Random

• An English researcher has identified some regional personality traits in the US. When visiting the article click on the highly interactive map. ~ link

• Florida citrus industry in free fall -- splat predicted. ~ link

• The number of people who think that Obama is a Muslim is increasing -- that is, among those who get their information off the Internet. The number of people who think that Obama is a Muslim is declining among those who get their information from the print media. I don't fit either category. ~ link

• The VOA headline says "Corruption in poor countries threatens fight against poverty." ~ link

This isn't news -- just the stark reality. Even where there is enough food to go around and even when there are ample economic opportunities -- the biggest reason that people remain poor in 2008 is greed -- local corruption either by mafia-style organizations, dictators, or people of status who have been given a measure of entitlement in the culture. It's all the same thing. The problem is obvious. The strategic solution is less clear.

• Dave Olson's promo video on the American church in crisis (via) --