Pacific Views

Around the Blogs

Kos responds to a criticism from Zachary Roth of Columbia Journalism Review's campaign desk that the publishing of exit poll data violates a journalistic rule. Ezra at Pandagon has some thoughts on ethics and blogging as well. Kos makes the point that bloggers are primarily activists, Ezra asks an interesting question about the impact of blogging. The comments in both places are good as well.

Now appearing for your reading pleasure in a new venue, Mathew Gross of DFA has started up a new blog.

Ampersand on the causes of rape, John Ashcroft's grab for the medical records of abortion recipients, and explains more about the Violence Against Women Act.

CalPundit has really been on top of the AWOL flap. Check here for his summary of a conversation with the man who claimed that Bush's records were cleansed, points out a column describing Guard service at the time, and has a summary for those of us who may not have been keeping such a close watch. Also, O'Reilly apologizes.

And on that note, I'd like to alert you to the interesting fact that Bill O'Reilly supports gay rights and adoption. Check out this quote from the Advocate article linked just above:

...“The only heat I take on the gay stuff is from very, very religious-driven people,” he insists. “I don’t take any heat from Republicans or Democrats. This is where you guys have it wrong: 90% percent of Americans don’t care what you do; 10% are fanatics. They think you’re going to hell, and they want you to go to hell. All right? Ignore them.”

And what does he mean by religious fanatics? “I mean, people who think you are going to hell and are going to quote from Revelation that you’re going there. I think that’s a little ridiculous, don’t you? Those are the people. The guys waving the [Bible] saying, ‘God hates you.’ How do they know? Let God sort it out. I have no idea whether God hates you or not.” ...

Billmon reviews the Bush administration's economic prognostication record, and some time ago pointed out that the World Economic Forum has discovered blogs.

Dwight over at Wampum notes that while it's hard to say if Bush's approval is slipping among his natural voting constituency, it definitely seems to be slipping among his natural pundit constituency.

Dave Neiwert at Orcinus talks about the latest AWOL developments along with a timeline of previous postings on the topic. Scroll below that post for perspective on the cost of hate crimes, and his take on the O'Reilly apology and simultaneous blame of the CIA.

See the Forest on the $100 revolution.

Nathan Newman finds Bill Frist suggesting that the US isn't as good as Europe. Why does Bill Frist hate America? Also, how the 9-11 spurred financial arrangement with the airlines is being used to bust unions, and how the Bush administration is turning the Defense Department into a patronage outfit using similar tactics.

The Sideshow points to Al Gore's recent speech, wherein he sounds pretty fired up.

TBogg picks out the good bits from the White House press corps' latest game of McClellan baiting. To echo Jon Stewart, where have they been all this time?

Scroll down for the latest news on Steve Gilliard, who is apparently recovering fairly well. Good luck, Steve.

Lisa from Ruminate This updates us on coping with her son's juvenile diabetes. Best wishes from all of us here.