Post-vacation catch-all

• The call for government fiscal austerity sounds a lot like the Iraq War run-up, with about the same level of factual integrity.
• Lies and the lying liars who tell them, 50th edition.
• Our beaker is boiling - glacial melting is happening at a non-glacial pace, but we still dither on climate change policy.
• BP finally halts the massive gulf oil spill; get a good understanding of the spill with NRDC's excellent interactive graphic (hat tip, Treehugger)
• Minnesota Governor Pawlenty tries to manufacture another Franken-Coleman election myth. but Minnpost's Jay Weiner has the facts. (remember his disappearing ballots riff in 2009?).
• Have a kid?  I'm sure you have many memories of when you found out you were pregnant, but did you save your pee test in a remembrance bag?  Ugh.
• Look for a nonprofit site to get your health information if you like accuracy and full disclosure.  Here's a list of certified sites that have been reviewed by the Health On the Net Foundation.
• Be skeptical of what you hear, because your brain likes facts that reinforce your beliefs, rather than developing beliefs based on facts.
• Speaking of myths, here are a few kitchen myths (hat tip to Lifehacker)
• Baking soda is poor at absorbing odors (that orange box in the fridge was a waste!)
• Alcohol boils off when used in cooking