Weekly Must-Reads

A few lengthy reads for the day/week/whatever ... I'm still cobbling together a few random thoughts on each, but for now, some linkage:

» NYT: Behind Analysts, the Pentagon's Hidden Hand (David Barstow)

» National Journal: The First 21st-Century Campaign (Ron Brownstein)

I'm sure I'll chip in more than the two cents I'm allowed to offer when time permits tomorrow. While they're both fascinating reads, I think there's a mix of newsworthiness and overstatement that's worth sorting out and reconfiguring.

SIDENOTE: If you're still in need of reading material, Sullivan digs up a link to a classic James Fallows article from the Atlantic, entitled "Why Americans Hate the Media." It's definitely got a 90s vibe to it, but it reminds me all too well of the case that some of us saw in the 90s re: media bias, and why we refuse to accept the simplistic (not to mention, unfounded) "liberal bias" myth that some folks cling to.

SIDENOTE 2.0: Heilbrunn makes it three must-reads ...

» World Affairs: Rank-Breakers: The Anatomy of an Industry (Jacob Heilbrunn)

Read up.