Back in college I didn't understand why all the hipster liberals hated the Houston Chronicle and said that it was a horrible newspaper.  Hey, the comics were there and that's all I really cared about.  Now, I get it.

Today's headlines and secondary-top headlines from the newspapers of the four largest cities in the US:

New York Times:
Casualties of War: 4000 Dead: Messages From the Front Lines
JPMorgan Raises Bid for Bear Stearns to $10 a Share

Chicago Tribune:
Clintons losing their luster with black Democratic voters
Clinton, Obama: 'Bringing our troops home'

Los Angeles Times:
Flames engulf 5-story condo site
JPMorgan sweetens deal for Bear Stearns

Houston Chronicle:
Can't get away from work?  Hit the bar without leaving your desk.  Check out our Seensters photos from the Harp.
Jurors deliberating in case of microwaved baby

You're doing it wrong, H-Chron.

(I realize that somebody on ytmnd.com did a similar thing comparing Fox News to CNN and MSNBC last night.  Same basic problem.)

In less ranty news, Easter is here!  Hooray for coffee!  Hooray for not having to sing every night!  Hooray for church making me happy again!

In preparation for a camping trip this weekend I've been experimenting with different firestarting methods.  On a recent walk I noticed all this nice fluffy green stuff on the ground, shed by oak trees as spring arrives.  It looked like it would make excellent tinder, so I gathered some up and tried it last night in the barbecue.  Not so much.  Sure, when the match came near it it  flared up, but as soon as the match went away it went out.  Like steel wool, except much, much smellier.  Anyway, no need to bring any of that stuff with me.

Later.