Linkee-poo doesn't wanna be a part of your parade, everyone deserves a chance to walk with everyone else

"There are a lot of ways for a novelist to create suspense, but also really only two: one a trick, one an art." (Grokked from Joe Hill)

Why diets fail.

The Troll Farm. Or, the modern disinformation campaign in the internet social media age and who does it and how they do it. Apparently there's big money (for Russian salaries) in trolling.

So, you may know about the toxic algal bloom in Lake Erie last summer, which was the result of nitrogen run-off (the argument persist on if it was farm or residential use). But, did you know overuse of nitrogen also can affect our rain? It's raining Nitrogen (sung to the tune of "It's Raining Men").

A live graphic representation of our Deep Space Network activity. Okay, I think it's cool. (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)

The islands of misfit toys. Or, where did we send "the wretched refuse of your teeming shore" when we didn't exactly want them either. (Grokked from Matt Staggs)

Ah, something new has been added. Scientist discover a link between the brain and the lymphatic/immune system. People seemed shocked we're still discovering things about the human body. They obviously haven't been paying attention to the Human Microbiome Project, the President's Initiative to Map the Brain, Cancer Research… all of which have been discovering new connections and interactions in the body. Also, you know how we think cells work? Much of that is still implied, not directly observed. Also they probably have never encountered the subject of Differential Diagnosis. (Grokked from John Scalzi)

On the pain pill abuse epidemic's last refuge, the emergency room. And, yes, we can somewhat spot just who is jonesing and who is in real pain. We're not always correct, but in most cases we are (note, yes, we do remember frequent fliers). But as it was stated in the story, even if you're an abuser, if you've broken your leg or arm, you still need medication for the pain. What is most frustrating in this is that the restrictions being put on opiates (which not all really are opiates) harms the people who really need them. If you've been prescribed pain meds in the past five years for any condition, you know what I mean. Also part of the problem, individual pain medications may not work for a patient, so after getting one prescription they may need another right away for a different medication. That sends up red flags and doctors are loath to do it (leaving the patient in pain which is uncontrolled, this is bad on all sorts of levels not the least of which is the patient is in pain when they don't need to be).

"In a stunning reversal of years of obstructionism to creating a global framework to deal with climate change, CEOs from global oil and gas behemoths Shell, BP, Total, Statoil, Eni and the BG Group have signaled that they’re ready for a price on carbon." BWA! Well, what they really want is a national (or international) standard that can't be overridden by local (state and municipality) laws. Plus, it'll be cheaper for them to game the national/international lawmakers than it would be to fight individual states. (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)

It's fire season in Alaska. Wait, what? (Grokked from Robert J Bennett)

"The idea that U.S. presidents look out for the wealthy and powerful over the mass of ordinary Americans is nothing new. But a new study claims to confirm that assumption with hard data while seeking to spur a conversation over the flagging health of American democracy." As someone commented in the 2000 election, "all they're fighting over is who's hand is in who's pocket." And no, it's not going to change with any of the candidates so far declared or proposed (with the possible exception of Elizabeth Warren, and the Draft Warren movement just folded tents). So, when I say "lesser of two evils" I'm really picking who's hand is in the pocket. (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)

So, Texas, that bastion of insanity fierce liberty, who will valiantly watch the US Military exercises to make sure that the US isn't trying to take over the State (hint, too late, fellas), now wants Federal moneys to help clean up after all the storms. That's Robert Reich on the cognitive dissonance going on down there. Don't do it, Texas. FEMA are the people who run the re-education camps, don'tchaknow. (Grokked from Robert J Bennett)

Say, GOP, how's that 2014 plan on "not talking about the women stuff" working out for you? Oh, right, never mind. Good thing the general public isn't paying attention yet. You all might want to get it out of your system now.