The Press: Shocker

In a black-bordered box that resembled a card of condolence, an editorial in the New York Post last week began: "This is an expression of sympathy to the friends and families of those of our readers who will die in [Fourth of July] accidents . . . through the carelessness of themselves or others. . . ."

It was meant to shock, and it did. Two days later, the Post reprinted part of its editorial over a long list of highway crashes, drownings and other holiday fatalities.