, seen by the Mail on Sunday, promoters said: “Many of our guests will want to get in the spirit of the show by dressing up for their visit. [But] please do not wear so-called ‘Afro’ wigs.

“These wigs are culturally insensitive and not appropriate to be worn as fancy dress. If any guests are wearing this style of wig they will be respectfully asked to remove them as a condition of entry to the arena.”

Bit of a category error to include any derivation of the word “culture” alongside the name of this popular beat combo, no?

As an uncultured vileness myself my reaction is “Fuck off, tossers” but that’s as may be.

How excellent

So could, in my opinion, a truly wealthy person be a successful prime minister? I reiterate that the answer has to be that it is possible. But reframe the question to ask can a person who espouses the accumulation of wealth, and who already enjoyed that privilege be a successful prime minister and my answer has to be that I do not think that possible.

So anyone who has proven themselves to be even competent in the real world of actually doing things cannot be PM. That’s going to improve the talent pool, isn’t it?

The rhythm section of Talking Heads

My dad was a general in the army and Tina’s dad was an admiral in the navy.

Very avant garde, even punk, eh? Not that they’re a bad rhythm section but it’s just not the formative background you quite expect. Bit like finding out Shane McGowan’s the son of an accountant/accounting clerk (he is, mate used to know the parents).

Err

If you boil it down, the LDI and SVB crises were caused by margin calls — the crystallisation of mark-to-market losses on government bonds.

Not sure I’d call a loss crystallisation a margin call. Might lead to one but they’re not, I think, the same thing.