Lazy linking - mostly politics edition

A few links to stuff that might interest people.

Tara C. Smith at Aetiology has written a post about the newest reaserch on a link between cancer and abortions: Yet another study shows no link between abortion and breast cancer

Mike Dunford (whose wife just came home from Iraq) over at The Questionable Authority has a good post up: Good Morning, Mr. President, You've Got a Message.

Reality called. He's wondering if you're ever going to get back in touch.

Over at Counterpunch, Stephen Lendman has written A Short History of the Christian Right

Via Pharyngula (who got it via Majikthise): My Views on Abortion.
If you choose to just follow one link from this post - this is the one you should read.

David Neiwert (I think) at Orcinus writes about one of the heroes from the Virginia Tech shooting.
We have met the enemy ...

Hey everyone. You heroic right-wing bloggers especially. I want you to meet a real hero.

This man's name is Waleed Shaalan, and he was one of the 32 victims of Seung-Hui Cho, the Virginia Tech gunman who seems to have provoked so much "well I woulda given him the ol' kung-foo fighting cuz these hands are fast as lightning" fantasizing on the parts of so many arnchair critics of the victims' response to the rampage. Not to mention, of course, the ongoing speculation that Cho might secretly be a Muslim engaging in that jihad that Michelle Malkin swears is gonna swoop down on us any day now.

The case of Waleed Shaalan offers them a little bit of a reality check. There weren't many heroes that day, but he was one of them. And oh yes: He's Muslim.

He was gunned down on Monday while he was studying in Norris Hall, but witnesses say he died a hero.

People like Waleed Shaalan and Liviu Librescu should fill people like the ones that Dave is addressing with humility. And Dave makes a very good point.

Yes, it is possible to be a hero in these situations, but the greatest likelihood is that if you do, you will die. Everyone who acted heroically at Virginia Tech died, including Mr. Shaalan. We have to honor them for their sacrifice and their bravery. But don't ask me to second-guess the people who chose to try to find a way to stay alive first.