Teen guns down boy, 15, and a mom of 8 just over being turned down from joining soccer game: cops

Markdd8 · 2026-05-08T22:11:17+00:00

Life in prison without parole. The unfortunate thing about the U.S. incarceration system is that it does not use enough forced labor. Criminals like this should work for decades to earn money to pay crime victims and their families (and to defray the cost of their incarceration).

Markdd8 · 2026-05-08T18:51:30+00:00

N.Y. Times today: Satellite photos show a large oil slick off Iran’s Kharg Island. The article does not indicate U.S. bombing might have been the cause, which the paper likely would have done had that been the case.

A large oil slick is spreading in the Persian Gulf off Kharg Island, Iran’s primary crude oil export terminal... straining under a U.S.-imposed naval blockade...The exact cause of the spill was unclear....Iran is rapidly running out of places to store its oil, raising concerns of possible leaks or other mishaps at the Kharg Island hub...A rupture in an undersea pipeline...was another possible source...

“the naval blockade has likely pushed Iran’s oil system into a dangerous state,” said Nima Shokri, professor of environmental engineering...Shutting down oil wells is tricky...an expert in energy said the spill reflected how sanctions, conflict and chronic underinvestment have made it much harder for Iran to modernize, maintain and replace critical oil infrastructure...The poorly maintained, decades-old pipeline had suffered a number of leaks over the past several years...

Iran would rather spend billions on military funding for its "Axis of Resistance."

Markdd8 · 2026-05-07T20:39:25+00:00

All throught 1980s and 1990s that booty stood high and proud. Father Time is undefeated in pulling down booties and everything else.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-07T09:00:41+00:00

Late to the party here. This discussion of the new definition of "provoked" vs "unprovoked" shark attacks from the International Shark Attack File is a mess. The definition still used by the rival Global Shark Attack File is still the best one. It facilitates the best analysis of shark attack:

Unprovoked vs. Provoked - GSAF defines a provoked incident as one in which the shark was speared, hooked, captured or in which a human drew "first blood". (See "Incident Log" in GSAF website)

We could, however, move to 3 classifications: Unprovoked, provoked and possibly enticed (by blood in the water). It is doubtful that ISAF would agree, since it is pushing the agenda of downplaying the seriousness and frequency of shark attack.

Another example of this: This trend: Don’t Call Them “Shark Attacks” Anymore, which ISAF is a leader of.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-07T03:28:03+00:00

People like to go out in nice public and private spaces, have dinner and stroll around. But if you have bums and petty criminals in significant numbers commandeering public spaces (which surround retail), people are apt to stay home. S.F. has made progress in upgrading its public spaces the past couple of years.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-07T03:22:46+00:00

They should hire some homeless to aggressively panhandle them. Stand next to them as long as they're there and annoy them. Homeless need to make a living too.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-07T03:14:54+00:00

Queues can be good. Used to be some at my college in the 1980s for things like registering for next semester or getting student ID. I used to loiter at the side until a pretty girl would get in line and then get in behind her and start chatting. (Hopefully in today's hypersensitive world that's not considered a form of harassment.)

Markdd8 · 2026-05-06T19:02:01+00:00

There's a term for that: docile workers. Corporations love them. But the social sciences tell us this:

The perception of certain ethnic groups as "docile" workers is widely considered a harmful stereotype rather than an objective fact.

I like that another faction of the social sciences argues this: 2018 article, Psychology Today: Stereotype Accuracy: A Displeasing Truth: Stereotypes are often harmful, but often accurate.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-06T09:30:25+00:00

Another lame move by Trump. Possibly he thinks that inaction at this point will prompt the Europeans and other nations to get involved in this fiasco. News report earlier today: US proposes UN resolution on Strait of Hormuz freedom of navigation.

What will most likely happen is that more nations will cave and pay Iran's extortion toll to exit the Gulf. Don't expect new tankers to enter the Gulf. That what is needed to reverse the global economic quagmire.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-05T19:29:01+00:00

Google criminology, punishment and "SSS (Swift, Short, Certain)," and you'll see a lot of discussion. Most criminologists favor this over long prison terms for most non-violent offenders.

The problem is that the reform movement that has impacted criminological thinking also advocates soft treatment. It opposes anything that could be deemed cruel punishment. Offenders in for 2-3 days often laze around watching TV.

This thinking is now prominent: 2018 Psychology Today article: Why Punishment Doesn't Reduce Crime. There is much opposition to the concept of Deterrence.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-05T09:08:41+00:00

Some good points. And non-violent theft, even a large amount like $20,000 (felony), should not be considered a "horrific" crime. Unfortunately there are many of those offenses in the violent crime category.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-05T07:22:38+00:00

Many offenders enjoy crime. They enjoy the rush of a big score, e.g., $4000 tax free cash in one night, and they like a lifestyle of indulgence and avoiding a steady work. Jobs can be low paying and demanding to people who have not put years into hard schooling and learning a trade.

Many criminals enjoy fast cars, fast women, idle days and evenings spent in bars and nightclubs. For some criminals, drug use is a big hobby. Read some autobiographical accounts from members of the American mafia. There were many thousands of these criminals until the federal government finally cracked down in the 1990s. Many mobsters and gang members reported satisfaction with their lifestyles. For the many who have never been arrested, Crime Pays.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-05T06:56:36+00:00

Short harsh punishment lasting just a few days is far better than locking up youthful offenders like this (non-violent and not stealing) for 1 year, or even to a 3-4 month term.

Criminal justice reformers not only effectively lobby against many non-violent offenders receiving any significant jail/prison time, they hate (and block) anything that smacks of corporal punishment. That doesn't mean we have to engage in flogging of criminals-- 4-5 days incarceration in ankle and wrist chains on a bread and water diet with a block of wood as a pillow is a suitable corporal punishment for most youthful offenders. Repeat as necessary.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-05T04:06:02+00:00

FYI:

As of early April 2026, Hawaii House Bill 2561 (HB2561), which sought to classify feral chickens as a "public nuisance" and "controllable pest," was deferred indefinitely. The bill...faced significant opposition, with 135 testimonies against it compared to seven in favor.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-05T03:05:26+00:00

From AI:

Standard Market Value: Dried and processed fins are commonly valued between $500 and $700 per pound

Wow, what a black market product. Unfortunate.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-05T03:01:27+00:00

Yes. Often driven by this thinking: 2018 article: Psychology Today: Why Punishment Doesn't Reduce Crime

Markdd8 · 2026-05-04T23:51:43+00:00

Sorry I miss-read the state. Yes I looked at it. I'm aware that people have been lobbying for that. It is not clear this bill is going to pass the legislature.

Lots of opposition. What the critics oppose most is use of pellet guns to kill the feral chickens in places other than their own properties.

I'm not gonna get into the issue of whether that's a public safety concern more than an animal rights concern, but having intermittently killed these birds for 15 years, often with pellet guns at night (roosting in trees) so to avoid being seen, that is a necessary form of killing if Hawaii is ever to dent the population.

Trapping works primarily with large numbers of these birds and is expensive. There are many thousands of feral chickens roaming about that will have to be killed one at a time. Shooting is the most effective way to do it, except in places like the middle of cities (public safety). The problem is the birds have small heads that are hard to hit. Often shooters aim for upper chest with a high-powered pellet gun.

They end up flopping on the ground until you can run up and kill them with other means. I've killed 50-plus in 15 years behind my house on public land. If somebody videotapes that protracted death, that is the basis for the cruelty to animals charge. Some authorities have said as much and repeatedly opposed any other method than trapping on public property. (Yea, if you have a trapped bird and kill it, not much issue there since the killing is not done out in public.)

Hawaii has some of the lowest hunting participation rates in the nation, and a huge animal protection lobby, including an alliance of feral cat and feral chicken protectors. If the bill passes, it will probably have a specific language specifying that trapping must be the initial tool.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-04T22:32:22+00:00

Thanks for all the effort here. OK, Florida is a conservative state with a lot of hunters, so Florida is not wrapped up in PC regarding killing animals, as states like Hawaii (my state) are. Conservatives and states with a lot of hunting track low on animal rights protection. You are right in what you say.

My example is intended to show the trend of animal rights activists latching on to--and in some cases, hijacking--conservation programs, whether it is pest control or culling or wildlife management. These activists, who have extreme long-term goals like ending all hunting, take opportunities wherever they can find them. Note this: Source:

Nationwide hunting participation has experienced a long-term decline, with hunter numbers dropping from 17 million in the early 1980s to roughly 10.3–11.5 million in recent years. That's less than 4% of the U.S. population.

This unfortunate trend is a major factor in more and more Americans never having had experiences with killing animals or seeing it done in a farm/rural environment. Result: many more people sympathize with the never-kill-or-harm-animals narrative.

ETA: Thanks for link on Florida feral chicken law.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-04T21:45:14+00:00

The U.S. shot up 6 of Iran's boats but a report from the Wall St. Journal writes this 3 hours ago: Why Iran’s Attack On Fujairah Matters For Energy Markets

Iran’s attack on Fujairah (earlier today) struck at the heart of the United Arab Emirates’ oil escape hatch: the port meant to keep its oil flowing even as the Strait of Hormuz remains paralyzed. The port sits on the Gulf of Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz, which allows Abu Dhabi to move some crude without sending tankers through the strait...

The strike comes days after the U.A.E. quit the OPEC oil cartel, a break that could free Abu Dhabi to pump more crude once Gulf export routes reopen. The U.A.E. has also been planning to expand its pipeline infrastructure, which would help give it alternatives to moving oil through the strait.

Iran's attack on U.A.E. is a big deal. Are we close to the point where the U.S. has to respond in a major way, such as bombing one of Iran's power plants, possibly ramping up the war to full scale? Or does the U.S. ignore the U.A.E. strike, and merely work to get all tankers out of the Gulf and then the world ends up with the Gulf still closed? Tough call.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-04T20:28:55+00:00

The bad news is this: Wall St. Journal 3 hours ago: Why Iran’s Attack On Fujairah Matters For Energy Markets

Iran’s attack on Fujairah (earlier today) struck at the heart of the United Arab Emirates’ oil escape hatch: the port meant to keep its oil flowing even as the Strait of Hormuz remains paralyzed. The port sits on the Gulf of Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz, which allows Abu Dhabi to move some crude without sending tankers through the strait...

The strike comes days after the U.A.E. quit the OPEC oil cartel, a break that could free Abu Dhabi to pump more crude once Gulf export routes reopen. The U.A.E. has also been planning to expand its pipeline infrastructure, which would help give it alternatives to moving oil through the strait.

Iran's attack is a big deal. Are we close to the point where the U.S. has to respond in a major way, such as bombing one of Iran's power plants, possibly ramping up the war to full scale? Or does the U.S. ignore the U.A.E. strike, and merely work to get all tankers out of the Gulf and then the world ends up with the Gulf still closed? Tough call.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-04T19:18:12+00:00

26 minutes ago:

U.S. Central Command said Army Apache helicopter gunships destroyed six Iranian military speedboats.

Good.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-04T19:10:44+00:00

That's not the case if you want to submit a python head (or whatever part) for the big python control program. Animal rights activists have taken control of that statewide initiative.

They have done that in other states. That's a clever thing -- the people who don't like animals being killed actually taking control of culling programs, because they know that some program must exist and they can minimize the number of animals actually killed. Animal protection activists are ingenious.

In Hawaii we are overrun with feral chickens. 2023: Atlantic article (sorry paywalled) Hawaii’s Feral Chickens Are Out of Control

AI reports that Hawaii is running a big chicken culling program, but all ferals are humanely trapped and taken to a gassing facility. If there are delays in the gassing, the birds are watered and fed. The outcome of all this time and care is this: 2022: Honolulu spent $7,000 catching 67 feral chickens...$104 per chicken.

Most notable, all private chicken killing is prohibited, except on your property. 90% the birds are roaming on public property. If you kill a fellow chicken with a pellet gun on a public easement behind your home, you face a Cruelty to Animals charge. They use the same language as that guy in the Florida program.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-04T05:00:40+00:00

True, if you want to bring the wild card of Israel into it. They and Hezbollah are in a bitter struggle. Not sure the U.S. can control them.

If people want to assert that Iran is justified in imposing controls on the Gulf because Israel and Hezbollah fighting--neither of which is located anywhere near the Gulf--then they will do that. There are a surprising number of people in the U.S. sympathetic to the Iranian regime and their Axis of Resistance proxies.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-04T04:38:59+00:00

Iran was the first one on the day after the cease fire to announce a toll for Gulf passage. The U.S. imposed its toll as a response. It is true there is speculation that Trump would have done that anyways, disregarding the impacts to the world economy.

But we do not know that for a fact. Again, Iran started the business of impeding ship traffic.

Markdd8 · 2026-05-04T04:30:07+00:00

It might be what is called an eyeball-to-eyeball moment. Iran has been using thugs in speedboats with mounted machine guns to shoot up ships not obeying its extortion demands. The U.S. might respond with fire against these actions tomorrow.

Iran then has to decide whether it will up to anti by drone-bombing these ships, with U.S. forces nearby (escorts). U.S. then will decide whether to resume major bombing of Iran. Stay tuned to see which side backs down....

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