I found this article by the EFF very helpful in explaining why the AP is clearly going outside the bounds of fair use. Those of you who are accusing me of plagiarism for using parts of news stories might want to read it to get a better understanding of fair use. Also, here’s the definition of plagiarized:

1. To use and pass off (the ideas or writings of another) as one’s own.

As you can see quoting and clearly attributing a chuck of text is not plagiarizing.
What I’m doing isn’t any different from what most of the bloggers on both the left and the right are doing. I quote a story and give my opinion. I try to quote as little as possible to get the gist of the story and then I link to it so you guys can read it in context. Then you guys excoriate me for having the audacity to give that opinion on this blog and for even having that opinion to begin with and then you tell me why I’m wrong. It’s actually a mutually beneficial relationship for everyone, we get to voice our opinions and the news source gets more readers. It’s a win-win for everyone.