You can read and read but until you can speak intelligently no one will ever know if you’re smart or stupid. And if you’re stupid it’s best to stay silent. Read these articles, my selections as the best conversational news stories from the past week, and sound intelligent when it’s your turn to speak.

- US Embassy in Syria set upon by “thugs” - In this day and age, with our technology and the free flow of information, how does a government that has lost it’s “legitimacy” continue beating and killing it’s citizens? Aim a satellite over the country, broadcast freely the illegal actions of government forces and allow the people to have a voice in their own future, a voice that is heard by billions around the world, not just neighbors in the streets.

- Two sick days you can save up. If I knew I could have been a teacher and my union would demand these perks for my job… well, it’d be a whole different me, wouldn’t it? Two sick days a month you could save up, five paid professional days a year, summers off, or extra pay to teach summer school… the list literally goes on and on.

- “We will kill for oil” is one among other statements quoted by Libyan government officials reported this week. And i think they will kill and die for their oil. Sadly they will not do the same for life, liberty or countrymen. At what time will the rest of the world stand up to, and put an end to, this war?

- Pentagon loses large in cyber-attack. Yes, there is justification for enhanced computer networks because if the government cannot protect our information who will? The Pentagon operates more than 15,000 computer networks and 7 million computers in dozens of countries. The Pentagon operates more than 15,000 computer networks and 7 million computers in dozens of countries.

- How to quit your crappy job (picture). After working 22 days straight and being denied the 23rd day off, which happened to be the 4th of July, a KFC/Taco Bell employee announces he’s quitting, with style.