I'm posting my comments on the inanity and subterfuge of birthers, just like yours. I'm posting because Salon has otherwise good writers like Alex Koppelman and Mike Madden, who are responsible for ferreting out information about burning issues such as healthcare, and are dropping the ball. Check their last few posts, look for substantive journalism (not just Obama-sniping). Get back to me.

I'm posting because a liberal site like Salon, who can get themselves in a lather about nanosecond-breaking details on Gates and birthers and Palin, but also, to their credit, torture and abortion-killings, can't manage to sustain their interest on breaking healthcare developments that Huffington is carrying hourly. I know, I know - resources. But temperament and tone, too. And choices.

Everyone likes to say, "what a distraction are the birthers!", but they aren't are they? They're entertainment, here at Salon - page clicks - and it shows.

I don't have any problem with anyone enjoying themselves at the birthers expense - I think they're certifiable - but I can tell you that they ARE distracting media from essential - ESSENTIAL - issues that are going to slip through our hands again, and media is distracting us.

Feel free to come on the healthcare posts and insert, "How about those birthers!". I will back you up. I posted on this War Room page and Joan's blog only, because those were consistently frequented by readers who cared about healthcare, and in fact many of the comments were to the effect of "why aren't we talking about healthcare".

We may have a House bill next week. The birthers - they'll be here forever. I'm genuinely sorry to have interrupted your evening.

Nah, they're all on the Alex Koppelman's War Room page - two posts on birthers today, one on Palin, another on Gatesgate - ZERO, ZIP on health care, hence the updates. And boy do those guys NOT LIKE being interrupted from snarking on birthers.

I'm glad to know it's a decision and not just ignorance of events. And for that reason - yes, you're doing a crap job.

It's your choice what goes up here, not mine. When you imply birthers are ridiculous and a defacto distraction from real issues, and then you and Salon milk them several times across the site for hits, at the expense of healthcare coverage, during crucial weeks...........well what the hell do YOU think that looks like?

I'll trade you two birther posts, one Palin and Gatesgate for one good piece on what's happening in the House today.

Or I can get my news and snark elsewhere, which I'm happy to do, if you prefer.

I think it's definitely possible to provide coverage for all - we're smart and driven enough as a country when we want to be. And deep down we do care for one another, especially when enlightened leaders remind us of that fact (which I think is one of their job descriptions).

I wasn't necessarily talking about Obama. Enlightened leaders can come from any side - don't you agree? Just as long as the message isn't division and civil-war-mongering, but is inclusion and living together in peace.

Why don't you try putting one up.

"Today Robert Gibbs said the president "regrets" distracting the media by getting involved in the flap, and to me that's good news........The fact is, Obama's opponents are using any means necessary, including race, to thwart his political agenda. He didn't need this particular racial passion play getting in his way. Who's going to take the first step toward reconciliation? I'm watching closely."

I'd say Obama's opponents have a lot of help, and Salon's right up there. The President regrets distracting the media? How about the media taking some responsibility for their behavior, you know - being adult?

480 comments and counting. This blog and the War Room whipping up opinion and hand-wringing and introspection and flame wars, and...........click, click, click, click, click. Good news, as you say.

Any other subjects worth your time Ms. Walsh - the economy? Escalating job losses? Healthcare epidemic? Carbon trades? Russian nukes? Hillary on Iran?

Gatesgate: a tempest in a teabag, a fake race "discussion", a media lark. It hurts no one and has no particular resolution, a half-assed opinion war that can stretch to infinity. The perfect media sideshow, and as is seeming more evident to me, the perfect Salon article.

What does it harm, you say? Nothing I guess, except the President's agenda, and our ability to see clearly what's important to ourselves and our neighbors. So 14,000 more people lose health care while the story's up, so untold lose their jobs. No harm done here.

I am officially out of love with you, dear Salon.

LondonLad:

Now you know this is nothing more than a media-inflated souffle. You could see them whipping it up as soon as Obama said ANYTHING about Gates. You're not that foolish are you? He even apologized for "distracting" the media. You don't think anyone controls the media's ability - or economic wish - to be distracted, do you? Distractions being always at our expense, or entertainment, if you like.

If you think the content of this "distraction" warrants the fluff-piece and barrage of racial-lite comments herein........well then you're on the right site. Or you can try The View.

Mary_Steyr:

I couldn't have said it better. There's a distinct whiff of Bay Area Mandarin around here today. Will it last? Stay tuned!!!