This image was lost some time after publication, but you can still view it here.

No long able to justify any intense, above-the-fold, gossip industry fun, Times had an oddly feel-good article about shaken-down billionaire Ron Burkle and his business-boosting friendship with Bill Clinton. In short, Clinton helps Burkle's Yucaipa Companies "find investment projects," and Burkle's profits help Clinton pursue his philanthropic projects around the world. So how'd these two power-brokers forge a friendship? According to the Times:

The two men first met when Mr. Clinton was running for president in 1992 and touring neighborhoods in Los Angeles that had been torched during riots after the acquittal of several police officers charged with beating Rodney King. Mr. Clinton noticed that some supermarkets were still open, and asked why, his aides recalled. He was told that those stores were not burned because the owner, Mr. Burkle, treated his customers and employees fairly. Mr. Clinton asked to meet him.

How moving. Except that it's probably not true, notes Mickey Kaus. He did a quick Nexis-Lexis search and turned up an article from the June 1, 1992 edition of the Orange County Register, which reported that Burkle's buildings were, in fact, burned in the riots, sustaining around $25 to $30 million in damages. Asks Kaus, "What other Burkle-related BS is the gullible NYT buying into?"

Excellent question. But, to be fair, the President-meets-the-supermarket-savior story is certainly more compelling. You can't blame the Times for swallowing such well-spun crap, especially when the spoonfuls are so darn heartwarming.

Burn, Burkle, Burn! [Kausfiles, Slate]
How a Billionaire Friend of Bill Helps Him Do Good, and Well [NYT]