Linkee-poo, forward he cried from the rear as the front line died

The Crone Project, a photographic essay. Never fuck with the crone, matey, she will jack you up. (Grokked from Teri Windling)

"The emotional arcs of stories are dominated by six basic shapes." An academic paper. (Grokked from Hannah Bowman)

The exhumation and skeletal examination of a castrati. Yes, your job is changing your anatomy and affecting your health too, even if you've not been castrated to keep your voice from changing. (Grokked from Ellen Kushner)

Because the story line in the public's head is that of super-competent spies (thank you James Bond and Jason Bourne) they believe terrorists operate at the same level. They're just schlubs like the rest of us. "Despite all the scare talk from the FBI and the US intelligence services about terrorists 'going dark' and using encrypted communications to talk with one another, the reality is that criminals are using crypto less than ever, according to the DoJ's own numbers." That's because the government's desires to have back doors into encryption have nothing to do with "terrorists" or "child pornographers" (remember how they used to be the internet/digital age boogeymen).

Hey, you know that story about how we Americans are the most generous and big-hearted people in the world? "Across Canada, ordinary citizens, distressed by news reports of drowning children and the shunning of desperate migrants, are intervening in one of the world’s most pressing problems. Their country allows them a rare power and responsibility: They can band together in small groups and personally resettle — essentially adopt — a refugee family." And in this country we have a major party (presumptive) nominee who is saying our own 2+ year archaic process for bringing refugees in should be halted. I wonder if that half-stack of cheeto-toss actually is elected if I can find a Canadian group to sponsor me? (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)

"And while personality traits are relatively stable over time, they can and often do gradually change across the life span." Thanks the gods for that. I was a real asshole when I was younger. I'm now just a fictional asshole. Well, to be serious, while I believe the core of my personality remains the same, I am a very different person in action.

A cartoon on the Bow-Tie Rebellion (Geo. Will leaving the GOP). Yeah, pretty much. (Grokked from Ferrett Steinmetz)

Yes, the Trumpster does think you're too stupid to understand what is going on. Also, "never apologize." That's a great strategy there. Also, amazing how he doesn't remember who David Duke is, but he remembers Jimmy the Greek (who said "The black is a better athlete to begin with because he's been bred to be that way.").

Fearing loserdom, the Trumpster devises a strategy. It's all the MSM's fault. "'We have thousands of people standing outside trying to get in, and they’re great people and they have such spirit for the country and love for the country, and I’m saying, you know, Why am I not doing better in the polls? And I’ve noticed the polls are coming up,' Trump said. 'But you know, you have to understand, your show, no, but many shows it’s just a constant hit from mainstream media, no matter what you do, it’s always a negative.'" (Grokked from Ferrett Steinmetz)

"Wonder what kind of NSA commander-in-chief Donald Trump would be? Well, he had a phone console near his bed that could connect to every phone in his Mar-a-Lago estate, reports Aram Roston at Buzzfeed. Several workers told Buzzfeed that Trump used the equipment to secretly listen in on phone calls in the mid-2000s." So you're saying he'll fit right in.

More on the question of race in this election. Note, while the Trumpster's supporters are way out in front on these charts, nobody gets away clean in this one. And since it wasn't in the article, how Sanders supports rack up against Clinton supporters. (Grokked from Justine Larbalestier)

Hey, you know that story about how we Americans are the most generous and big-hearted people in the world? "Across Canada, ordinary citizens, distressed by news reports of drowning children and the shunning of desperate migrants, are intervening in one of the world’s most pressing problems. Their country allows them a rare power and responsibility: They can band together in small groups and personally resettle — essentially adopt — a refugee family." And in this country we have a major party (presumptive) nominee who is saying our own 2+ year archaic process for bringing refugees in should be halted. I wonder if that half-stack of cheeto-toss actually is elected if I can find a Canadian group to sponsor me and my wife? Well, at least some country still understands what it means to be human. (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)

You know that "trustworthiness" line? Well, after saying he has given so much to charities and veterans and then called out for not really doing it, now the Trumpster is being called out for not actually forgiving his own loans to his campaign. "When Donald Trump said last Thursday he was forgiving over $45 million in personal loans he made to his campaign… Many even reported Trump's statement as if the deal was done… But it's not." Well, you know, he's been busy and whatnot with flying to Scotland and congratulating them on Brexit (which Scotland didn't vote to approve). Who has the "trustworthiness" problem here?

Why the child rape case against the Trumpster should get more attention. The ramifications of if this case if true (and there seems to be a witness) would be quite amazing. I mean, besides the rampant misogyny and racism, to add pederast to the list… well it'll be interesting to see how his supporters dismiss it and make excuses. And yes, I know there will be several appeals to the, "but Bill Clinton was also…" made. Also pointed to for when the conservative shout-o-sphere starts in with "Hillary is the darling of the press" mantra. (Grokked from Ferrett Steinmetz)

"'You know, and we are looking at that. And we are looking at that. We're looking at a lot of things.'" Whenever the Trumpster says this, basically he's got nothing. He's never thought about it. This is his phrase to give him time to think and to put off any argument that he isn't ready or competent. Basically, he can't think fast. It's his verbal trait like people saying, "um" or "ah" before they say something. In this case a person thinks we should replace all the "heebeejabis" at TSA with good ol' American veterans. Note, nothing in the response or article that veterans get bonus points on their application for government jobs (which TSA is a part of). If veterans truly wanted these jobs, they have them. Not to mention the forced induction of veterans to serve in the TSA. What a way to honor veterans.

"On his Thursday radio show, Limbaugh asked listeners to imagine the fallout from the political left immediately after a possible Trump win, '(The liberals are) going to do everything they can to undermine it, and I think we’re going to see levels of violence that we have not seen,' Limbaugh continued." Remember when we were the wussies that didn't want to fight, but now we're the angry mob prone to violence? Is it wrong of me to think this is the opening gambit to prepare the ground that the violence the Trumpster supporters will bring with them is a "justified response in the face of liberal aggression"? I once semi-joked about the potential of a Night of Long Knives, I'm no longer certain that it's just a joke.

Lesson #463 of politics, never diss or dare investigative reporters to look into your activities if you're a presidential candidate. Also know as the "Gary Hart Law of Losing." "The Washington Post discovered this unusual payment ($12,000 for a helmet and jersey) — a charity apparently buying sports memorabilia for a super-wealthy man — this week, during a review of Trump's charitable giving." Who has the trust problem?

Tweet of my heart: @saladinahmed telling a writer with depression BUTT IN CHAIR! JUST WRITE! NO WRITER'S BLOCK! is about as helpful as telling a paraplegic JUST WALK!