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It took me about four days to get through "Brisingr," the latest volume in young Christopher Paolini's "Inheritance" quadrilogy. Paolini made a splash several years ago with the first volume, "Eragon," written when he was only 16. Now Paolini is 24 and his writing has improved. The first book was well done -- likely a […]

I made a brief foray into talk radio yesterday. Coming home from running a couple of errands I made the mistake of flipping radio stations and I came across a local live talk show railing against taxes -- specifically, two local measures in East County. One is a proposed increase in the sales tax, the […]

One of the things you eventually learn in your college editing class is that the photos should reflect the story and vice versa. Both should also represent reality. Unfortunately, that's something that too many journalists occasionally forget when it comes to hot-button issues. For example, long ago at Cal Poly SLO's Mustang Daily the editors […]

For those who were impressed by Sen. Joe Biden's command of the facts on Thursday night, take note: a combination of the McCain campaign, bloggers and fact-checkers have identified 24 inaccuracies by Biden in a 90-minute debate. Nos. 1-14 are from the McCain campaign. 1. TAX VOTE: Biden said McCain voted “the exact same way” […]

Shoot yourself. Fannie Mae said it will set aside the loan of a woman who shot herself as sheriff's deputies tried to evict her from her foreclosed home. Fannie Mae foreclosed on the Akron, Ohio, home of Addie Polk, 90, after acquiring the mortgage in 2007. Addie Polk, 90, of Akron, Ohio, became a symbol […]

After watching the vice presidential debate on tape delay, there's just a few points/observations I want to make: How the heck does it work out that Joe Biden gets the first word and the last word? Biden says that McCain voted against funding the troops. Exactly who is that going to convince? Seriously. Biden is […]

I've got the vice presidential debate replaying in another window on my computer as I scan through Web sites and I came across this from the New York Times live blog of the debate. One to One | 10:25 p.m. Ms. Ifill tries to break through the conventional wisdom about their biggest weaknesses. She notes […]

...or lack thereof. I found it curious over the past couple of days as the blogosphere and talk radio pointed out vice presidential debate moderator Gwen Ifill's conflict of interest that the major sites devoted to journalism mentioned little about the controversy. Editor & Publisher relegated the issue to a brief mention on its E&P […]

Along with "military intelligence," "journalistic standards" is fast becoming an oxymoron. Today, syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin brought attention to the fact that the moderator for tomorrow night's vice presidential debate, Gwen Ifill, has a substantial financial interest in an Obama victory. In an imaginary world where liberal journalists are held to the same standards as […]

I've seen this sort of thing before -- but before the kids were worshiping God. Everyone worships something. If you don't worship God, you worship money or fame or ... politicians.