Here's what we're following this morning:

(via someecards)

Smashing the can instead of kicking it down the road - Testosterone Pit | The next opportunity for Greece to default is August 20, when it has to pay the ECB 3.8 billion Euros...which it doesn't have.

Is Vegas signaling that the consumer is folding? - ConvergEx via Zero Hedge | Gambling appears to be a near real-time indicator of changes in consumer confidence.  And consumers aren't confident enough to spend their food money on games.

Americans should lose their faith in their government - Neil Barofsky @ Bloomberg | This is not the statement of a raving blogger or a conspiracy theorist living in his mom's basement.

Eurozone countries hit back at Moody's - Financial Times | "Listen, things aren't as bad in [our country/Europe] as you're saying.  If this continues much longer, we're going to have to start our own credit rating agency.  You know, one that will only give us glowing reviews."

Shrinking Wall Street - Counterpunch | I agree with most of this EXCEPT for the part about removing the tax deferment to retirement plans.

What role does youth unemployment play in acts of aggression? - Alternet | Yves Smith at Naked Capitalism comments that one of the striking things about these types of events is that perpetrators aren't easily categorized, they don't come from troubled backgrounds, and the individuals seldom provide warning signs before the attacks.

The national security complex and you - TomDispatch | 92,064,862 documents are classified.  And that's just the beginning.

Questionable drugs net billions for health care industry - Truthdig and The Washington Post | The full WaPo article is here.  Those who are supposed to be trusted should not be trusted.  If you happen to take any drugs for your anemia, this article is probably worth a read.

Why the US dollar is not going to $0.00 any time soon - Charles Hugh Smith | Start with this: fiat currency is the ultimate phantom asset.  Working from there, you have to wonder why anyone would trade real, tangible wealth for specially-printed paper.

How political campaigns want your money when REAL causes actually need your money - Jr Deputy Accountant | People are starving and the candidates want you to spend money on their elections?  Oh, please.