Hi folks,

Hey, how are you?  The week treating you okay so far?  Tuesday was odd, but yesterday seemed fine.  Already looking ahead to this weekend's trip to Baltimore.  I've got crab cakes on the brain now.  However, first I've got to review the house rules with BDH and Little Buddha again, just to make sure we're clear about there being no wild parties while I'm gone.  I'm telling you, these two look innocent, but they know how to have fun when I'm not here.  Anyway, I'll get to them later.  For now, help yourself to a nice medium DD, and how about we clear out a little Thursday Clutter?

The head of the National Security Agency says their spying program has prevented "dozens" of attacks.  Meanwhile, Edward Snowden now says the U.S. has been hacking thousands of people in Hong Kong and China, which strikes me as something that shouldn't really surprise anyone.

How do we pass a law to just ban the GOP from ever talking about rape?  This time it's Representative Trent Franks (Arizona) doing his best Todd Akin impression by claiming that, "The incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low," which I'm guessing is a conclusion he came to while brushing his teeth one morning.  The misogyny of this party never ceases to amaze.

Wait, the Obama administration is now proposing that Plan B be sold without age restriction, but generics could still be kept behind the counter?  It's amazing to me that preventing unintended pregnancies is the issue that they're digging their heels in on.  Just imagine how differently the last 4+ years could have gone if they'd shown this much resistance to the House GOP.

What is the problem, Mr. President?  (pic via salon.com)

Whole Foods likes to act like they're saving the world in a progressive way, but their CEO compared the Affordable Care Act to facism, and now it turns out they seem to have an "English-only" policy for their workers.  If I didn't know better, I'd say they were just a bunch of right-wingers marketing themselves as "crunchies" in order to convince their customers to pay inflated prices for not particularly outstanding groceries, but that's just me.

If Facebook is going to steal the hashtags concept from Twitter, I think it's about time we start busting out #clearingouttheclutter, don't you?

The stock market had another bumpy day yesterday.  People keep freaking about what the Federal Reserve is going to do, and there might be a chance for a good sale soon.

Yahoo wants you to start using their email system again, and they're going to give away your old accounts if you don't reactivate them soon.  Don't think for a second about getting my account, pal.  I just logged on for the first time in...it might be close to 10 years now, and I had all of one email waiting for me, which was a "welcome back" message from Yahoo.  I can't even remember at this point why I ever had this account, but that's not the point.  See you again in 2023, Yahoo!

It's unfortunate, but not surprising, to hear rumblings that Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers may be looking to check out of town.  Doc's done a great job with the team for nine years, but there's clearly some rebuilding coming, and if he doesn't want to be part of it, that's his right, and if this is the end, I say cheers, Doc.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks had themselves quite the little skirmish Tuesday night.  Arizona pitcher Ian Kennedy hit Dodger Yasiel Puig in the nose with a pitch, which led to Los Angeles pitcher Zach Greinke hit Miguel Montero in the back with a pitch.  Kennedy decided he wasn't done yet, so he drilled Greinke in the shoulder, and then all hell broke loose.  

Two things here:  First, there's plenty of blame to be thrown around on both sides, but I hope Kennedy gets a stiffer punishment than the others, because he intentionally tried to hit to guys in the head with a baseball being thrown at over 90mph.  That's dangerous, and he's lucky neither of them were seriously hurt.  Second, watch Dodgers hitting coach Mark McGwire start grabbing Arizona guys by their jerseys and looking like he's about to break them in half.  I think we all know that no one wants to make McGwire angry.  You wouldn't like him when he's angry.

Okay kids, that's going to do it for now.  Let's have The Beatles close things out with today's, "Song of the Day."

Thanks for stopping by, everyone.  It was great to see you, as always.  Enjoy the rest of your day, and try to stay dry.  If that doesn't work out, just remember that tomorrow's Friday.  Until next time, that's today's Clutter, and we are outta here.