There's nary a kind word for Time scribe John Cloud, whose 5,000-plus word cover story on self-styled pundit Ann Coulter has infuriated many (not ulike his subject). Slate does a round-up of the indignation and bewilderment, including a blistering (and much-linked) quote from MSNBC blogger Eric Alterman :

Time's cover story/whitewash of Ann Coulter ... will make it impossible for serious people to accept what the magazine reports at face value ever again. It is as if Time had contracted a journalistic venereal disease from Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly and is now seeking to lower itself to their level in pursuit of their ideologically-obsessed audiences.

He also, inter alia, calls Cloud's reporting "lazy and credulous," especially as pertains to the blind eye Cloud turned to Coulter's "dozens, if not hundreds, of lies, mistakes, misattributions, and unsupported allegations."

Cloud responded to the criticisms in an interview with CJR's Brian Montpoli, lashing back out at Alterman (which prompted Alterman to re-lash back).

Meanwhile, as we noted previously, Coulter has thrown a hissy fit over the cover photo, decrying it on Drudge (though it more than does her justice) and posting retaliatory distorted photos on her personal website of Time photo editor Mary Anne Golon (who actually looks quite cute and natural and not at all reptilian) as well as the cease-and-desist letter from the photographer's lawyer. She's also whipped up an unflattering mock-up of Hillary Clinton, pasted after the jump.

Meanwhile, anyone who authorizes production of their own action figure really shouldn't complain.

Time hearts Ann Coulter [Salon]
Clouded [Slate]
Criticism Continues Over 'Time' Cover Story on Ann Coulter [E&P]