If it was so mundane then why is the Globe commenting on it in an editorial?  If the outrage were wholly manufactured then it would not be worthy of comment. I think the Globe appreciates that the story was not manufactured (not that there hasn't been some amplification of it -- it is an election) and this is the reason why it has gained traction, and thus the editorial comment. However, I don't think this is an event which requires interpretation from the Globe -- people are quite capable of drawing their own conclusions.