I keep trying to read them all, and usually get blocked after a few. But here is Chuck Wendig's 25 things you should do before starting your next novel. Number 24, oh so number 24.
The humble scroll bar through the ages. Someone should probably do a mashup of the Ascent of Man and these things. (Pointed to by Dan)
What not to say to people who have cancer. While it's focused on the Christian community and cancer, it's a good primer for all of us for any chronic condition. What do I normally say when someone tells me they (or someone they love) has cancer? Well, they do have a list of what you can say. I normally go for their number 2, "This sucks." Because it does. (Grokked from the Slactivist)
The (not so Medieval practice of) trying animals in capital and other crimes. Just in case you're ever suffering from the delusion that humans are rational beings. (Grokked from ChiaLynn)
Bath salts, not the kind you take a bath in, the kind that will drown you. A lot on the new drug, potential bad responses, and how incredibly weak our regulatory system is (in contrast to what people say in political speeches).
"I’m not telling you who to vote for, but you’ll burn for eternity if you don’t vote for Romney." That's a paraphrase of the Bishop of Springfield, Illinois. Dear Bishop, it only proves to me that God has abandoned your church that he hasn't struck you down when you try to do the Eucharist. You worship your God with that mouth? (Grokked from Joe Hill)
Unfortunately he isn't the only bishop or church leader forgetting what the church is all about. Look, I appreciate you all want to blow your tax exempt status, but really? Nobody is forcing you to recognize marriages. Hell, I'm not recognized as married according to the Catholic Church. But refusing communion because your parishioners aren't out there fighting same sex marriage? And now you see just why the church had to reign in those rebellious nuns who wanted to do Christ's work instead of spouting off on abortion, birth control, and same sex marriage. You all really need to read Fyodor Dostoyevsky's parable "The Grand Inquisitor" in his novel The Brothers Karamazov. The Bishops are making the same mistakes. But then, "give them bread" is a powerful political action. But it's an incredible indictment that the Church is abandoning the teachings they say they're for, and accept the Devil's bargains when the Christ was tempted in the wilderness.
Oopsie. The DNC shows Russian warships during a salute to the military and veterans of the US. This is why it's important to not snerch your images off of a google search. Just saying. Also, know the gorram subject matter, or ask someone who does. Basic pro tip #12. (Pointed to by Dan)
Helmet cam of US soldier under fire in Afghanistan. (Grokked from Matt Staggs)
"This, if you like, is my notion of patriotism." That's JK Rowling on why, when she became rich and famous (and here, there's no hyperbolicity in those words) she remained in England, bought a humble castle, and continues to live there. (Grokked from ticia42)
John Scalzi reminds you to both get registered to vote and to vote. Also, you may want to make sure you have the proper IDs and that you're still registered to vote (ie. some freeze dried whackaloon hasn't tossed you off the voter rolls because they couldn't google search your house).
The skyrocketing surveillance statistics. Probably won't hear about this on the campaign trail because 1) The Obama campaign really doesn't want you to be thinking about how they've expanded the surveillance of citizens and 2) it was the ACLU that forced the release and conservatives wouldn't a) want to credit the ACLU with anything and b) have to acknowledge they opened the flood gates. (Grokked from Saladin Ahmed)
You know how conservatives love to say that Obama hasn't created "a net gain" of jobs during his Presidency (you know, skating over the whole "economy in freefall as he took the oath of office" thing). Well, can't say that anymore.
Liz Cheney says of President Obama "…he’s abandoned some of our key allies like Israel, Poland, Czechoslovakia…" There was a briefing I once attended, it was given by a full-bird colonel as I remember. He was discussing the various trouble spots in the world, and naming names of the leaders of those countries. Unfortunately, his mental list of leaders was about 15-20 years out of date. Fortunately for him, and to our comic relief, his aid would correct him as he went on. Unfortunately for Liz Cheney, Czechoslovakia hasn't existed since 1992. It dissolved into smaller republics, you know, during the fall of the Iron Curtain. And it's not like this is the first time this talking point has come up. (Grokked form the Slactivist)
"In a speech where he also called President Barack Obama 'a Teflon president who seems to win favorable press coverage no matter the circumstance, Trump counseled Liberty students to 'get even' with those who wrong them in business… The comment was met with silence from more than 10,000 students…" That's actually the usual response when you realize the person who has been brought before you as an example of how to live you life reveals themselves to be the Satan of your culture. Typically you can hear the audience blink in unison. "The school's chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr., closed Trump's remarks with… 'You know, it's not too late to get back in the presidential race is it?' Falwell asked Trump as he dismissed the students to their classes." Just amazing. (Grokked from the Slactivist)
Tweet of my heart: @tinybuddha: "A man is not old until regrets take the place of his dreams." ~Proverb
Double dip @historyweird: 1628: Charles I's gunpowder-makers apply to dig under church pews because the "women piss in their seats, which makes excellent saltpetre".
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