[headsonpikes]

I think the headline was dull - most people would skip the article.

Identifying the merc as an American in the headline creates reader interest.

Sheesh!

P.S. Do you really think folks would be less likely to read the story if it read 'American Indian' or 'Chinese-American' or 'Red-headed Georgia Cracker'?

[asgardshill]

Identifying the merc as an American in the headline creates reader interest.

Then does that mean that FR has changed its rules so that I can "spice up" the threadline of any article I choose to post in this way? Golly, I hadn't heard that.

The man was identified as an "American" in the original article title, not a "US black".