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Our ports in the US, which affects the cost of endless goods, are still running with 1950's level tech because the unions are so strong (and have heavy mob ties).


The mob "connections" in the International Longshoremen’s Association is is alive and well in this era:

https://archive.ph/wcMZK


What is stopping other ports in the US from adopting 2025 tech and growing to the point where existing ports have to get new tech or become obsolete?


You try it, you get a visit. Same way it's always been.


> You try it, you get a visit. Same way it's always been.

In that case, there's no obstacle. This is exactly what happened with containerization, and guess what? The ports that did containerize, including some ports constructed from scratch specifically because existing unionized ports blocked containerization, replaced the ports that didn't.


My understanding is that the mob extracted large payments in order for containerization to be permitted. Some half of the time they just live on container royalties which are exactly the mechanism the mob used for extraction.

So sure, there's no big deal, just pay the mob. People do argue for that.


Any evidence mob lives off container royalties? And what are container royalties to begin with???? (I had no idea when I borrowed a container for moving I was paying royalties.)


My problem with people asking for evidence is that they often are expecting me to do a lot of work to give them a better world model, when they nonetheless have no intention of accepting any evidence.

So I have a guideline of good faith: you can hire me and I don’t mind doing it for you; or you can go read up on the subject, reach some understanding of what these things are, and we can discuss; or you can go do some research of equivalent value to me and bring that to me as a barter[0].

Otherwise, it’s really not a big deal to me if you don’t believe something that’s true.

0: for the moment, I’m willing to trade for the DNA height model that some people claim exists. If you can find it for me, I’ll find you some sources for container royalties.


TLDR - rene wiltford cannot be bothered to provide evidence.


That's absolutely correct. I don't work for free. But you have my name wrong. I certainly didn't build the perpetual motion train Snowpiercer.


The mob part.


The mob used to be a major issue in American politics. Today it isn't.

Are you arguing that it's grown more powerful with that change?


I'm arguing that if you are someone who tries to bring change to the ports, like the developer contracted by the government to do an assessment, you will get a visit, most likely at your home.

They won't kill you or rough you up, but they will tell you what your assessment will find. And reiterate that they are at your house, where your family lives.




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