Archive for 1/18/2007
Oil Prices Drop
Jan 18th
Growing inventory of crude oil has sent oil prices to a 20 month low. The mild winter so far has contributed to the increase in inventory which has drove prices down. So, how come pump prices that literally went up overnight when Hurricane Katrina hit is just trickling slowly downward as the price drops?
No tags for this post.Lawsuit Happy Americans
Jan 18th
A New York antique dealer has sued four homeless people. Now, I realize that the great American past time is launching lawsuits but suing four homeless people for $1million just strikes me as a ludicrous waste of court time and resources. Seems to me that when people are homeless they are by definition without the means to have a home so suing for monetary return would have zero impact on them.
The owner of the upscale store in the Madison Avenue shopping district. The group apparently has been ‘camped’ out near this store for more than two years. He has appealed to local groups which deal with the homeless, shelters and the police to no avail. The police likely have some recourse but are also aware that even charging them with loitering repeatedly does little to solve the problem and lots to jam the system up with minor charges. Not sure what the owner expected the other groups to do, the homeless people themselves would have to agree to use the services for them to do anything.
I can understand the desire of the store owners to want the homeless people to ‘camp’ elsewhere. Their presence will impact on the comfort of their customers arriving at the store. With the size of a city like New York, I have to admit to some curiosity why the homeless people are so focused on remaining where they are.
I highly doubt should the case ever arrive at a court room that either the defendants will show up or if they do that any judgement against them would be collectable. But hey, it’s a free world eh.
No tags for this post.OPP Back in Black & Whites
Jan 18th
“What’s black and white with a cherry on top?”… in my youth anyone knew that was a police car, especially in Ontario where the OPP patrolled in black and white cars. Then, in the late 80′s they gradually switched over to white cars with blue and gold markings. Somewhat stylish but hardly noticeable without the lights on top.
Recently installed OPP Commissioner Julio Fantino has started the OPP back on course to return to the black and white cars. In his view, enforcement is as much about the police being seen as catching those who stray, especially on the highways.
I like the idea of the change. Never really understood the change to the white cars in the first place. Now, I wonder if Fantino is open to them getting rid of the boy scout hats they are in and returning to the traditional hat. Might be too much to hope for.
No tags for this post.
