Update: 'The Atlantic' Goes Clear

 UPDATE #2  The Atlantic just admitted its gross error (and forfeited a good deal of revenue) with a statement on its site.  Now awaiting the viral #WeScrewedUp hashtag:

Regarding an advertisement from the Church of Scientology that appeared on TheAtlantic.com on January 14:

We screwed up. It shouldn't have taken a wave of constructive criticism — but it has — to alert us that we've made a mistake, possibly several mistakes. We now realize that as we explored new forms of digital advertising, we failed to update the policies that must govern the decisions we make along the way.  It's safe to say that we are thinking a lot more about these policies after running this ad than we did beforehand. In the meantime, we have decided to withdraw the ad until we figure all of this out.  We remain committed to and enthusiastic about innovation in digital advertising, but acknowledge—sheepishly—that that we got ahead of ourselves.  We are sorry, and we're working very hard to put things right. 

Media Relations Contact:

Natalie Raabe

UPDATE #1  Late tonight The Atlantic, under withering pressure from critics,  suddenly pulled its Scientology advertorial. Notice: "We have temporarily suspended this advertising campaign pending a review of our policies that govern sponsor content and subsequent comment threads."

Earlier:  Big uproar tonight over The Atlantic not only publishing a massive paid advertorial from Scientology on its popular Web site but also carrying it under their own logo with only a subtle tag that it is indeed "sponsored." Very lively Comments section and Twitter having a ball.  Coincides with publication of Lawrence Wright's long-awaited book.

So here's Leonard Cohen's great "Famous Blue Raincoat" live with its famous line, "Did you ever go clear?"