I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
And so the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're goin' through

Monday, August 10, 2015

Linkee-poo is too tired for a clever title

Had a long weekend. That was my summer. And I ended up being called back to work (at the hospital) to cover a shift, but wasn't told the entire truth about it. So, that was their one. Hopefully we're seeing the end of the 70+ hour weeks (mostly 80+). But, because of some much working, I didn't get much extra time in clinicals, so I'm at about 94 out of 125 needed. Which means classes this fall. Sigh. I had a life once. I miss it. I hope it's been having fun without me.

"Which is to say a writing career is not at all unlike a stock portfolio — diversify for long-term success." John Scalzi talks numbers and marketing with advice.

"Coca-Cola, the world’s largest producer of sugary beverages, is backing a new 'science-based' solution to the obesity crisis: To maintain a healthy weight, get more exercise and worry less about cutting calories." Shocked, shocked I am… I'm sure the rise of high-fructose op drinks and the co-rise of obesity is just a mere coincidence.

Nine points on the Animas River Spill. Well, at least the river ain't burning, you know. One good thing that might come out of this is that people may remember just how jacked-up our environment was (and still is in many ways) and they might remember just why the EPA, the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act were all passed in the first place (okay, probably not, but I can still hope). (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)

It's called redlining. And while it was made illegal in the late 1960s (many decades after the letter in the article was sent), it was (and still is) being practiced in many cities for many decades on. You might remember a fight a few years ago about the distribution of bank branch offices in various communities. The problem still exists, and has (for any practical matter) gotten worse.

"There's a hidden cost to Walmart's low costs, and we all bear the burden of those hidden costs. ChangeWalmart.org estimates that Walmart costs taxpayers an estimated $1 billion per year subsidizing low wages and benefits." The leaked Walmart anti-union video. "While we can't tell you how to act toward Unions, we'll all be very disappointed if you even talk to one of those people trying to destroy our great company and want to enslave you to the Union Bosses." Or something close to that. Wow. That might not be entirely legal. I also love the talking point about how "Unions are businesses, multi-million dollar business. Who make their money by giving them your money." And you can trust the multi-billion dollar company telling you that the million dollar company doesn't have your best interests at heart.

See, Virginia Wesleyan College doesn't want to shame the woman filing a civil lawsuit for a rape that occurred on campus. Oh no. See, it's about the $10m dollars she's asking for. That's why they want the names of all her "boyfriends and sexual partners since her rape in August 2012." They just want to talk with them. You know, to see if she really was traumatized. I'm sure they won't try to say she actually enjoyed the rape, or any sex afterward. No, they wouldn't do that. John Oliver on sex ed in the US.

You know that saying, "The customer is always right"? Well, as anyone who has worked directly with "customers" know, that's complete bullshit. Say, like this driver taken off a Lowe's home delivery because he's black and the customer requested no blacks. "Lowe's corporate office told the news station that the manager who honored the customer's racist request has been fired because he should have never taken Bradley off the delivery." At least there is that. Now, what the manager should have said was, "I hear what you're saying, ma'am, but we don't discriminate at Lowe's and I can't guarantee that any of our workers who may make a delivery won't be African-American. Would you like us to refund your money?" (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)

General Wesley Clark gets stupid. Internment camps? That, sir, isn't speaking truth to power, that is "appealing to a base", the kind of base that Donald Trump is sewing up. (Grokked from Catherine Schaffer)

"A mathematician at Wichita State University who wanted to check the accuracy of some Kansas voting machines after finding odd patterns in election returns said she is finding out how difficult it can be to get government officials to turn over public documents." I'm sure there's nothing to be concerned about. Say, who's the governor of Kansas? (Grokked from BoingBoing)

Hell is empty and all the devils are here. The Shakespearean guide to the 2016 GOP primary. Hahahahaha. Especially Ricky Santorum as Dogberry. (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)

"The tea party Michigan lawmaker who faked being involved in a gay sex scandal said on Monday he did so to expose people who were blackmailing him and that he had no plans to resign." So, how did that work out? :: Facepalm ::

"Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) on Monday directed Fox News viewers to his campaign website to see where he stands on certain issues, yet his website appears to lack a clear landing page where supporters can read about the presidential candidate's policy stances and proposals." Well, that pretty well states exactly what Scott Walker's positions are. He doesn't have any. But that's okay, most of the GOP candidates don't have position papers, yet (they say). Why? Because they'd lose votes if they outlined their positions. It's easier to give vague platitudes and let people think, "oh, yes, I agree with what they'll do" because they filled in details with their pre-existing stories.

The rise and fall of Trump on Fox. (Grokked from Jim Wright)

For her part, Megyn Kelly believes she's doing the job of a journalist.

Tweet of my heart: @poniewozik Fox News vs Trump is like mad scientists trying to find the off button on the killer robot they built

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