I honestly think you're both missing the others point and the bigger picture.
In statistics (the "lets get a fair look at the reality" kind of statistics, not the "lets make it say what we want" kind), every graph has meaning so long as the data used to create the graph is legitimate and not abused in analysis, like any tool it has to be used correctly. Or to put it another way, you can't read your speed from a barometer any more than you can read atmospheric pressure from a speedometer, but neither tool is useless unless you are trying to measure the wrong thing with it.
The YOY % Change graphs are great for apples to apples comparisons of this recession to others but many of the graphs in the OP have their own valid point to make as well. Such as those metrics which are now going negative for the first time showing the situations potential for unprecedented changes.
So while the OP's graphs are the wrong tools for making a comparison to the past (and thus why Rath finds them unhelpful) they can still be legitimate tools for NJ's point. That's not to say either is being intellectually dishonest...just that both are making distinct points that require a different look at the data. In effect while one is trying to measure speed, for instance, the other is posting barometer data to make a point about atmospheric pressure.
As a result you each object to the other's graphs on the grounds that it is the wrong way to look at your own analysis, which is true.
In short I think Rath's primary point appears to be that in context with other recessions/depressions this is not yet a wholly unique situation. Meanwhile I think NJ's primary point appears to be that looking deeper at the graphs reveals cause for concern that it could easily become that uniquely awful situation.
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