The Huffington Post has begun a feature called "Russert Watch" in which "E-Z Pass" Tim is brought on the carpet for not asking the tough or important questions. Today's example: Senator John McCain was on the show, and after he mentioned all the failures of the Administration, Russert didn't follow up on any.

So after McCain ran down this laundry list of failures (and is there a more serious area for a president to fail than in war?), one would assume Russert would have asked him a question that would draw a conclusion of accountability for these mistakes. After all, these “mistakes” didn’t just happen. Shouldn’t Russert have pointed out, with all due respect to the senator, that “we” didn’t make these mistakes. That they were made, with not a small amount of hubris and incompetence, by specific people. And shouldn’t he have asked the “Straight Talk” senator to name these people?

Not that the piece sings the praises of McCain (or I probably wouldn't be highlighting it.)

by TChris

From time to time, a columnist recognizes the double standard that pervades mainstream reporting of sex offense allegations: despite the presumption of innocence, the accused offender is identified, often destroying his reputation and employability, while the names of the accusers go unreported to protect them from publicity. The policy assumes that sex offense victims are stigmatized in a way that other crime victims (whose names routinely appear in news accounts) are not. In modern times, that distinction is dubious, but even if true, it is difficult to understand why it is fair to publicize the identity of a presumably innocent accused.

Most mainstream media still have not identified Michael Jackson's accuser, even though Jackson was acquitted. If a jury rejects an accuser's story, isn't the identity of the person who makes a (presumably false) accusation newsworthy?

This blackout was maintained even after the fact, while the mother of the alleged victim was being vilified as a disaster to the case by TV and radio commentators because of her shady background. Network newscasts, Nightline, even self-styled maverick Bill O'Reilly kept her identity secret while the legally exonerated Michael continued to be discussed in terms of child molestation.

Examples of this double standard are legion.

The Runaway Bride isn't the only one to announce a book and film deal Thursday. So did Mark Felt, aka "Deep Throat."

Felt's working title: "A G-man's Life: The FBI, Being "Deep Throat" And the Struggle for Honor in Washington."

As for the movie version: The deal was signed with Felt by Universal Pictures and Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman. Hanks hasn't yet decided whether to star in the movie. Right now, he's listed as a producer.

Bill O'Reilly tonight lambasted Al Franken in the talking points portion of his show. Among his charges: the NYTimes is "outsourcing assassins" by boosting Franken and Air America. Crooks and Liars has the video.

Arianna Huffington lambasts Ed Klein and his slime book on Hillary.

God knows I’ve had plenty of disagreements with Hillary -- especially on Iraq. But what Klein is doing is disgusting. It has nothing to do with Hillary’s politics -- and everything to do with feeding the right-wing sleaze machine.

...But with the help of bloggers (and as you’ll see from the links below, they’ve been at it already), Klein’s book can be seen for what it is: a sordid, slimy attempt to make a buck while helping advance a sordid, slimy political agenda.

Freeway Blogger, our hero of the California Freeways, says "this is what happens when you take down my signs and replace them with a lame, inkjetted "Support our troops" sign...

Never fu*k with the freewayblogger.

If you haven't been following the Roger Ailes (of Fox News, not the blogger) battle with Newsweek's Jonathan Alter, you can catch up here, reading Alter's latest letter.

larger version

Today's Live 8 News:

• Pink Floyd has joined the lineup for the London Show.
• Nelson Mandela and a stellar lineup were on hand for Norway's Arctic Circle show on Saturday.

The 86-year-old former South African president hosted the concert, which was sponsored by the Norwegian parliament, as part of his "46664" anti-AIDS campaign -- named after his prison number during his 27 years in jail under apartheid.He appealed to the G8 group of industrialized nations to take the lead in helping to end disease and poverty in Africa at their summit in July. "They have an historical opportunity to open the door to hope and the possibility of a better life for all," he said.

• Bob Geldof says debt relief is only the beginning.

Bob Geldof and other anti-poverty campaigners have hailed an agreement by the world's richest nations to cancel the debt of more than 30 poor countries as "a victory for millions". Geldof said: "Tomorrow 280 million Africans will wake up for the first time in their lives without owing you or me a penny from the burden of debt that has crippled them and their countries for so long - money we didn't even know we were owed and never wanted in the first place, and money they could never pay." Yet Geldof, who has campaigned to alleviate African poverty for more than 20 years, said the deal was "just a beginning".

The entire telephone conference call bloggers had Monday with Sir Bob Geldof about Live 8 is now available here. You really should listen, particularly to Geldof's talk at the beginning. He has an amazing amount of knowledge about Africa and its problems and what we can do to help.

Happy birthday to Joe Trippi. For his birthday, he'd like you to go over to One.Org and learn more about Live 8. Remember, they don't want your money, only your voice. Sign the One Declaration.

Let's help Make Poverty History. Live 8. July 2.

Who watches Nancy Grace? Some idiot who googled Nancy Grace and thought TalkLeft is her site, emailed this to me earlier:

Nancy,

I love your show. I love the way you voice out your views. I have to say, not once have I disagreed with you. Keep up the good work. You are right Michael Jackson is a sexual freak, and Scott Peterson is a murderer, and I hope his a** is being worked over everynight by some big "ole" Willy..He deserves it actually he deserves to be dead in the bottom of that lake but in America we get to babysit him and spend several thousands of dollars taking care of him to live awhile longer...One of your biggest fans from Metter Ga

Actress Anne Bancroft, best known to the world for her role as Mrs. Robinson in the 1967 classic film, The Graduate, has died at 73 of uterine cancer.

While her career included many other cinematic achievements, such as her portrayal of Helen Keller Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker, it is the Graduate that made her a legend. She is survived by her husband, Mel Brooks.

Rest in Peace, Anne Bancroft.