Busy day in the mix house so here are a couple of reader contributions. First up, reader R sends this SPLC item about for-profit Mississippi prisons, where the invisible hand holds a leash on a pet rat:
The lawsuit describes a facility where prisoners are often locked in filthy cells and ignored even when they are suffering from serious medical issues. Many cells lack light and working toilets, forcing prisoners to use trays or plastic bags that are tossed through slots in their cell doors. Rats often climb over prisoners’ beds. Some prisoners even capture the rats, put them on makeshift leashes and sell them as pets to other prisoners.
Move over Rob Ford, reader M sends news of another political genius running one of Japan’s largest cities:
Osaka mayor Toru Hashimoto has been haunted by his choice of words ever since igniting furious public debate a few weeks ago when we suggested that Japan’s use of some 200,000 comfort women during WWII was “necessary”.
Finally, in the spirit of John’s post last night, reader L sends this Wonkette item on James Comey that coins the political blogging equivalent of TL;DR:
Speaking of petty and stupid, you will likely not be surprised to learn that Glenn Greenwald is not very happy with this choice no he is not. We did not really bother to read his column about it because GG;DR (Glenn Greenwald; Didn’t Read) but we think the gist of it is that no one on earth is good enough for Glenn except Glenn, but maybe you’d like to trot on over there and read for yourself? No? We don’t blame you.
When I post things like that, I have to remind myself that I didn’t start the fire, it was always burning since the world’s been turning. Open thread.