Here’s a couple of early graphs from a NY Times story in June:

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced Tuesday that he was dropping his Republican affiliation, a step that could clear the way for him to make an independent bid for the presidency…

… Even as Mr. Bloomberg continues to say that he has no plans to run for president, his announcement has set off a storm of interest in political circles across the country, where it is being viewed as a signal of his serious contemplation of a campaign. His ability to self-finance a campaign presents him with obvious advantages, including the option of delaying even until next year a decision on whether to run.

Here’s what Bloomberg said in an interview today:

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on Sunday he never considered running for U.S. president and any suggestion he had was concocted by the press.

Bloomberg was at the centre of speculation earlier this year when he left the Republican Party that he planned an independent bid for the presidency in 2008, although he denied it.

Asked if he had ever toyed with the idea, Bloomberg told reporters in this northern English seaside resort: “I did not, the newspapers toyed with that … I’m on record as always saying I was not a candidate for higher, any other office.”

That’s what passes for good journalism these days — complete and utter speculation.

All the news, fit to print optional.

A scene from the North Georgia State Fair last night. Fairs are such an awesome piece of Americana — funnel cakes, cotton candy, the fun house, and — of course — the 3,000-pound steers (see below.)

Paid $1 to see this behemoth. Paid another $1 to take a picture of her. It was worth every penny.

Great post from Harry Shearer (yes, of “Spinal Tap” fame) about the lack of interest in the Burma story:

The notion that folks in Burma are trying everything — email, cellphone, e-pigeon — to evade the regime’s attempts to close the country down to outside observation makes me want to pay attention. So why is it, given a story of people fighting for freedom against a fearsome military junta, that cable news far preferred this week to discuss the burning question: Is Bill O’Reilly really a racist?

I’m sure cable news execs would tell you that their audience wants to hear about O’Reilly more than Burma. Even if that’s true — and I’m not at all certain it is — they should take the high road and actually present the news that’s real news. In the long run, higher credibility would lead to higher ratings.

Just watched Guillermo del Toro’s “El Laberinto del Fauno” (that’s “Pan’s Labrynth” for my English-speaking audience.”)

Fantastically imaginative film that’s a thrill to watch. Here’s the trailer:

I highly recommend it, although — fair warning — it’s a tad gory for a fairy tale.

Good article in the WSJ on the citizen journalist movement helping to cover the crackdown in Burma:

The BBC, which has a Burmese language Web site and radio service, is encouraging its audience to send in photos, like the ones it received of a monk’s monastery that had been ransacked by authorities. A shaky video, now on YouTube, shows a sea of chanting and clapping monks draped in red robes marching down a street, past Buddhist monuments. One blog features a photo showing two abandoned, bloodstained sandals.

Another blog was updated at 3 p.m. Myanmar time yesterday with a few English lines: “Right now they’re using fire engines and hitting people and dragging them onto E2000 trucks and most of them are girls and people are shouting.” Below the post is a blurry photo of trucks with the caption, “This is how they come out and try to kill people.”

Here’s the latest report from the BBC which features a lot of audience-generated video.

Help fund a mammogram for a poor woman by doing nothing more than clicking here. Go ahead. You’ll feel warm and fuzzy.

Here’s another great teaching column. I can’t sum it up with a blockquote, but I really stress that you take the time to read it. It’s a beautiful story that will bring tears to your eyes.

Here’s Columbia President Lee Bollinger welcoming Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Well said.

And here’s Ahmadinejad saying that gay people don’t exist in Iran. Note the uneasiness on his face when the crowd laughs. Sure he’s not used to being laughed at in his country.

French president Sarkozy:

I want to tell the American people that the French people are their friends,’ he said. ‘We are not simply allies. We are friends. I am proud of being a friend of the Americans. You know, I am saying this to The New York Times, but I have said it to the French, which takes a little more courage and is a little more difficult. I have never concealed my admiration for American dynamism, for the fluidity of American society, for its ability to raise people of different identities to the very highest levels.

Disagrees a tad with the dominant media frame that the United States is an international pariah.

Hilarious headline from The Onion:

New Wes Anderson Film Features Deadpan Delivery, Meticulous Art Direction, Characters With Father Issues

In case you forgot, Anderson directed “Rushmore” and “The Royal Tenenbaums.”