Linkee-poo did not have kidneys for breakfast, but will hoist a pint later

Another reminder that when you get a novel idea (as in, you're writing a novel and have a great idea), you better write it damn quick. The world has a way of scooping you. That's an article on the yakuza and "Chinese crime syndicates" (known as Tongs) winning the contracts to clean up the debris from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami and their potential windfall from reconstruction (pointed to by Dan). "Those lining up to profit… include homegrown gangs and Chinese crime syndicates, according to… Sentaku, a respected political and economic affairs magazine… 'The yakuza are trying to position themselves to gain contracts for their construction companies for the massive rebuilding that will come,' (said Tomohiko Suzuki)." Yeah. For those of you who have read Bladesman, that should all sound very familiar.

Cheryl Morgan gives some more ammo on the ongoing discussion in SF over gender balance issues. She hits on a lot of the hot button topics including cultural ignorance, selective memory, precedent, and privilege. (I can't remember who pointed me to this, sorry)

Because I'll want to point to it later, the Shelf-Pod. I think I may be able to fit all my books and doodads in there. (Grokked from Chia Lynn)

Following up on the link yesterday about how those who love the flag often desecrate it, five myths about the American Flag. Especially that last one. (Grokked from Jay Lake)

Lalalalalalala, can't hear you. Glad Rep. Issa at least has a brain and knows when someone is about to give testimony that won't reflect well on his and his party's dream-like delusions hard core philosophies.

Yet again, privatization saves absolutely nothing. Instead it increases costs and reduces accountability. That's a story on Gov. Jindal's plan to privatize a self-run government retiree insurance program. What is disclosed is also of importance to the (unfortunately) ongoing debate over the health care reform act. "Chaffe's valuation of the agency assumes that a purchaser will increase premiums to maintain a pre-tax operating margin of 4.5-7%. The premium increase in 2013 would range from 4.8% to 7.6%, depending on the operating margin the private company was seeking, the report's analysis states." Say, anybody know a for profit insurance company that accepts an operating margin, let's be generous, of less than 10%? Neither do I. But, hey, then we have the Pawlenty Google Test for government services. And nobody laughs him off the stage. Hmmm, that Kool-Aid must taste nice.

The Tea Party Camp. You know, sometimes the jokes come prepackaged.

Why Do Republicans Hate Clean Water? And excellent rant on the conservative mindset. (Grokked from Jay Lake)