links for 2011-03-17

The range of interest centered around me can differ in size depending on the topic and the moment.

But most of what I see on Patch seems pro forma, the coverage of government tending to a stenography of the status quo. That doesn't seem to be by intention, or lack of effort. It turns out it's easier to commit to breaking news and probing beneath the surface than to actually do it, especially with thin staffing and part-timers doing much of the heavy lifting.