When I run across articles, posts, and other writings worth a longer read, I send an email to myself with the link. Unfortunately, life intervenes and by the time I make it back to my house, I have neither the time nor the energy to devote to a full discussion of the links and the concepts they convey.

So, in lieu of that discussion, I will instead merely list the links and ask that you form your own conclusions from them, which is indeed the main thrust of my posts here at Random Fate, a repetitive request that you form your own opinions rather than mindless mouthing of partisan talking points, a theme that should be obvious at least to those who are paying attention.

Dog Days

Chemical Hazard

Deadlock Over Stealth Project

Gutsy reporting

The National Catholic Reporter on a survey about the use of torture

IBM devises carbon nanotube chip

IBM touts milestone with single nanotube-based IC

Bush’s Credibility Gap: Historical And Current Roots

A NEW TYPE OF DISCRIMINATION
The Prohibition Era

Roberts Dissent Reveals Strain Beneath Court’s Placid Surface

Torture: A Centrist Position?

Do your own math to find any pattern therein that might exist.

UPDATE: The text to the link to The National Catholic Reporter article changed at the request of a reader to avoid confusion. The headline to the article, which was the original text, “Americans, especially Catholics, approve of torture” is misleading both for the thrust of the article and the supporting polling data.

Technorati Tags: patterns in the white noise

Initial reports had Associate Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia presenting “the finger” to the press in response to some inquiries from the press after the Associate Justice attended church this weekend. Those initial reports were wrong:

Scalia’s Italian gesture confused with obscenity
Reports led some to conclude justice gave reporter a middle-finger salute

Associated Press
Updated: 8:17 p.m. ET March 27, 2006

WASHINGTON - Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia used an Italian hand gesture when questioned by a reporter after attending church this past weekend.

The Boston Herald reported Monday that the justice made “an obscene gesture under his chin??? - which prompted some online reports that Scalia had used his middle finger.

Untrue.

“It was a hand off the chin gesture that was meant to be dismissive,??? Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said.

Scalia, 70, is Italian and known for wisecracks in and out of court.

The sign he used in Boston is frequently used by Italians to express displeasure with someone - from mild to deep irritation. It is done by cupping the hand under the chin and flicking the fingers like a backward wave.

Scalia was leaving Mass on Sunday at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross when the reporter asked the justice if he had to deal with much flak related to his conservative Roman Catholic beliefs, according to the newspaper.

“You know what I say to those people???? Scalia said before making the gesture, according to the paper’s account. “That’s Sicilian.???

The paper said that Scalia also said: “This is my spiritual life. I shall lead it the way I like.???

Beware the overly-rapid reaction.

Something that should apply to more folks than just bloggers, perhaps?