There’s megalomania, and then there’s this: back in the ’90s, when you were busy drinking Zima and watching Melrose Place, Saddam Hussein commissioned a Koran to be written in his own blood. And now, eight years after his death, Iraq is, well, a bit unsure of what exactly they should do with the gruesome artifact.

Rachel Maddow says Glenn Beck — someone I have compared her to on occasion — was apparently a one-time favorite of hers. Daily Intel reports that at a benefit on Sunday night she had had some surprisingly nice things to say about Beck, including the fact that she once used him in an interview as an example of who on the radio she admired most.

New York Magazine’s “Daily Intel” blog is reporting that CBS and CNN are cooking up what could be a game changer for the cable news landscape: a partnership where both networks would share talent and airtime, with the possibility of seeing CBS’ Katie Couric taking over the CNN 9PM spot currently inhabited by Larry King.

The New York Times is finally ready to start charging users for access to content online and the plan will be announced by Chairman Arthur Sulzberger Jr. imminently, according to a report this morning. The paper has allegedly agreed on a “metered” system that will ask users to subscribe after a certain amount of free content, though specifics remain elusive.

Newspapers are dying, magazines are dying: this is the story of 2009 where the media is concerned. However, the future of media, such as it is, does not look quite so dim. Or dim at all, really. Obviously, the brave new media world that we are slowly moving into (some at a quicker pace than others!) will look entirely different in twelve months’ time, likely in large part due to the efforts of the folks we listed on our online editors of the year poll. So who gets the final nod? Our picks below: feel free to add yours in the comments section.

If 2009 was a tough year for magazines and newspapers — and boy, was it ever — it was a bang-up year for the editors of the blogs listed here. Now we are asking you, our loyal, smart, and attractive readers to share your thoughts on who had the biggest year in the Online Editor category:

Layoffs have finally arrived at the New York Times. After completing a round of buyouts last week, which totaled 74 (slightly more than was expected) the paper yesterday started laying off the remaining 26 people. Earlier this year executive editor Bill Keller said the paper was looking to shed 100 people. Here’s the list thus far.

At this point it’s just depressing. New York magazine’s Chris Rovzar – the Daily Intel blogger who is absolutely all over the media beat these days — is reporting that the Washington Post Company’s Budget Travel will be the next magazine to fold outright, based on tips from numerous sources. And a brief comment from editor-in-chief Nina Willdorf is none too reassuring.

How bored or self-important does a person have to be to make a name for themselves posting in the comments section of a blog? Ever wonder how these people have time to pay the bills? Wonder no longer. Being a blowhard pays — and not just on cable news — thanks to a new online advertising scheme from the British bank HSBC.