I traded a few emails with Carl Bialik of the WSJ online on the Ecosystem and the various methods I use around here for blog ranking, and his piece is now available online. It's a good primer on the state-of-play of tracking blog statistics.

The Interwebs are abuzz this morning with news that John Kerry may indeed have finally signed his Form 180. See Michelle, Ed, and Kevin for more.

Here's the question I have: does the fact that he has signed and submitted (when/if he actually submits it) the Form 180 allow those with knowledge of his service to go on-the-record publicly?

I refer specifically to the broad hints that we heard right before the election that Kerry may have received a less-than-honorable discharge, and that former Secretary of the Navy William Middendorf might confirm that --- but couldn't because doing so would be a crime.

If he signs the 180, does that let Middendorf (or anyone else) talk?