Trolls Are Not the Worst People Online

Recent reports indicate that trolls can be sadistic, narcissistic psychopaths (Google: "internet trolls are psychopaths").

Even worse are people who foment online witch hunts and lynchings, who knowingly appeal to a community's worst instincts.

Then there are the professionals (HT: Instapundit).

Ukraine and Venezuela

Unless common decency is overriden by something like fear of a despot, a country's military and police may refuse to fire on their own people:

The heads of four Ukrainian security bodies, including the police's Berkut anti-riot units, appeared in parliament on Saturday and declared they would not take part in any conflict with the people.

They represented the paratroop unit of the military, the Berkut anti-riot police, Alfa special operations unit and military intelligence. The Interior Ministry had already signaled its allegiance to anti-government protests under a new minister from the ranks of the opposition.

Which explains why the Venezuelan regime allegedly is importing Cuban troops. (Though I'd like to know who supports the Venezuelan regime and why, given its incredible failure.)

Why Was Microaggression "Discovered"?

Because the multiculti Left is no longer content to monitor speech. They want to monitor facial expressions and body language too.

Heartachingly Poignant

For some time it's been understood that some women submit to sex when all they want is intimacy.

Now a few men are paying online sex workers---paying a premium---for virtual dinners via webcam (HT: Instapundit). They don't want a whore; they want a girl friend, a companion, and they'll pay extra for that.

All the lonely people...

Opposites Attract

That's the title of a WSJ piece stating that couples with traditional male-female roles have better sex lives (HT: Instapundit). Taranto's piece also links to some of the crazier things that have come out lately, like "gender-minimized" dating.

From the Taranto column:

"The less gender differentiation, the less sexual desire." So sex differences are sexy:

What about interracial marriages, then?

Is Amazon Stock A Table-Pounding Short?

Down over 10% from the high...price/earnings of 600 (internet bubble territory...owner distracted by a space company, the Washingtn Post, and who knows what else...

Bargains are a lot harder to find than they were a couple of years ago...free shipping harder to get than it once was (higher minimum and the "Add-On Items")...looks like they're trying to reduce unit size and increase per/unit price in groceries...prices have drifted up so my supermarket is often competitive again...

If I were speculating in the market nowadays, I'd definitely take a flyer on a short or a put.

Added 20140214: The foregoing is not, of course, a personal opinion; it is not investment advice.

Added 20140314: Now, lawsuits:

Amazon claims that a $79 annual membership for Amazon Prime provides free two-day shipping on "millions" of items, but for some products, the company is accused of encouraging sellers to inflate shipping prices, according to two recent lawsuits.

If my Prime membership expired today, I wouldn't renew. It remains to be seen whether Amazon will can do something to change my mind.

Framing 'Inequality'

Framing the discussion in terms of economic inequality obscures the growth of government size and power that has accompanied the growth of economic inequality.

Growing concentration of power is the problem. A serious discussion must not ignore that, if left unchecked, the biggest crocodile (the government) will eventually devour the others. In that sense, today's situation is worse than what Reagan faced in 1980.