I was sent to the store last night. On the way home, a quick 1.5 mile trip up and down two hills, I was treated to this view:

Poetically, we could call it the waning days of summer. Except we have a series of triple-digit heat index days ahead. Summer finally showed up, he said for probably the second or third time this summer.

Things to read … which I say allll the time.

Ferguson is also a net neutrality issue:

Ferguson is about many things, starting first with race and policing in America.

But it’s also about internet, net neutrality and algorithmic filtering.

It’s a clear example of why “saving the Internet”, as it often phrased, is not an abstract issue of concern only to nerds, Silicon Valley bosses, and few NGOs. It’s why “algorithmic filtering” is not a vague concern.

It’s a clear example why net neutrality is a human rights issue; a free speech issue; and an issue of the voiceless being heard, on their own terms.

That’s the beginning of a good read that impacts us all. If you’d like to think of it theoretically, you have an interesting computational (algorithmic) vs humanistic (agenda setting) conversation. In reality, the author’s point is Facebook is lacking and self-limited, Twitter shouldn’t go down that path — they’re discussing it, to their ultimate detriment — and that “trending” function is limited.

I suppose you could see this as a hammer-nail issue, and we should all note that, in all things, what is happening in and because of the most recent events in Ferguson, Missouri shouldn’t be a Rorschach test for everything. But there are some good points in that piece.

Speaking of Ferguson, if you’re suddenly stunned by the militarization of the nation’s police forces, you haven’t been paying much attention at all in recent years, have you? That isn’t happening here, right now. AL law enforcement suspended from military equipment allocation program:

Alabama officials said the federal government suspended the program after “accountability issues” and “paperwork issues” with multiple Alabama law enforcement agencies were discovered.

Shane Bailey took over as the Alabama 1033 program state coordinator on May 5. He said a good number of departments across the state didn’t file or keep up with paperwork. Bailey said his office is now handling audits, but said no equipment is missing. Bailey said federal officials were in the state during the first week of August conducting an investigation. Bailey has not received a final report from that investigation.

So we would be, but folks have struggled with the responsibility of paperwork. When that gets under control, one supposes, the up-armoring will continue.

You can see what is going on with the procurement of military-grade equipment on a county-by-county basis, here. I have a special prize for the first person that can explain to me why the police force in Montgomery County, Alabama, has nine grenade launchers.

Also, speaking of Ferguson … For Journalists, A Temptation To Become The Story:

In today’s world — where journalists are, themselves, a “brand” commodity — where large Twitter followings amount to status and job security — and where “Gonzo” journalism — injecting yourself into the story — is more common than ever, what could be a better career move than getting arrested?

This is not to diminish the brave journalists who have been killed or harmed in the process of pursuing truly dangerous assignments — and I’m not suggesting this is the case with the reporters and photographers who have been hassled in Ferguson.

But, going forward, if you were an overly-ambitious, and perhaps quixotic, young reporter or blogger, wouldn’t it make sense to intentionally become part of this sort of story — especially if you thought the risk-reward ratio was favorable.

Yes, it would. And the example of Ferguson, so far, does nothing to dispel that. The odds are it would increase your stature, not to mention the number of people following you on Twitter. And — as an added benefit — you get to look like a courageous and bold journalist — a contrast to the stereotype about effete elites and “nattering nabobs of negativism” (why else are we talking about Chris Hayes today?)

This, of course, is not an entirely new phenomenon.

There is a delicate balance, and a tension in the balance, that one must strive to maintain. Sometimes that’s probably easier than others. Sometimes, I’ll grant you, it might be difficult to understand until after the fact. Yet, it should be a consideration.

Meanwhile, Samford Exceeds Campaign Goal More than Four Months Early:

Samford University celebrated Aug. 19 with the surprise announcement by President Andrew Westmoreland that the university had exceeded its goal for “A Campaign for Samford” more than four months early. Westmoreland made the announcement at the annual employee workshop preceding the start of the fall semester.

As of Aug. 15, gifts and pledges totaling $200,155,265 had been received from 17,381 donors, representing the largest fundraising effort in the university’s 173-year history. Gift amounts ranged from 36 cents to $13.4 million. The campaign launched in October 2009 with a goal of $200 million.

That’s surely some very nice work by the people tasked with asking for money during tough economic times, and splendid generosity by people who love a special place.

This is a clever new Gatorade campaign. Ad of the Day: Peyton Manning and Cam Newton Prank Store Customers for Gatorade. In the videos you learn a few things. It is somehow creepy when people don’t recognize Peyton Manning. And, if he didn’t have football, Manning might be America’s prototypical middle manager.

One more sunset shot, I’m always taking pictures of roads: