Great Green Globs of Grimy Greasy Gopher Guts

• First and foremost, if state bonds are being advertised on the radio in a "pre-sale" ahead of "the big institutions," wouldn't you think something was, how you say, smoky?
• Thirty-two trillion dollars in offshore tax havens?  (Via Mercury Rising.)
• Continued atomization:

  As human beings, when we feel distant and unrelated to one another—through a lack of belonging, caring, familiarity or interrelationship—our normal capacity to function breaks down, we become psychologically, emotionally, and cognitively distressed. When our interpersonal needs are chronically unmet, we become upset, angry, and depressed. We act out against a world that has not provided what we need—either expressing our anger and discontent at this world that does not appear to care for us, or suffering our disconnection from others in near-suicidal silence and alienation.

  (Xander Stone Ink, via AlterNet)
  
• The Never-ending Story, military style:

  Yes, Republicans. Do tell me how we can’t possibly cut the Pentagon budget without “endangering the homeland.” I’m all ears. And while you’re at it, remind me how food stamps and Head Start are budget-busters but the Pentagon ordering hundreds of millions of dollars of parts it can’t even use is not.

  Southern Beale strikes again!
  
• The school prayer thing.  Apparently they don't give enough tests.  Daisy's Dead Air:

  Nobody said they couldn't PRAY, they just have to be NONSECTARIAN prayers. But to some Christians, unless it is Christian prayer, it doesn't even count as prayer. It is rendered utterly invisible. (Or maybe they are illiterate and really do not understand the difference?)

  It's not the prayer; it's the pray-er.
• What are you doing here?  It's Friday!