The Times page 1 above-the-fold column 6 headline reads:

Surprising Jump in Tax Revenues Is Curbing Deficit

Great news, of course, were it true. And the idea that there is an increase, maybe even a "jump", I don't doubt.

Still, too lazy to actually read the article, I check out the graphic -- 1,000 words, and so on and so forth.

And what I see is this:

Which, disappointly (for a graphic), raises questions.

First, what is the interplay of dark bars and light?

What's this first 9 months nonsense?

Most importantly, why in God's name, are the figures not adjusted for infaltion?

Well, 30 seconds of thought, give or take, leads to the obvious: Adjusted numbers would show a very modest increase in revenues compared to the last couple of years. More specifically, unlike the unadjusted numbers, adjusted would likely show a slowing in the drop in revenues, that is, the downward trend is somewhat lessening.

Which means the Times is back doing courtier duty.