The New York Times is a reliable lightning rod for criticism from people on the right and left. And then there is a magical moment that unites readers of all political stripes in a group head-scratch, wondering what in the world are the Times editors thinking these days.

Today’s paper is Exhibit A. The Times splashed a “nothing” story on its valuable front page, the best real estate in print journalism. That space is so prime that advertisers are now clamoring to shell out $75K a pop to slap their ads across the bottom.

“Love the Long Eyelashes. Who’s Your Doctor” ran an egads headline about Allergan, maker of Botox, receiving the “first federal approved prescription drug for growing longer, lusher lashes.” As more and more Americans lose jobs and worry about mortgages and college tuitions, the NYT is concerned about the length of their lashes. Go figure. How isolated are these guys?

Allergan, according to Natasha Singer, “hopes to perform cosmetic alchemy yet again” with Latisse, a product that has the same formula as the drug company’s glaucoma treatment. It seems that people prescribed Allergan’s glaucoma drug, Lumigan, are winding up with longer and fuller eyelashes. Lucky ducks, for sure. Those hankering for longer lashes may wind up with “red itchy eyes and changes in eyelid pigmentation” as side effects, but that apparently is little concern for those willing to shell out $120 monthly for a “monthly dose of lash-lengthening Latisse.”

Meanwhile, the NYT buries a “real news” story on B3 about Pfizer cutting 800 researchers from its staff, an indication that it has precious little in its new drug pipeline to show for its $7.5B R&D budget. Pfizer is the world’s largest drug company, one that is focused on improving the health of mankind through development of drugs aimed at cancer, pain, inflammation, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia,” notes the Times in a one-column story sitting next to a three-column piece about a botched promotion from AT&T Wireless on the premiere of the latest “American Idol.”

The Times misplayed Pfizer's admission that its drug development efforts are running into a brick wall. That is front-page news. Fumbling Pfizer is far more important then some affluent Manhattan women fretting about the how long and lush their eyelashes are.

It’s the Times’ editors that deserve a lashing.