Link Me Up, Scotty - People Rock, People Suck Edition

Smart Man and fellow UCFer David on the suddenness of change in society, and how, for all our technological might, you can't really fight the climate. This is so good I wish I'd written it, and I'm delighted to know someone who did.
_________

Perelli announced their new 2016 calendar, and took the media by storm by featuring women of accomplishment and substance instead of their traditional big-boobed, skinny models. Advertising genius? You bet. Effective technique to show a little respect in spite of the gimmick? Indeed.

H/T The Incomparable Anne™
_________

Elizabeth Taylor ran an underground drug ring to provide experimental pharmaceuticals to AIDS patients. Her reputation as a hottie and sometime crazy woman should not overshadow her legacy of advocacy on behalf of AIDS patients. Go, Liz.

H/T Debbie the Librarian
_________

A U.S. Marine is found guilty in a Philippines court of killing a transgender woman, thus embarrassing the U.S. Armed Forces in the second-worst way possible. There's a lot to admire about the Devil Dogs, but their forward thinking, la-dee-da attitude about non-cis sexual identity isn't one of them. In fact, the organization as a whole is homophobic mess.

H/T Brother Seth
_________

Immigration revitalizes stagnant economies and cities. The fact that they're refugees is just a big ole "let's do the right thing" bonus.
_________

An essay on mass shootings and what we can - and can't - do about them. This is from 2014, but it still has relevance.
_________

Video of my Heart: Dave Grohl and THE MUPPETS.