One of my favorite reads is either "INDC" or "In D.C.". This morning he/she/it posted a very good list of reminders about him-/her-/itself:

I've been worried about INDC giving off mixed messages to confused customers, so let's clear the air and stake a few cautionary theses to the old church door:

1. In addition to very serious material and largely straightforward journalism, this site does humor. The site's author likes humor. Humor makes children smile and sick people well. Yay.
2. This is a personal web site. The author is not paid a salary to write material.
3. Sarcastic commentary in the odd analysis post is like oxygen and sunshine.
4. The author is not paid to write material.
5. Serious posts that may have an impact on the national debate will be evident by their serious tone, sarcastic posts will be distinguished by their use of ... sarcasm, and confusing parody or satire will henceforth be clearly labeled "parody" or "satire" by the end of the piece.
6. Sometimes this site will feature bad words; the author will relish every one.
7. If you don't enjoy humor with your news or analysis, INDC enthusiastically endorses CSPAN, The Belmont Club and Scrappleface. It's rumored that Captain Ed and the Q and O guys made a joke once, but reports of subsequent laughter were implausible and unconfirmed, and the their news analysis retains its daily excellence.
8. Mrs. Cheney - if you're reading - I'm sorry.
9. The author of this site often employs a painfully, confoundingly dry sense of humor.
10. And most importantly, the author of this site is not paid to write material.

Most blog writers could and perhaps should write a comparable list. I do not, for example, suggest this is journalism and like to mildly ridicule those who suggest blogs are. This is a hobby. Journalism is a backbone of democratic societies. I do however, like a good barney and humour. I am also not paid to do this even though I attract 18.9% of the readership of the mighty, mighty Flea which in itself you would think would attract a living wage...if God were a patsy. I am indifferent to cats.