READING BEFORE CHRISTMAS (12-23-13)

The year in photos (The Atlantic).

The weirdist stories of 2013 (Huffington Post).

Dealing with the haters out there (Bob Lefsetz / The Big Picture).

Wildly expensive athlete divorces (The Postgame).

Words you shouldn't use if you want your resume to standout (Women's Health Magazine).


POLITICS IN AMERICA
Ohio state Senator Nina Turner introduces bill to regulate reproductive health of men (ABNews).

Obama jabs Putin, picks openly gay delegates for winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia (Huffington Post).

Conservatives attack the Pope after he criticizes global inequalities and the absurdity of trickle down economics (Nation of Change).


THE WORLD OF BANKING & FINANCE
Half-Assed ... or "Why the Banks Get Away With the Crap They Get Away With" (Cassandra Does Tokyo / The Big Picture).

Seriously, there is no functioning free market ... Here's a long list of market manipulation from the banks, financial institutions, and just about anyone who has the cash to move markets (Zero Hedge).

Car and student loans account for 95% of all consumer credit (Zero Hedge).

This is why people will begin rebelling around the world ... the Spanish government is preparing another bailout for billionaire oligarchs (Liberty Blitzkrieg).


MISCELLANEOUS
The seven best speeches in TV history (Huffington Post).

14 services for the super rich you never knew existed (Daily Finance).

What shoddily made bridges say about China (Global Post).

Shanghai's record pollution is now creeping inside building (Zero Hedge).

- Mark