[sidelines]

a thought: is it possible that one of the reasons Melanie and the N-O have been unwilling to pursue the truth in this case is its leader?
http://www.newsobserver.com/443/story/223824.html

Orage Quarles III, President and Publisher
Mr. Quarles was named president and publisher of The News & Observer in January 2000; it is the third McClatchy newspaper he has led. From 1996 to 2000, he was publisher of The Modesto Bee in California, and from 1993 to 1996, he was president and publisher of The Herald in Rock Hill, S.C. When he assumed his role in Rock Hill in January 1993, he became the first African American to lead a daily newspaper in the South.

[abb]

"News is what your Editor says it is unless the Publisher says it isn't." Carl Liberto, former Managing Editor of the now defunct Shreveport (LA) Journal...

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

"He is a member of the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute board"

I'd say that is a pretty good guess.