I'm sure merchants are lining up to support bitcoins with this kind of publicity.
You do not get it man. There is no such thing as bad publicity. Bitcoin is a singularity which is growing exponentially for some time now and is going to keep growing like that until it stops. All these mainstream publications are doing is pouring gasoline on fire trying to extinguish it.
Lots of smart people will see through bullshit and hear about bitcoin for the first time. They will adopt it. Idiots will have a chance to get some bitcoins later when one BTC worth 10k$.
The only thing these hit pieces will ensure is that bitcoin worth 100$ or more by the end of the summer.