I can't hear you, my fingers are in my ears...

Jane Hamsher at FDL informs us that WaPo have shutdown comments and removed previous ones from their ombusman's blog. She then proceeds to explain that the nasty comments were pointing out that Deborah Howell was wrong, she deserved the criticism and she should apologize, not hide from her better informed readers. Jane also explains what's wrong with not getting the facts straight... in her usual restrainted fashion:

[...]

I don't expect Lil' Debbie to understand this so she can just stop reading now and go back to speed dialing the Hudson Institute for her next column, but those with some interest in spin, publicity and the generation of public image probably don't need to be told that all this dancing around about "Democrats took contributions from Abramoff clients too" is an intentional attempt to mislead the public into making a conclusion that is patently false. The implication is that the Indian Tribes are as dirty as Abramoff, something the Post has so far failed to do. They go straight to the White House for their take on any story which they then dutifully transcribe, and have neglected in any meaningful way to go to the Indian tribes themselves and ask for their version of events.

[...]

The propaganda assistance rendered to the White House and the GOP by such obfuscation is immeasurable. By pointing to carefully chosen "facts" which may be technically true (people like Kennedy did take money from the Indian tribes) without placing it in the proper context has lead to polling results that must have Ken Mehlman doing the lambada. According to the latest Diageo/Hotline Poll, a plurality of voters now do not associate Abramoff with any political party (PDF). That is just a remarkable achievement, considering everyone involved in this little wool-pulling scam -- with the exception of Lil' Debbie, of course, whom we assume is just too stupid -- knows that Abramoff was nothing but a bag man for the GOP.

Atrios piles it on with a post entitles Delicate Flowers:

It really is ridiculous. I don't think the Post is obligated to have a comments section, but I'd read through most of the comments and there wasn't any "hate speech" or over the top "personal attacks" and I don't even remember seeing any profanity though I wouldn't be surprised if some was there. Not everything which is a bit mean is "hate speech" or a "personal attack."

The Post said they wanted a discourse, but part of the reason people were rather angry was that Howell was not providing honest discourse.

So, they blame their readers. Nice job!