The Height Gap [via MoN]
Fascinating account of comparative heights. Europe is growing taller and America is not. Japan has, in fact, almost caught up! It also explains the relevence of the numbers. The author tries to tie height to income variation (read: socialism), but admits late in the column that there's little to back him up. A lot of it comes down to general health, where the US's standing is not so good.

2004 Florida Voting Machine [via Lex]
Well, I suppose that's one way of making sure "every vote counts."

High-Stakes Convention: Poll Shows Support for Kerry Weakens on Issues and Attributes [via Jen]
I'm only linking to this as a follow-up to a previous RAW Links where the numbers were considerably more even. Though the overall race is tied, Bush is presently polling better on the issues (Bush 3, Tied 3, Kerry 0, a month ago it was 0-2-4) and on personal attributes (5-1-0 compared to 3-1-2 a month ago) (note: I conservatively use a 5-point margin-of-error instead of the poll's 3 point MOE). Standard disclaimer: There's a long way to go between now and November and the numbers are pretty versitile.

They weren't wearing black ties and white shirts....
In the comments section of one of my posts on LDS, Chris said that he'd be posting on his experiences with Mormons and he's made good on his word. An interesting couple of coincidences arise. First, an OmniStar coworker that answered some of my questions about LDS was also the son of a Presbyterian minister, though he was disowned after his conversion. His father's quote about how LDS gets converts is also exactly how my coworker was converted in the midst of his parents' divorce. The second coincidence is how similar his story is to the priceless Mormon episode of SouthPark.

Baby Cons in the Mist [via Amanda]
Jonah Goldberg tackles the idolatry revolving around the youth vote, coins a new phrase, and explains his secret plan to win an economic debate using funny armpit noises.

In case you missed it, Amanda Strassner is back

Who's That Pickin' a Banjee
I haven't picked up 1100 Springs latest, but Jack Sparks has and he can't stop listening to it. 1100's previous effort, Straighter Line, is one of the 10 most solid CD's that I've picked up since getting in to Texas Country. I need to look under my change for some money to get their newest, Bandwagon.