Today’s Links: August 14, 2012

OPINION

SALON: “Helen Gurley Brown: A Life in Links”
“In an undated video, [Cosmopolitan editor Helen Gurley] Brown talked to Small Business Magazine about her early publishing experiences. ‘I knew nothing about business. I knew nothing about magazine editing. All I had was a basic brain and a lot of drive.'”

RICH LOWRY: “Dems’ big ‘battle of ideas’ is off to a lying start”
“Democrats believe fervently in the folly of Paul Ryan’s ideas, yet somehow can’t speak about them truthfully. They are confident they can destroy Ryan — not because they think they can win the debate over his proposals on the merits, but because they are certain they can distort those proposals with impunity.”

RICHARD RAHN: “Economic Lessons From the Olympics”
“Civilization can only advance when individuals are both encouraged and rewarded for excellence. The men and women who designed, built, and succeeded in placing the new SUV-sized rover on Mars receive and deserve our acclaim. The late Steve Jobs is widely admired for creating the world’s most valuable company and for being a genius in product innovation and marketing. […] The good side of humanity is revealed when we praise and reward such people. The bad side of humanity is shown by those who wish to punish success.”

NEWS

OIL – Exxon Valdez Laid to Rest
“The Oriental Nicety [formerly Exxon Valdez] is welcome to beach at Alang, the world’s largest ship-breaking yard, where she will be dismantled for scrap. But as with so many things in the story of the Exxon Valdez, the end will be drawn out. It will take 500 workers four months to dismember her carcass.

INTERNET – Web ‘blackout’ in Malaysia to protest law
“Malaysian NGOs, well-known bloggers and opposition politicians on Tuesday staged a one-day “Internet blackout” to protest a legal amendment that they say threatens free expression on the Web.”

SCIENCE? – Doctors Target Gun Violence As Social Disease
“Is a gun like a virus, a car, tobacco or alcohol? Yes, say public health experts, who in the wake of recent mass shootings are calling for a fresh look at gun violence as a social disease.”