Wanted: Dead or Alive
The Fate of Osama bin Laden
Arguments in favor and against the proposition that Osama bin Laden is dead. The pro-dead argument is convincing, but the skeptic's argument is even more so.

U.S. Has Contingency Plans for a Draft of Medical Workers
I'd be pretty stunned if this came to pass, though (a) there'd probably be slightly less overall resistence to this since most people wouldn't be directly affected and (b) there'd probably be a higher level of compliance - I know for my part if they explicitly needed computer people over there, I'd be much less resistent than if they were to make me a foot-soldier (I'd be a really lousy one). On one hand, it's good that the Selective Service folks are looking at contingencies. On the other, it's still disconcerting however unlikely.

Kerry Off the Leash
NYT's David Brooks does a solid (negative) writeup on John Kerry the candidate.

Cinemocracy 6 Month Review: Voices, Interests, and the Image
A good look at imagery and campaigning. For the party that is less artistically inclined, it'd be pretty impressive to be winning the image war as the author suggests.

Still Bush's To Lose
While I'd put Bush's chances of winning at about 40%, RCP still believes that it's, well, still Bush's to lose (as the title suggests). He puts forth a good argument and I hope that he's right.

The Price of Seduction
An excellent look at Tennessee's health care system, which has national implications because it's similar to the one that John Kerry plans to implement if he were election. TennCare is doing so poorly right now that the Democratic governor is calling for a major rehaul just to keep it together.

Swearing can make men impotent
It can also make women take on more masculine features. I can't help but wonder whether it has less to do with swearing and more to do with testosterone levels. The bit about the water having memory is pretty cool, though.