Top of the page quote and link, mixed in with five other links, all local to Huffington Post's pages. So along with Greg Mitchell, Jason Linkins, and other HuffPo writers, they give a byline story to Josh. Nice hit.

Ironically, the point of Josh's quoted comment, "unmitigated travesty", was that as he looked around at other web sites covering the debate, there was consensus on that view. Could be called an echo chamber, perhaps, but I take the simple view that everyone thought it was a lousy debate because of its moderation. Too bad, since I could have seen it because it was broadcast, not cable, (if I had not been at work).

While we're talking blogs, and TPM's unique contributions from Josh, the unique character of the interactions here have been through a lot of changes lately. I still can't track any action, since my "Latest Comments" list is showing February. (I use it to remember posts I found interesting.)

With several new members in the Cafe adding sage commentary, and ironic wit, can we continue to hope that this community will thrive and prosper? Will we see the features or widgets that aid continuing conversation? Tracking will allow members to continue to follow items of interest, and serve the role of separate categories or chat rooms. The fast posting of comments will aid that, but if one leaves and checks in the next day, one might be unable to find the thread.

BTW, if HuffPo can credit TPM, and list it on the BlogRoll, why isn't it one of TPM's "Approved Sites"?

Pleasing to find myself still logged in and able to comment. Expected (eventual) recovery of archives is a plus, but I'd trade them for tracking. Until then, (if my latest posts will return to that list), I use that as a reminder list.

Josh reports tracking will return, as well as ratings if necessary. He was annoyed by their use in flame wars; I found that they mostly were not, and some reader-delivered regulation occurred. We either countered deliberately personal ratings attacks by counter-rating, or notified management. 

But preventing ratings abuse might require complex performance-based privileges or other complications. The alternative is active management observation and intervention, or just rounding up some trusted users again. Yes, that is the opposite of automatic, but few things worthwhile are achieved without paying attention.

Now, can we find something to talk about that is neither Clinton nor Obama? Probably not, so play nice, kids.