If you haven’t yet heard about the furor over at G.D. Gearino’s blog about the behavior of senior News & Observer editor Linda Williams, his latest post is a good place to start. It will link to to the previous, lengthy threads.

In brief, Gearino (himself a former N&O business editor) posted an internal memo that Williams send at the newspaper. It revealed her shockingly partisan and nasty take on recent news stories. An excerpt:

Has the political right truly turned the corner and will cease to demonize opponents on so-called moral issues, or are we witnessing the boldest, most cynical, most hypocritical political spin in modern history? What is one to make of John McCain?s greeting at the Twin Cities airport yesterday of America?s most famous baby mama with a warm hug, and the apparent attaboy pat on the shoulder for the self-described ?f***ing redneck? baby daddy? Are we now celebrating teenagers? raging hormones?
The claims department feature (see 8a) is a great reader service. I would like to see more scrutiny of the ?facts? in Sarah Palin?s speech last night.

Gearino further observed that, in his experience, that was only a sample of regular behavior exhibited by Williams and others at the paper.

In the latest thread, Williams has responded to Gearino with an over-the-top, risible fit of pique. Feel free to dive in and swim about, but don’t say I didn’t warn you about the stench.