Local News

[Charger]

Yeah it was a pretty big story on the newspaper here yesterday.

Dam collapses are pretty rare.

I do hope they can salvage it, but it is quite a task regardless.

[Zzzptm]

I remember when I was a kid, back in the 80s, there was a dam that collapsed near Salt Lake City. The people there were able to line streets with sandbags in time and the waters passed through without harm.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

It's looking like the threat is subsiding somewhat. They have managed to drain some of the water away, and if they can do another 3 meters (maybe a further days pumping) then engineers can safely get to look more closely at the damaged section and determine if it can be repaired or if a complete rebuild is required. The dam is almost 200 years old and that method of construction has not been used in many decades.

[Zzzptm]

Given enough time and materials, engineers can do some AMAZING things.

[Vyn]

So, what the heck is going on in France? I've been seeing bits and pieces of news this past week, but haven't had time to get into it much.
Something to do with the pension system there, and there are protests, unions striking, infrastructure shut down. It sounds horrible.

[Zzzptm]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-protests-retirement-jilet-jaunes-yellow-vests-a9237201.html

Raising of retirement age, restructuring and combining various plans. Could lead to lots more issues getting combined, the way that protests in Chile over raising metro fares are now leading to calls for complete revision of the constitution, which many see as having too much of Pinochet's legacy in it to be what a free and fair nation deserves.

[Vyn]

Thanks Z. I hope the folks in France can get this worked out correctly - whatever correctly looks like.

[Jack the Stripper]

The legendary Ozzy Man’s review of our fuckwit prime minister and his dipshit government.

[Typhon]

^^^^^^
Wow!  Pretty ridiculous how your PM is that out of touch, Jack.  I'm sure he'll be gone by the next election, whenever that is.

[Axefiend]

PJW's take:

[Zzzptm]

Rules for political leaders:

1. Is there a crisis going on? If yes, stay on the job. If no, take a vacation.
2. Did a crisis start while you were on vacation? If yes, go back to work ASAP. If no, continue vacationing.
3. Did your vacation result in a crisis? Hey, that's on you, dude. Shouldn't have been "hiking" with the Argentinian lady...

[Jack the Stripper]

The smoke haze from the bush fires blanketing Melbourne and the state of Victoria today. Currently rated as the worst air quality in the world.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/face-mask-stock-dwindles-as-smoke-haze-engulfs-city/news-story/35a97293f4749596da5f9585d3986f54

[Zzzptm]

^ Worse than Beijing... yeah, reset your aircon to recirculate air, keep that smoke out of your house.

[Jack the Stripper]

Talk about too close for comfort. The two swimmers were totally oblivious!
https://7news.com.au/news/animals/shark-expert-says-beach-encounters-are-far-more-common-than-you-may-think-c-649199

[Zzzptm]

Austraila: the continent that tries to kill you!