The Irish Game and the pundit game

The Los Angeles Times wonders if recently collared Boston crime kingpin Whitey Bulger can shed light on the art theft of the century (20th) - the Gardner swipe.

Rumors have long swirled that Bulger, the head of the city's powerful Irish American mob at the time, may have played a role -- or must have known who did. Some have speculated that he stashed the stolen masterpieces away to use as a "get out of jail free card" if he was ever caught. Others think he sent the paintings to allies in the Irish Republican Army to use as a bargaining chip.

Don't tell the Times about the Irish Game - the circulation of stolen masterpieces as collateral in large-scale drug transactions. Don't tell them about Whitey's Irish or drug activities. Let instinctive journalism roll on.