Linkee-poo, some folks are born made to wave the flag, ooh, they're red, white and blue

The NPR Book Concierge Best Books of 2016. There's a number of them on my xmas list. Some more thought on the disappointment and suspicion when an author receives a quick rejection on submitted stories. Oh these young kids. Back when I started this you were happy to get a response back within 3 months. That was considered "fast." But I understand, rejection is hard. If only they had read to the 8th page the editors would have fallen in love with the story. Well, me bucko, slush readers and editors only read as far as they need to make a decision. If that's the first paragraph, that's as far as they read. If they make it to the end of the story without putting it down, you've made it into the select club of having some chance of having your story accepted. It's still not a done deal. There are typically 4 or 5 more hurdles your story has to vault, but you've made it into the 1-5% club. That's the industry. This is what you signed up for. (Grokked from Jason Sanford)

Well Duck Dynasty is coming to a close after 11 seasons and as a "Christian Values" production it's a relief to see it end without any large money or sex controversy unlike most of the other shows of it's ilk. "Scott and Deirdre Gurney — the founders of the reality TV production company which in 2012 was purchased by ITVfor $40 million — have been temporarily suspended amid an internal fraud investigation, The Hollywood Reporter has learned." Oh well. (Grokked from Xeni Jardin)

The Grinch who stole Christmas (wreaths). "Gile's Family Farm owner Frank Boucher said Monday that someone stole a trailer containing more than 200 wreaths from behind the Alfred business sometime between 6 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. Saturday."

The knees of Queen Nefertari. "What most likely happened, Fletcher says, is that Nefertari's mummy was torn apart by frantic grave robbers trying to steal gold and jewelry in its wrappings before guards could stop them: 'You do get that feeling that there's a real degree of ripping apart human remains to get to the wealth.'"

Tweet storm by Mikki Kendall on racism and the reverse of the story of "low expectations." Yep, matches to much of my experience (having been a white kid who tried to slide by in college… but that was more of not being challenged since 8th grade because I was with mostly other white kids and it wasn't expected of us to have to work so I developed bad habits). I got better. (Grokked from Justine Larbalestier)

"Wes Clark Jr and the assembled veterans took a knee and collectively asked for forgiveness for the genocide and war crimes committed by the United States Military against tribal nations in this country. Leksi Leonard Crow Dog on behalf of the tribes in attendance accepted and asked for forgiveness for any hurt that might have been caused June 25, 1876 when the Great Sioux Nation defeated the 7th Cavalry." Well that goes in the "stunned to silence" category. Blah blah blah, individual veterans can't speak for the rest of the military unless authorized blah blah. I'm sure the conservatives are going to pitch a collective cow-shit-fit, but this from a party at supposedly supports "respect for elders", this is what it looks like. (Grokked from Kat Hankinson)

"One of the most vocal insurers about the problems with the Affordable Care Act marketplace made nearly $400 million in one state already this year, documents show." But it's all not wine and roses. While BCBS lost about the same for the first 2 years (note, no mention of direct payments to insurers who lose money in the first 5 years, part of the ACA to cover the transition as companies figure the market out), there's been a lot of bellyaching and blaming going on when the real issue is that $400M isn't enough profit for most companies. But now that it looks like the goose that laid the golden egg is on the menu, some companies are starting the attempt to say, "It's not so bad. Please don't take the t-bird away." (Grokked from Xeni Jardin)

The information warfare committed against the NoDAPL protestors. Note, never connected to an unknown, unsecured wi-fi device. (Grokked from someone, sorry, lost the link)

Before there was eminent domain this is how governments took properties. "Residents of Jackson Village, one of three black communities in Plantersville, South Carolina, are at risk of losing their homes over a sewer service charge that they neither want nor need, with twenty homes being put on the market last week." Also, a sewer that isn't connected to their homes. Let's talk due process. And I wonder if all those smart-ass people who talk about the evils of zoning and how government shouldn't affect what we do on our own property will come out to help protect this community (I'm joking, those are the assholes who are buying the property to redevelop it). (Grokked from Annalee Flower Horne)

So, there may be some problems with the Michigan recount. (Grokked from Saladin Ahmed)

Tweet of my heart: ‏@JenaFriedman The nazis weren't evil masterminds, but rather failed artists, middle managers, yes men and idiots. Never underestimate the power of idiots. (Grokked from Annalee Flower Horne)