0900 : High Turnout in Baghdad Points to Early SuccessOf course a real newspaper could never do anything like that.
Ed#1: What the hell is this crap?
Copy#1: It's what the reporters on the scene submitted.
Ed#1 : Look, we're supposed to be balanced here, objective, not some shills for Bush. RE-WRITE it and PRONTO!
Copy#1: Right you are, Sir
1000 : Amid Attacks, a Party Atmosphere on Baghdad's Closed Streets
Ed#1 : That's better, the "attacks" at the front balanced by the "Party atmosphere". Go with it
Copy#1: Yes, Sir!
1700 (Change of Shift) Editor #1 and Copy Editor #1 go home as their number 2's show up.
1730
Ed#2 : What the HELL is this CRAP? "Party Atmosphere??" Jeez, give me a break. We're not a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Republicans! RE-WRITE it and PRONTO! I want some Numbers! If it Bleeds, it Leads, and don't you forget it!
Copy#2: Certainement, Sir!
1800 Insurgent Attacks in Baghdad and Elsewhere Kill at Least 24
Ed#2 : "At least 24"? What kind of shilly-shally stuff is that? Twenty-Freaking-FOUR? That's not nearly enough, the Republicans will be laughing at us. RE-WRITE and I want to see as many dead as you can scare up!
Copy#2 : Mais Oui, Mon Capitaine!
2000 Attacks in Baghdad and Elsewhere Reportedly Kill Several Dozen
Ed#2 : Better. Much better. Sure there's no more? No? Oh well, "Several Dozen", could be 40, or even 60. And we've covered our asses with that "reportedly" bit. Go with it.
On a completely different topic, here's the record of the headlines on an article in the New York Times, which remained unchanged over the period.
09:24 High Turnout in Baghdad Points to Early Success
10:24 Amid Attacks, a Party Atmosphere on Baghdad's Closed Streets
18:26 Insurgent Attacks in Baghdad and Elsewhere Kill at Least 24
20:50 Attacks in Baghdad and Elsewhere Reportedly Kill Several Dozen
Hat Tip Ann Althouse.
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