The Trouble With Psychopaths

is that they can gang up on you. I say that in all seriousness. I believed then and I believe now that I once worked for two psychopaths at the same time. How did I survive?
They don't cooperate well with others, even others like themselves.
That should be question #21 on the test.

Jane Mayer vs. The World

Mayer may be the best journalist working today. One of her highest skills is good sourcing, which means she's trusted by people who probably don't trust anyone.
She's trusted because she has not only good intentions, but good judgment. I love that. In my silly, small way, it was also my professional goal.
This story on an N.S.A. renegade is such good leg work it seems almost mundane.

Binney says that an N.S.A. e-mail database can be searched with “dictionary selection,” in the manner of Google. After 9/11, he says, “General Hayden reassured everyone that the N.S.A. didn’t put out dragnets, and that was true. It had no need—it was getting every fish in the sea.”

Read more http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/05/23/110523fa_fact_mayer#ixzz1N0fhwkmn

Newt Gingrich Is Crazy

And we've known that since at least 1997. Here's the proof.

Do No Harm

Someone I admire, respect and love angered and disappointed me today.
But I had to go to the library. Not only did I find all the poetry books I've been craving, the Montaigne biography I'd ordered, but...Also. Life is good.

I'm Starting A File Tagged Presidential Election 2012

Item #1

Comment O' Teh Day

Over at a fairly technical discussion of type face criticism on MeFi, is a good example why I love MeFi. (That and the enlightening discussion of iconic font designer Eric Gill, who had an incestuous relationship with his sister, sexuallyy abused his children and had "an experimental connection to his dog.")

On a rainy day, what could be better?

This is probably the whitest thing I've seen in years. Talk about your first-world problems.

(I actually found the article reasonably interesting, but then I fit the criteria given above)
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:04 PM on May 15 [1 favorite]

A Worthy Goal

I am trying to get at something so simple
that I have to talk plainly
so the words don't disfigure it
and if it turns out that what I say is untrue
then at least let it be harmless
like a leaky boat in the reeds
that is bothering no one.

This is from a poet named David Berman, who Andrew Sullivan cited today with a different but equally worthy quote.
It's from 2003 and there are no comments on the site.
Can't help but wonder what became of Berman.
I would post the entire thing, but it's long. And very good.