Much ado about a duck

Page 2 of 2 -- "Changing [comics] is certainly an option, though each of the strips, we have found over the years, has die-hard constituents," says Larkin.

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True, dropping Mallard could bring complaints; comics changes usually do. But a decade of The Duck is enough when there's a good alternative.

Blog wars Unless you are tapped into the blogosphere, you probably don't know about the flap caused by Cathy Young's Feb. 7 op-ed column. Here's the short version.

Young, a regular Globe contributor, took issue with views posted recently by Eric Alterman (with whom she has tangled before) on his MSNBC web log. Alterman argued that Arabs should not be expected to particpate in Auschwitz liberation anniversary ceremonies -- and predicted his words would be "twisted" by others.

Young, in the Globe, said Alterman's blog views "coming from a non-Jew, would be clearly seen as anti-Semitic." She also said maybe this was a case where the label "self-hating" Jew was justified.

Alterman, outraged, asked the Globe to retract the column, apologize, present the full text of his original comments, and publish letters of support from the Jewish community. The Globe declined the first three, but did publish a letter of support, as well as a 170-word defense from Alterman himself -- much shorter than submitted, but clear.

Displeased, he declared "war" on the Globe, and posted his case (with related correspondence) on his MSNBC website, Altercation. That in turn prompted outraged e-mail to this office on his behalf.

Those are the facts; here's the opinion. Young's column, as written, was not up to op-ed page standards. Suggesting that Alterman is a "self-hating" Jew was ad hominem and inappropriate. What's acceptable online, where the aggrieved can respond quickly and in kind, is not necessarily OK on the op-ed page. The column was also blog-like in its narrow, personal focus -- not worthy of an opinion page where readers expect (and usually get) thoughtful analysis and insight.

The Globe acknowledged the situation by publishing the two letters of support as well as a third letter. It would have been good to also provide access to Alterman's original text so readers could see the basis, or lack thereof, for Young's charge. But it was cut because it contained extraneous material. Here's the link: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6968346/#050215.

The ombudsman represents the readers. Her opinions are her own. Phone 617-929-3020 or, to leave a message, 929-3022. Our e-mail address is ombud@globe.com.