When other companies face turmoil under a family scion, the New York Times doesn't hesitate to stick in its nose and offer advice. Consider this item published less than a week ago, coming from the paper's editorial board:

Have you driven a Durant lately? Few people outside of Detroit know or care that William Durant founded the world's largest automobile company, General Motors. Only Ford Motor Company finds its identity knitted inextricably to its founder's name.

That is hardly surprising, given the position that Henry Ford occupies in our national consciousness. Mr. Ford is credited with changing the very shape of the country with his Model T. Since then his son, grandson and great—grandson have all stood at the helm of the company he founded.

On Tuesday, the great—grandson, William Clay Ford Jr., stepped down as Ford's chief executive and president, passing the reins to the Boeing executive Alan Mulally. Mr. Ford will stay on as chairman, but the job of running the company rests with Mr. Mulally now.

While there is plenty of doubt about whether Mr. Mulally will be able to turn around the fortunes of the automaker, Mr. Ford has passed one of the most important tests of leadership: knowing when to step aside. By most accounts, the outgoing chief executive had far more on his plate than he could handle in the midst of a restructuring that could save — or finish — the company. [emphasis added]

If these courageous journalists had any principles, they would offer the same advice to Pinch.

David Yerushalmi   9 13 06