Thursday link roundup

• This Agitator post illustrates in perfect detail why it's not even worth trying anymore. Short version, a noble citizen does soemthing that would save the fovernment 2.2 million dollars and deliver a higher quality. The feds refuse, and take years in doing so. Your tax dollars at sloth.
• Putin's Rise to Power
• MaoPost.com - really cool
• Oil Econ 101 - and oldie but a goodie
• This little nugget from Marginal Revolution

  In Brazil, they segregate their prisons according to gang membership. No exceptions. Not even for individuals who in fact are not members of any gang.
  
  How does that work? Easy. Upon being admitted to the prison system, unaffiliated prisoners are required to join a gang.