Post a useless fact

[lutra]

Mussels that didn't open, while most others did open after cooking them properly, are perfectly well edible. They're just a lot tougher, let's say muscle-wise, than the others.

Oh, those already open before cooking are bad though.

(did know this but S. Fry just mentioned it again on QI)

[TheoK]

Copper has its name from the island Cyprus.

[midlifeaspie]

Murder was legal in Sweden until about 1200.

Murder was (essentially) legal in the US until the mid-1800's.  You could shoot a man in the back at a saloon if he had given you proper provocation.

[odeon]

Everywhere? And how would you prove that there was "proper provocation"?

[midlifeaspie]

Everywhere? And how would you prove that there was "proper provocation"?

Mainly in the western territories.  You would still go to trial, but would not be convicted if you could convince the jury that you were provoked.  Depending on the jury this could be as little as calling someone a name or spitting on them.

These same territories would hang you for stealing a horse or cattle.

[odeon]

Everywhere? And how would you prove that there was "proper provocation"?

Mainly in the western territories.  You would still go to trial, but would not be convicted if you could convince the jury that you were provoked.  Depending on the jury this could be as little as calling someone a name or spitting on them.

These same territories would hang you for stealing a horse or cattle.

Thank god for their sense of what really mattered.

[midlifeaspie]

Everywhere? And how would you prove that there was "proper provocation"?

Mainly in the western territories.  You would still go to trial, but would not be convicted if you could convince the jury that you were provoked.  Depending on the jury this could be as little as calling someone a name or spitting on them.

These same territories would hang you for stealing a horse or cattle.

Thank god for their sense of what really mattered.

It hasn't changed all that much.  In the US property crimes still have higher penalties except for drugs (or if the criminal wears a suit to work and steals millions at a time)

My sister's ex-boyfriend held her and their baby daughter hostage at gunpoint for half an afternoon until the cops kicked down the door and arrested him.  He was given 6 months for taking them hostage and 6 years because the gun he used was stolen.

[odeon]

WTF?

[midlifeaspie]

WTF?

That's what I asked.  He was released on parole after 4 years and immediately stole a car, got wasted on something and passed out in an intersection.  Now he is doing another ten years in the clink.  Good thing he didn't run someone over or they might have tacked on another few months.

[Parts]

WTF?

That's what I asked.  He was released on parole after 4 years and immediately stole a car, got wasted on something and passed out in an intersection.  Now he is doing another ten years in the clink.  Good thing he didn't run someone over or they might have tacked on another few months.

And if he had a joint on him they probably would have added  two years

[TheoK]

Weird. In Sweden it would have been the taking of hostage that was a serious crime. Illegal possession of a gun isn't that serious, despite the strict gun law. Possession of a joint wouldn't give prison at all.

[odeon]

WTF?

That's what I asked.  He was released on parole after 4 years and immediately stole a car, got wasted on something and passed out in an intersection.  Now he is doing another ten years in the clink.  Good thing he didn't run someone over or they might have tacked on another few months.

I've never been one to endorse guns but what that guy would need is the kind of justice once offered in the western territories.

[odeon]

Weird. In Sweden it would have been the taking of hostage that was a serious crime. Illegal possession of a gun isn't that serious, despite the strict gun law. Possession of a joint wouldn't give prison at all.

We sometimes do get it right.

[TheoK]

 

[midlifeaspie]

WTF?

That's what I asked.  He was released on parole after 4 years and immediately stole a car, got wasted on something and passed out in an intersection.  Now he is doing another ten years in the clink.  Good thing he didn't run someone over or they might have tacked on another few months.

I've never been one to endorse guns but what that guy would need is the kind of justice once offered in the western territories.

The prison he is in is privately run, and affectionately referred to by the local media as "gladiator school".   

He may yet get what is coming to him.