They really did.

Patterico responds.

Read both and decide for yourself.

UPDATE–Stacy McCain responds.

UPDATE 2—After you’ve read Patterico’s fisking and Stacy McCain’s discussion of the Salon writer’s background, be sure to read Mr. McCain’s analysis of Salon and its possible future implosion.

UPDATE 3—Bob Belvedere has more background on Alex Pareene, the Salon writer, at The Camp of the Saints.

UPDATE 4—