• by John Gaffney , December 2, 2002

It Worked For Woodward And Bernstein: I’ve been reading a lot about the new “advocacy journalism” stance at The New York Times. Turns out that editor Howell Raines has had the nerve to run several pieces about the controversy over Augusta National refusing women. The last piece (front page no less) called out CBS for its silence on the issue, even though it’s broadcasting the event. The best way for The Times or any other newspaper for that matter, is to return quality advocacy journalism to the front page. It has been missing due to an inordinate focus on pop culture and financial ups and downs that most Americans don’t care about anymore. There’s plenty to advocate about these days. You don’t have to be a conservative talk show host to do it well.

Hold On There, Cowboy: When Robert Redford starts his political career, I’ll start caring what Robert Redford thinks of George Bush’s energy policy. Apparently CNN thought so much of Redford’s Bush energy blast that it gave it higher billing than John Kerry’s presidential musings and the cruise ship virus.

Parting Shot: Let’s see. New terrorism threats, Osama’s alive, the economy’s showing some color, Iraq has inspectors among its population, Michael Jordan calls it quits again, the airlines are close to bankruptcy and the newsweekly of record (Time Magazine) gives me……..a cover feature on arthritis.