And yet sometimes — particularly on Thursdays — we take a look at the paper, and we say to ourselves: For this we have a First Amendment?

At 3:55 p.m. yesterday afternoon, Judith Miller, the New York Times reporter who has spent nearly three months in prison for refusing to testify in the investigation into who leaked the identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame, was released from prison. Miller was released because she has agreed to testify.

The First Amendment Project, an organization devoted to — surprise! — protecting the First Amendment, is using eBay for their latest fundraiser. Winners of various auctions will have a character named after them in forthcoming projects from writers such as Stephen King, Amy Tan, Jonathan Lethem, Rick Moody, and Lemony Snicket. Some auctions have already ended, but Staggering Genius Dave Egger's auction is still open for another 5 days. Writes Eggers: