As online writing becomes increasingly a part of the mainstream dialogue in America, "blogger" is no longer a dirty word. Some of the best writers and reporters of our time operate exclusively on the internet, and millions regularly read their work. Matt Drudge, Arianna Huffington, even Perez Hilton; these are big, newsmaking names that many people have heard before.  (more...)

A form of 'entertainment' that most would have thought was dead a long time ago has somehow worked its way into the headlines twice over the past week. The October edition of French Vogue features photos of model Lara Stone with her face and body painted black; no actual black models appear in the issue. Harry Connick, Jr. called international attention to Australia when he protested a blackfaced Jackson 5 skit as a judge on a variety show. After giving a zero to the skit on Hey Hey, It's Saturday, Connick, Jr. had to cancel an appearance at a shopping center in Sydney because of the number of abusive and threatening comments his protest was getting online. Update: A reversal? Copyranter shares with us this tobacco ad from Indonesia, in which viewers are urged to embrace "the pioneering, daring spirit of progressive Indonesia" -- portrayed as "slimmer and happier and crazier and, well, very very black." (more...)