Dan Weintraub recommends Sunday's New York Times Magazine story about the recall. I'll have to take his word for it until Sunday. It's by Michael Lewis, author of the best-selling Moneyball.

L.A. Times photographer Brian Vander Brug traveled the state taking pictures of any recall hopeful who wanted to participate. They could bring a prop and strike any pose, and they make brief statements in audio that accompanies the photos at LATimes.com. (Requires Flash)

Virgina Postrel, in town next week to tout her book, will be all over the radio: on NPR's "Talk of the Nation" on Monday, Larry Mantle's "Airtalk" on KPCC Tuesday morning, and the co-host with Hugh Hewitt on KRLA that afternoon.

H. Ross McClintock, as imagined by Michael Ramirez. And Weintraub on why the Dems leave McClintock alone.

The L.A. Times catches up to the ex-WSJ reporter who lives out of his truck. Turns out he was a gruff sort who spoke his mind to the extreme and was known as "difficult." And you wonder why he can't get a job.

Mickey Kaus: LAT gives readers "off-kilter alternative universe."

Roger L. Simon nominates Lost in Translation for Best Picture, and warns that if the Academy cuts off free DVDs for Oscar voters like him, there will be repercussions. Good comments thread on film critics too.

The New York Times Magazine (through Ned Martel, TV critic for the Financial Times) anoints an orange, 1969 Shelby convertible owned by Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony as The Coolest Car in L.A.

Sacramento Bee ombudsman Tony Marcano returns to the controversy he inadvertently started by reporting, erroneously, that Dan Weintraub's blog was being edited due to complaints by the legislature's Latino caucus.