The NY Times clearly has journalists to burn.

I see that Boris Johnson has got his priorities straight. I’m also intrigued by Obama’s sophisticated approach to modern media interaction; here is a man who isn’t afraid of the subtleties of language or of message. It makes him an admirable figure, in my eyes, but also something of a risk for the Democrats. Succesful presidential bids are rarely built on messages with complex semantics.
In other news since I’ve been off air, Madam Marie, spiritualist and fortune teller made famous by Bruce Springsteen’s 4th of July, Asbury Park, has died. The Boss had this to say:

“Back in the day when I was a fixture on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, I'd often stop and talk to Madam Marie as she sat on her folding chair outside the Temple of Knowledge.

I'd sit across from her on the metal guard rail bordering the beach and watch as she led the day trippers into the small back room where she would unlock a few of the mysteries of their future. She always told me mine looked pretty good -- she was right. The world has lost enough mystery as it is -- we need our fortunetellers. We send our condolences out to her family who've carried on her tradition. Over here on E Street, we will miss her.”

- photograph by Mike Black, Asbury Park, NJ, 7/4/07