What a great story to start the day

This one is just lovely.

Scary scary scary

Congress will decide whether the Bill of Rights matters anymore ... in secret.

Admittedly, it's been in its way out since practically the beginning but they just don't work seem to care to even hide it anymore.

The Rules

A book that I bought for Dave once we had J was, Rules for My Unborn Son.  There is a companion website, which is terribly addictive, and I particularly like one from earlier this week.

Eat like a local, tip like an American.

Drug War and Surprising Perspective

Well, this perspective isn't surprising to me, since I completely agree with it, however, the columnist from which it comes is quite surprising.

as usual, found via the agitator.

Two for One

To make up for the limited posting lately, I've got two here.

First of all, this poll regarding the Republican candidates is kind of encouraging (polls are generally crap, so take it however you'd like).

• encouraging: Ron Paul is tied with Obama in head-to-head race. All others trail Obama. And Paul hammers Obama, surprisingly, among voters under 45 years old.
• depressing: that the result above is listed after the results about which candidate has more football fans as supporters.  

Secondly, if you need a password vault program, so far I highly recommend S10.  I found it on CNET; it's free, and has been really easy to set up.  Just got it today, though, so it's an early, qualified recommendation.

This could be good

This is a step in the right direction for Fulton County Schools.  I hope it works.

Good on 'Em

Good for the cops and movers in this story - refusing to help evict a 103 year-old woman. The house would have stayed empty for who knows how long anyway. And it turns out the bank has decided not to evict her (I'm sure the bad PR had nothing to do with that decision).

Sing It, Kermit!

I try not to cross-post between Facebook and here, but well ....

Totally Unrelated

Here are two completely unrelated links of the day (to make up for missing yesterday, I guess).

The link to this incredible burn-healing device ("skin gun") was sent to me by my step-dad. It is seriously, like almost unbelievable, incredible.

Having worked in the HR/hiring world for nearly 11 years, I find this step in the hiring process at Zappos fascinating.

Depressing Post of the Day

If this had been J, a lawyer would have been the first person I called after I went to the school and beat the ever-loving-**** out of this teacher.

Then I would have called a different lawyer to sue the teacher, the aide, the school and the district.  And, generally, I'm not a lawsuit person, but this is just unconscionable.  Good for the family for winning the lawsuit and even better for going public.

Lazy Link

Because I've been busy reading things written on paper today (gasp!), I'm posting a link to one of the few things I've read online.  This is of a different sort than usual, in that my reaction was negative, rather than "ooh, that's interesting."

At first, I did think it was interesting - a new high school in the area has been officially named.  I don't know why I find that interesting, but I do.  But then that quickly turned to "does everything have to have some deeper meaning?"  I mean, good grief people; it's a school name.

Link + a Bonus

First, the downer via iFeminists.  Victimless crimes account for a shockingly high percentage of the prison population.

Second, some optimism.

New Toy

So, I got one of these last week, and I love it, but man is a new smartphone a pain to get all set up and organized, especially if you're changing operating systems.

Also, if you're in the market for a new phone, I recommend Amazon's new wireless store.  If you look closely at the CNET review, you can probably figure out why.  Yes, I got this phone for $.01 (and a new two year contract).

Haha

An great cracked countdown - 24 Things Other Countries Suspect About America.

A Different Take on the Occupiers

From my favorite writer on Cracked.com, comes a bit of a different perspective.

This is it

Today's link - I only wish I was this clever about pointing out even minor government silliness.  But at least I can enjoy it.

Today's Link

Cracked.com has quickly become one of my favorite websites.  Today's link about six history myths is fascinating.

#6 is my favorite.  Next time a politician says, "Do you want the streets returned to the days of the Wild West?" when some gun restriction expires, you can confidently say "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do."

Favorite Link of the Day

I really do intend to keep up with this blogging thing, but for some reason just can't seem to do it. So, I have a new idea that may get me on here at least once a day. I want to institute a "favorite link of the day". These are most likely going to be links I don't post on Facebook, since I don't like posting stuff that's too political there. There may be a little crossover here and there, though. We'll see.

So, for today, a link I found at both Reason.com and The Agitator.  All the hoopla lately about the exploding income inequality among individuals is misplaced - surprise.  It turns out the "increasing" inequality falls apart when you look at household income, instead.

J - Two Years

Dear J,

Yeah, I know this letter is late, but that’s just how it is right now.  Sorry about that, kiddo.

You’re napping, and I have a few minutes, so I thought I’d jot these notes down for you.  You’re TWO now.  Two.  No really.  It’s already been two years.  I’m just amazed, but I’m happy to say that I have been able to watch and enjoy this entire time with you in our lives. 

The thing most people say about you is how very happy you are.  Of course, being two, you do love to say “no,” but for some reason, it’s always with a smile. 

What goes along with that, too, is that you have absolutely the sweetest and most agreeable nature.  I have to admit that this makes it pretty easy for us as parents, so far, which is nice, but it does make me worry a little about your future.  By that I mean that I worry you will be too nice to most people, and that you will be taken advantage of, and maybe even have your precious heart trampled by some girl(s).   Yes, unfortunately, it is possible to be too nice, and I’m afraid you’ll learn that the hard way.

In the end, that’s OK, though, because I’d rather you be a very kind person than a selfish or hurtful one any day.  Of course, I know there’s somewhere in between, and maybe that’s where you’ll end up, but if not, well, that’s quite alright. 

You have become chatty and are even starting to say some sentences – most of which are demands.  “Get up” to me (or, sometimes, “Up please”) and “Come here” (more like “Commeer”) to the cats and dog.  Also, the way you mispronounce some sounds is, of course, adorable.  “Fl” is “shw”, so “butterfly” become “bushwy” and “flush” become “shwush” (yep, we’re potty training).  For a while you said babadabee for bumblebee.  And our favorite, though, is “lah-thu” which is “love you”.  There are plenty of opportunities to use “oops” and “oh no”.  Ah, and your favorite, repeated at least 500 times a day is “uss at?”, or translated: “what’s that?”

You have brought an untold amount of joy into our lives, even though your desire to be “OUSSIDE!!!” often interrupts lunch, dinner, shopping, and whatever else we happen to be doing inside.  But who cares, really?  Life is good.

We love you so much,

Mom

Interesting Study

I find these studies on the genetics of happiness so interesting, especially how the information ties back to theories around political systems.