Linking Fool Friday

An on-time LFF? Impossible!

Ground Zero mosque? Tell it to this guy. Or this one. Frank Rich has more on how this latest fake controversy on the part of conservatives to flog Democrats ultimately does more harm than good.

Here is a good piece on the shredding of the social contract in the name of lower taxes. The ever-awesome Slacktivist has another good piece on the politics of resentment. I like the suggestion that when someone says the poor or prisoners or whoever are lucky, ask if they're saying they'd like to switch places with that particular group.

Germany's workers have higher productivity, shorter hours and greater quality of life. But thanks to the power of VIGOROUS ASSERTION, the U.S. is still the greatest country in the world.

I heart Snopes, but it's depressing to read their discussion of how people believe what they want to believe, even in the face of contrary evidence. Can't say as I'm surprised, though.

Graphical breakdown of the student loan machine.

I know fast food vs. reality is too easy, but it's so damn entertaining. I also know I posted Hungover Owls to Facebook already, but it's worth repeating.

Lastly, worlds collide, though I don't know if the suggestion about the Phanatic and Foofa is funny or just gross.

Linking Fool Friday (Monday edition)

How long's it been? The front page of the blog was BLANK this morning. Oy.

Blah blah blah deficits and taxes, right? Argh. As noted previously, the same people magically did not care about deficits when George Bush was in office. But most frustratingly, some local jurisdictions are now drastically cutting back on services because they have no money, and everyone is scared to death of raising taxes. The loud and proud among us are fond of declaring America to be the Greatest Country in the World. But if we are that great, we should be able to have Nice Things, like libraries and schools and paved freakin' roads. And Nice Things cost money. But no, we'd rather let that stuff go to pot in order to save a couple hundred bucks on our taxes.

On a somewhat related note, the economic downturn has everyone assuming that American workers are desperate. The punditocracy seems reluctant to point out that American corporate exploitation of the workforce has its limits.

Counter-protests to the Westboro Baptist Church have become something of a creative outlet. This one is quite awesome.

Neat set of photos adding past photos of DC landmarks to their current locations.

News Flash: Wii Fit better than no exercise at all, but only just. Well, duh.

Sports: Best ballpark foods from around the majors.