Pattern Ghost

I wonder if this is going to be seen as an affirmative defense (we did it, but we had to because of X reason that exempts us from charges), thus shifting the burden of proof to the defense, or as a straight up not guilty plea (we didn't commit the crime because the gun wasn't capable of being fired on that particular day). It seems like the prosecution wants the former while the defense is angling toward the latter.

I think the appropriate response would have been to get inside, call 911, and observe. It seemed to me the crowd was making their displeasure with the mayor very loudly known, so if I wasn't the mayor, I wouldn't worry too much.

I just read the article, including the documentation. I don't see any malfeasance. The crime lab clearly documented the condition the firearm was received in, and investigated why it couldn't be fired. They then reassembled it to see if it could be made to fire. Though I wouldn't consider removing the firing pin "field stripping," that's splitting hairs. (It's not too hard to get at on a PPK/S anyway.) In any event, as Bolo points out, their attorney turned over the gun after the fact. It's hardly valid evidence at this point, as the defendants have had ample opportunity to tamper with it.

Finished Season 1 of Star Trek: Discovery. I liked it. Really didn't mind the more alien-looking Klingons. I do wish they'd speak in English to each other so that I could play games on my other screen easier, though.

Found this on a Delta Rae (indy band I like) playlist: Upload date: 2015 .

Finished Season 1 of Cursed (Netflix): Not bad, but has some plot convenience going on in a couple of places. Will watch a Season 2. Good casting for Nimue and Merlin. Not over-excited about the rest of the cast, but no complaints either. Oh, and Squirrel. I liked Squirrel. Watched Outsider (Netflix), a movie about a white veteran (possibly AWOL, played by Jared Leto) jailed in post-war Japan who joins the Yakuza. Nicely-shot, good acting, and absolutely zero exposition. If you don't like exposition, this is the movie for you. It could have used just a little exposition, though. Pretty average fare, you won't miss much if you never see it. Starting Star Trek Discovery (CBS All Access). Wife watched it already, and what I overheard from the other room didn't sound too bad. I'm not going to get bent out of shape if it colors outside the lines a bit on Trek continuity, since the franchise has never been a bastion of continuity anyway.

I don't want to pile on, but best wishes from me, too, Archer.

McCain shot himself in the foot with his VP pick, but I think nobody realized how bad that pick was at the time.

Thank you! There's nothing new about frilled sharks, despite the headline implying that they've been rediscovered off of Portugal. They have a wide range, and off the coast of Portugal was already part of that range. I guess that headline gets more clicks than, "Look at this picture of a weird-looking shark!" though.

Thanks for the context, Michael.

I was wondering if there was something more specific. I'm not really familiar with the PNW's history of settlement, or what forms any displacement of local first nations took.

Why?

'88, had to bust out of 98G school first.

Yep.

Not it! I'm a former (way former) Military Police officer, which is a slightly different flavored beast. Though most murders are people who know each other is still true AFAIK.

That contributed, but stuff has been trending toward scarce since the start of the pandemic. After TP, that is.

Been watching a bunch of stuff lately, but not posting. Let's see if I can remember a few: Abyss (Netflix): Korean drama staring Park Bo-Young. Unlike the other K-dramas of hers that I've seen, which are supernatural romances with serial killer subplots, this one is a supernatural serial killer plot with a romance subplot. And massively obvious product placements. It was good enough, but I think ran long (to fit in more scenes designed for product placement). The older ones, Strong Girl Bong Soon and Oh My Ghostess were better. Park still super charming and cute, though, with some dramatic chops tossed in. A few Hong Kong martial arts/action/fantasy movies on YouTube free with ads (or without, if you have an ad blocker): Let's see . . . Kung Fu Killer (pretty good, second time I've watched it), Contract Killer (silly but still fun), The Sorcerer and the White Snake (pretty good if you like fairy tales), Monkey King 1 and 2 (both pretty good, better production values in the second). Not a HK movie, but also free on YT, Blitz with Jason Statham, which was pretty decent, if middle of the road. I really like Statham's cranky badassery, so I give it a pass. Kind of fails in the current climate since he's a "good cop breaking the rules" type, though. The Order (Season 2, Netflix): Second season of The Order. decent enough secret supernatural society teen novel material show. Good acting and good dialog. Nice cliff hangers that were more situational than leaving you hanging in the middle of a scene. Warrior Nun (Netflix): Way better than expected. I think the lead actress has a shot at breaking through to a huge career here. Had a cliffhanger that did leave me hanging in the middle of a scene, though, darn it. It's based on the 90s comic, Warrior Nun Ariela, which I never read, so not sure if super faithful. The lead isn't Ariela, though. The first season leaves a lot of world building questions out there to fill in. The Old Guard (Netflix) Charlize Theron stars as the head of a squad of immortal warriors, with Chiwetel Ejiofor in a supporting role. I think it's also based on a comic. Seems to be a made for Netflix thing. Pretty decent, good fights, really linear plot. Ending leaves setup for a sequel. Seems to have had good critical and audience reception, so fair odds on the sequel. Hanna (Season 2, Amazon Prime): Was good, but not as good as the first season. I'd watch a third season, but it seems like it might just be headed down familiar paths at this point, aka, Nikita, etc. I think not having Kinnaman in the cast kind of hurt it. Enos is pretty tolerable, though. First thing I've actually liked her in. She seems cursed with unlikable characters.

You should check gun and ammo prices/availability online. Apparently, a whole lot of people think we can shoot the Coronavirus.

Sticky situation, yep.

Yes! Please activate the SBT stat!

You could. People have shot police serving no knock warrants on the wrong house and walked without being charged, for just those reasons. On the other hand, you're not likely to be able to put up much useful resistance in the moment, so a lawsuit after the fact might be the more prudent course of action. (Assuming the intent isn't to permanently disappear you, of course. Or even semi-permanently.)

Thanks, OM. There's still hope for my back taking me out, though. I could always have an accident from a back spasm while driving to my chiropractor tomorrow.

I got my test back. Negative. I was on the downside of symptoms by the time I took it, and it's not an approved test, so there's a chance I had a mild case. Then again, there's a chance I didn't. On the down side, I threw my back out Tuesday morning and can barely move. So, I'm missing a second week of work regardless. Going to have to burn that vacation time to make it up.

So, what you're saying is you'd rather be hanging with your gnomies?

Now, if you read Gygax and Breault's (editor) Introductions, you'll see some of what these guys are talking about as far as old fasihoned, casually racist attitudes toward Asian culture. I'm still in the mechanical portion of the main text, and haven't found anything too offensive. I can't get my panties in a bunch over the Comeliness stat, sorry.