His arguments should be qualification enough. Of course, one's arguments are often not qualification enough to be listened to, but publication in the New York T

His arguments should be qualification enough. Of course, one's arguments are often not qualification enough to be listened to, but publication in the New York Times adds some weight on that side -- they lend him credibility, and if his arguments are well received he pays it back, and if they aren't he defaults and both he and they are poorer for it.