This In These Times article (posted to Alternet) claims the U.S. political blogosphere is bi-polar; the right is an extension of the Republican message machine, and the left is more a loose network of independents.

This Online Journalism Review article looks at how professional bloggers are compensated and whether the tying of payment to traffic growth blurs editorial/business lines.

If you follow my blog regularly, you'll know I'm a big fan of NYT public editor Daniel Okrent (it killed me I had to work on federal budget day instead of listening to him speak in Toronto at a Canadian Journalism Foundation event -- but adult life is like that. :) ).

The boulevardiers, the cafe set: My people! This NYT piece looks at those who enjoy the luxury of a lengthy, langorous, latte-and-bon-mot-fueled lunch.

This NYT article talks about all the very senior newscasting talent still on the air -- a lot -- after announcing they were going to step back a bit and smell the roses. It also explores why.

Toronto Star public editor Sharon Burnside on why Britney Spears was worthy of front-page picture treatment on April 14 after it became known a sperm and egg had united within the pop tartlet.

Al-Jazeera wants to start an Arab equivalent of CPAC to provide live, unedited coverage of conferences. The heretofore-profit-free station also has plans for other new services, including an English-language version.

And not only that, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission wants to get in on the act too.