12 December 2009

Link roundup for 12 December 2009

Joe Lieberman is out to protect a precious ecosystem.

Termites of Sin denounces one hazard of air travel, but turns another to advantage.

Check out Mario Piperni's political photoshop art.

Private enterprise in Copenhagen goes green.

This is Norway (found via Now Listen Here).

San Francisco's nuttiest man highlights a point about religion.

The Republican stand on health-care reform has softened.

Looks like Glenn Beck has pissed off the wrong people.

There's a rep for that.

Internet sleuths track down the mysterious spider pool (found via Mendip).

Being a pagan in Australia involves certain complications.

MySpace was booming -- until the tie-wearing types got hold of it (found via Oliver Willis).

The "word fingerprint" can settle the authorship of documents.

Dana Perino, fresh from her claim that there were no terrorist attacks during Bush's Presidency, now gives him credit for the Copenhagen conference.

America looks different from the outside.

Think the Democrats haven't accomplished much since taking over? Read this.

Today Houston may elect the first openly-lesbian mayor of a major American city. Update: She wins!

Politics Plus collects some worthwhile assessments of the Senate health-reform compromise.

24ahead takes a sober look at the tea party movement. More here.

Harlan Ellison gives his views on God.

Here's a man who had faith.

The Economist investigates a global-warming denialist claim. The comment thread here gets down to business.

Russia is establishing diplomatic relations with a freedom-hating fascist theocracy.

Monday's protests in Iran were a nationwide phenomenon.

Obama's Afghanistan policy is gaining support.

Some jihadists in Pakistan aren't Pakistani.

How bad are conditions on the West Bank?

Lizards! Lizards! Lizards!

The calls of the Campbell's monkey show traits characteristic of true language, though in fact the examples given seem to be more like word-compounding than "syntax". (Contrary to the article, chimpanzees who are taught language can combine words into short sentences; the point, however, is that these monkeys are doing these things naturally, without being taught by humans.)

Cymothoa exigua is a uniquely disgusting life form.

2000-2009 was the warmest decade on record (found via Oliver Willis).

Another tool to fight global warming: genetically-engineered, solar-powered bacteria convert carbon dioxide into fuel.

7 Comments:

Blogger Ranch Chimp said...

Good Morning Mr.Infidel!

A diverse compilation to credit here. I have been online since April 2008 and have utilized your site alot for reference and link's, in particular to those subject's I may have interest in ... but dont know much about, so ...thank you Sir!

What caught my eye in particular here is first the piece from " The Economist" "Scepticism's Limits". A lengthy read but damn well worth it as well! You know ...frankly Guy , a get so sick and tired at time's over this nonsensical battle which is on the denialism and skepticism that just obstruct's progress on this "real" issue we will have to address seriously and immediately ...not by 2020 or whatever other horsecrap date.

No ...I had no idea about City Controller Parker of Houston, best of luck of coarse. Dallas a few year's back had City Council Rep Ed Oakley who is also open about his "gay" lifestyle and relationship, and is a local blue collar type that was in the construction business ran for Mayor, and only lost something like 51 to 49(yes, he is one of the few democrat's that I voted for, but not because he is gay, but because of his commitment to the working classes of his community). Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez(another local democrat I voted for, based on her outsider persona, since Dallas County was in such need of a different Sheriff, not part of the "good ole boy" cult) who was elected as new Sheriff a few year's back is very open as far as her lesbian life style for instance, and her partner, etc.

"Critter's Crap" on the green haired Sex Industry Worker in Copenhagen, I absolutely loved that hair, look's great!

"FT.com" "Rise and fall of MySpace" was a great piece! You know from my comment's how I feel about this crap ... no need to elaborate, or even say much about Murdoch, this is all self explanatory unfortunately and like a goddamn 21st century financial virus in my opinion.

The "NY Times Science" piece on dicphering monkey language was also a nice piece.

And from "Science Daily" I couldnt expect less than decent, looking at them overall, with this inspiring piece on innovative thought and engineering (credit to those at UCLA, I may add)on bacteria engineered to turn carbon dioxide into fuel. There is so much with our new tool's and knowledge that we can and will do...rest assured, it's only a matter of time ... and never can come fast enough.

Take Care Guy .......

12 December, 2009 08:05  
Blogger mendip said...

Wonderful collection of links - thanks! The one on Joementum is a classic...

12 December, 2009 09:21  
Blogger TomCat said...

Great collection, Infidel.

12 December, 2009 10:36  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Norway clip has made my day, Infidel. BTW, I had no idea their casual sex encounters rates were so high. Must be the cold climate that drives Norwegians to, um, warm up so often and so much. Or maybe the fish-and-potato diet?

Speaking of warming up, the pics of lizards, especially the peacefully resting couples, are delightful.

13 December, 2009 12:19  
Blogger Infidel753 said...

RC: "Scepticism's Limits". A lengthy read but damn well worth it as well!

I do tend to agree with their conclusion -- when time after time these denialist claims turn out to have no substance, at some point one has to conclude it's a waste of time to analyze each new one they come up with in detail. It's good that some qualified people are continuing to do so, though.

Parker did win; I thought it was also interesting that her opponent repudiated the anti-gay attacks on her. Evidently gay-bashing is not a winning gambit there.

Elizabeth: Hmm, perhaps I should consider Norway for my next vacation?

Lizards certainly come in a wide range of shapes, colors, and sizes. What a contrast between the Komodo dragon and the one that can comfortably sit on a human fingertip!

Thanks for the comments, all!

13 December, 2009 16:22  
Blogger Karen said...

Lieberman's one of the tapeworms.

14 December, 2009 06:13  
Blogger Leslie Parsley said...

This is Lieberman's email address.

http://lieberman.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Tell him what you think. Post on your blog and in comments on other blogs. Ask others to do likewise. We may not have money but we can get numbers.

14 December, 2009 18:20  

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