By ERIC LICHTBLAU Published: October 3, 2004

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 - "Plenty of news media analysts thought Senator John Kerry looked good at Thursday night's presidential debate, but Fox News went a step further, posting a made-up news article on its Web site that quoted Mr. Kerry as gloating about his fine manicure and his "metrosexual" appearance.

"Fox News quickly retracted the article, saying in an editor's note on its Web site that the article "was written in jest and should not have been posted or broadcast.'' It said, "We regret the error, which occurred because of fatigue and bad judgment, not malice."

I've seen how the True Believers get upset over the media's abuse of the truth, and it will be gratifying to hear how they excuse this. Because there should be several hundred posts decrying Fox and threatening a boycott if they don't.

Arf