Linkee-poo shouts we don't like it

The He Said / She Said dialog tag problem with a quick solution. (Grokked from Gabriel Novo)

And ten writing tips for writing better writing dialog. Yeah, I tried to fit "writing" in there one more time. Each time I tried that the universe exploded.

So, sure, you've heard about the proliferation of cyber attacks on systems, and maybe even the rise of automated systems that continually scan and attack machines through known vulnerabilities, but you may be thinking to yourself that it can't be all that bad, right? Well, here's a live map of attacks from the Honeynet Project. What you're seeing is the result of what are known as "Honey Pots". Computers set up with the sole intention that eventually someone is going to attack them. So typically they don't show any major security. The Honeynet Project has a number of these configured to trace back attacks and report them in real time. Those red dots are where attacks are coming from (or the GPS locations of the machines, which isn't always accurate). Just watch it run for a few minutes and realize each one of those blips is a new attack (not a sustained assault) and that the vast majority of these are automated attacks. (Pointed to by John)

Okay, well technically these are like jetpacks, but they aren't "Meet George Jetson" jetpacks. Or Thunderball jetpacks. Sure, Earth is more water than land, so that means you can go more places with these. I'm not sure they're all the places you want to go though.

Ahh, Bacon. So many recipes and still there is nothing better than crispy off the griddle. Although bacon tofu? Doesn't that defeat the purpose (of bacon and tofu)? (Grokked from Jay Lake)

Most cancer patients don't understand the purpose of their chemo. It's not surprising. One of the things we've been stressing in classes is what to tell patients (and what not to tell patients - there is a contractual obligation given in the "promise to cure" that needs to be avoided). But even with my training, sometimes talking to my own doctors is confusing, and there's no real reason for it (other than academics and the culture of exclusion). (Grokked from Jay Lake)

Oh look, the Kaiser Family Foundation looked at the plan of giving people vouchers for Medicare and it found that if that had been in place this year, most seniors would have had to pay more. Anybody think that without major structural changes anything will be different in 2023 (when the Ryan plan would be fully implemented)? Also please note the potential future problems for "traditional" Medicare outlined at the end of the article.

Our hatred makes us strong. And, apparently, a little high. "Now combine what we know about the addictive nature of hate with the biological need to see our team "'win' and you have what might be the most addictive human emotion possible: self-righteous indignation." Kinda explains a lot about this election cycle, doesn't it. I'd love to say David Wong is very wrong (see what I did there), but I've lived to long to disagree with him. (Grokked from the Slactivist)

"The temporary shift in Gulf Stream path observed last fall potentially has significant longer-term implications. Studies have shown that temperature increases of 2°C have caused major shifts in silver hake populations, for example, and in spring 2012, migratory bluefish and striped bass were observed off the coast of Cape Cod much earlier than in previous years." I'm sure there's some logical explanation for this, something about the tides come in, the tides go out no doubt. Say, remember a few years ago when it was reported that warmer water fish in the Pacific were being spotted farther north that usual? I'm sure this isn't connected. (Grokked from Jay Lake)

"'We feel the bishops are abusing their power in attempting to direct Catholics on how to vote on this civil matter and impose their position on all citizens, Catholic and non-Catholic,' the former priests said in a statement." There seems to be a lot of that going around this year. The good thing, though, is the blatant over reach seems to be developing an internal discussion of just where the Church (Catholic and Protestant) should be in regard to the teachings of the Christ. (Grokked from the Slactivist)

"And if that was the case, and the poor and black were more likely to lack IDs, then how could those laws not be aimed at them?" And there's the sound of the shoe dropping. Another story of a former Republican awakening to just what the GOP is all about. And before I forget to mention it here, you know how "everybody" talks about how "everybody" has a photo ID… for you fans of Big Bang Theory, it's very possible that Sheldon does not have one, and if he does, it's one that isn't acceptable for most voter ID laws (employment ID). (Grokked from Jay Lake)

Steve Inskeep interviews Dan Shore, the former spokesman for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq and now a top Romney advisor on foreign policy. If that interview doesn't make you very worried if Rommney gets elected, I'm not sure what will. Seriously, do they think Iran doesn't know exactly what our issues would be if we would invoke a military response to their nuclear program? This is what happens when you underestimate your opponent. Also note while they keep on saying how different Romney would handle the situation, he wouldn't actually handle it any differently when you get them to say what they would do. The only difference would be they would have done it with more feeling, or something.

"If Romney had fully retired from (Bain), why would he be the only Bain executive named as the person in control of this large amount of Stericycle stock?" You know, not to mention, profiting from abortions (and other medical "waste") while knowingly exposing their employees to diseases. Also, more ammo for the "no, Romney didn't fully leave Bain in Feb. 1999" argument. (Grokked from Jay Lake)

Buying the election. Sure glad Citizens United didn't open up the flood gates for influence peddling and corruption in elections. But here's the major problem I have with all the spending, aren't these the same self styled Job Creators spending this money? Shouldn't they be, you know, creating jobs with it?

Alligator Quotient: They're here, but so far are busy in the conference room. No doubt a policy meeting to plan new way of cheating.