Teen pregnancy is down. Way down. According to that fount of truth The New York Times. Without the International distribution of the Sunday New York Times I would not be privy to that piece of information. The article was long but well-written and relatively balanced citing the varying views on the causes. However there was something in the article which made me question the tagline in the header of the paper. "All the news that is fit to print." That something was the inclusion of the private intrigues of one 17 year old (presumably) New Yorker couple. Alexandro and Jasmine. They met in a freshman biology class. Within weeks they were dating, they both agreed to abstain. However , after breaking up and recoupling, Alex was caught cheating...tsk tsk tsk, at any rate the entire course of their complex and nuanced relationship is recorded their in the cover story of the New York Times. I enjoyed the article, the picture on the cover of the two kissing is pure artistry but is this really "fit to print". It is a good hook and nicely woven throughout the article but did it need to be? As a hook I understand why it was used who can beat "Girl Offers Sex but BOY refuses." However the detail they went into, it's pretty personal stuff and yeah sure it would be common knowledge throughout their high school but if some of the shit that's common knowledge at my high school was splashed across the front-page of one of the world's most respected newspapers...well I dunno. Then again who am I to question the journalist I have trouble with high school english this guy manipulates language everyday of his life so to respect his seniority I will concede, Alexandro and Jasmine's relationship is "news that is fit to print". Another cause for thought arising this time from the Book pullout of the New York Times was the full page ad for Jayson Blair's recently or forthcoming biography. This made me laugh. For those unfamiliar with Jayson he is the notorious journalist who was fired from The Times last year or the year before for fabricating articles he'd apparently been doing it for some time. I'm sure the book will be a brilliant read and just as the scandal garnered The Times publicity so to will this. Perhaps that's all it is, a trompe d'oeuil, mayhaps the liars were The Times creating a story in which they are the protagonist and centrepiece. I wish I'de been gettin The Times when all this went down I'm sure they had a field day. But that's enough conspiracy theories for now , I do have a paper on the Cold War to write and I'm sure going to need some then. Enjoy.

P.S.
Alexandro and Jasmine got back together after his cheating, that is when Jasmine offered sex. Later on however Alex and Jasmine got in a fight over a rumor about their sexual behaviour and are once again seperated. I feel like such a sleaze putting that up...but alas if it's good enough for THE NEW YORK TIMES! it's good enough for me.