Yet another attack on the left in the Washington Post:

(Let's set aside the liberal/left semantics for the moment.)

In an article that claims to show readers what the typical left/liberal blog is, many instances of outrageous comments by visitors are cited. That's a pathetic way to make a case. First of all, unmoderated comments is a playground for all manner of kooks. Second, it has nothing to do with the sensibility of the blogger (should we judge Kevin Drum by the comments left by "Al"?). Finally, there are equally hot-tempered comments left in message threads of virtually any news story over at Yahoo. Is Yahoo "Left, Online, and Outraged" when it puts out a standard-issue AP wire story?

The author in question, David Finkel (keep an eye on this guy), hadn't even visited a blog until the story was assigned to him. And he wasn't interested in any of the thoughtful, adult, liberal blogs.

It's just another day at the Post, where the left are treated like bums.

See also Bilmon and Greenwald on this issue.

It's pretty obvious what's going on here. Fred Hiatt and Deborah Howell and some others decided to do a cheap-ass hit job on their critics. You can just imaging them relishing it during an editorial conference. "Hey, let's put out a story that makes those lefties look like enraged Bush-and-America-haters."

UPDATE: David Finkel wins a Pulitzer! ("for explanatory reporting for writing about the U.S. government's attempt to bring democracy to Yemen")


posted by Quiddity at 4/16/2006 06:41:00 PM