

The Portland (Maine) Press Herald practically pissed on Old Glory on Sept. 11, when it ran a story about Muslin Ramadan on the front page—but no 9/11 anniversary boilerplate. This prompted an apology. Which itself prompted another controversy.

Press Herald editor Richard Connor ran an editor's note in the paper on Sept. 19 which read in part: "Many saw Saturday's front-page story and photo regarding the local observance of the end of Ramadan as offensive, particularly on the day, September 11, when our nation and the world were paying tribute to those who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks nine years ago. We have acknowledged that we erred by at least not offering balance to the story and its prominent position on the front page."

Of course, everyone knows that a story about Muslims must be balanced by a story about September 11 victims, just like every story about Democrats must be balanced by a story about Republicans. They are equal and opposite things, you see. Connor went on "On the Media" to explain his decision. Host Bob Garfield repeatedly pressed him to explain why he felt the need to apologize, and Connor kept insisting he was only apologizing for not putting a 9/11 story on the front page, and finally the convo ended like this:

BOB GARFIELD: So are you retracting your 700-word apology to the readers?


RICHARD CONNOR: No, I'm not retracting the apology to the readers for not covering 9/11.

BOB GARFIELD: Thank you very much. Richard Connor -


[Hangs up phone]

The important thing is that 9/11 is still dividing us horribly.

[via Romenesko. Pic: AP]