Paul Krugman: An arugula confession

Via Ezra Klein, I learn that I'm a cultural elitist.I thought I was a man of the people: I don't actually much care for lattes (I actually like black filter coffee). But Newsweek says that it's about arugula versus beer -- and although I'm fine with beer, I happen to love arugula (especially with some shaved parmesan and good olive oil).

Maybe if I acted British, and called it rocket instead?

I really ought to call it "rocket," because I can't say "arugula" without hearing the horn on Jack Benny's Maxwell.

No, I'm not that old, but some things just stick with you. "Ahhhh-ROO-gula!"

I have seen three teevee news reports today saying that Barack Obama has "distanced" himself from "yesterday's controversial comments" by his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. I've read about half a dozen online news stories saying the same thing.

I have not seen any stories that identify or quote these "controversial comments." I have seen excerpts of Rev. Wright's comments without any analysis, and I've seen plenty of analysis saying Obama has to throw Wright under the bus because of what he said yesterday.

I have not seen anyone connect the dots, and list exactly which "controversial" comments require Obama to do this.

I know the political rule that keeps Sen. Obama from repeating whatever he thinks the offending comments are, because you don't want to put the wrong words in the candidate's mouth. But why won't CNN, MSNBC, AP, Reuters, etc. say what Wright said that's so controversial?

It's as if everything he said in six hours of public speaking over three days was absolutely horrifying, and from what excerpts I've seen, that's clearly not true. If Wright said something that horrible, why won't the news media say what it is?

Update: I think dday said it better.

Update II: Digby may be explaining it, but I didn't hear the remarks as nearly the kind of slap-in-the-face as she did.