The issue is credibility.
Is Barnicle credible?
Bill Simmons thinks he is.
MSNBC thinks he is.
For awhile, the NY Daily News used him.
In the 14 years since he left the Globe he has continued to work in journalism. There have been no other incidents. Otherwise, do you think Simmons would have used him? And risked the credibility of Grantland?
But you Azrael - high priest of sanctimony - pronounce him "Done!"
You and the other hard-liners seem to place journalistic sins in a category above mortal sins. In a category beyond repentance or rehabilitation.
Even more weird is that you only put plagiarism and fabrication in this "Done!" category. But when reporters and editors are in financial conflict - if they take tickets, or meals, or gifts - or when they shape their editorial content to please advertisers - you can hardly be bothered. Not on your radar.
If you want to complain about Barnicle because he is a living breathing cliche, or because he's a fossil whose sensibility is dated, that's another thing, be my guest. But spare us the sanctimony.