Link Me Up, Scotty - Justice Edition

A Marine officer who was teaching at the Naval Academy is found guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer, indecent conduct and fraternization with two Midshipmen. He thought he was getting a raw deal, so he convinced an investigative reporter from The Washington Post to do an in-depth investigation of the case in an effort to boost his chances of exoneration. Be careful what you wish for, cupcake. There's not a single person in this story that didn't exhibit poor judgement at the very least, and Major Mark Thompson deserves whatever he gets as long as it's not full retirement.

H/T Shipmate Jim
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Porn sites have banned NC users from their sites due to their discriminatory bathroom law. Karma, you are a spiteful bitch, and I love you for it.

H/T Brother Juan
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Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sottomayer on why the Supreme Court needs more diversity, not only in terms of race, gender and creed, but in educational backgrounds, too. The more I read about her, the more she's becoming my platonic, semi-celebrity, same-sex girlfriend. Although she'll have to work pretty hard to displace the Notorious RBG.
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The Daily Show takes on trans bathroom panic, with predictable results. Featuring none other than our old friend Gordon "Chaps" Klingenschmitt, famed asshat, whackadoo, bigot and purveyor of fantasy.*
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From the I'm apoplectic with rage files: Mental health professionals in Tennessee will soon be able to refuse to treat members of the LGBTQ community because their religious bigotry trumps their oath to heal. I find this particular piece of shitbaggery to be especially infuriating and hurtful, for what should be obvious reasons.

H/T Sister Stacey
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Overlanding the Silk Road is a film by Nicolas Bori, who spent 120 days following the ancient route of the Silk Road, which took him through China, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. Fascinating.

H/T Brother Juan
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It appears the Republicans in charge of the Benghazi investigation doctored the records to make Secretary Clinton look bad. I'm shocked - shocked! - that the partisan nonsense in Washington would lead to such an event, said no literate American ever. Make sure you link through to the source document to guard against bias.
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Sarah Palin agreed to debate Bill Nye the Science Guy, but then thought better of it. So she's not a complete moron, then.

ETA: Oh, wait, yes she is. 
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A fascinating article on the alien intelligence of Octopus, in the wake of the now-famous Inky's clever break for freedom from a New Zealand aquarium. I love octopus, and now I have a new book in my wish list.

H/T The Incomparable Anne™
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*He still embarrasses me to death, y'all.