Imagine a 1938 Los Angeles Times piece, "Germany, Without the Rancor": "There is love among the Nazis. There is hate. There is fighting. There is charity....People marry. They divorce. They make blond children..." Yes. Definitely time to institute the Duranty prize. And no question as to the first recipient either...

UPDATE: And don't miss Power Line's fisk!

OK, HOW COULD I FORGET THIS?

"Duane,

Following up on our conversation earlier this afternoon, here's our position regarding today's North Korea article:

Today's article was not intended to be a comprehensive look at life in North Korea today, or a broad report on the history of the country. As the article said, it was the view of one person close to the government of North Korea -- a "rare insight into the view from the other side of the geopolitical divide." The man had been a diplomat. He was trying to solicit foreign investment, although he said it was his personal view.

The Times has published as well the perspectives on the history, the living conditions, the point of view of the U.S. government and general Western view of North Korea. However, for obvious reasons, reporters cannot get to North Korea and rarely speak with official or elite North Koreans. That's why today's story sought to capture a point of view for readers that The Times is not normally able to present in regular coverage.

Regards,
David

Director, Media Relations
Los Angeles Times "

This astonishing bit of clap-trap does not even attempt to answer why the paper would carry this piece without any context about the regime --context that is not debatable. It is as though Murrow or Shirer were reporting on German repression of the Jews in 1938, but only parroting Goebbels' line.