If it were paper's "official" take, that would be published by "The Editorial Board".
The original article was posted by a Joseph Epstein. Thus, it is to be assumed that what he wrote is his own personal opinion.
The opinion section is only the opinion of the writer writing the piece, and not the usual staff reporting. In fact, because it is opinion, it cannot be per se journalism nor is it held to the same standard as a usual article.
On the same opinion page is a letter from a reader expressing her contrarian take on the commentary of Epstein.
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