Links of the Day, August 31
News
- Space Shuttle Discovery finally headed off into space over the weekend (to refuel the international space station).
- Disney buys Marvel for $4bn.
- The California fires get worse.
Health care
- FactCheck points out 26 lies about H.R. 3200.
Miscellaneous
- Paul Krugman addresses the debt outlook.
- Cathleen Falsani's tribute to Ted Kennedy, "So Much More Than His Mistakes."
- A molecule is imaged for the first time.
- Liz writes about why she loves LA--I have many of the same reasons.
Wildfire in CA
Every year, California preps for wildfire season (yes, we have a wildfire season). This year, it's gotten pretty bad: according to the AP report, by this morning, the Station Fire (as it's called) is 20 miles long; 134 square miles have been burned; 12,000 homes as well as the communications and astronomy centers atop Mount Wilson, are under threat.
Courtesy of Neville:

Courtesy of Brian, who lived across the street from me:

Courtesy of Franky:

Please be praying for the situation: for rain, for favorable conditions, and for the firefighters who are putting their lives on the line to stop the blazes.
Links of the Day, August 28
Where the Wild Things cupcakes = priceless.

News
- It's wildfire season in the Southland.
- California puts on a garage sale to try and bulk up its financial situation.
Human trafficking
- UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) releases a new anti-human trafficking manual.
Health care
Miscellaneous
- Former Ku Klux Klan leader Johnny Lee Clary talks about how one black man disarmed him.
Links of the Day, August 27
Apparently, I have a little more time than I thought ...
Here's a bite size edition of LOTD.
News
- Apple's newest OS, Snow Leopard, is out tomorrow. Check out a compilation of reviews at Boing Boing.
Human trafficking
Miscellaneous
- Natalie Portman (whom I love) is on the cover of the September issue of Interview magazine.