h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Speaking of which, I just found this article about Jumpolin in East Austin.

http://www.latina.com/lifestyle/our-issues/austin-landlords-demolish-pinata-store-jumpolin-sxsw-party

That's pretty extreme, demolishing a property with no notice for the tenants. I see this article is a month old. Any updates that you're aware of?

I haven't been following it in detail but I've seen a few reports which have painted it as a he said/she said story, but the evidence in favour of the shop owners seems pretty conclusive.

To me, and I would think to any fair-minded and right-thinking person, this: "State Representative Eddie Rodriguez, whose district includes the former Jumpolin site, filed a bill that would make it illegal to demolish property without notifying tenants." is astonishing. Astonishing that it's needed. Or not already in place.

It reminds me of other similar instances, such as the demolition of the art deco Firestone factory in west London several decades ago over a holiday weekend, just before it was about to be protected, or the legendary Tommy Ducks pub in Manchester, razed to the ground by the owners who took advantage of a permit expiring on a Sunday, when all the city offices were shut, in both cases so the owners could sell the land and make a fast buck

I was reading about some legal battles being fought in a nearby community over some heinous abuse of power in local government. Basically this little waterfront town's community leaders were practicing very discriminatory practices regarding building permits and restrictions. Anyone not deemed "white enough" found themselves up against the building inspector whether or not they were in violation of local codes and ordinances.



PDF file from the local neighborhood "newspaper".
http://seabreezenews.com/issues/2015%20issues/03-15%20March/Page_01c.pdf

"She claimed to "lovingly harvest" the air"
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-33883125

You're having a bleedin' laugh

http://images.realclear.com/290880_5_.gif

This had a brief vogue in the 1950s and early '60s.

http://www.scpr.org/programs/take-two/2013/04/10/31278/chris-collection-canned-genuine-los-angeles-smog-f/

Las Vegas casinos were even importing the stuff for 'atmosphere'.

It gave people headaches.

"McMince pie and custard"
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/christmas/food-drink/mcdonalds-christmas-menu-fast-food-chain-launches-festive-feast-for-holiday-a6749126.html

You're having a laugh, McDonalds Aside from the fact that you're a horrible corporation who is bastardising something traditional to make money; aside from the fact that you're an American corporation and this is a British Thing; aside from the fact that there are silly people who will actually buy one of these... aside from all that, everyone knows you have mince pies with cream, not custard

"McDonalds Board of Directors: A bunch of mindless Spotted McDicks who were first up against the wall come the revolution."