That's exactly right. I save some of what i want to say for engaging readers in the comments.

And there's nothing wrong with writing a post designed to generate comments. I mean, that's what we are -- a conversation site. We want the conversation and that's what makes us successful.

I like it in part because it's such a different style of writing than what I typically get to do as a journalist -- which usually means I just lay something out as dryly and fairly as possible under deadline pressure and word count limits.

TL;DR.

Just kidding.

As counterintuitive as it seems, and there are definitely exceptions to this rule, we've found that the shorter the original post, the lengthier the conversation.

It's kind of humiliating, actually, to spend all this time on a brilliant essay and get 0-5 responses. Then you post a silly picture or YouTube video or write a 1-sentence post and you're wrangling a 300+comment thread.

But them's the shakes.

The more I think about this, the worse it seems. Really inappropriate behavior from a federal official.

Not entirely surprising, given my own familiarity with Western living, but he has to be in his early 80s, looks like he's a good 20 years younger, and is a heck of a public speaker.

Yes! It still bothers me, too! And it bothered me even before I realized it was all based on falsehoods.

Time travel, obviously. Or glitches in the software?

This is brilliant and I'm stealing it.

How much do I love you for remembering my rant(s) against Toobin!

Fwiw, my husband had these thoughts on Toobin's latest here.

I know! It would be so awesome. I hope he really does. Like, if this is him holding back ...

I see that the Congressman has since clarified his remarks. I was right about what he meant to say (as opposed to what he did say!).

That's another thing. Nobody had their phone tapped (that we know of) -- their phone records were taken.

I read this differently. I think he was just pointing out that the press gallery is right near the cloak room.

I'm so excited to see this on here!

Michael is a cousin of mine! (And he is one crazy-talented designer.)

To learn more about the dress, I found this video somewhat helpful:

My standard review to almost every wine I'm asked to comment on is "Subtle, yet intimidating."

Or I suggest it has hints of dirty socks. I don't know why this amuses me, but it does.

2/2:

Or maybe we could hear more about that video up top of a Planned Parenthood official Alisa LaPolt (and former journalist, natch) arguing for Gosnellian post-birth abortions? Wouldn’t that provide some opportunity for good questions?

Again, no one is saying that the murders and killings and unsanitary conditions of Kermit Gosnell, aided and abetted by other abortionists who referred patients to him and pro-choice politicians who failed in their oversight duties, is a bigger deal than a Missouri politician saying something stupid. No one. So the 250 stories within three months of that one statement are without a doubt journalistically defensible. But maybe just, you know, one or two tough stories here? Is that too much to ask? In light of the million+ abortions performed each year and the general abortion culture we have in this country? We’re not afraid to ask tough questions, are we? And if so, why are we?

I noted yesterday at GetReligion that the New York Times had 250 (!) stories on Todd Akin within 3 months requiring everyone who had ever even known a pro-lifer once to comment. But with Gosnell? No such curiosity (1/2):

Just by way of example, our own President Barack Obama twice voted against bills to protect infants born alive in abortion clinics. He said he couldn’t address the case earlier because the trial was ongoing (a fact oddly omitted from that New York Times piece in favor of a less direct demurral from his press secretary). But the trial is over now. Let’s ask away!

Or to take Cecile Richards, the head of Planned Parenthood. She had a couple of conflicting tweets I’d love to see an enterprising reporter ask about. Here’s her “get ahead of the tough questions” attempt from yesterday. Here’s just one of many obvious opportunities for a tough follow-up. We talked yesterday about other questions that Richards could have been asked in favor of the puffballs she was given from the New York Times the day prior.