Friday roundup

I had a longer post written this morning, but ran into some problem between Safari and Blogger and lost it all.

Perhaps that is for the best...

But here is an interesting article that suggests that Iowa Flooding Could Be An Act of Man. Combination of increased sedimentation in rivers, planting crops and building in flood-plains, and generally destroying wetlands has dramatically altered the landscape's ability to absorb flood waters.

Reminds me of how people spoke about Katrina or even the Minnesota bridge collapse as if they were just "acts of God." No, they were "acts of human neglect" made worse (in Katrina and Iowa) by weather. People too often, in my estimation, simply impose some "faith language" onto things that they don't want to understand. Not things they can't understand--that is a perfect place for faith. But onto things that have a very tangible explanation.

Anyway.

And speaking of Katrina, this hilarious bit from the Daily Show the other night mocking Kanye West.



More later. You have been warned.