Unless there is something in the article to suggest it, I don't know why the reader would assume the photographer or article author was trying to portray this performer as a stripper.
The cord in the photo definitely looks strange, and I can understand someone wondering if it were edited and why. However, in the absence of something else I don't see why they thought the Times was trying to portray her as something other than what she was.
This does seem to be a bit of an overreaction, and I'm glad the photographer responded.
Hopefully that will set a new standard for the Times in responding to such questions about the validity of photos they use.
American Strippers vs Islamic sensibilities, just another attempt to portray the many evils of the Bush administration.