Italian Bureaucrats Convicted Over Infrastructure Collapse

The Morandi Bridge, which was located in Genoa, Italy, collapsed in 2018, resulting in the deaths of 43 people. Former Italian motorway boss among 32 convicted over Genoa bridge tragedy

The former head of Italian motorway operator ‌Autostrade per l'Italia was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Thursday for his role in a disaster that killed 43 people when a bridge collapsed near the city of Genoa in 2018.

Giovanni Castellucci was among 32 people convicted over the collapse of the Morandi bridge which sent vehicles plunging onto warehouses and a riverbed beneath the flyover during a summer storm.

At least some of the convictions are under appeal.

There isn't a lot of info, but the two sides of the debate seem to be that the collapse was either caused by the initial design, or the lack of maintenance. From my point of view, both can be true at the same time.

Here is a post from the 357 Magnum Archive: Everything Needs Maintenance – The Morandi Bridge Collapse. That post includes a link to a video of the explosive demolition of the remaining bridge structure, in preparation for new construction, and some info on the design of the new bridge.

This post contains more information on the replacement bridge. 357 Magnum Archive: Genova San Giorgio Viaduct Replaces Collapsed Bridge In Genoa, Italy

Some infrastructure collapse is clearly the result of negligence. The Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh, which collapsed on 28 January 2022, had received numerous warnings in the form of reports, photos, etc. before it collapsed. The bureaucrats and politicians ignored all the warnings, because maintaining infrastructure isn't sexy. It doesn't lend itself to ceremonies, and news stories. But it does keep people safe, and allow modern life to continue.

Some infrastructure can collapse as the result of a fire, such as the I-85 Bridge Collapse in Atlanta, or other external cause.

Maintenance you can plan for. Random acts of the universe, you cannot.

I'm not sure if these convictions in Italy represent Justice, or just the desire of the public to hold someone accountable, even if they aren't really the right person. I would like to see an incentive to make maintaining this stuff more likely, or we will continue to see bridges collapse, and dams collapse, and more types of infrastructure failure.

I Blame Global Warming

It may be summer in the Northern Hemisphere, but it is winter in the Andes. Ski Portillo Closes Indefinitely Ahead of Massive Winter Storm - POWDER

How does over 13 feet of snow before the end of July sound? That’s how much Portillo said could arrive, according to “reliable forecasts.”

This is after they had to delay the openning of the season for lack of snow.

After the snow hits, the slopes will be closed for "safety reasons." (How do you spell AVALANCHE?)

Hat tip to William Teach at Pirate's Cove: Over-Heated World Alert: Chilean Ski Restort Closes Ahead Of Blizzard

https://www.thepiratescove.us/2026/07/17/over-heated-world-alert-chilean-ski-restort-closes-ahead-of-blizzard/

The image above was stolen, shamelessly, from Pirate's Cove.

Why Men Left the Dating Pool

I first saw this short video from SmugAlana: Why Don't Men Approach Anymore? Which made me laugh, which isn't bad for less than a minute. (A woman complaining about men not approaching her, and - unintentionally - explaining exactly why they don't.)

So when this 2nd video showed up, I thought I would at least listen to a bit of it...

I always thought describing dating as a market, missed the point somehow, even back in the day when a lot of the clubs were described as "meat markets." But people do make rational decisions about how they spend their time, and their money. And the Pursuit of Happiness is something that we seem to have baked into the system. In this case, Gen Z, and maybe Millennial men, are making rational decisions about that dating market.

I'm older than dirt, so this is mostly of interest because I do know a handful of Zoomers, mostly kids of friends. But it is part of the fallout of late-stage feminism, and Woke. And those forces seem to be destroying society in new, and unexpected ways.

This is Kait Willett's video Women Are Starting to See The Damage

Saturday Roundup of Link Roundups - 18 July

The Right Way is up first with Top of the News

Trump: We ‘Completed’ Goals in Iran, Strikes Will ‘Continue’ - Briebart News
Ro "The Rotard" Khanna - Evi. L Bloggerlady

Wombat-socho - In The Mailbox: 07.15.26 (Afternoon Edition)

CDR Salamander: China Goes Island Grabbing Again
Don Surber: Trump Strait-ens out Iran

EBL - England vs. Argentina ⚽

England vs. Argentina
There can only be one to go on to the finals...
EBL: Argentina finishes off Egypt and Mexico vs. England

Pixy Misa at Ambient Irony - Daily News Stuff 15 July 2026: Red Fish Blue Fish Edition

Microsoft has updated Windows Search and... Fixed it? (WCCFTech)
Well, they've at least stopped shoving it full of ads, which goes a big way toward fixing it.

Small Dead Animals - Wednesday On Turtle Island

The Democrat Party’s America: Victor Davis Hanson – Hit Iran hard. Islam commission.
Davos Carney’s Canada: The Blackie dance. Gun control. Green scam. Corrupt diplomats.

A View from the Beach - Flotsam and Jetsam - Trump Says China Messed with 2020 Election, Intelligence Covered for Them

Spencer Pratt @spencerpratt, "Notice how Nithya Raman just completely disappeared after they blocked us out of the general election? She's not campaigning at all. Like a pickpocket disappearing into the crowd.

Again from Wombat-socho - In The Mailbox: 07.15.26 (Evening Edition)

Don Surber: Cheering a less-known military victory
First Street Journal: The Capitol kerfuffle is almost over

Gates of Vienna - News Feed 7/16/2026

Foreign Marxist Terrorist Group Built Influence in US Activism
A decades-old Marxist terrorist organization has successfully infiltrated American activist circles, establishing connections with several groups

The Glibertarians - Wednesday Morning Links

Mexican Government Sends Lawyers to Block ICE Deportations
Trump to shrink 2 Utah national monuments by 90%

Lawrence Person's BattleSwarm Blog - LinkSwarm For July 17, 2026

The war with Iran is very much on again.
Also, the full blockade of Iranian ports is back on.
Rubio Convenes 60-Nation Summit To Confront Transnational Far-Left Terrorism.”

Political Hat - Quick Takes – Academic Ridiculousness: Queer Kids Lit; Asexual Hobbits; Indigenous Horse Science

What are “2SLGBTQI+ Picture Books”? This “queer early childhood educator” is going to find out! From the abstract:
Apparently there is a field of Queer Tolkien scholarship

Maggie's Farm - Wednesday morning links

U. Chicago Law School bans phones, laptops from classrooms ‘in response to AI’
Academics persist in being the ’20’ on the ’80-20′ issue of trans women in female sports

J.J. Sefton at Ace of Spades HQ - The Morning Report — 7/ 15 /26

Noah Rothman unveils a century of leftist violence in America.
The Ideas That Make Violence Possible

Doug Ross - Larwyn’s Linx: Seizing the Day

• Trained to Nullify: How Civil Resistance Tactics Are Reaching American Juries - Insurrection Barbie
• 'Diversity' Is Not Our Strength if They Hate Us - David Strom

Anonymous Conservative - News Briefs – 07/17/2026

President Donald Trump, in a primetime speech, alleged vulnerabilities exist in American election systems, though declassified documents his administration released largely discuss vulnerabilities that have been known for years.

I leave you with MIdweek Memes from Granite Grok, Friday Memes … from MaddMedic, Quick Hits Of Wisdom, Knowledge And Snark #3938 from 90 Miles from Tyranny, and Friday's gifs from Wirecutter.

Oklahoma Is a Bad Place for Bad Guys

They take self-defense seriously in Oklahoma. Sheriff: Oklahoma homeowner hit attempted thief with baseball bat, shot him

The homeowner said he turned to go back inside his house, but the man followed him into the home.

At that point, the homeowner said he grabbed a baseball bat and hit the suspect.

The baseball bat wasn't enough to deter this guy. He charged the homeowner, who then drew a firearm, and shot him in the leg. He is clearly more charitable than I am. I would have gone straight to the firearm, and I would not have shot him in the leg.

Still, it ended the threat.

The suspect, who was identified as 37-year-old Joshua Arenas, was taken to the hospital for treatment.

After he got out of the hospital, he was arrested.

FBI - Houston Man Had Meth in His Car

The National Review - Houston Man Killed by ICE, Hailed as Father Chasing ‘American Dream,’ Had Meth in His Car, FBI Says

So not the choirboy the media would have us believe.

There has been intense outrage surrounding the incident, especially amid the broader unrest regarding U.S. immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

Hat tip to Ed Driscoll at Instapundit

“HOUSTON MAN:”

This particular "Houston Man" was a citizen of Colombia.

Voodoo

Not sure why Godsmack has shown up so much in my playlists lately. It started with "Serenity" weeks ago, but the streaming service seems to be branching out.

This is "Voodoo" by Godsmack. It was on their 1999 self-titled album, which was their 2nd album.

Wyoming Wind Turbines Killed 23,000 Birds And Bats Last Year

Because that is good for the environment, or something. Wyoming Wind Turbines Killed More Than 23,000 Birds And Bats Last Year | Cowboy State Daily

In 2025, wind turbines killed 1,160 large birds, such as raptors and waterfowl, Wyoming Game and Fish habitat protection program supervisor Will Schultz told the state Game and Fish Commission on Wednesday.

Turbine blades also killed 9,152 small birds, such as meadowlarks, and 13,423 bats, Schultz said.

Hat tip to MaddMedic at Freedom Is Just Another Word…

But it’s okay.
It’s not dirty oil!
It’s GREEN!!

Friday Links - 17 July

An abbreviated links post today... Real Life sucks sometimes...

William Teach at Pirate's Cove starts things rolling with Illegal Kills 6 Year Old In NC After Blowing Stop Sign

Where are all the Democrats and their pet media who bleat when an illegal is killed by NICE when the illegal tries to run them over? I cannot also not find any articles in the Raleigh outlets

Pixy Misa at Ambient Irony - Daily News Stuff 15 July 2026: Red Fish Blue Fish Edition

Micrsoft just release a set of patches that fix 570 security holes in Windows and their other software. (Krebs on Security)

That's... Good, I guess? If still terrifying.

Midwest Chick's Place - I don’t care as long as the time changes stop….

Apparently the House of Representatives passed a bill ending the twice yearly clock changing that we all have had to deal with for our entire lives.

Miguel Gonzalez - Don't play in traffic.

Life is truly about making choices, smart ones. And paying consequences for the stupid ones.

Meep at STUMP - Sports (and other) Gambling: the Modern Scourge

The World Cup is wrapping up, and I CANNOT escape the betting ads:

Another Failure of the Victim-Selection Process

While there is very little information given out at the time I am typing this, some things are clear. Shooting at Tuscaloosa Circle K under investigation

The shooting took place in a Circle K convenience store. The person who was shot is in critical condition.

Following interviews with witnesses and watching surveillance video from the gas station, authorities believe the shooting was in self-defense during a possible robbery attempt.

No one is charged, as the investigation is in early stages, and the guy who got shot is in a local hospital.

Things we don't know: Did the clerk do the shooting, or did one of the customers in the store do the shooting. The phrasing implies that there was more than one person (the clerk) in the store at the time of the incident.

We may see another article about this event, when charges are filed, or a trial is held, but it is very likely that this is the last the media will write about this incident.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is a 58 mile drive southwest of Birmingham, or a 100 mile drive northwest of Montgomery, Alabama.

Self-defense is a human right, and Alabama has not morphed into a clone of Massachusetts.

Dr. John Lott on SCOTUS Gun Rulings

WLW is one of the largest radio stations in Cincinnati. There was a time it was one of the largest radio stations in the country. They have a 500 kilowatt amplifier. They don't have a license to use it. On Cincinnati’s Giant WLW: To Discuss Supreme Court Gun Rulings and Canada’s Violent Crime Rate

Dr. John Lott appeared on 700 WLW’s The Bill Cunningham Show in Cincinnati to discuss two recent U.S. Supreme Court Second Amendment decisions, explaining the ruling against Hawaii’s restrictive concealed carry law and the United States v. Hemani decision limiting firearm prohibitions based solely on marijuana use. They also discussed our latest research on total violent crime in Canada and the concentration of murders in the United States.

Click thru for the audio of the discussion. It is a bit over 18 minutes.

First Responders Train for Active Shooter

Too many people, in too many places, believe they live on magic dirt, where things like Uvalde cannot happen. Champaign first responders train together for the unimaginable

In a real-life scenario — once the threat of danger is lifted — police work to keep everyone safe, while firefighters are focused on getting medical aid to victims. Sean Ater, a Lieutenant with Champaign Police, said the only way to make sure they get both jobs done is by communicating in high stress situations.

Active shooters are something that police need to think about. Champaign, Illinois, had a population of 88,000 in the 2020 census with a 2024 estimate of 91,000 people. It is good to see departments taking this risk seriously. I hope that smaller departments do as well.

Champaign, Illinois, is a 125 mile drive west of Indianapolis, Indiana, or a 135 mile drive south of Chicago's Loop. It is home to the University of Illinois.

While we are thinking about active shooters, let's take a look at the Most Useless SWAT Team in America. (They do look snazzy, don't they.)

Is Self-Defense Legal in the UK?

Not when the process is the punishment. Farmer to face no action over 2024 Whaley Bridge burglary shooting death

A farmer arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder over the death of a 19-year-old who was shot during a burglary in Derbyshire has been released with no further action, police have said.

Marcus Smith was pronounced dead at the scene in Eccles Road, Whaley Bridge, in the early hours of 1 May 2024, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound.

So after two years, the prosecutors finally decided that this was a case of self-defense. After two years in jail, awaiting trial, he was released.

Janine McKinney, chief crown prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, said: "After careful analysis of all the evidence gathered during the police investigation, our prosecutors have decided that there will be no criminal charges in relation to the death of Marcus Smith or the serious injury of another male.

They have a way to go before I will consider self-defense to be legal.

Hummer EV Fire

And an update to a previous story on a Ford F-150 Lighting. See this video for the update on the F-150.

This is the StacheD Training video Hummer EV Spontaneous Battery Fire: Repair Shop Warning

You can find the original story about the F-150 Lightning at this link.

Another Submachine Gun in Australia

As always, Impro Guns has the story. 9mm Bullet Hose SMG (Australia). Click thru for photos.

The Professor Parabellum design from the ‘9mm Bullet Hose – Homebuilt Submachine Gun’ PDF shown to the press amongst a table of seized homemade and 3D printed firearms recently seized by police in Western Australia.

The post linked above includes a link to a news story by way of YouTube.

The Australians seem to be fighting a losing battle against 3D printed firearms, and the Professor Parabellum designs.

The plans for the 9mm Bullet Hose can be found at this link. The version shown in the photos and the video of the firearm seized in Australia includes a suppressor not included in the design.

The 9mm Bullet Hose is designed to be built with nothing more complicated than a drillpress, and some basic welding. It seems to share some design philosophy with the venerable M3 Grease Gun.

Wednesday Link Roundup - 15 July

William Teach at Pirate's Cove starts us off with Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup

Bustednuckles has mouth causing trouble.
Don Surber has highlights of the week.

Wombat-socho - In The Mailbox: 07.14.26 (Afternoon Edition)

Baldilocks: Right Place
CDR Salamander: Midrats Mid-July Melee, also, Navy’s Perfectly Named

EBL - Stephen Fry on the Illiad and Odyssey

Great commentary by Stephen Fry
AoSHQ: Morning Report 07.13.26

Pixy Misa at Ambient Irony - Daily News Stuff 14 July 2026: The Origin Of Croissants Edition

55% of Americans have stopped regular use of social media. (PC Magazine)
Because they're tired of dealing with communists.

Small Dead Animals - Sunday On Turtle Island

The Democratic Party’s America: Victor Davis Hanson – Graham Platner. Tiny minority.
Stories You Won’t Find At Carney’s CBC: We rest on thee. Legacy of free speech. A trans complaint.

Political Hat - News of the Week (July 12th, 2026)

California Wants a Watcher Inside Every 3D Printer
California decided your printer should treat you like a suspect.

A View from the Beach - Flotsam and Jetsam - Sen. Lindsey Graham Dead at 71

John Sexton at Hat Hair hears Russia Closes the Kerch Strait After 76 Ships Hit With Drones. At Space.com, The US wants to build offshore rocket launch sites.

Don Surber - HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

ITEM 11: Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed legislation permanently eliminating the state’s requirement that high school students demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and math to earn a diploma.

Bacon Time!!!! - Sunday Linkange

The Midwest Chick Saturday Meme Drop………….
Pirates Cove Leftards Wonder Why Platner Dropped Out, Because He Could Have Won Or Something

Vlad Tepes - China’s IP theft from Canadian scientists, the forcing of sharia norms in Canada, UK and USA: Links 1 for July 13, 2026

1. CSIS Warned About Him for Two Decades. Then a Clean Energy Scientist Allegedly Copied Thousands of Files for Beijing on the Eve of Retirement
One wonders if anyone in the Canadian Gov’t does not work for the CCP.

Gates of Vienna - News Feed 7/11/2026

Bettering yourself financially or at least giving your children the opportunity for a more prosperous future has driven people to emigrate to the United States for generations. But is the next generation still better off in this day and age?

The Glibertarians - Sunday Morning Orientation Links

Put your hands on your wallet, here go prices again!
This can’t be true because Canada has LAWS! Maybe the guns came from Indiana.

Maggie's Farm - Monday morning links

The genetics of the colors of warblers
Wealthy Americans Prefer This Grocery Chain Over Any Other, Survey Finds: Costco

J.J. Sefton at Ace of Spades of HQ - The Morning Report — 7/ 13 /26

The Democrats rely on this technique to move the political needle, but there are simple ways to counter it.
Manufactured Moral Outrage

Doug Ross - Larwyn’s Linx: Jim Banks introduces bill to end birthright citizenship by following Kavanaugh roadmap

• Climate Change Is the Omnicause - David Strom
• Amid Democrat Attacks On SCOTUS, Analysis Shows Jackson Is Most Partisan Justice By Far - Skye Graham

Anonymous Conservative - News Briefs – 07/14/2026

President Donald Trump will give a ?national address on Thursday night about newly declassified intelligence on investigations into U.S. elections and what the White House says are voting machine vulnerabilities

I leave you with Sunday’s When the Weekend is almost over Meme Drop 7-12-26 from Midwest Chick's Place, Sunday Funnies from Flopping Aces, and Quick Hits Of Wisdom, Knowledge And Snark #3921 from 90 Miles from Tyranny.

Self-Defense Is Legal in Michigan

And for once the prosecutors seem on board with that. 2 involved in Fairlane mall shooting acted in self-defense: prosecutors

Fairlane Town Center mall is in Dearborn, a city in Wayne County, Michigan, which is located about 7 miles west of downtown Detroit.

Three people were shot, two fatally, at 1:25 p.m. Friday, July 3, inside the shopping center on Michigan Avenue. Cameron Watkins and Keonte Seaborn, both 19 and of Detroit, were killed.

The person is charged, if I'm reading this correctly, with unlawful carry of a concealed firearm. So the prosecutors had to go for something.

And then there is this:

Dearborn police Detective Benjamin Harless said the shooting was "most likely a gang-related incident."

Color me shocked.

Remembering Kevin Mitnick

Kevin Mitnick passed away 16 July 2023 at the age of 59 from Cancer. The Wiki lists him as a "computer security consultant, author, and convicted hacker."

From The Drive we get a story about hacking. This Man Was Gifted His Dream Car by the Notorious Hacker He Put in Prison

It’ll help if you know the name Kevin Mitnick. He was a hacker-turned-security consultant who, later in life, helped shape the modern white-hat. Just how prototypical was Mitnick? He put himself on the proverbial map in 1979 by dialing into a software company’s server and copying its forthcoming operating system release in its entirety. Imagine convincing a Microsoft server to cough over an early copy of Windows 12 using little more than a phone number.

Click thru for the details of how Mitnick got caught trying to hack/social engineer his way into Novell in the 1990s.

In the end, Shawn Nunley caught him. Mitnick was convicted and sent to prison.

When he got out, Mitnick contacted Nunley to apologize. Their bury-the-hatchet moment was even immortalized by Wired, and they went on to become good friends.

Mitnick went on to found a couple of White Hat hacking/consulting firms. He became quite successful.

When Mitnick passed from pancreatic cancer in 2023, he left Nunley a gift—enough to buy his dream car, a 911 Carrera 4 GTS.

An interesting story.

Come Together

So based in part on a YouTube channel that I follow sporadically, I have been revisiting the Beatles. Some of their early music I despise. Some of the later work I love.

This song is "Come Together" by The Beatles from their album Abbey Road, which came out in 1969. It wasn't the last album released, but it was the last album recorded before they disbanded.