Dear Republicans:

I know you don’t like science, 'cause it’s all … ummmm … sciency. I know you wouldn’t like to read a whole book about science. But please, take a moment just to read this review of a book that explains, in relatively small words, what your party is doing to science.

Thanks!

-Dave

Thankfully, the Miers-o-Meter couldn’t predict this!

My daughter found a coin in the change bin of our car.

“Dad, what’s this?” she asked as we drove down the highway.

I took it from her and glanced at it quickly, trying to keep my eyes on the road. It was about the size of a penny, but I could make out the letters D — E — U — T — S — C — H. “I think it’s German. How did that get in here?”

Nora took it back from me. “Let me see. It says '1940'.”

But that would be …

“… and it’s got a swastika on it!”

… it couldn’t be. How could it? I needed to get a closer look at it, and I had my chance at a red light a few minutes later. Sure enough, there was the familiar German eagle, perched regally above a little swastika. On the back it said “5 Reichspfennig.” How did that get in my car? I mean, it is a Volkswagen, but somehow I don’t think Nazi coins are part of the standard options package.

Generally I only ever put anything in the change bin when I went through a drive-through of some sort. Could I have gotten it in change at the Taco Bell? Could someone have mistaken it for a U.S. penny? Here’s what it looks like:

When we got home, we looked the thing up on the Internet. Turns out 5 Reichspfennig Nazi coins are a dime a dozen. Well, actually more like $8 for 10, but you get the idea.

I still have no idea how this thing got into my car. I feel like I should save it or something, but on the other hand I don’t really want it. Anyone got any creative ideas for disposal of an offensive bit of WWII memorabilia?

But the pictures are not very good.

Rosa Parks: A hand-picked Insta-Martyr, or an icon of courage? Good debate about it here.