I do not plan to write a separate post on Cramer on the Daily Show last night. Of course Jon Stewart exposed the farce that passes for journalism in our day, as his show has done for years now. This is merely the latest example. I do think Cramer may have done himself some good (while exposing CNBC to merited ridicule) by going in and taking the beating. But the reality is Jim Cramer is not a journalist and in some ways, it was unfair and unfortunate to lay the sins of today's "journalism" upon him. Stewart spent a lot of time arguing as if Cramer really held himself out as journalist. I respectfully disagree with that assessment. Cramer has always acted a fool. I doubt anyone expected him to "break" stories on financial shenanigans or even give objective analysis on financial news.

But NBC and its family of networks do hold themselves out to be journalists. And they are doing no journalism. Let me put it this way, who do you think is a worse "journalist," Jim Cramer or Brian Williams?

This is an Open Thread.

I started the day at 4:30 am, waking up concerned about Bernie Madoff (regardless of what he did, he's 70 years old, non-violent and doesn't belong at an MCC for months pending sentencing. Bail is not meant as punishment, only to secure one's appearance at the next court proceeding.)

I'm blogged out for now, the TL kid and I are going shopping, after which there's a new Gray's Anatomy to watch.

Your turn, all topics welcome.

I've spent far too much time following the Bernie Madoff case and am going to be working on my own cases the rest of the day. Final item: Here's the statement Madoff made in court today (pdf).

Here's an open thread for you, all topics welcome.

Late afternoon on the West Coast. For those wondering, we'll be back in the college hoops coverage business starting tomorrow night as we prepare for the start of March Madness next week.

This is an Open Thread.

Your turn.

This is an Open Thread.

Your turn.

This is an Open Thread.

Since we all read Krugman, I'll put the link here and quote the part I think most important:

As I read it, this dismissal [by Obama of concerns about the Obama approach to the financial crisis] — together with the continuing failure to announce any broad plans for bank restructuring — means that the White House has decided to muddle through on the financial front, relying on economic recovery to rescue the banks rather than the other way around. And with the stimulus plan too small to deliver an economic recovery ... well, you get the picture. Sooner or later the administration will realize that more must be done. But when it comes back for more money, will Congress go along?

The moment of truth fast approaches. Bold or timid? FDR or Jimmy Carter? Obama must choose. And soon.

This is an Open Thread. The opinions expressed above are mine alone.

Well, late afternoon, anyway.

This is an Open Thread.

Some things I'm reading this morning:

• Update: Melissa Rycroft, the bachelor contestant weepy Jason Mesnick proposed to and then crassly broke up with on-air, will be replacing the injured Nancy O'Dell on Dancing With Stars Monday night. A former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, she's been dancing her whole life. And now ABC gets another shot at those Bachelor viewers who were very angry at the finale. Smart move.

• The LA Times reports the US Attorney in Los Angeles did a switcheroo on medical pot raids. After AG Holder's speech last week, the prosecutor ordered his local AUSA's to hold off on their medical pot cases. Then he lifted the ban. What's up with that? No one's talking. Update: Teddy at Firedoglake has more.

[More...]

Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead. One more time song:

What's your favorite song about time? This is an open thread, all topics welcome. [videos were deleted by you tube]

Your turn.

This is an Open Thread.

I just finished watching this week's "24" about a terrorist attack on the White House. It was way better than the Bachelor Finale. Jason is now the butt of jokes everywhere from Jay Leno to Jimmy Fallon. He knows he's gone from Most Eligible of the Year to Most Hated of the Year... but it's only March. So he's embarked on a media apology tour, groveling for forgiveness on Ellen and Extra... just pitiful.

What's going on in your neck of the woods? This is an open thread, all topics welcome.