Posted 3:48 PM by Gene

In the latest issue (they're better than their readers so it's not available to the public) The Wall Street Journals run a lengthy feature story of a fifty-ish middle manager down to his last $2500 who's taken to the streets with a sign to get himself work.

The story raises more questions than the man's plight. First, why him? How did he get the Journals' attention? What about others in his plight? And second, if he gets a job -- far more likely now that he's advertised in the Journals -- what about those who may be more deserving who now have no chance because a publicity hog's taken it? Is there really much different between most news reporting and press releases?

Even ignoring these concerns, one must ask, why must the man and his wife live on $5000 a month? Aren't there two-bedroom apartments available for $1000? Why didn't the man do a crash course in economizing when he was laid off a year ago, when he still had time and money? Really, things about this story are more apt for The Onion, but for the pity factor.

There's also the continuing sanctimonious odor of the Journals' schizophrenia here. The papers' famous feminist screed launcher, Susan Faludi, made her rep with a Pulitzer-winning tirade about Safeway and its suicide-committing employees that was later found to be exaggerated. Politics once again busts up the truth at the Journals, and it always will.