Yes I am aware that Glen is a member, however many “Conservatives” belong to PBS, also. Which ironically MBA teamed up with for the Prez debates and credentialed bloggers as press.

My personal belief is that MBA is more interested in protecting the current crop of “top” bloggers; not little guys like me. In that vein they are not dissimilar from every other “guild” or “union” that seeks to retain power for it’s chosen few. I hope they are different. Acting like an “Al Sharpton” or “Jesse Jackson” of blogging, is not endearing them to me.

As for “fair use”; it’s “fair use” of copyrighted material. Granted they are not really protecting their work, but their revenue stream, and by that I mean their members.

“What irks me is that the left is suddenly all afire and taken offense that the AP wants to protect it’s copyrights.”

It’s not a matter of protecting copyrights. Federal fair use laws permit you to use portions of the content for criticism, commentary, news reporting, research etc.. It specifies that the use of portions of the content isn’t a violation of copyrights. The AP seemingly wants to override federal fair use laws with its own guidelines.

As for the MBA, it’s not only a lefty outfit. In fact, Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit (a Libertarian-Conservative) is a member. Not saying they should speak on our behalf, just taking note that blogs of both sides belong.