Oh, you'd better watch out, I'm telling you why! The NSA is listening in.

Sen. Ron Wyden on balancing the 'teeter-totter' of security and liberty

http://to.pbs.org/1b4fEfX

By cracking cellphone code, NSA has capacity for decoding private conversations

http://bitly.com/18Hc5fD

The NSA and our values

http://nyr.kr/1bAXllT

How to tell when the NSA is lying

http://bitly.com/ISpoUy

What's wrong with tracking our cell phones?

http://bitly.com/IPAx80

Why won’t the President rein in the intelligence community?

http://nyr.kr/1bRSijw

White House criticizes AP over CIA story

http://usat.ly/1ecbhY2

NSA Tracks People Using Google Cookies

http://bit.ly/1bDnCfT

The moral of all this is clear: if you can't or won't use a cheap pre-paid, leave the phone at home or swap liberally with family and friends. Pay in cash, and for god's sake never, ever, ever let yourself commit anything in writing that you wouldn't want to be blazoned on the front page of the NYTimes, much less anywhere epically public on the Internet. If it isn't already public knowledge, consider whether you want it to be, because unlike Santa, I don't think the NSA gives gifts if you're good.

After all, we really *do* know they're listening.

http://xkcd.com/525/

Lots of articles on a snowy day.

Some NSA Officials Favor Giving Snowden Limited Amnesty For All The Wrong Reasons

http://bit.ly/1gxXlHZ

Feds joins battle on citrus disease

http://bit.ly/1b5jANq

Obama to review changes in spy policy

http://usat.ly/18JP52D

Tech giants team up in anti-snooping effort

On the one hand: good for them! On the other, I am even more uncomfortable with corporate influence in the government than I am with the NSA, and that is saying an awful lot.

http://usat.ly/19v5TaK

The Return of the Welfare Queen

http://bit.ly/19odyex

Federal judge declares Utah polygamy law unconstitutional

http://bit.ly/1bFgIKy

This Ethiopian village has gained wealth, but has bred hostility

Because they aren't Christians or Muslims, basically.

http://bit.ly/IShpWz

ECONOMIC INEQUALITY: A MATTER OF TRUST?

http://nyr.kr/18Dk0jK

IF YOU REFRAIN FROM TALKING ABOUT RACE, PEOPLE MIGHT THINK YOU’RE RACIST

As many commenters point out, not all of the "black" people on that modified Guess Who? board look unambiguously black. So there's that as well.

http://bit.ly/1k0V0oL

Surprise! Charity Buys 21 Sacred Katsinam for Hopi at Auction in Paris

http://bit.ly/IVI58J

Scientists discover double meaning in genetic code

http://bit.ly/1duyD6q

How cholera evolved to be one of the deadliest diseases in history

http://bit.ly/18IkCil

This study shows how a good metaphor can change the world

http://bit.ly/1bEyUAv

Inside the Rainbow Gulag: The Technicolor Rise and Fall of Lisa Frank

http://bit.ly/1hPDhRG

The second operating system hiding in every mobile phone

http://www.osnews.com/story/27416

A Pen That 3-D Prints Bone Right Onto Patients

http://bit.ly/JeNtEF

In Ukraine, skepticism greets new vow on E.U.

http://wapo.st/1cruH49

Kindergartener signs song for deaf mom. It's the most adorable time of the year!

http://cnn.it/1gxU7UM

Teacher accused of feeding autistic student hot sauce rehired.

Either Florida has a serious teacher shortage or they really hate disabled kids down there.

http://abcn.ws/1ctku7j

Why do people have pet cats?

I don't mean "why do people keep pet cats now", that's self-evident, cats are wonderful little foot warmers. And I don't mean "how were cats domesticated" because I already know all about that and I think self-domesticating felines are awesome.

I mean "what caused the transition between useful critter and pet?"

Was it a bet?

"Hey, you know those furry things that hang around granaries?"
"Mice and rats?"
"No, the ones that EAT mice and rats."
"What about them?"
"Bet you a pound of copper you can't grab one, rub your hands all over it, and come out again without getting bit!"
"... You're on. But if I win, you have to eat this solid milk stuff that grew in that cow stomach I was using for a bag, and I bet YOU can't do it without vomiting."
"Ugh. Fine, but when I do, you're going to have to drink this rotten grape juice."

The next day...

"So? What happened?
"You won't believe this, but when I picked it up it started VIBRATING! Is that weird or what?"
"But it didn't bite you? Damn."

I mean, seriously, hadn't the ancients ever heard not to harass wild animals?