About two weeks ago I was asked to be part of an online video project by Purple States called 50/50/50, where 50 bloggers from 50 states chime in on the economic crisis, immigration, and the media. The videos are being published over 50 days and the bloggers are encouraged to participate in an online discussion. So far videos from Alabama through Idaho have been published and, while there are only four women bloggers included in that group so far, there are more coming up later.

I started watching a lot of CNN before the election. It's kinda depressing, but I'm trying to stay informed. Over the past week though, there have been little glimpses of happiness amid the disasters, scandals and economic bad news - stories about the CNN Heroes: Ordinary People Extraordinary Impact.

Halleluljah! The 2008 election is almost over. It's been exciting, inspiring, historic and incredibly contentious. Soon we won't be hearing anymore about John "Mr. Grumpy Puss" McCain and Barack "Mr. Tax and Spend" Obama or Sarah "We're Mavericks" Palin or Joe "I"m From Scranton" Biden. But before we move on to the next act in this political drama, let's take a look back from a media standpoint. In a campaign year when many Americans got their news from the internet: YouTube, Facebook, campaign websites and hundreds of blogs on the internet that helped shape public opinion and motivate voters, it would be a mistake to forget the power the mainstream media (MSM) still holds over shaping a candidate's image. Here are some Election 2008 MSM highs and lows.

Of course what teens are wearing -- and what they spend on those clothes -- is always a hot topic, for all of the obvious reasons. But Eileen Putnam's recent article on CNN.com starts out going for flash (the title is Mom shocked by teen's modest clothing) and then goes on to detail a myriad of conclusions which one could argue are both illogical and self-conflicting.

BlogHer's annual conference begins July 18, 2008, and once again Ask Patty is a proud sponsor of BlogHer in Second Life. BlogHer is one of the top women's online networks and the number-one guide to blogs by women.

This summer on July 23 and 24, CNN is airing a 6 hour documentary on what it's like to be Black in America .  In the promo they point out that the program "isn't just about Black people, it's about Black Americans".  As I put these dates on my Outlook calendar, I got to thinking about what it's been like for me being Black in America. 

Joshua Michael Marshall, the founder Talking Points Memo, is among the recipients of the 2007 George Polk Awards. We're talking about a blogger winning a journalism award that has street cred with the folks who still pride themselves on knowing what a pica stick is for.

Please join me in a few minutes for an open discussion while we watch the final GOP debate before next Tuesday, when 22 states vote. I don't know about you, but I'm scared. Rudy's out, as is John Edwards. John McCain seems to be the presumptive GOP nominee, and the media is FULL of spinning about how McCain will not only unite the Republican Party, but gather independents, even away from Edwards voters. Are you anxious about a McCain- Dem nominee scenario? Well, let's watch and see. There should be less pandering for this debate, since so many states are at stake.

Remember Gerald Boyd?