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The peasants are revolting! - History News Network blog (Wendy McElroy)

"Even though France was a comparatively wealthy nation, the peasants existed at near-starvation level because they were so burdened with taxation in myriad forms. A direct tax ate as much as 50% of the earnings of the non-exempt. The collection process was particularly brutal because tax collector were 'entrepreneurs' who paid the king a flat amount for the privilege of collecting taxes; anything over that amount became profit."

Remind Me Again Why We Practice Daylight Savings? - Gizmodo

A reification for the benefit of monied interests dear reader; just like everything else.
A New Breed of Medical Screws Dissolve In Body and Promote Bone Growth - Popular Science

Wish they'd of had these about twelve years ago.

Everyone Against Empire - American Conservative (Jeff Taylor)

"The U.S. government acting as policeman of the world has never been a popular idea among Americans. It is costly and implies that our own society has reached such a state of perfection that we can easily afford to look elsewhere for problems to solve."

Facebook friends are not really - Front Porch Republic (Susan McWilliams)

"By the same token, Facebook friendship does not confer any of the real joys of friendship, like sharing a really deep secret, or sitting in a room together in silence, or having a rip-roarin’ good time together. (Two years ago, Hal Niedzviecki wrote a memorable piece in the New York Times Magazine describing how he invited his 700-or-so Facebook friends to a party. One person showed up.)"