Here are some links for you while you're recovering from the 4th. Science first:
"Contrary to their expectations?" Really? Personal experience in science communication
The Scacco/Beber analysis of the Iranian election is bogus
Prehistoric bloodsucker in Thames
Evidence of fraud in the Iranian election - a reanalysis
It's a good thing people in Brookline have something to eat beside potatoes
Other:
More like this
Via one of my favorite blogs, Brain Police, this primer on US - Iranian relations:
Most of us would agree that treating AIDS is not a crime. "Most of us" apparently doesn't include the Iranian judiciary and the Iranian government.
Science may know no borders but scientists have nationalities. Many live within the countries where they have citizenship, while many travel to where they can do more and better science. In the 21st century no nation can afford to squander its scientific talent.
This post was co-authored by Natasha Bahrami, a foreign policy researcher, and Ali Arab, Ph.D., an assistant professor of statistics at Georgetown University.