I think the New York Times typically justifies its articles, so the bizarre spacing isn't unusual. The we, as stated above, would refer to the reporters organization, either the paper or the wire service, or the media in general. However, if this were actually a New York Times article, the first line would have the author's name, and the second would be either "Staff Reporter" or the wire service the reporter was working for. If the byline were ommitted, the first words in a New York Times article are the city from which the report is filed, all in caps. I'd call this image very suspect.

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