Dear Patrick Healy of the New York Times

Posted on September 1, 2008

Dear Sir,

I don’t want to make too much of this, but I am concerned that in your recent article entitled “McCain’s Pick Might Foster Bigger Role for Clinton”, (saved pdf is here in case the original changes) you may have forgotten your style book. As you know, as an official 4th estate campaigner for the DNC and their candidates, you are not supposed to ironically continually refer to Senator Clinton as “Mrs. Clinton”, and repeatedly refer to Governor Palin (you are aware that she is a sitting governor, right?) as “Ms. Palin”. You just keep doing that, again and again. The thing is, “Ms.” is generally regarded as more feminist friendly than “Mrs.”, particularly when you keep leaving out the “Rodham” part.

I know, I know; deadlines and all that. There is no need to thank me, even though I might be saving your job here. As a professional, I’m sure you’ll fix this and not find a bizarre way to make people ask themselves whether Governor (yeah, she’s really a governor — your editor might have mentioned that to you) Palin is actually married or not, which would naturally make at least some readers in those other states that aren’t New York ponder over which of the two has the more relatable marriage. She (the “Ms”) is married, right? I could swear I saw her husband on stage somewhere on TV lately, but I can understand where writers for the New York Times might have missed that.

Damn, I hope someday when I’m done with all this practicing attorney nonsense I can write for the New York Times. That’s why I care so much about you guys getting the transparent and ridiculous stuff right.

Sincerely,

A blogger who goes by ArrMatey, who is not, in fact, a pirate. It’s Mr. Pirate to you.

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