Crossing the line

The Society of Professional Journalists has issued an important reminder to journalists in Haiti, the earthquake is the story, not the reporter covering the earthquake.

"I think it's important for journalists to be cognizant of their roles in disaster coverage,” SPJ President Kevin Smith said. "Advocacy, self promotion, offering favors for news and interviews, injecting oneself into the story or creating news events for coverage is not objective reporting, and it ultimately calls into question the ability of a journalist to be independent, which can damage credibility."

Al Qaeda behind failed attack

OBL claims credit for Christmas Day attacks. Or at least, he says it's him.

Flight diverted

Flight from Washington/Dulles diverted from trip to Vegas because of a passenger who tried to open the door. He was reportedly drinking, and now getting a mental evaluation.

Joke's on him

So this TSA worker decides it would be really funny to plant white powder on an airline passenger?

Southers out

President Obama's nomination to head the TSA has withdrawn his nomination.

Partyline

Those phone records the FBI collected in the name of catching terrorists, turns out the agency did not exactly follow pesky procedures to get the wiretaps.

John Solomon reports that more than 2,000 DOMESTIC phone calls were recorded between 2002 and 2006 based on "terrorism emergencies that did not exist" or by arm-twisting phone companies.

Gone fishing

Reader Carmen M. writes:

We're enjoying your new blog. Sean wonders if you could include a fishing report, as Gene Mueller is no longer employed by the Times, either. (We no longer receive that paper...we're waiting for them to rehire you.)

Well Sean, we emerged from the Bunker yesterday to enjoy the beautiful weather, and to scout fish, per your request.
The water is still so cold, I could see clear to the bottom.
I stared for hours and didn't see a single fish.
Or crab.
But I'll keep trying, check back later Sean!