Linkee-poo is going to give up the booze and the one night stands

Elizabeth Bear is running her "whenever I run out of space" book sale. Get 'em while they can be got.

Vince pretty well nails the argument over rape.

Proof that not all groups are monocultures. Three hundred Mormons who aren't gay march in Utah Gap Pride Parade. Good on them (Grokked from Jay Lake)

There's a lot of people both looking for work and a lot of jobs looking for people. So what's the problem? It may be expectations and how we hire people. I've often heard employers complain that they can't hire competent people for certain positions. You know what the real hold up is? They don't want to pay diddly-squat. I've had the privilege of working in a few positions that pay decently (note, not extravagantly, but a little over the 50% average). Know what? They all had very competent people working for them. Strange how that works out. Also, if the application screening software isn't working properly (and in the article, it doesn't seem to be working), stop using the damn software. Or have it rewritten to actually, you know, work (but then you probably went with the lowest priced contractor, who doesn't pay a descent wage to their programmers – begin to see the cycle?). Then there's also the lack of training that employers are willing to do (hint, maybe that's a problem). As to their argument that once they train the employee that employee will possibly leave, here's another hint, pay and treat them well and they won't leave (cost of change must outweigh the cost of staying where you are).

Seems some cattle ranchers are upset that the EPA is flying over their properties and taking photographs looking for violations. "'The same ends could be accomplished by picking up a phone, sending an email, talking to a producer in person, Kristen Hassebrook, the (Nebraska Cattlemen) environmental affairs director, told msnbc.com. 'There is no need to spy on citizens.'" Sure, because that wouldn't cost much more with all the extra people needed. And I'm sure ranchers we be all so truthful to the EPA over the phone. "Say, how's your manure pond doing?" "Oh, just swell." And I'll bet these same ranchers are ones who think the government needs to spend less money and work more efficiency. You know, like using airplanes to cover much more area quickly and efficiently. Oh, and if "you're doing nothing wrong, you shouldn't have anything to fear" (I always liked that line coming from conservatives). Welcome to our side of the fence, neighbors. Have we mentioned before about how you own the property (in some states, only the top surface), but we collectively own the airspace? (Grokked from Jay Lake)

Alligator Quotient: There's gibbering in the walls. They're just waiting for the right moment.