Random Announcements

[Giles]

Did some research on Boondockers today.  Came across this brilliant image:

[rocket]

I see there something coming….

and a very cool pic btw....

[4c]

^ That is a brilliant image! Researching just for fun or is there a Wesco/IH Boondocker coming?

[Giles]

I do everything for fun, but there is always an underlying purpose…..(or maybe it is the other way around)....

[4c]

^Sounds like a nice way to make a living…

[mclaincausey]

Jose Andres is ripping through Japan right now and its quite entertaining if you follow him on facebook. Infectious enthusiasm for all the local cuisines. In Hokkaido now.

[Megatron1505]

Looking at the internet on my phone after beer is a bad idea, I almost deleted the Selfie thread last night 

[Snowy]

@Megatron1505:

Looking at the internet on my phone after beer is a bad idea, I almost deleted the Selfie thread last night 

Would certainly win you Mod points :P. Maybe we need a captcha for your moderation actions to ensure you're sober

[Megatron1505]

Nah, just smaller fingers or a phone the size of an SUV 

[Chris]

I'm at the circus, and I'm reminded how much I despise clowns.

[Megatron1505]

They hate you too, I heard them whispering earlier.

[Giles]

How the feck can anyone look at the US legal system and think this is a reasonable outcome…..

RJ Reynolds told to pay wife of cancer victim $23.6bn

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-28389273

[Megatron1505]

That is insane.

[Chris]

Short answer- that's a screw up that won't last. The compensatory damages awarded were $16 million, the rest were punitive.  It's well established that punitive damages have to be proportional to the compensatory.  Reynolds will appeal and the total will get cut massively, possibly to even less than $16 million.

Of course, that won't make international headlines…

[Seul]

I just don't understand why people are being rewarded for being fucking idiots, even if they'll only fetch, say, a cool 15 mil…

[sabergirl]

I agree, Seul.  Especially now that the health hazards of smoking have been public knowledge for decades.  I'm not a huge fan of the tobacco companies, or anything, but if people want to continue smoking knowing the risk, how can the manufacturer be liable?

[Chris]

Well, the guy died in 1998, after 20+ years smoking, so the argument was that the company was deceptive back in the 70s and 80s, when he got hooked.  Then he was addicted and couldn't stop.  Since it was a civil case with a 6 person jury, they only had to convince 4 people that  Reynolds was probably mostly responsible.  It's not a bad case, just a ridiculous award, which, like I said, won't last when Reynolds appeals.

[sabergirl]

Even if the timing makes it valid, I still think this sets a strange precedent.  Are alcoholics with liver failure going to start bringing cases against liquor and beer companies?  Surely their advertising has remained more agressive and deceptive for longer than tobacco.  RJR has billions to burn, so even if they were forced to pay the whole penalty it would be sort of symbolic–but I think personal responsibility is a huge thing to ignore, even when we're talking about addiction.

[davito]

Hi everybody long time, sorry a lot on my mind and desk. Following as much as i can, hope everybody is well. Have a good day, David

[Megatron1505]

Nice to see you back David, I was wondering where you had been earlier.