Nuance and stenography

Ad Nags shows once again why he's king of the camp followers.

Others — like a suggestion that Mr. Obama opposed the USA Patriot Act or supported a ban on handguns — might be subject to dispute by Mr. Obama, who would argue they were yanked out of context or did not take into account the subtleties of shaping legislation. (Nuance is usually a weak defense in political campaigns.)

Yes, nuance is a weak defense, particularly if reporters refuse to do their jobs by providing context.

Really, though, we can't expect them to do so. They're like kids on the playground, standing around yelling "fight, fight!"

Journaganda!

From a coal industry news release the New York Times:

The new rule would allow the practice to continue and expand, providing only that mine operators minimize the debris and cause the least environmental harm, although those terms are not clearly defined and to some extent merely restate existing law.

The Office of Surface Mining in the Interior Department drafted the rule, which will be subject to a 60-day comment period and could be revised, although officials indicated that it was not likely to be changed substantially.

The regulation is the culmination of six and a half years of work by the administration to make it easier for mining companies to dig more coal to meet growing energy demands and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

Er, what? I know they can make bio-diesel outta old french fry grease, but coal? Hadn't hear that one. Nice of the Times to take these claims and run with them.