WaPo and NY Times: "We've Been Smoking Something"

And it looks like the Post's editors have much higher quality smoke. first, check out Juan Cole's translation of Ayatollah Sistani's Fatwa on the New Government in Iraq. Then, take a look at the headlines on the two "newspapers of record."

Here's what the Post says: Respected Cleric Recognizes New Iraqi Government

OK, to be fair, the subheading notes that Sistani fell short of a "formal endorsement," although the first paragraph goes on to say the following:

BAGHDAD, June 3 -- The most influential leader of Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, endorsed the country's new government Thursday and demanded it swiftly assume "full and unflawed" national sovereignty with power to end the U.S. military occupation.

So, is it, or isn't it? And how hungry is the editor getting?

The Times has it's own yellow light: Iraqi Ayatollah Cautiously Acknowledges New Government

If you actually READ the fatwa, though, the Times' "cautious acknowledgement" phrase rings hollow--sort of along the lines of noting Mr. Lincoln's assassination, then continuing with the review of "Our American Cousin."

I wonder: does either organization drug test their employees?