I've read all of today's posts and thank GG for going to such lengths in characterizing Halberstam's work. I read several of his books on the subject of baseball, and particularly on the heroic theme of the Yankees/Red Sox epic rivalry over the many decades. Given the recent thumping of the Yankees by the Sox in Fenway Park, I can't help but think that Halberstam must have watched some of that landslide, and been boyed by it.

Thanks GG, well said.

And let me echo the call re: Bill Moyer's Journal this evening, PBS. For those interested in the health of our media, this is must-see TV.

Enjoyed Savage's comments. If there is follow-up opportunity, I'd be interested to know if Savage follows any particular blogs, and how he views the evolving blogosphere generally. I'd also like to get his take on an issue sometimes discussed here--the melding of the blogosphere with more traditional political reporting--but this is a more complex question and might not be doable via written interview. Perhaps might be a topic better suited for a Moyers show (which was very good, I thought). Thanks GG.

I think Savage has been reporting that signing statements are the unitary executive, or more properly part of it. The UE is not just some theory they wish were true--it is their current modus operandi.

And there is much less need for the executive to exercise constitutional power when he can exercise this unconstitutional one. For me, it is also a matter of politicization of the executive. Take the torture bill--there is no politically safe way to veto that bill. But if you can strip it with a signing statement, you get the best of both worlds. You're signing the bill, thus agreeing with the Congress, but you're also formally and explicitly ignoring the parts you don't like, as unitary executive. Thus robbing the Congress of much of its constitutional power. Pretty damn clever.

And they got away with this for a very long time.

FDL is going after caucasians?

Can someone specify what FDL posted that was 'racially offensive' regarding Leiberman?

There's a rather quiet, yet intense, movement of thought and expression building.

I saw the program also, with similar but likely a more muted reaction. I believe that's smoke you're smelling. It's a prairie fire.

In my view, it is not expansive yet. But there is smoke in the wind. I've always liked the smell of smoke.

Moyers clearly admires Stewart, and visa versa. But here's my sacriledge: Stewart could be the better journalist. He refuses the mantle, but Moyers doesn't buy it, and neither do I. Moyers remarked repeatedly about Stewart's ability to crystalize issues quickly and consisely, and he is exactly right in that. Stewart has a great ability to be both very precise and very accessable with language, and humor is the ultimate weapon.

When Moyers asked (jokingly) about the possibility of a job on the Daily Show, that was the ultimate compliment.

Sorry PR! But don't worry, you're going to enjoy it thoroughly.

Josh Marshall also extremely well spoken--he was excellent. Hence the guarded optimism here in the Hill Country this evening...

...565,000 s.f. of big-box stores and other retail, on 130 acres, including wetlands.

jm, just an off-topic note on this, from one who fights that same fight in another area of the country. Fighting specific developments after plans have been drawn up and the "influence" has already been inserted is difficult and rarely successful, in my experience.

A better, less maddening tack for you may be to partner up with a local Land Trust--become a member, volunteer, or join their board. There must be many small regional land trusts in your neck of the woods. These are non-profit organizations that promote land conservation and prevent unwanted development, and enable significant tax savings for landowners in the process.

"It's amplified by the anonymity, and it can be scary that it's so irresponsible," the insider said. "And it's pulling the mainstream media in that direction."

I agree with 'Anonymous Democratic Insider from California'. These bloggers are scary. They are pulling the mainstream media in a direction that may not be to the liking of 'Anonymous Democratic Insider from California'. 'Anonymous Democratic Insider from California' is not sure this is a good thing. It has positives, and negatives, and stuff.

So have some empathy for Anonymous Democratic Insider from California. His/Her world is becoming an increasingly scary place.