The NYT pre-W had it right, as Kagan notes. Nothing changed since the time it thought that Saddam presented an immense threat except four things--9/11, W's election, the Jayson Blair scandal, and the rise of blogdom.
It is hard to believe that 9/11 made any difference in the NYT's previous assessment of Sadam; if anything it should have supported its previously articulated views.
The election of W, however, did change things dramatically. The Grey Lady had a hissy fit from which she has not recovered. The coverage of the Rather fiasco is but one example.
Jayson Blair dealt an enormous blow to its credibility and self-image as did the rise of the bloggers who are much better fact checkers and, depending on the writer, better analysts than many of the NYT's trusty crew.
The Grey Lady's reeling, feeling unwanted. Her trust fund is diminished. Her favorite nephew stole from her. Her relatives don't visit and she hears them talking uncharitably about her behind her back. Some damn...cowboy....who cannot pronounce "nuclear" properly is in charge and doesn't listen to the suggestions she often saw followed.
These are dark days indeed; she dreams of the nursing home, and counts her diminished funds to see if she can afford it.
She needs rejuvenation but Old Grey Ladies don't do that very well, especially when a complete makeover, including plastic surgery, are necessary. A one week visit to the spa just doesn't cut it anymore. |
