The New York Times' stubborn use of honorifics—calling everyone by formal titles on second reference—is dumb. It's a goofy relic, and should be done away with. Done away with all at once. Not by withholding honorifics for people the editor doesn't like.

From a correspondent in the new New York Times building at Eighth Ave. and 40th Street: "This was scrawled on the door of one of our new, improved (and barely functioning) elevators. Even Timesians have their preferences, I guess..." And how. Sorry, David Brooks! It's MoDo for the elevator people.