Does this story sound familiar? The masses are looking for a leader–and out of nowhere comes the mysterious Tommy, who offers hope to the masses and promises to lead them to a better life. They all converge at a holiday camp, and during a gathering–a town hall meeting of sorts–the people realize they don’t like Tommy’s message, and they yell out, “We’re not gonna take it!” It sure sounds familiar to me. Confronted with a rebellion, Tommy comes to his senses, and ascertains that wisdom doesn’t come from him–but from the people themselves.

Palin says Obama’s health care plan is ‘evil’ ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin called President Barack Obama’s health plan “downright evil” Friday in her first online comments since leaving office, saying in a Facebook posting that he would create a “death panel” that would deny care to the neediest Americans. [link]

Mikhaela posts a list of Senators who haven’t yet confirmed support for the inclusive ENDA that Jeff Merkley (one of my Senators — Oregon for the win!) recently introduced in the Senate. The senators are listed by state; go check it out, and if your senator is listed, please give her or him a call. For those of you unfamiliar with ENDA, here’s Wikipedia’s nutshelling : The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), is a proposed bill in the United States Congress that would prohibit discrimination against employees on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability.

Imaginatik , which offers technology to help companies poll their employees for cost-saving ideas and then select the best ones, says it has raised another $2.6 million to pursue plans for growth. There are plenty of other tools that let you gather ideas from customers and employees (one of the more high-profile products comes from Salesforce.com , whose IdeaExchange was adapted for use on Barack Obama’s Change.gov web site).

While most of the denizens of American newsrooms are enthralled with President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton’s “rescue” of two journalists who worked for his VP Al Gore, and the resignation of Paula Abdul from “American Idol,” the United States continues to face potentially deadly biological threats that may occur naturally or may be the result of a terrorist attack. (more…)

Your guide to an informed romp through cyberspace. In other news, who seriously refers to it as “cyberspace” anymore? [Matador Life] “9 Great U.S. Bookstores.” How many of these do I want to visit? All of them. [DC Beer Week] Sunday, August 16th through Friday, August 21st. It’s a week devoted to drinking beer in DC. Need I say more? [New York Times] Michael Pollan looks at how cooking became a spectator sport in America. Think Food Network or that new Julie & Julia movie.

Rolling Stone’s latest cover story is a well-thought out, yet predictably supportive piece about how the 43rd presidency has fared thus far. So it may come as little surprise that the issue’s cover has  received more attention than the article itself. Illustrated by noted street artist–cum–graphic designer Shephard Fairey , the cover image features a much more serious image of the president than his iconic “Hope” campaign posters. But is he deifying the president by using imagery that evokes a halo? Some say yes .

Michael Jackson’s Death, Swine Flu and Obama’s Presidency Were Top Three Issues Used to Distribute Malware This Year, According to PandaLabs – PandaLabs’ study finds that cybercriminals are increasingly taking advantage of latest news and current events to distribute malware – Infidelity and how to catch cheating partners are also topics on the rise GLENDALE, Calif., Aug.