“It all looks like a sordid tale of cronyism, of misuse of power, of cozy backroom money-grubbing — a more pressing threat to American business than outright criminality. Even Kazakhstan would blush at such practices. Some crusading liberal newspaper in New York really ought to run an editorial. Or at least a column.” So writes Jonathan Rauch in a fascinating column on how the New York Times is building its new headquarters.
ADDENDUM ON POWELL: A good point from an alert reader:
You are absolutely right in labeling Purdum’s July 25 piece on Powell the “Mother of all Puff Pieces.” May I suggest, however, that you did not point your readers to the most revealing line. Namely: “He has supported abortion rights and affirmative action and is a Republican, many supporters say, in no small measure because Republican officials mentored and promoted him for years.”
You correctly point out that there was not a “to be sure” paragraph in the entire – almost full-page – “story.” But isn’t this line the most damning criticism that the left can level against Powell? Forget the problem of sourcing (the “many people say” evidence has become prolific in the pages of the Times under Raines). Purdum has said in clear terms that Secretary Colin is really Uncle Tom. Forget his riveting “Why I Am A Republican” speech at the 1996 GOP convention. Powell is a Republican primarily because Massah Reagan and Massahs Bush have treated him well. Wasn’t this Donna Brazile’s take on Powell (and Rice, for that matter)? They are just the “house Negroes” on the Republican plantation.
Which Powell critic could Purdum have interviewed who would have said anything worse than this?
But isn’t it true that all minorities who don’t avow loyalty the Democrats hypocrites or self-serving? I guess the Times thinks that’s obvious.
The Dish 