Reliable Source: The New York Times is such a party pooper: Why a fete celebrating a reporter got nixed

It's so hard to throw a party in Washington. Between gift bans, toothpick rules, and "optics problems," what's a host to do?Sometimes, the answer is to up and cancel. Such was the case for a June 11 fete slated in honor of the return to Washington of New York Times journalist Gardiner Harris after a stint reporting for the Times in India. Invites had gone out. No doubt, caterers had been called, and babysitters booked. But late this week, the shindig was abruptly cancelled via e-mail, with the h...