In which The Gay Recluse scores selected opinion pieces in The Times.

Bob Herbert/Sharing the Pain

The Short Version: More than ever, it sucks to be poor.

In his words: “It is disgraceful that in a nation as wealthy as the United States, nearly a third of the people are poor or near-poor.”

Score: D- (Depressing)
It’s not that we don’t agree with everything Herbert has to say on some level, but we’re put off by 1) the tired prose in which he says it, and 2) the failure to really deliver any pyschological or historical insight. Reading Herbert’s column you might think the U.S. was the first society to ever confront the issue of a tyrannical elite hellbent on war and (self) destruction and an increasingly impoverished lower class that feeds the machine.

The Editorial Board/Mr. Spitzer’s “Private Matter”

The Short Version: Spitzer is an arrogant asshole. He should totally resign.

In their words: “As state attorney general, he prosecuted prostitution rings with enthusiasm — pointing out that they are often involved in human trafficking, drug trafficking and money laundering.”

The Score: A (Asshole Patrol!)
Smell you later, Elliott!