LAT supports free trade

The LAT argues in an editorial this morning for passage of the Columbial free trade agreement, but not without taking a swipe at President Bush -- compulsive behavior for the LAT -- and confusing the issue with talk about Bill Richardson acting as go-between in negotiations with the FARC. A simple statement in favor of free trade would have done the trick.

LAT pushes sub-prime bailout

On the front page today, the LAT, in a piece by Peter Gosselin, promotes a sub-prime bailout. Gosselin recites all the previous bailouts as far back as the 1790s to prove that bailouts aren't unusual and sometimes can produce a small profit for the government. Fair enough except that a newspaper is supposed to report the news, not promote federal bailouts.

LAT advises Petraeus

On the front page today, two LAT reporters advise General Petraeus to tell Hillary and Barack what they want to hear when he testifies next week. One of them may wind up his boss, they argue. But recent polls suggest it's more likely that John McCain will wind up Petraeus's boss. McCain isn't likely to look kindly on Petraeus if he softens his testimony next week.

In truth, there is only one course for Petraeus: tell it like he thinks it is. Adjusting your point of view to gain favor with particular audiences is a death sentence in the military. It sacrifices respect and trust for expediency.

Demolition derby a gift from God

The Economist's Lexington columnist this week argues that the contest between Hillary and Barack, in which each tries to destroy the other, is a gift from God to John McCain. Lexington could have more accurately argued that you reap what you sew. Democrats generally, not just Hill and Barack, are on a suicide mission, freely chosen. They narrowed their race to two flawed candidates, one an inexperienced black man with skeletons in his closet, the other an inexperienced white woman who is a compulsive liar. Democratic voters rejected other candidates who were more experienced and better qualified but male and white.

LAT editorializes in favor of Paulson plan

In an editorial today, the LAT applauds Henry Paulson for presenting his plan and urges that Congress take it up and act on it. It's rare good sense from the LAT and it demonstrates a split between editorial and news people, who oppose the plan. News people, of course, aren't supposed to have opinions, or reveal them if they do, but that's often violated.

LAT on Basra

In an incomprehensible editorial today, the LAT argues ... what? It's hard to say.

Of course, whatever the Bush administration has done is wrong. And since Bush supports Maliki, Maliki is therefore wrong. But Iran is smart. And the guys standing around with guns in the streets of Basra must be freedom fighters since they oppose Maliki, whom Bush supports.

It makes sense to the LAT.

LAT lobbies against Paulson plan

Rather than report the contents of Paulson's plan, announced yesterday, the LAT lobbies this morning against it. The author of that front page piece: none other than Peter Gosselin.

Inside, on page A13, Maura Reynolds argues that Paulson's plan is designed to help Wall Street, not average Americans. She doesn't report the contents of the plan either.

Why read the LAT?