A news article in the national section of today's New York Times reports, "Last year, the average metropolitan area worker collected $38,000 in wages and benefits, compared with a nonmetropolitan area worker who earned $24,800. In a troubling sign, the income gap between metro and nonmetro workers has increased to $13,200 per worker from $4,600 in 1985."
The Times news article doesn't explain why this "income gap" is "troubling." Or who, other than the Times news department, is troubled by it. Would the Times prefer that workers in metro areas make exactly the same amount as workers in rural areas, even if food and housing expenses are higher in cities? How would the newspaper propose to eradicate this "troubling" gap? By taxing the city-dwellers and transferring the money to the country folk? Is the gap "troubling" even if the real wages of rural Americans have grown since 1985, and the real wages of urban Americans have just grown more rapidly? Why doesn't the news article just tell us the facts about income and leave it to the editorials or to experts quoted in the story or to readers to opine about whether the numbers are "troubling"?
The Mayor's Preference: An editorial in today's New York Times refers to "New York City, which Mr. Bush visited only once during the campaign and whose mayor clearly preferred Senator John McCain's candidacy." "Clearly preferred"? Check out this headline from the October 2, 1999, New York Times: "Giuliani Endorses Bush for President."
Outer Space: The World Briefing column in the international section of today's New York Times, usually organized by region, today contains a heading that says "Outer Space." In it is an item that has something to do with broomstick-riding "White Witches" in Britain. Since these witches -- or any broomstick rider -- never made it into outer space, the Times might do better to abandon the attempt at whimsical humor and just stick the item in the "Europe" section.
Lower Prices: A headline in the business section of today's New York Times says, "If Comcast Buys AT&T Cable, Efficiency Is Likely to Improve; But Consumers Probably Won't See Lower Prices." As one Smartertimes.com reader asks in an e-mail this morning, when the New York Times acquired The Boston Globe or The Worcester Telegram & Gazette, did the Times discuss the prospects for "lower prices" for their readers and advertisers?
Zimmer's Firm: An item in the "metro business briefing" column in today's New York Times reports that Richard Zimmer is joining "the Washington law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher." It would be more accurate to say that Mr. Zimmer is joining the Washington office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, a law firm based in Los Angeles.