Good Reads/Random Cool Sites (9/11/2009)

"So on behalf of the British government, and all those who live freely thanks to Alan’s work I am very proud to say: we’re sorry, you deserved so much better." The British Government apologizes to Alan Turing. Good on them. (h/t: Language Log)

How America is being reshaped in Wal-Mart's image:

As the unionized General Motors was big enough to set the pattern for the employment of nonprofessional Americans in the three decades following World War II, Wal-Mart is now so big it is setting the pattern today. Each created a distinct national buying public for its goods that was far larger than its immediate work force: in GM's case, workers who could afford to buy new cars; in Wal-Mart's, workers who could afford to shop nowhere except Wal-Mart.

Did Texas execute an innocent man?

Truth in advertising: the Wheel with Handles!