Most people don't have the slightest idea what this concept was about, preferring to get their info second-hand or from people who know as little about science and statistics as they do. The article pretty much boils down to "Ugh! Poindexter BAD! Reagan BAD!" Of course, right now "Republicans BAD!" pretty much comprises the entire Democratic platform, so I suppose it's understandable.

I don't think this was a particularly great idea for analyzing these issues, but it was hardly the joke that the media is making out of it. It was scrapped for political reasons.

I have worked with DARPA for several years (not on this sort of thing). I have also read quite a few Seattle Times editorials. I am confident that I could balance the brainpower of any two DARPA people against the entire editorial staff of the Seattle Times, even if the latter's brains were soaking wet.

A little more detail on the concept can be found here.