A little comma counting

CURRENT EVENTS

The number of commas in the first and second paragraph of this New York Times story: 12
The number of commas in the first five paragraphs of this Los Angeles Times story: 10

Somini Sengupta certainly writes with a pleasant, if typically NYTimesian, rhythm. But there are certain expectations for the opening grafs of a story. I submit that having less than 12 commas is one of them--even if you're trying to cram in "weathered peasants," "baked planes" and a "fourth-generation scion."

P.S. Add "monthlong" to your non-hyphenated list. Thanks LAT.