You know, it's getting hard to read between the lines these days. This NY Times story about FDIC chair Sheila Bair, the only Bush official who's been looking out for homeowners facing foreclosure, has all the signs of a classic hit job: Unnamed sources (even "a representive of IndyMac" who remains unknown) expressing deep concern that Bair is a hot dog whose so-called policies don't work.

The only question remains is, who's trashing her - and why?

I read recently that the Obama team wants to dump her (more unnamed sources, of course). So is Bair as good as I've heard, and is being targeted for ruffling the Good Old Boys' feathers, or is she a self-promoting hot dog? You'd never know from reading this story. It's a masterwork of insinuation.

Boy, I wish there was a real newspaper I could read that could make that distinction, draw a credible conclusion and bolster it with facts people would back - on the record.

Hey, New York Times, here's a thought: instead of asking unnamed sources for quotes on her policies, why not do your homework?