Center of Attention

A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers.

In an extended essay at Q&O, McQ clarifies capitalism vs. consumerism, and defends the former from a seemingly well-meaning but possibly ill-informed detractor.

In one of those rare moments of peace, when you can let your mind wonder freely, have you ever asked yourself, “I wonder how the people of Japan would rank history’s top-100 heroes?” Thanks to a link offered yesterday evening by Andrew Sullivan, now you know. (Teaser: Elvis Presley, James Dean, and Babe Ruth place higher than The Wright Brothers and Teddy Roosevelt.)

The Angry Independent at MoA and Megan Donovan at GTL offer two takes on the Don Imus scandal. Money quote from Megan: “If you have an audience, you have a responsibility. If you don’t want that burden, then exercise your choice to have a more private existence.”

At Political Cortex, Scott Swenson features RH Reality Check’s close up on the leadership of the National Abstinence Education Association.

Finally, at BuzzMachine, Jeff Jarvis’ addendum to the “dopey idea of a bloggers’ code of conduct” spotlights an important distinction in this debate, raised by Marianne Richmond at BlogHer.