How an Elderly Woman Cut Off the Internet in Two Countries

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Old people are harmless. But deep down inside, they just want to take your Internet away from you.

On March 28, Internet users in Georgia and Armenia were plunged into several hours of disconnected darkness. What had befell them? Was a revolution sweeping the country? No, just an elderly Georgian lady.

The 75-year-old woman was digging for scrap metal, when she unfortunately hit a cable. Thinking it was valuable, she decided to take it. The fiber optic cable also ran between the two countries, leaving thousands without Internet access. The horror. (More on Time.com: See photos of Mongolia’s technological transformation)

Authorities have charged her with damaging property. She may face up to three years in prison. Officials have said that, “Taking into account her advancing years, she has been released pending the end of the investigation and subsequent trial.”

It’s not the first time an event like this has occurred. A similar incident happened in 2009, also in Georgia. So, let’s recap. How close are these cables to the ground, again?

(via AFP)

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RichardSRussell

past perfect: “had befallen”
http://walktheplank66.wordpress.com walktheplank66

I assume you mean counties not countries. did you read this before posting it?
pks29733steel

She’s the perfect ‘Pop-Up’ and ‘Spam’ blocker!!
http://lotharun.wordpress.com lotharun

When that happens in the U.S., we call it death by back hoe. Can you imagine a 75 year old woman cutting off your Netflix with a tractor? By the way, it’s happened twice now. Perhaps they’ll consider a redundant link.
http://gcf2011.wordpress.com gcf2011

walktheplank, you’re an idiot. Armenia and Georgia are indeed countries, not counties.

Throwing stones, aren’t we?
http://www.jarednewman.com Jared Newman

@walktheplank66

From the article:

“On March 28, Internet users in Georgia and Armenia were plunged into several hours of disconnected darkness.”

Georgia and Armenia are two separate countries.
http://walktheplank66.wordpress.com walktheplank66

touche
http://coryjhill.wordpress.com coryjhill

Thank you Jared for correcting Walktheplank66… did he “…read this before posting…”?
http://malmc02.wordpress.com malmc02

@walktheplank66:
Last time I checked Armenia and Georgia were countries.
Yes, they meant countries. Not counties.
ardiskaya

walktheplank66: I’m pretty sure she meant countries. Geography is your friend.
http://grabloch.wordpress.com fervel

Damn it, *I* wanted to be the first to point out that walktheplank66 was a dumbass.
http://iheartsocialmediadc.wordpress.com Adrienne

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. The comments made my day!
http://gcf2011.wordpress.com gcf2011

LOL @ ardiskaya “geography is your friend”

I always flunk out in this category in Trivial Pursuit. Nice to know that it all comes back when it’s really important. ;)