Exceptalism or decline.That is the choice. Maybe too late but can we gather forces to return social cohesion?Close the divide. READ MORE

Here's today's fascinating and maybe really unlikely media assertion from the Times: "A $30 million tablet-only news publication... with 100,000 subscribers paying 99 cents a week or $39.99 a year, and 250,000 unique readers each month, The Daily is on target to break even in five years." READ MORE

While Obama feeling courageous, why not follow his first class education policy. US' absolute biggest crisis. No read, no write, no jobs. READ MORE

Cameras cut off immediately at the Murdoch hearing as people in the room yelled—from what we could see, it looks like someone charged Rupert Murdoch from the audience. More as everyone figures out what the heck just happened. According to Josh Robin, who just rewound the tape: "Just looked at feed again – Rupert Murdoch was approached and seemingly attacked but does not appear to have been knocked down." THIS MAY HAVE BEEN A PIE ATTACK. Also: "Murdoch attacker taken out of the room in hand-cuffs," says Sky News. Apparently Wendi Deng got a swing in at the person? "Rupert Murdoch was pelted with a white substance during testimony – police have man in custody," says Times UK. And now with slo-mo video, featuring Wendi Deng lunging into action. A+++.

And here's who's taking credit for it.

And the hearing has resumed.

Wendi Deng: HOLD MY HOOPS. Don't you wish she was testifying instead, instead of Rupert Murdoch or poor, poor dim James? OH WENDI. READ MORE

The Internet will explode quite soon, as Rupert Murdoch, James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks all go before a Parliament committee's inquiry this morning, circa 9:30 a.m. east coast time. It's a hearing almost two years in the making! ("So, yeah, this is gonna be a pretty big story," we wrote in July of 2009!) That being said, the committee is not as toothsome as an American congressional hearing would be, which isn't even all that toothsome anyway. Still, people expect Murdoch to come in hot, throwing anyone to the wolves that he can. Perhaps he might resign as CEO! Meanwhile, while we wait, let's look at some potential upsides from this debacle! READ MORE

Continuing developments in Britain's phone hacking scandal: "Rebekah Brooks, the News International chief executive, has resigned after 11 days of mounting political pressure over the phone-hacking scandal. Brooks announced her decision to News International staff in Wapping just before 10am on Friday, saying her resignation had been accepted by Rupert and James Murdoch. She said she no longer wanted to be a 'focal point of the debate' surrounding the company's future and reputation. She stopped short of issuing a personal apology." READ MORE

"News Corp. has 152 subsidiaries in tax havens, including 62 in the British Virgin Islands and 33 in the Caymans. Among the hundred largest U.S. companies, only Citigroup and Morgan Stanley have more tax haven subsidiaries than News Corp." READ MORE