The Great Boston Molasses Disaster

 Today in 1919, a molasses storage tank in Boston's North End ruptured sending a 30' wave of molasses through the streets. It killed 21 people.

I have  done presentations on this accident with respect to Project Management issues and comparing issues then with similar issues today. It's an ongoing joke in construction that "You can get it fast, good or cheap. Pick any two". They opted to go for fast and cheap as they had to have it completed in time to receive a shipment of molasses that was then on the way. Short cuts were made. The tank was never filled with water to test for leaks and it leaked so badly that children in the area would get raw molasses of its side. The company painted it brown to hide the molasses stains. It was the worst industrial accident of its day and resulted in urban legends that exist up to today.

COVID and Lunch

 My wife and I took her mother with us to day to get the COVID vaccine. Our parish is long and narrow and the only place to get the injection was about 45 minutes south. But, it was worth it as we had no line and no wait. We were in and out with 30 minutes. 

On the way back we stopped to get lunch at a local BBQ place. They had this sign as a sales promotion...A crudely drawn pistol and the words "Open Carry, Free Drink".

Unfortunately, I could not take advantage.

What Did You Expect?

It seems that some politicians are not pleased with the police response to the demonstration in DC the other day. They believe that the police, in some cases, even aided the protesters by removing barricades. Well, what did you expect. Politicians from the left have denigrated police, defunded them and charged them as criminals for doing their duty. Did you really expect that after all that that they will form a line and protect the people that have been beating them for so long?

And I had a bit of cognitive dissonance as  I watched the news on the protests. What I was seeing did not jive with what I was hearing. I didn't see any fires or burning buildings, I didn't see and destruction of property except for a few broken windows, I didn't see any graffiti being sprayed on the capital building, but what I was hearing, even on Fox, would make you think that what was happening was as bad the British burning the capital in 1812. 

I'm afraid that this will not get better. Wait until the Dems try to make major changes to the Supreme Court and their other agenda items and you will see real protests.

Head Count

 Saudi Arabia celebrated the end of 2020 by beheading two murderers, bringing their total head count to 17.