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NYT Editor: Why Are You All So Stupid?
Little Green Footballs ^ | Feb. 23, 2008 | by Charles Johnson

Posted on 02/23/2008 8:30:09 AM PST by jdm

New York Times executive editor Bill Keller has figured out why there was such a negative reaction to their sloppy hit piece on John McCain: their readers are dense.

WASHINGTON - The embattled executive editor of the New York Times defended its John McCain story Friday with a novel explanation for the flood of critical e-mails the newspaper received: slow-witted readers.

“Personally, I was surprised by the volume of the reaction,” Bill Keller wrote in a Times Web site Q&A forum. Readers posted 2,000 comments and sent in 3,700 questions.

“I was surprised by how lopsided the opinion was against our decision, with readers who described themselves as independents and Democrats joining Republicans in defending Mr. McCain from what they saw as a cheap shot,” Keller added.

The problem, Keller went on, is that readers didn’t get it.

“Frankly, I was a little surprised by how few readers saw what was, to us, the larger point of the story.”



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008electionbias; billkeller; fakebutaccurate; howtostealanelection; mediabias; msm; newyorktimes; nyt; nytimes; yellowjournalism
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Give it up, Keller! You lose!
1 posted on 02/23/2008 8:30:11 AM PST by jdm
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To: jdm

Keller is right. The average NYT reader IS incapable of analytical thought.


2 posted on 02/23/2008 8:33:16 AM PST by PAR35
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To: jdm

Obviously it’s not the readers who are dense!


3 posted on 02/23/2008 8:33:36 AM PST by huldah1776 ( Worthy is the Lamb)
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To: jdm

Keller: “Hey, I’m not stupid! Everyone else is!”


4 posted on 02/23/2008 8:34:03 AM PST by henkster (Go to the local welfare office or BMV to see what government health care will be like.)
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To: jdm

We who object are just so dense that the NYT stock price was sent into a temporary (fifteen year) decline. If we would just smarten up, the stock price would recover. Pinch and Bill know better than us.


5 posted on 02/23/2008 8:34:18 AM PST by 17th Miss Regt
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To: jdm

In the MSM’s mind the customer is always wrong.


6 posted on 02/23/2008 8:34:39 AM PST by mainepatsfan
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To: PAR35

They’ve dumbed down the paper. They even dumbed down the Sunday Crossword Puzzle!


7 posted on 02/23/2008 8:36:07 AM PST by Dionysius (Jingoism is no vice.)
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Comment #8 Removed by Moderator

To: PAR35

The frontpage of The New York Times of November 11, 1938
did not mention that the German Nazi government initiated the attacks,
but said that Goebbels called to stop it.



9 posted on 02/23/2008 8:37:44 AM PST by Diogenesis (Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum)
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To: jdm

When Bill Keller says reaction to the story was from readers who are stupid, he really means it.

After all, stupidity is exactly why he expected his readers to swallow such a contrived piece of dog$h!t to begin with.


10 posted on 02/23/2008 8:38:02 AM PST by snowrip (Liberal? YOU ARE A SOCIALIST WITH NO RATIONAL ARGUMENT.)
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To: jdm

““Frankly, I was a little surprised by how few readers saw what was, to us, the larger point of the story.”

Unfortunately for you, ash hole even the nit wits who read the slimes DID see the larger point which was that you and your paper are very willing to smear a Republican but would never write a piece like this about a rat.


11 posted on 02/23/2008 8:38:02 AM PST by jmaroneps37 (Conservatives live in the truth. Liberals live in lies.)
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To: jdm

“Frankly, I was a little surprised by how few readers saw what was, to us, the larger point of the story.”

the readers saw an even bigger point than the story’s “larger point”: that this was a poor attempt at a hit piece. Even Libs want a real juicy hit piece, they dont want a sloppy, poorly thought, ill conceived piece of garbage being paraded on the front page.
Keller should be surprised he still has a job.


12 posted on 02/23/2008 8:39:19 AM PST by Fox_Mulder77 (Obama the poop filled pinata)
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To: jdm

Uh, so help us out here. What WAS the real point of the article (according to Keller)?


13 posted on 02/23/2008 8:39:21 AM PST by Paved Paradise
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To: jdm
Keller, joins Dan Rather, on the “Media Dinosaur racing for the tar pits of complete irrelevance” list.

Amazing how “Journalism” and politics, are the only two industries in the world where any complaint about the quality of the product being produced produces a public, shrill whine about how “stupid” the customers are in response from the producers.

Perhaps, Mr Keller, instead of responding with the same shrilly hysteric defensive reaction to your customers complaints, you might try actually LISTENING to them on time. When the bulk of the people are telling you you are behaving like an idiot, they are probably correct.

14 posted on 02/23/2008 8:40:43 AM PST by MNJohnnie (http://www.iraqvetsforcongress.com ---- Get involved, make a difference.)
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To: Diogenesis

Those “fake” newspaper front pages sure bring a point home and much better too.

Was the NYT 1938 page a real one? I thought this was the only real one in the bunch, but am not sure. I was not alive then and don’t know how old the NYT is either.


15 posted on 02/23/2008 8:41:50 AM PST by Paved Paradise
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To: jdm

Doesn’t his reasoning sound a lot like Dan Rather’s did when the phony documents were exposed?


16 posted on 02/23/2008 8:42:25 AM PST by REDWOOD99
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To: jdm

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=NYT&t=5y&l=on&z=l&q=l&c=%5EIXIC,%5EDJI

5 year comparision - NYT vs Dow and Nasdaq averages


17 posted on 02/23/2008 8:42:28 AM PST by VRWCTexan (History has a long memory - but still repeats itself)
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To: jdm

Heil Keller!

(You’d be surprised how much we know!}

http://ucca.org/ucca/famine/gordondispatch.html


18 posted on 02/23/2008 8:42:40 AM PST by spanalot
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To: Paved Paradise
What WAS the real point of the article

I see some "fake but accurate" explanation in Keller's near future.

19 posted on 02/23/2008 8:42:48 AM PST by Domandred (McCain's 'R' is a typo that has never been corrected)
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To: jdm
This reminds me of a Laverne & Shirley episode in which, in a dream sequence, Squiggy is asked about being married 9 times without having any children. He says Yes, nine barren women.
20 posted on 02/23/2008 8:43:16 AM PST by ditto h
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To: jdm

Now just why did the Times endorse McCain while knowing all this? Do they still endorse him, was this a way to regain opponents of McCain, did McCain win or lose votes, did their move lessen the sit-outs, did Keller really lose one for big media? To be continued. Right now it looks like, vote McCain, suckas.


21 posted on 02/23/2008 8:43:22 AM PST by ex-snook ("Above all things, truth beareth away the victory.")
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To: jdm

The arrogance of Keller and the Ancient Gray Mare know no bounds, so his reaction is no surprise.


22 posted on 02/23/2008 8:45:41 AM PST by rock_lobsta (I Love Global Warming!)
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To: Paved Paradise
The first is real showing the New York Times worked for the Nazis
as today it works for al Qaeda.

LEAKING AMERICAN SECRETS TODAY


23 posted on 02/23/2008 8:45:42 AM PST by Diogenesis (Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum)
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To: jdm

Everyone should know that the people of New Yourk City are the smartest people in the world.Even Hillary went there so she could cash in on it.


24 posted on 02/23/2008 8:45:45 AM PST by Piquaboy (22 year veteran of the Army, Air Force and Navy, Pray for all our military .)
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To: jdm
Photobucket
25 posted on 02/23/2008 8:46:21 AM PST by bamahead (Few men desire liberty; The majority are satisfied with a just master. -- Sallust)
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To: jdm
Bill Keller: "Stupid is as stupid does."
26 posted on 02/23/2008 8:46:58 AM PST by 386wt (Be free and don't die!)
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To: REDWOOD99
These elitists have such a high opinion of themselves, and surround themselves with such sycophants that they probably begin to believe that merely thinking something will make it become true.
27 posted on 02/23/2008 8:47:18 AM PST by MtnClimber ("Bullfighting, Mountain Climbing and Auto-Racing are the only real sports.)
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To: jdm

WE didn’t endorse a Presidential candidate before WE un-endorsed him...Now tell me again who is stupid?


28 posted on 02/23/2008 8:47:22 AM PST by madison10
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To: PAR35

Well, there are at least several thousand who say as a hit piece that belonged in the gossip column.


29 posted on 02/23/2008 8:49:59 AM PST by Blood of Tyrants (G-d is not a Republican. But Satan is definitely a Democrat.)
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To: jdm
“Larger point of the story”! Oh yea we GOT it you idiot. You tried and failed to Slime McCain. You see, those of us who live in the real world recognize certain things right off the bat. If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, LOOKS like a duck, its most likely a duck. We simply see through your attempts to make a duck talk like an elephant.

Given that simple fact, tell me, who is it thats the Idiot? Yea, Keller, might want to brush up on your burger flippin skills.

30 posted on 02/23/2008 8:51:06 AM PST by Danae (Remember: Obama = Pull out from Iraq. PLAN on voting, or accept responsibility for the consequences.)
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To: jdm

Keller is stupid, to think he can dupe the general public, the only support he will get is from the commies who are out to get McCain!


31 posted on 02/23/2008 8:51:48 AM PST by OPS4 (Ops4 God Bless America!)
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To: Diogenesis

Great post!


32 posted on 02/23/2008 8:53:21 AM PST by fortheDeclaration ("Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people".-John Adams)
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To: Fox_Mulder77

“Frankly I was a little surprised at how few readers............ the Times has”, is the what Keller should of said.


33 posted on 02/23/2008 8:54:14 AM PST by Maumee (wt)
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To: jdm
“Frankly, I was a little surprised by how few readers saw what was, to us, the larger point of the story.”

You got that right, Goofy! The larger point was that NYT wants to derail McCain by any means necessary, using any tactics necessary.

34 posted on 02/23/2008 9:02:16 AM PST by SERKIT ("Blazing Saddles" explains it all.....)
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To: jdm

“Frankly, I was a little surprised by how few readers saw what was, to us, the larger point of the story.”

The larger point of the story was to attack the potential Republican nominee and to help the Democrats win in November.


35 posted on 02/23/2008 9:02:50 AM PST by detective
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To: Diogenesis

Priceless Post!


36 posted on 02/23/2008 9:03:16 AM PST by JerseyDvl (If You Support America - Thank a Soldier; If You Support Al-Qaeda - Thank a Democrat!)
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To: jdm

“Frankly, I was a little surprised by how few readers saw what was, to us, the larger point of the story.”

Problem is Keller, a story is usually considered fiction.
News is supposed to be based on fact.
The larger point, Keller, is that you are an idiot for believing your own fantasy is what everyone else should believe.


37 posted on 02/23/2008 9:03:23 AM PST by o_zarkman44 (No Bull in 08!)
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To: jdm; All

There they go again .. All liberals think we’re too stupid to govern ourselves .. so we must have these super intelligent people to help us.

Typical liberal babble!!

Mr. Keller’s mistake is in thinking we’re stupid!


38 posted on 02/23/2008 9:03:29 AM PST by CyberAnt (AMERICA: The greatest nation on the face of the earth.)
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To: jdm

More anagram fun (yeah, I’m bored with nothing else to do...)

The NYT Editor Bill Keller

anagrams to

Like, Rottenly Ill-Bred

or

Old Belittler, Ink Lyre
(OK, so it isn’t spelled “liar,” but close enough)


39 posted on 02/23/2008 9:05:18 AM PST by RepublitarianRoger2
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To: jdm
He c'mon. They pulled a Rush on us.

Look what happened. To a large degree we're circling the wagons for McCain. Exactly the reaction they expected. It was their larger plan to get McCain elected.

I'm surprised they didn't use the line they don't read us enough to understand what we're really all about.

40 posted on 02/23/2008 9:05:54 AM PST by joesbucks
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To: RepublitarianRoger2

Oops, first one is an anagram of NYT Editor Bill Keller without the “The”


41 posted on 02/23/2008 9:07:03 AM PST by RepublitarianRoger2
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To: jdm
Here's the NYT freakshow members that were responsible for the hit piece:


Bill Keller


Jill Abramson


JIM RUTENBERG


MARILYN W. THOMPSON


DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK


STEPHEN LABATON

42 posted on 02/23/2008 9:07:43 AM PST by jimbo123
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To: Paved Paradise
>>>Was the NYT 1938 page a real one? <<<

That's real - from back when the NYT was a newspaper and not a yellow journalism sheet.

43 posted on 02/23/2008 9:08:04 AM PST by HardStarboard (Take No Prisoners - We're Out Of Qurans)
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To: madison10

The editor may be right. Don’t forget that New York has such a dearth of competent leaders that they regularly have to go to other states for Senators. Pretty bad when you have to import them from Arkansas.


44 posted on 02/23/2008 9:09:57 AM PST by gscc
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To: jdm
NY Times Inoculates Obama ?
45 posted on 02/23/2008 9:11:43 AM PST by bluecollarman
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To: jdm
“Frankly, I was a little surprised by how few readers saw what was, to us, the larger point of the story.”

What this simple scumbag Keller means here is, "We carefully wrapped a sex smear on McCain's character inside the big overarching political question of McCain's true committment to lobbyist reform, so how come everybody noticed?"

46 posted on 02/23/2008 9:12:32 AM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: MNJohnnie
Time to buy a saddle
When the bulk of the people are telling you you are behaving like an idiot, they are probably correct.

There is an old saying you could apply to Mr. Keller:

If one man calls you a jackass, don't pay him any heed. If everyone calls you a jackass, it's time to buy a saddle.

Here's your saddle Keller!

P.
47 posted on 02/23/2008 9:13:36 AM PST by Peet (Insert clever phrase here.)
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To: jdm
Now that's a novel approach to increase circulation.......
Insult the subscribers and readers.......
I wonder why nobody thought of that before....
Hmmmm.........
48 posted on 02/23/2008 9:17:22 AM PST by Fiddlstix (Warning! This Is A Subliminal Tagline! Read it at your own risk!(Presented by TagLines R US))
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To: jdm

NYT did us all a favor. They helped make anyone see how bad it would be under the Dems. Even I like McCan’t a little more now.


49 posted on 02/23/2008 9:17:45 AM PST by CalifChris
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To: Peet

“Frankly, I was a little surprised by how few readers saw what was, to us, the larger point of the story.”

So Keller admits he has “few readers” now -

Here’s the larger point of THIS story - NYTIMES has FEWER READERS THAN EVER!


50 posted on 02/23/2008 9:18:48 AM PST by princess leah
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