The passing of reporter/columnist Robert Novak on Tuesday really marks the passing of a genre of journalism. Years ago there were a number of journalists doing what Novak and his former partner, Rowland Evans, did together for nearly 40 years — which is to say gathering information for the express purpose of building the foundation for a point of view, a column. Now Web blogs are the rage. Novak was unique even in that golden age of gumshoe, not-a-face-for-television columnizing (though his mug became commonly associated with CNN’s “Crossfire”). Novak was conservative, but not entirely predictable, relentless professionally but genial personally. The so-called “Prince of Darkness,” almost always clad in a black, vested suit, worked hard communicating the unvarnished truth about the many politicians he knew, few of whom he liked. He leaves quite a void in the public square.

Letterman’s mea culpa during Monday’s show was extraordinary in substance and tone. “The joke, really, in and of itself, can’t be defended,” Letterman said of his monologue crack about one of Palin’s daughters having sex with a New York Yankees player. He apologized to two of Palin’s daughters — he said the joke referred to 18-year-old Bristol but a number of people assumed it was aimed at 14-year-old Willow — and to the governor. “I’m really sorry about it, and I’ll try to do better in the future,” he said.

Good enough. At least for Gov. Palin, who accepted Letterman’s apology Tuesday “on behalf of all young women.” Not good enough for conservative talk radio hosts Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, who suggested Letterman was sorrier for the heat he was getting from viewers and advertisers than anything else.

Yet Palin obviously did the right thing. Letterman’s apology sounded and looked genuine. And he issued it during his show, which is pretty significant. Palin could have continued to play the injured party, but being gracious is far more becoming.

Just plain creepy is the woman in white, standing near Hughes in the video shot, who can be seen mouthing the words, “I love you, Barack,” as the president comes over. Wow. While Obama’s approval ratings are indeed high, that kind of what — idolatry? hero worship? — is over the top.

Stay tuned. Soon we’ll know the name of the amorous Woman in White, who’s gone viral.

According to an Associated Press report, Stone sees the former strong man as energetic and principled, a level of flattery that probably wouldn’t be used by private interests that had their assets nationalized by Chavez’s government. Stone said he also interviewed Chavez allies in Argentina, Paraguay, Ecuador and Bolivia, which the movie man said have participated in the region’s “liberation from the United States.”

“The pure energy of the man is intoxicating,” Stone told AP, sounding quite under the influence. Give this to Stone: For a guy who often acts like he can’t stand his own country, he’s taken full advantage of its freedoms and capitalistic economy to do alright for himself.