A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post discussing an astroturf group that was peddling its wares on TPM.  (http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/azpaull/2009/09/hey-tpmers-dont-you-wanna-be-a-1.php)  The soft drink industry is stirring up opposition to a potential tax on sugary sodas (and other non-diet drinks).  However, there is NO PENDING PROPOSAL to do so, and they are stirring up these fears at a time when people are debating health insurance reform.  I predicted that the Republicans would latch on to this red herring as the next in their long line of b.s. scare tactics.

The New York Times has now taken up the torch for this artificially-carbonated non-issue.  With the incendiary - and FALSE - headline of  Proposed Tax on Sugary Beverages Debated, and lead paragraph stating "The debate over a tax on sugary soft drinks -- billed as a way to fight obesity and provide billions for health care reform -- is starting to fizz over", the NY Times is doing what even the Republicans apparently couldn't stomach.

Who do you think is debating when you read that headline and lede?  Of course.  Congress. 

Heck, the 2nd paragraph misleadingly cherry picks Pres. Obama's comments to further the false implication.   To compound it, in the 5th paragraph, the reporter (William Neuman) slyly references how much Sen. Baucus' version would cost, and referring to "an array of taxes... with no mention of any tax on sugary beverages."

It is not until the last few paragraphs of the "report" that Mr. Neuman gives the real story:(1) Obama said "worth exploring" but that there would be significant resistance; (2) the author of the study actually thinks that state and local governments should take the lead on it because of the lack of interest in Congress; and (3) that a few lawmakers consciously decided that it would not be presented in Congress any time in the near future.

I rarely see an NYT report so completely boot a story in this way.  And, coming at the critical moment that it did, I am rarely as distressed by such an apparently-willful scare story from the NYT.  I urge TPM and fellow TPM'ers to protest this article furthering these attempts to muddy the debate.  The Times should take several barrels of these soft drinks to help quench the flames it has stirred up!