Reading an article about whining in Utah over same-sex marriage.

Why, exactly, do certain parties insist on referring to the mere existence of gays as having been "shoved down their throats"? There are so many different ways to say "I think gay people are icky and have cooties" without actually using those words, so why do they invariably choose the one phrase that is full of entendre? I would say that the punchlines write themselves, but it's so predictable that its not even that funny anymore.

Links and articles

Genetic differences between "identical" twins discovered

http://bit.ly/1cw3bFz

How Skeptics Can Break the Cycle of False Beliefs

http://bit.ly/1lsUZI8

We tend to think that simply giving people money makes them lazy. Yet a wealth of scientific research proves the contrary: free money helps. It is time for a radical reform of the welfare state.

http://bit.ly/Kfyn2P

The biggest blockbusters last year were overwhelmingly more likely to pass the Bechdal test.

I've seen this one posted in a few places, and the comments at all places are all the same, tired old iterations of "but I don't want them shoehorning in females just to have them there! What about Private Ryan/Shawshank/Dead Poets????" and "but lots of those female characters aren't strong!!!", with a generous dose of "all those movies are crap!" (That last comment might be justified.)

Unless your movie takes place in an all-male military, prison, or boarding school, the odds are good that the demographics ought to be 50/50. Like reality. If one strong female character doesn't seem shoehorned in, you ought to be able to find a way to fit another one in without making it seem forced. If you can't, let's face it, you just aren't a very good writer/producer/director. Why are we buying tickets to see your stuff again?

http://bit.ly/1f02f0G

Asthma: Altering diet may ease symptoms

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25592214

1930s-style debt defaults likely, says IMF research

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101307602

Texas anti-abortion law forces women to make tough choices

http://alj.am/195XShK

Scientists solve mystery of UFO lights appearing just before earthquakes

I had thought I posted that one already, but now I can't find it!

http://bit.ly/1gzM0EQ

Supervolcanoes Erupt by Their Own Rules
Mega-eruptions and smaller volcanoes are triggered by different mechanisms

http://bit.ly/JDAVHf

Four states confirm water pollution from fracking

http://on.ksdk.com/1a0aiTr

Here's Exactly How Much the Government Would Have to Spend to Make Public College Tuition-Free

http://bit.ly/1crPpjP

Thinking of Drinking Airplane Water? Read This.

I remember the day I learned the word "non-potable". A week before the official end of my kindergarten year, on an overseas flight to Belgium, sooooo thirsty, and yet I couldn't get them to give me anything to drink but juice or soda. So I went to the bathroom and stared at that sign. I had never seen the word before, but you don't have to be very smart to figure out that they wouldn't bother to warn you that the water is "non-potable" if that was a good thing. I had a choice. Risk it, or die of thirst and despair.

Well, of course I drank it, I was, like, six! Spoiler alert: it didn't kill me. Man, I am so glad sometimes for the bottled water phenomenon. Sure, it's silly, but at least I can get water now if I'm thirsty.

http://on.wsj.com/1efb41w