When Flying Saucers Attack!

[Mike Covell]

Just dropped by to say thanks for all the nice words of support. Just been having plenty of bed rest, books, and badly made B movies to keep me going!!

Still having chest pains etc but hope to be back up to the usual 50% by the weekend

[Mayerling]

Hi all,

Mike has spoken for himself, but he e-mailed me too. He is doing well, and he's currently reading up on several subjects of interest, including the Baccarat Scandal. He is in good spirits.

I have a question regarding that earthquake the other day. If I am not mistaken Chicago is on a major fault (or near one) that is called the New Madrid Fault - the site of the biggest earthquake in U.S. history (in terms of intensity, not casualties) in 1811. Is that the fault that gave the trouble the other day?

Best wishes,

Jeff

[Doctor X]

I thought it was just the shock that the Cubs are not at the bottom of the Division . . . yet.

--J.D.

[Mayerling]

Hi J.D.,

"Tinker to Tailor to Richter Scale?"

Best wishes,

Jeff

[Doctor X]

"Soldier Spy."

--J.D.

[plang]

Hi Mayerling, apparently the New Madrid Fault starts in New Madrid, Missouri, and continues S.W. from there. Another fault closer to you is the Wabash Valley. But the whole planet is covered in faults, many of which we have yet to discover. That is the fundamental makeup of Earth. Without it, all the continents would still be joined together. You are relatively safe there compared to other regions, such as here, the Pacific Rim.
More faults than you can point a stick at. And very active ones. Among other threats such as volcanoes and tsunamis.

[sdreid]

We haven't had a tsunami since Chicxulub or a volcano blast since Yellowstone blew the last time. The quakes we've been having lately are centered in the Wabash fault system.

[Doctor X]

You have to blame Daley for that. . . .

--J.D.

[sdreid]

Daley is too busy trying to get our assault rifles banned.

The New Madrid Fault is centered in Missouri but the northern end of it comes up to the southern tip of Illinois.

[Doctor X]

Much of the fault for everything lies in Missouri. . . .

--J.D.

[plang]

Hi sdreid, the fault comes up to your state! You better move to Utopia.
The San Andreas fault, have actually stepped into it. In California. From the I-5 over to the 101 along Highway 46 you can see it as if it were a man-made(or woman made) ditch. I took a whiz into it. An added bonus is nearby, at the junction of 41 and 46, where James Dean crashed his Porsche.

[Mike Covell]

Good news Pratchett Fans!!

Just received the latest Sky Magazine through the post and Sky One is planning to adapt another Pratchett book for next year!!

"Going Postal" is in the early stages, I will keep you all informed!

[Doctor X]

So the turtle indeed moved?

Yours truly,

--J.D.

[Celesta]

Good news Pratchett Fans!!

Just received the latest Sky Magazine through the post and Sky One is planning to adapt another Pratchett book for next year!!

"Going Postal" is in the early stages, I will keep you all informed!

That's good news, Mike. I just finished reading the book a couple of days ago. It's one of his best. Of course, they're all one of his best. Maybe one day we will get to see this here movie here in the States.

[Celesta]

Hi Celeste, Stan, Magpie, and Plang,

Thanks for the news about Mike, Celeste. I hope he is back with us soon.

Yesterday was significant as the anniversary of

1) the surrender of Joe Johnston's Confederate army to William Sherman in North Carolina in 1865.

2) the boiler explosion (or hidden explosive in the coal sabotage) of the steamboat Sultana, near Memphis, Tennessee on the Mississippi River - killing between 1700 and 1800 people, mostly returning Union prisoners of war from camps like Andersonville. It remains the worst shipwreck in North American history.

3) the shooting of John Wilkes Booth (or, if you are a fantasist, the shooting of the alleged John Wilkes Booth) at Garrett's Tobacco Barn outside Bowling
Green, Virginia.

It certainly is a day that makes me concentrate on the American Civil War.

Best wishes,

Jeff

Hey Jeff,


This is interesting. I don't think I knew about the explosion. How horrible. Those poor guys just couldn't catch a break, could they. 1700 to 1800 people. That's a huge number. Joe Johnston, was he the one who was relieved during the Battle of Atlanta? I used to know this, but my knowledge of the Battle of Atlanta has slid into the memory lacuna.

Thanks for the info.