So you can imagine that it's all about Rob Ford up here in Toronto at the moment. (And what sensational theater it is.) But the best description of him I've come across so far was at New York magazine yesterday, where Dan Amira referred to him as "a human tornado of chaos and sleaze." Yes, that about sums him up. (The title of Dan's post is also brilliant.) And now, on to other, less Canadian matters…

Pruning Shears: Capitalism takes on democracy.

Mario Piperni: George W. Bush, bad dream.

Rising Hegemon: America's human rights hypocrisy.

Fruits and Votes: How not to elect a president.

And for your Friday science lesson: What it would feel like to be a sperm. (Seriously.)

Round-up by Michael J.W. Stickings of The Reaction (Twitter: @mjwstickings). I'll be here through the weekend.

Send requests and suggestions to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com.