Links (most recent first) that caught my eye, but did not warrant full-blown blog entries ….
- An even blurrier line – The Overton Window continues to shift — though, honestly, sure, consumer boycotts are a fine (and legal) way to make public opinion about a matter known — much better than having the government act against freedom.
- Gary Cass on Prop 8 Ruling: What Do You Expect From the Debased Mind of a Pervert? – Mr Cass — just as some anti-gay-marriage people have claimed that gays are discriminated against in marriage law (because they can marry members of the opposite sex just like anyone else can), I’d suggest that your argument that “homosexual marriage is forced on us” is faulty (as nobody is actually forcing you to marry someone of the same sex). I’d also suggest you consider whose mind is “debased” in suggesting that this ruling is part of a great plot to let “sexual anarchists” demand that they be allowed to rape our children.
- Prop 8 Ruling Sets Off Religious Right Blame Game – Yes, the problem was clearly that the defense’s attempts to portray gays as sick individuals that society had a right to discriminate against wasn’t strident ENOUGH. Yeesh.
- The Plum Line – Obama admin skewers GOP attack on stimulus cocaine monkeys – Face it — the GOP leadership either hates science or thinks making fun of science is a great way to earn votes. Neither is healthy for the country.
- Conservatives Blame Loss In Prop 8 Case On Judge’s Homosexuality – Would these “conservatives” therefore agree that Christians should recuse themselves as judges for cases where the rights of Christians are at stake? Or men when a question of paternal support is at the bar? Or people over 55 when a case involves retirement pensions? (Note the ironical sidelight on the whole “gay” thing in Judge Walker’s record at the end of the article. A flaming liberal activist the man’s not.)
- Baby names: The legacy of the Norman conquest: Sevaan Franks
- Report: Google and Verizon to strike deal on ‘tiered’ internet – Not quite sure if this qualifies as “being evil,” but it’s certainly seems to be looking after Google’s needs before those of the wider Internet community. UPDATE: Not quite – see comments.
- Boehner Derides Police Officers And Teachers As ‘Special Interests’: Pat G.
- Geek cufflinks – 17 Pics – On one level I am quite glad that I don’t have to wear cufflinks. On the other hand … such accessorizing!
- A Stunning Look into your Eyes — Illusion 360 – The World’s most amazing Art, Design, Technology and Video – That’s remarkable. And gorgeous.
- The Evolution of Video Games: noreply@blogger.com (Damn Cool Pics)
- Update on Google Wave – I have to wonder — what, if anything, could Google have done differently with Wave to increase its adoption? More tailored “case study” templates (“Google Wave for Xxxxxx”)? A reduced and more focused feature set? Or was it simply a solution before its time, without a clear problem to address? At any rate, it will be interesting to see how its technology seeps into other products (Google’s and others).
- What’s wrong with the Senate | Michael Tomasky – “The norms used to outweigh the rules. Now the rules outweigh the norms. Which means it’s time to change the rules. Which will be very hard, if not impossible.” What DO you do when the well has been poisoned?
- Oregon Court Makes Sane Ruling on Drug Use – While the mother appears to have some problems (reading the underlying story), the prima facie assertion by child welfare that her pot use per se represented a danger to the kids was completely unsupported. A good decision, and one I hope is echoed elsewhere.
- From the Party of Bush to the Party of Jefferson Davis – Worth reading, especially for this tidbit: “The RNC has a “Political Achievements” page on its website, and oddly enough, it touts ‘Republicans Passed the 14th Amendment’ as one of the party’s proudest accomplishments.” I wonder how long that will stay there.
- Judge Walker, thinking ahead – An interesting perspective on the Prop 8 decision.
- Paul Robert: Do Bibles Belong in Hotel Rooms? – I used to be fascinated by the various language translations in the front pages of the Gideon Bible in hotel rooms. I’ve never felt the need to make use of one for religious purposes, though; if I did, I’d travel with with my own pocket Bible. On the other hand, I don’t use the mini-bar, either, if the room has one, and am not offended by the presence of Demon Liquor in vicinity.
- Fever: friend or foe? – New Scientist – I’d actually heard about this long ago. While very high fevers can be damaging, low-grade fever is, aside from the discomfort, a good thing. Generally speaking, I only take an antipyretic before bed time when I’m running a fever (my idea being that a good night’s sleep is probably even more important).
- #BigotryFail: Plan To Harass Muslims With Dogs At CA Rally Collapses | TPMMuckraker
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Apparently the Google/Verizon thing is actually much better than initially painted by the NYT:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-20012703-260.html
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9180192/Google_We_still_back_Net_neutrality?taxonomyId=152