Further proof of the continuing downward spiral of the New York Times

The December 18, 2007 front page

The New York Times has been continuously published since 1851. Their motto is "All the News That's Fit to Print." It was once respectfully known as "the Old Gray Lady."

Like all major newspapers, they've been struggling to keep the presses running. Subscriptions continue declining for numerous reasons. The medium you're using to read this is one of the reasons. The Old Gray Lady, IMO, owes their troubles, in part, to another. Their motto has changed. Today it's more like "All the news (or not) we can fit on the pages. Especially if it's Liberal/Progressive."

And just possibly their Editorial Staff decisions aren't the wisest...

Does a story about pickles on a peanut butter sandwich sound like hard-hitting journalism? Maybe a tad "investigative." Maybe.

Does this story seem like something an Editor, knowing he's only got a limited amount of pages his bosses can afford to print, would use their ink on? Even at "by the barrel" discount prices?

Are the sophisticated, well-educated, urbane, literati of NYC clambering for information like this?

Well, at least the "reporter" has a flair for avoiding prose...

"The vinegary snap of chilled pickle cuts, like a dash of irony, against the stoic unctuousness

of peanut butter. The sandwich is a thrifty and unacknowledged American classic."