(no subject)
* Incredibly brave Syrian activist, Zaidoun Alzoabi, has been captured by the secret police.
* An African lead force is planning to invade Northern Mali next Fall. The moderate Tuareg Nationalists that rebelled to create their own state have been overthrown by an extremist Islamist group. Neighboring countries are very concerned, hence the call for negotiations and possible military intervention.
* Police in India have arrested the bus driver and four other men in the gang rape of that medical student in Delhi.
* Remember Mitch McConnell filibustering his own bill the other week? Looks like John Boehner couldn't get his own party to vote for his tax plan in the House. It's looking like his support is collapsing and there is talk of Republicans replacing him in the new congress with Eric Cantor, who notably still didn't know how bills become laws as recently as a couple of years ago. O.o I do not see how that will be an improvement.
* John Kerry looks to be getting State. The Republicans have won, as they went after Susan Rice specifically so they could try to get Kerry's seat for Scott Brown. He's competent, but I admit, I'd rather have had Ms. Rice.
* Chuck Hagel just apologized for his extreme homophobia, but I don't trust him and I don't want him for defense. The apology would have meant something a decade ago, but now it just looks self serving now that he's short listed.
* The NRA is calling for even more guns and is blaming everyone but themselves for the mass shootings. So business as usual.
* This does a beautiful job of explaining how complicated human sexuality and gender can get:
* "About public shootings:" http://feyandstrange.livejournal.com/1125512.html
* Want to help the folks in Newton, Connecticut? Here is a list of legitimate charities: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/impact.your.world/
* Meta Moment: it was fascinating watching the folks at the BBC trying to explain the Republican party's recent behavior to a world audience. I loved watching them try to make sese of the republican plan to crash the US economy if they don't get a program of bonus tax cuts for the rich.
* "Thoughts on the apocalypse:" http://cleolinda.livejournal.com/1034646.html
* "The N.R.A.’s Blockade on Science:" http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/20/the-blockade-on-science-on-gun-violence/
* "Do Armed Civilians Stop Mass Shooters? Actually, No.:" http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/12/armed-civilians-do-not-stop-mass-shootings
* Real Red Nosed Reindeer:
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
* "University of Chicago's Indiana Jones mystery solved:" http://www.redeyechicago.com/news/local/redeye-u-of-cs-indiana-jones-mystery-solved-20121217,0,7809115.story
* The chocolate circular swap box came home today. I now have way too much chocolate. Yes, there is such a thing. ;)
* Re Batman: "And the irritating thing...?" http://big-wired.livejournal.com/313894.html
* "Happy Holidays from the BAMF Club!:" http://big-wired.livejournal.com/314622.html
* The only one I'm genuinely bummed about is Alcatraz. I have not seen most of the shows. "In Memoriam: TV Shows and Characters We Lost in 2012:" http://www.vulture.com/2012/12/memoriam-shows-and-characters-lost-in-2012.html
* "Watch a Guy Make the Downton Abbey House in Gingerbread Form:" http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2012/12/watch-the-downton-abbey-house-take-on-gingerbread-form.html
* Vote for Doctor Who tees: http://titanmerchandise.com/poll/doctor-who-t-shirt-designs/
* Spider Dance:
* An African lead force is planning to invade Northern Mali next Fall. The moderate Tuareg Nationalists that rebelled to create their own state have been overthrown by an extremist Islamist group. Neighboring countries are very concerned, hence the call for negotiations and possible military intervention.
* Police in India have arrested the bus driver and four other men in the gang rape of that medical student in Delhi.
* Remember Mitch McConnell filibustering his own bill the other week? Looks like John Boehner couldn't get his own party to vote for his tax plan in the House. It's looking like his support is collapsing and there is talk of Republicans replacing him in the new congress with Eric Cantor, who notably still didn't know how bills become laws as recently as a couple of years ago. O.o I do not see how that will be an improvement.
* John Kerry looks to be getting State. The Republicans have won, as they went after Susan Rice specifically so they could try to get Kerry's seat for Scott Brown. He's competent, but I admit, I'd rather have had Ms. Rice.
* Chuck Hagel just apologized for his extreme homophobia, but I don't trust him and I don't want him for defense. The apology would have meant something a decade ago, but now it just looks self serving now that he's short listed.
* The NRA is calling for even more guns and is blaming everyone but themselves for the mass shootings. So business as usual.
* This does a beautiful job of explaining how complicated human sexuality and gender can get:
Click to view* "About public shootings:" http://feyandstrange.livejournal.com/1125512.html
* Want to help the folks in Newton, Connecticut? Here is a list of legitimate charities: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/impact.your.world/
* Meta Moment: it was fascinating watching the folks at the BBC trying to explain the Republican party's recent behavior to a world audience. I loved watching them try to make sese of the republican plan to crash the US economy if they don't get a program of bonus tax cuts for the rich.
* "Thoughts on the apocalypse:" http://cleolinda.livejournal.com/1034646.html
* "The N.R.A.’s Blockade on Science:" http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/20/the-blockade-on-science-on-gun-violence/
* "Do Armed Civilians Stop Mass Shooters? Actually, No.:" http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/12/armed-civilians-do-not-stop-mass-shootings
* Real Red Nosed Reindeer:
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
* "University of Chicago's Indiana Jones mystery solved:" http://www.redeyechicago.com/news/local/redeye-u-of-cs-indiana-jones-mystery-solved-20121217,0,7809115.story
* The chocolate circular swap box came home today. I now have way too much chocolate. Yes, there is such a thing. ;)
* Re Batman: "And the irritating thing...?" http://big-wired.livejournal.com/313894.html
* "Happy Holidays from the BAMF Club!:" http://big-wired.livejournal.com/314622.html
* The only one I'm genuinely bummed about is Alcatraz. I have not seen most of the shows. "In Memoriam: TV Shows and Characters We Lost in 2012:" http://www.vulture.com/2012/12/memoriam-shows-and-characters-lost-in-2012.html
* "Watch a Guy Make the Downton Abbey House in Gingerbread Form:" http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2012/12/watch-the-downton-abbey-house-take-on-gingerbread-form.html
* Vote for Doctor Who tees: http://titanmerchandise.com/poll/doctor-who-t-shirt-designs/
* Spider Dance: