Seattle Times publisher Frank Blethen announced today that the paper will change its name to the Death Tax Repeal Times so as to better reflect the interests of its core audience — which judging from the content of its op/ed pages pretty much consists of Frank Blethen.
Of course I’m kidding. (About the name change.) But seriously… doesn’t Frank get even the teeniest bit embarrassed using his paper to so shamelessly and relentlessly shill for this issue? Today his op/ed pages actually hit the issue twice, with both an unsigned editorial and a guest column from high-priced lobbyist Jennifer Dunn.
I dunno, I just think we should expect better from a news organization that aspires to be our city and state’s paper of record.
(That said, the Times also has a great editorial on Dean Logan. Credit where credit is due… though it would have been nice if the paper had displayed this kind of moral support and blunt reporting while Logan was still in the job.)
UPDATE:
In the comment thread, N in Seattle points to the editorial cartoon today by Devericks, which equates the estate tax with grave-robbing. “Quite the trifecta for old Frank.”