It's a shame that the press involves a "public trust." Otherwise, the Media could take its cues from American Idol:

Can a television show with a shrinking audience actually increase its revenue? In the case of “American Idol,” the answer is yes . . . Despite losing viewers in each of the last three years, “American Idol”. . . is generating ever-growing profits for its creators and, it appears, for Fox Broadcasting through brand extensions, marketing arrangements and licensing fees.

The New York Times could sell naming rights - The Federal Express NYTimes? Anyway, this is an Open Thread.

Happy Mothers Day.

After calling my mother, I turned on the TV and remembered why I do not watch Sunday Talk anymore. ABC had their roundtable of Stephanopolos, Will, Donaldson, Cokie Roberts with Robert Reich. Apart from Reich, the ignorance was stunning.

One particular passage -- Will said that "the bankruptcy law was altered" in the Chrysler matter to "save the union." Of course, in Will's mind, the bankruptcy law was designed to destroy unions and save the Masters of the Universe.

This is an Open Thread.

Still busy time for me. I have one post bubbling in my brain about the value of diversity. I do not care for the approach of some on the progressive side in describing it. They seem more focused on how it affects outcomes rather than diversity being an outcome of equality (particularly equal opportunity) itself. Thinking through how to write what I think about that issue.

What stories are you thinking about? This is an Open Thread.

I'm going to watch Last Chance Harvey and Benjamin Button, both of which arrived via Netflix this week.

What's going on in your neck of the woods? Here's an open thread to discuss more important -- or less important -- matters.

All topics welcome.

A bevy of beauty queens got together yesterday to express their beliefs. Present and former winners of Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss Universe, and Miss California titles recorded a PSA that included these memorable lines:

"I believe when I express my opinion I have a responsibility to do it in a way that respects others who may not agree … I believe in love … I believe when two people with opposite views communicate with love and respect both points of view can be heard … I believe no one should be silenced if they are speaking from their heart with respect … I believe in the beauty of California."

Carrie Prejean couldn't make it, but we already know what she believes. What do you believe?

This is an open thread.

I'll be offline for the next several hours so here's an open thread for you.

All topics welcome.

I have a very busy 3 days ahead. So I won't be around much during the day. But the victorious legal warrior J walks again amongst us mere mortals so I am sure she, with TChris and Ethan, will have plenty of interesting things to say.

This is an Open Thread.

Your turn.

This is an Open Thread.

Your turn.

This is an Open Thread.

I imagine I have missed at least 5 important stories over the past few days. Fill me in if you please.

This is an Open Thread.

I'm on assignment. Actually, I'm having a lot of fun trying to create a new kind of hearing notebook for a suppression hearing this week.

There are so many cases on traffic stops that end with purported consents to search and the seizure of vast quantities of drugs, that it's hard to keep them all straight. Printing them out and sticking them in a file is not going to help me find the one I need as I'm arguing. [More...]

I've been buried with work today and simply have not had a second for any blogging.

I do want to mention that I just got in the mail a copy of Eric Boehlert's new book, "bloggers on the bus: How the Internet Changed Politics and the Press" (Free Press, a Simon and Schuster imprint.) The book will be available for purchase on Amazon. Eric is not only a terrific reporter, but a good friend of TalkLeft. I'll provide a review of the book as soon as I have a chance to read it.

Speaking for me only