Mar 1, 2009
A note to readers
The situation facing newsrooms across the country, and especially in Southern California, is dire. Whether blogs like this one do any good shedding light on the dismantling process is for others to decide. But the comments section has too often sunk itself into irrelevance with anonymous personal attacks on newspaper managers. Initially, I thought the comments would police themselves, but maybe too many people have been laid off in recent years to keep the conversation rational. Or maybe one or two people with deep grudges can't help themselves. Either way, I ask that this name calling stop, because an echo chamber full of "he's a douchebag"s isn't going to make it with anyone anyhow.
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17 comments:
Well said. My favorite part is watching the slanderers launch into whispered tirades against their hated managers in the office, but when it's time to confront the evil boss, all the bile seems to suddenly melt away.
Gary, you could probably eliminate 90 percent of the snarky comments simply by disallowing anonymous ones.
I wouldn't if I were you, though, because much of the good information comes anonymously too.
I resemble that remark.
Good move Gary. It was getting childish and pedestrian. Maybe the journos can come up with some insightful perspective. They certainly don't have that option in LANG newspapers. Oh, there I go again.
ary, I mostly agree with your remarks, but, as a non employee in this mess I like to call them as I see them. I do my best to refrain from name calling, but, when the leadership has no plans, no vision, spins the truth, and wouldn't know a good decision if it him them in the head, it becomes difficult not to state the obvious. However, calling someone out by saying no talent is a lot different than douchebag.
and, they have no talent or spine.
Gary, John Lennon couldn't have said it better.
Some of these people are arrogant and devoid of class. They deserve to be bashed.
Gary,
kinda intersting how when the comments are about you and your girlfriend, you ask folks to tone it down...
what a hypocrite
I actually liked my editors at the Breeze, even when they handed me a pink slip in Feb. '08. Whenever I succumbed to feelings of bitterness, I always aimed them squarely where they belonged: at Lean Dean Singleton and the bean counters.
Now if you'll excuse me, I must get back to reluctantly planning to be a 31-year-old college student, since my journalism degree and eight years-plus of newspaper experience mean diddly squat in the real world.
Gary, I do appreciate being able to post here - even if it means filtering out through all the non-sense from both LANG suits and former employees.
Disregard the hate from some suspicious posters who seem to be targetting you...you must be hitting some nerves and I salute you for it...
I have noticed that attacks in the comments have gotten a bit out of control. Worse, they solve nothing and create more resentment.
We're all hurting. I still feel hurt over being laid off. LANG takes a lot of heat. And maybe they deserve to have some anger thrown their way. But we really can't (or shouldn't) abuse this forum. Gary gives readers the chance to vent or to put out information anonymously, something other blog's don't.
We feel helpless and desperately want to know what is going on. To steal a line from the movie "The Player" The rumors are always true. So we need this blog. Some of us pour through the comments to find any clues as to where we're all headed.
But we need to step back and take a breath. We should all stop and reread what we write before we hit the publish button.
A Pollyanna-esque way to put it I suppose. Still ...
Folks,
Can't argue with junior high name calling, however, when the senior management team of these newspapers continues to make inept decisions one must call them on it.
They have mishandled darn near every opportunity that has come their way. No one can argue about the piss poor economy, the declining circulation, etc., but, you sure can throw a brick their way for not being honest, not caring about the journalism and most of all, running a business smack off a cliff.
Now, all the above was said without name calling, but, calling it as I see it.
Wow, 5:09! So brave! And so clear-eyed! I bow, anonymously, to your anonymous courage and insite!
Wow, 5:09! So brave! And so clear-eyed! I bow, anonymously, to your anonymous courage and insite!
You misspelled "insight."
But other than that, you really cut that guy up. Honestly. I don't think he'll be able to sleep at night now, knowing that you've penetrated his armor so easily.
Way to go stud!
hey 9:24 anon...must be wonderful to be so bright and brave too!
I guess having someone list what they think is wrong with a company is bad, you must look at solutions much like lang leadership.
gee, thanks.
as far as 5:09, i am with you!
wow, i sure would be excited if singleton was taking over my paper like he is with the two in colorado. and guess what, they announced no layoffs are planned and it will be business as usual. yeah, bet me!
run for the exit door now.
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