TPM provides a link to a new McCain ad that compares Obama to clueless celebrities like Britney and Paris Hilton–and 3QD’s Robin Varghese links the analysis by Craig Calhoun where he asks to what extent is Obama’s appeal a result of his charisma.

[Update: Carl Bromley has sent this link to the Paris Hilton response to the McCain ad.]

Lampedusa, Italy: Thousands of migrants continue to arrive in Italy, crossing the Mediterranean Sea by boat and risking their lives to reach Europe. In the last three years, more than 50,000 people have arrived on more than 700 boats. Around 60% come from the Maghreb, 18% from east Africa, 15% from west Africa and the rest from the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. Since January 2008, more than 6,500 migrants have landed on the Italian island of Lampedusa on more than 100 boats and dinghies, after a journey that lasts from 2 to 4 days. Photographer Christian Sinibaldi documents their fragile existence.

An excellent photo essay in the Guardian.

Via Laila.

What a headache Amit Chaudhuri must be for his publishers. He puts out four novels to praise and awards - then breaks off to work on music. An unusual diversion for any writer - Woody Allen may dabble with the clarinet, but he sticks to the day job - and, in the modern book industry, tantamount to career suicide. Most would-be authors strive for a label (young or Muslim or interested in sex) and do all the things publicists demand: a reading here, an interview there and 750 words for the regional paper.

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