Which of these is really news?

This is Hugo Chávez, Venezuelan President and strongman. He held an election down there this past weekend which would have rewritten that country's constitution in a way that would have allowed him to perpetuate his reign over that nation.

He lost the election. (That's a link to the New York Times article -- genuflection optional -- about the election outcome.)

Not only did he allow the world to find out that he lost the election, Chávez has indicated -- at least so far -- that he intends to abide by the results.

This, I am told, is Don Imus. He's on the air again in New York. (That's another link to the New York Times. I don't think you have to genuflect twice.)

He used to get high ratings and make lots of money for his former employers. Thus, it was inevitable that someone else would eventually rehire him, hoping that he can recapture those ratings and profits.

It is said that news is 'man bites dog' not 'dog bites man.'

Chávez losing an election -- and admitting it -- is definitely 'man bites dog.' That is not how a traditional caudillo acts -- his mentor Castro would never have done this.

The only way the Imus story could rise to the 'man bites dog' level would be if his return to the airwaves was as play-by-play announcer for the Rutgers women's basketball team.