Why is this man smiling?

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009 | 1:52 p.m.

The happy couple.

Check out the picture at right. That is Bob Brown, the RJ's advertising manager, posing with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at that chamber luncheon and beaming at the opportunity, only moments after he supposedly felt threatened by Reid saying, "I hope you go out of business." Would someone, who as Publisher Sherm Frederick claims, felt threatened eagerly have his picture taken with the man who threatened him? Does Brown's smile look forced to you?

Two possibilities: 1. Brown really did feel threatened but thought he should have the picture taken anyway (oh, that makes sense). Or 2. Frederick fabricated the whole "Brown felt threatened" story for his own purposes.

Indeed, here is what Frederick told the AP: "He (Brown) was not laughing. It was not said in a social context in which there was a lot of joking going on," Frederick said. "It sounded like a threat to me. Our guy took it as a threat."

Really?

Nice smile, Bob.