According to a report by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (BIJ) for British newspaper The Independent, "the [British Government has secretly ramped up a controversial program that strips people of their British citizenship on national security grounds – with two of the men subsequently killed by American drone attacks."

The BIJ found that since 2010 the U.K.'s Home Secretary Theresa May has revoked the passports of 16 individuals, many of whom are alleged to have had links to militant groups. Of these sixteen, at least five were born in Britain -- one man had lived there for almost 50 years. "Critics of the program warn that it allows ministers to 'wash their hands' of British nationals suspected of terrorism who could be subject to torture and illegal detention abroad," The Independent noted.

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"The announcement is part of the company’s larger plan to focus on its core brand and build its international presence, the Times spokeswoman said," reports the New York Times.

One might wonder how something can simultaneously be called "International" and "New York" but the ugliness of the new title shouldn't distract from the logic of the rebranding. The Times has recently been jettisoning anything and everything that doesn't have the flagship brand name attached (the Boston Globe, About.com, et cetera).  The bean counters are probably right, this time. We're not talking Maker's Mark announcing it is about to start watering down its bourbon. There will be no social media outrage that reverses this slap at history. When all media are available everywhere all the time, your brand is what sets you apart. Double down, New York Times, double down.

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