High Wire Oops

Steady as She Goes

Lucky Escape

Travelling is one of the most dangerous things that we do according to researchers. This guy got lucky, but think of all those people who never made it to work in the middle ages because they were run over by a horse. Where was the horn and flashing light?

Nearly the same proportion of people died travelling in medieval times as today, with falling in ditches or being hit by a horse or cart the biggest dangers. Scientists examined coroner's records from Sussex between 1485 and 1688 when 30 per cent of people who died as a result of injury were involved in an accident while travelling on land.

Richard Havers debunks the research, but it still remains to be said, don't get out of bed and go to work if you want to be sure that you will make it through another day.

One of the cute things about Adelaide is that the radio stations still give warnings of dead kangaroos on the road, koalas crossing the road, ducks making their way through the town centre and other animals to look out for. They don't have roo bars on car for fun. A motorcyclist died last year after being hit by a large roo. If only they had radios giving out public service announcements and safety tips in the middle ages.

As for that guy in China. He got very lucky, managing to hang on to the wire until the highly organised climber dude made his way out to him and belayed him down. I have done some climbing and that is some skilfull stuff.

Next time take the train buddy.

American Values #23 Lock 'em up. Throw away the key

From Road to Surfdom

With less than 5% of the global population, the USA has more than 20% of the world’s imprisoned people. Yes that’s right, of the nine million or so prisoners in the world’s gaols, two million are in the USA. The rate of imprisonment is 714 per 100,000 there, which is not just slightly or even significantly higher than in comparable countries. It’s wildy higher.

For example, the rate in England and Wales is 142 per 100,000, in Canada it’s 116 and in Australia, 117. In non-English speaking countries some of the rates are even lower: 75 in Sweden, 96 in Germany, 58 in Japan. The only nation of any size that comes even remotely close to the USA is Russia (532).

What to say?

Over the Hill? Flat Track? Good Batting?

Warne finished with 53-9-167-1, which is the most expensive “one-for” of his Test career.

McGrath had 30-5-107-0, which is the first time he has gone for over 100 runs without taking a wicket.