Dumbest story of the year

This one of the slowest weeks in the news business. Writers and editors usually have to scramble to find copy since few trials or government bodies meet during this time.

But this has got to be both the stupidest and most agenda driven "story" I have laid eyes on this year:

NEW YORK - The White House said Friday its Web tracking technology is consistent with federal rules because it only counts the number of visitors anonymously and doesn't record personal information.

The White House's site uses what's known as a Web bug — a tiny graphic image that's virtually invisible — to anonymously keep track of the number and time of visits. The bug is sent by a server maintained by an outside contractor, WebTrends Inc., and lets the traffic-analysis company know that another person has visited a specific page on the site.

Web bugs themselves are not prohibited. However, under a directive from the White House's Office of Management and Budget, they are largely banned at government sites when linked to cookies, which are data files that let a site track Web visitors.

Absolutely pathetic. Is the MSM so desperate for a scandal involving Bush that they discover the use of cookies?

Yeah, well most sites has a web counter and uses cookies....that goes for many ISP's, the NY Times, LA Times, Chicago Tribune.

Oh...and AP.org. They use them too.