[Ericson2314]

I think the idea was NYT was trying to imply they were running out.

To me, "begging the question" doesn't mean assuming the conclusion in particular, it just means that some of the premises used are less obvious than they are being passed off as. Assuming the conclusion is merely an especially egregious form of that.

[arcfour]

I was objecting to the incorrect use of the phrase at the end of the article.

[Ericson2314]

Yeah I don't think it is incorrect. The NYTimes to me does imply they are running out, because the alternative reasons are a bit more condescending to the users and/ or more subjective. So it begs the question in it looks like the NYTimes is hiding their motivate, which is at the very least not so trivial after all.