The Absurdity of The New York Times: Constitution Edition

One does not read the editorial page of The New York Times anymore to be enlightened. It ceased being a destination for a serious, thoughtful take on the issues of the day a long time ago. But there is an almost voyeuristic entertainment value to peeking in at the absurdly childish thinking behind the paper's current prose. It's a little like watching "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," but you feel even stupider after the experience.

Tuesday's Times editorial, titled "Pomp, and Little Circumstance," is a perfect example. The lead says it all (almost):

A theatrical production of unusual pomposity will open on Wednesday when Republicans assume control of the House for the 112th Congress. A rule will be passed requiring that every bill cite its basis in the Constitution. A bill will be introduced to repeal the health care law. On Thursday, the Constitution will be read aloud in the House chamber. And in one particularly self-important flourish, the new speaker, John Boehner, arranged to have his office staff “sworn in” on Tuesday by the chief justice of the United States.
Those who had hoped to see a glimpse of the much-advertised Republican plan to revive the economy and put Americans back to work will have to wait at least until party leaders finish their Beltway insider ritual of self-glorification. Then, they may find time for governing.

So, days before the Republicans took over the House, The New York Times editorial board was ripping the yet-to-be majority for not finding time "for governing," and scolding it for not giving Americans "a glimpse of the much-advertised" plan to "revive the economy."  A cheap, and childish, shot — right at the top. If The Times upbraided former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Obama with such snarky vigor for months of dithering while the economy tanked (due to their obsession over the cram-down of Obamacare), I must have missed it. Of course, the Republican plan for "reviving the economy" must be well known, because something that is "much advertised" is ... well ... known by people — even the folks on The New York Times editorial board. The snark doled out on stupid reality shows is more grounded in fact than that snit fit.

Read the rest of this post at Heartland's staff blog, Somewhat Reasonable.