Linkee-poo watches the storm clouds gathering in the East

Writer Unboxed with 5 must do book publicity tips. As always, YMMV, but some good stuff in there. Also some hints at the process of being published.

A little article on some medical schools changing their interviewing process. This is mostly to remove some interview bias, group think, and see how well the student would perform in the field (bed side manner). Strangely enough, this is how NEOUCOM did interviews 20 years ago. But then, NEOUCOM was geared to general practitioners, which puts a getter value on how they interact with real people. (Grokked from Jay Lake)

Vince left a comment in last night's post quoting Bruce Bartlett's recent interview over his new book and his "5 Myths about the Debt Ceiling." There's a lot of Truth to Power in there. While Vince gives his favorite quotes, I think the following one is mine. When asked about why people (specifically named darlings of the Tea Party movement in Congress) aren't listening to the economic experts and are threatening to both scuttle or filibuster any raising of the debt limit his answer pretty much sums it up, "Never underestimate the power of wishful thinking."

The Republican Party's Tea Party addiction. I appreciate the TP position, really, I do. However it's not reality based. Our federal tax rates are the lowest they've been in over a century, but they think it's the highest. You could cut all discretionary spending except DoD and you still wouldn't remove the deficit. It's not because the budget is so big, it's because discretionary spending is so small. Now, if you come from the standpoint of wanting a government that can't do anything, sure you can cut your way to success. And as long as you're willing to live in such a world, it'll work. I like to live in a country where we don't have people dying in the streets, are given a chance to succeed, and a social net to catch them if they fall. Oh, and eating safe food, not being exposed to lead in paint, having drugs that work, making advancements in science, educating our kids with that science and fact based history, and having a military that can protect our interests (these examples are stand ins for the many, many things our government does to help us). If you want any of that, we can't cut our way to success. (Grokked from Jay Lake)

A 2003 Xmas Family letter from Michelle Bachmann. Can you say, "Ick!" I knew you could. Dear TPers, would you actually learn to vet your darlings more than just having them repeat your talking points? (Pointed to by Dan) When I say she scares me, this is part of what I'm talking about.