The dirtbag left is a style of left-wing politics that eschews civility to convey a left-wing populist and anti-capitalist message using vulgarity. It is most closely associated with American left-wing media that emerged in the mid-2010s, such as the podcast Chapo Trap House.
The NYT is awful for redefining words however it likes. Also - maybe "dirtbag = DIY" is an in-joke for the powerful at that shit rag.
I thought it meant Tankie?
Perhaps you're thinking of the vehicle - https://hexbear.net/post/2229795?scrollToComments=false
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In all seriousness (so to speak)...
The NYT is awful for redefining words however it likes. Also - maybe "dirtbag = DIY" is an in-joke for the powerful at that shit rag.