Vietnam-era Transcripts

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/07/15/in_vietnam_era_files_parallels_of_anxiety/

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/world/asia/15vietnam.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=senate%20records%20show%20doubts%20on%20'64%20vietnam%20war%20crisis&st=cse

In these two articles reporting on the release of previously classified Vietnam-era transcripts, both make reference to the parallels between that war and the current one in Afghanistan. However, while the Boston Globe makes these parallels the major focus of the article, The New York Times centers upon the content of the transcripts themselves.

This is clearly seen within the two respective titles: "In Vietnam-era files, parallels of anxiety" (Boston Globe) and "Senate Records Show Doubts on '64 Vietnam War Crisis" (New York Times).

In the Boston Globe, the article opens with a series of phrases quoted from the transcript to accentuate the similarities between the two wars and then moves very quickly to the interview with John Kerry where he speaks explicitly about it. The New York Times article, on the other hand, after mentioning the parallels (for which was the reason of its release) focuses on the transcript from a more historical perspective. The quotations are longer and placed within its own context. Furthermore, John Kerry is not mentioned until three quarters into the article and the quotes used from his interview are more orientated toward his reflections on Vietnam. In contrast, the Boston Globe doesn't bring up the historical context of the transcript until three quarters into its respective article.

I think differing angles of these two articles speaks to the larger demographic of the New York Times, who's readership would have a greater interest in these transcripts alone, while the Boston Globe needed to give the story a more present relevance by placing it within the context of the current war.