Just so you'll know, my column in the Times will end Jan. 19. I'm not sure why: too old at 79? no space for me? I don't fit the hip, cool, Hollywood demographics? All of the above? Ask them. They did say they couldn't afford me, but since I was "downsized" the first time and hired back as a freelancer, my salary has been halved and I've had no medical coverage, no vacation time, no expense account and generally no staff perks. I haven't been THAT expensive. But I've never been a whiner, and I won't be now. This is just to show my readers the respect I've always felt toward you by giving you advance warning. It isn't likely to do much good this time, but by making your feelings known to the editor, publisher, readers rep or anyone else you can think of, it may guide their decisions in the future. Meanwhile, my blog goes on and I'll pop up now and then in non-column form in the Times and elsewhereLA Observed first reported Martinez's re-departure last Wednesday and posted a memo from Times Editor Russ Stanton here.
A link to Martinez's blog is here.
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4 comments:
What a waste to let this wonderful and talented writer leave. The Times cannot save so much to not have this quality column. I will never buy the paper again. What stupidity. Norma H
What a waste to let this wonderful and talented writer leave. The Times cannot save so much to not have this quality column. I will never buy the paper again. What stupidity. Norma H
It's sad to see an iconic figure no longer available in a format we've grown accustomed to.
However, we're simply getting away from paper in many forms of communication. Newspapers of course, documents, tax returns, online this & that, e-filing that & this.
In the not to distance future, microchips will be forced inside us - required in order to buy/sell, avoid id theft, & contain med records, etc.
Environmental/green, financial & better efficiencies will be some of the reasons given for change.
It's always sad to see the old die but that's a part of life in all forms. There is always a period of resistance, stress, grief, adjustment, transition, then acceptance. We must always look forward, cautiously, to whatever the progressives have next for us.
Life is an unending series of Hello's & Good Bye's...
Al,
Best of luck and good health. You gave us many hours of laughs and thoughtfulness.
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