Interesting Links for 04-12-2012

• Botched, incompetent, police operation used as evidence that blanket data surveillance is needed
  (tags: viaFanf privacy surveillance uk )
• Scotland outlines a replacement for Stamp duty on property.
  (tags: scotland property )
• What it's like being on a press junket (for The Hobbit)
  (tags: TheHobbit media reviews )
• Various comics characters bid a fond farewell to Hostess Fruit Pies. TDKR and Rorshach are my favourites.
  (tags: advertising funny comics )
• Possibly the worst coding standard in the history of mankind.
  (tags: coding bureaucracy EpicStupidity )

The Christmas episode of Castle was the Christmasiest thing I've seen in a long time.

Also, great pre-credits murder.