Clymer to co-workers: Stop feeding this monster (Clymer Retiring!)

Poynter Online ^ | May 30, 2003 | Adam Clymer (posted by Jim Romenesko)

[Tamzee]

To: xxxxx@nytimes.com From: Adam Clymer (xxxx@nytimes.com) Subject: The Times

Colleagues,

I think it's time to take a deep breath and think about the New York Times.

I share your contempt for Jayson Blair and Rick Bragg. And I share your anger at some of the failures of management that enabled them. I agree with a lot of what Times people have told outside reporters, either directly or in internal E-mails that have quickly found their way to the Internet. In particular, Peter Kilborn made the case against Bragg's excuses with telling effect.

But I think by now we have hit back, fairly and convincingly, and Blair and Bragg are gone, belatedly, from our ranks. The time has come to stop feeding this destructive monster. The Times that we are honored to work for will be damaged if we continue to fight with each other in public. And that's more important than our own grievously, justifiably injured pride.

Some wise friends urged me not to send this message, saying all it would do is provide more material for Jim Romanesko [sic] or Howie Kurtz. I know it will do that. I hope it will do more.

Unlike almost all of you, I won't be personally affected by this continuing mess in the office. I have planned for quite a while to retire on June 30 after 26 years with the paper -- a run I am proud of. Then, like millions of Americans, my connection to the Times will be that of a reader who depends on it to be a strong, credible voice. Please think about us when confronted by the urge to respond to some atrocious punditry that lumps us with Bragg and Blair, or to leak an embarrassing set of e-mails, like the Burns-Miller exchange.

Sincerely, Adam Clymer

[Tamzee]

'Bout time :-)

[Drango]

Adam...what a Clymer you are.

[ewing]

Dont let the door hit your butt on the way out Clymer..

[Free State Four]

that of a reader who depends on it to be a strong, credible voice.

Only a clymer would depend on the NYT for news.

[Sloth]

...some atrocious punditry that lumps us with Bragg and Blair

Adam doesn't like being equated to minor-league @$$#0!3$. Big time.

[B Knotts]

Major league...

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

For those who don't know, when President Bush made his comments about Clymer many of us Freepers seached for and read Clymer's previous articles to be fair to him. We found that President Bush's assesment of Clymer may have been an understatement. Big time.

[Tamzee]

Big-Smile Ping!

[Tamzee]

I believe it... It must be pretty difficult finding words to honestly describe Clymer while not getting arresting for violating obscenity laws ;-)

[wayoverontheright]

Unlike almost all of you, I won't be personally affected by this continuing mess in the office.

Don't be so sure about that pal, people have finally seen that not only does your paper harbor and promote liars, but is so biased that none of its reporting, and therefore none of its reporters or columnists can pen or utter a word without an element of scrutiny which will surely dog you even into retirement.

You have been "outed" Clymer, and everything you do or say from here on in will be tainted by your organization's deviation from the journalistic mission.

[MotleyGirl70]

[Drango]

LOL

[Blue Screen of Death]

Dont let the door hit your butt on the way out Clymer..

Redundant.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Don't worry, Adam. Your name will live on as a pejorative long after you are gone.

Does anyone think he really intended to retire after 26 years? An odd number. 25 or 30 are usually target dates and he had passed 25 so I think he ducked out before he had planned.

[demkicker]

For those who don't know, when President Bush made his comments about Clymer many of us Freepers seached for and read Clymer's previous articles to be fair to him. We found that President Bush's assesment of Clymer may have been an understatement. Big time.

Me thinks Clymer knows the days of being able to write is clap trap drivil without scrutiny are OVER. He'd rather quit now than be run off and humiliated. Good riddance!

[Tamzee]

Thought the same thing...

Possible memo translation? "Howell is worried that my lies will be found out so I agreed to retire in 4 weeks. I am taking one for the team so we can continue to be useful to Hillary."

[Hildy]

What was the Burns-Miller exchange?

[annyokie]

Great Pic!

[skinkinthegrass]

Possible memo translation?...Howell is worried that my lies will be found out so I agreed to retire in 4 weeks. I am taking one for the team so we can continue to be useful to Hillary.

and again. Anyting, Anything for Shrillary...the Marxist dream lives.

[OldFriend]

Clymer is one of the myriad reasons the NYT was held in such contempt before Jayson Blair was outted.

Clymer simply confirmed our impression that it was the New York Slimes after all.

[DmBarch]

I thought that in written english one did not end a sentence with "proud of". I realize E-Mail is more informal, but shouldn't that sentence end "for which I am proud"?

[Grampa Dave]

Hit The Road Jack!

[MotleyGirl70]

That's a good version of HTJ.

[razorback-bert]

I thought that in written english one did not end a sentence with "proud of".

Clymer only writes for the NYT's readers, not the STAR's and good grammar is not to be expected.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Keep it to yourself. Sounds like what a molesting stepfather says to one of his victims.

I guess since the NY Times has been molesting the truth it's appropriate.

[NYC GOP Chick]

[Timesink]

Schadenfreude

This is the New York Times Schadenfreude Ping List. Freepmail me to be added or dropped.

I'm ... too sexy for this fishwrap
Too sexy for this paper
No way I'm pla-giar-i-zing!

[Timesink]

What was the Burns-Miller exchange?

I'm wondering the same thing. I can't recall.

[fish hawk]

I may be wrong on this but was it not Cheney that made the famous statement, and not Bush??

[Timesink]

But I think by now we have hit back, fairly and convincingly, and Blair and Bragg are gone, belatedly, from our ranks. The time has come to stop feeding this destructive monster. The Times that we are honored to work for will be damaged if we continue to fight with each other in public. And that's more important than our own grievously, justifiably injured pride.

Translation: "Our job as Times employees is to demand accountability from, publicize the secrets of, and destroy the reputations of, OTHER PEOPLE. When it comes to us, though, cover up, clam up and SHUT UP."

You asshole Clymer.

[Timesink]

I thought that in written english one did not end a sentence with "proud of". I realize E-Mail is more informal, but shouldn't that sentence end "for which I am proud"?

As a former network TV/web site news copy editor, I can vouch that an unusually high percentage of reporters and anchors are not that familiar with the basics of English grammar. Many times I spent HOURS late at work struggling to reconstruct the scribbled ramblings of some of the biggest names in the business into something readable by the American public.

[Madame Dufarge]

Burns/Miller

[Timesink]

I thought that in written english one did not end a sentence with "proud of". I realize E-Mail is more informal, but shouldn't that sentence end "for which I am proud"?

Oh, I forgot to add: On this point, Clymer is not wrong. It really is not improper to end a sentence with a preposition, except in rare circumstances. The entire "rule" comes from a single grammar book written in 1762, and even that book's author admitted he was being a bit persnickety on the point.

[Miss Marple]

Two questions:

1. Wasn't it reported that Adam Clymer's correction rate was higher than Jayson Blair's?

2. What do you think Rick Bragg's reaction will be to this obvious insult, lumping him in with Jayson Blair, and Clymer's obvious contempt for him?

Ah, the in-fighting continues!!

[aculeus]

Clymer, PCing to the end, treats plagiarist lying fabricating dopster Blair with misdemeanor-committing Bragg.

Must make the white man look as guilty as the black man, eh, Timesman?

[McGavin999]

What he's saying is "I'm getting out of here and you guys have to stay to make sure my pension checks are good". Sounds about right for Clymer.

[YepYep]

No, Bush made the statement, and Cheney responded, "Yes, he is." Later, Bush without apology for the statement, said he was sorry his comment was picked up by the microphone.

[MindBender26]

Two phrases have come out of modern news events to be with us for a long time.

"Oh, she is just some Monica I picked up" (or more likely among the college frat set, "I got a Monica from her as we were driving down the expressway last night"

and "Don't be a stupid/dumb/effing/ Clymer!"

That is telling.

[Drango]

"Oh, she is just some Monica I picked up" (or more likely among the college frat set, "I got a Monica from her as we were driving down the expressway last night"

Not being in college anymore I don't know, but I thought the phrase was to "get a Lewinsky."

[maui_hawaii]

Here is his business card:

In big letters in the middle "Adam Clymer"

In the lower left hand corner "ret. major league @sshole"

[martin_fierro]

1. Wasn't it reported that Adam Clymer's correction rate was higher than Jayson Blair's?

Yes, I think both Clymer's AND Johnny Apple's correction rates (over the period that Blair was at the NYT) were shown to be higher than Blair's.

2. What do you think Rick Bragg's reaction will be to this obvious insult, lumping him in with Jayson Blair, and Clymer's obvious contempt for him?

These vaunted NYT scribblers, whose egos are so tied up in their work, just can't abide critcism from their side of the aisle. I suspect Bragg won't resist the temptation to respond at length and in public, which will in turn provoke other NYT minions to air even more dirty laundry.

There's a regular Bonfire of the Vanities in progress at Pinch's Place. SCHADENFREUDE!

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Here's the quote.

Then Gov. Bush: "There's Adam Clymer -- major league as*hole -- from the New York Times"

Cheney: "Yeah, big time"

[Miss Marple]

That is what I think Bragg's reaction will be as well! HAR!

I bet Bragg is typing fast and furiously, even as we speak!

Heheheheh.

[Miss Marple]

I think I will go see what Andrew Sullivan has picked up on this. It's just up his alley!

[NeoCaveman]

There's a regular Bonfire of the Vanities in progress at Pinch's Place. SCHADENFREUDE!

Life is good sometimes.

NY Times = A gaggle of clymers

[Cordova Belle]

It is said that Winston Churchill, when criticised for ending a sentence with a preposition, responded:

"This is foolishness, up with which I will not put." ;-)

[Drango]

NY Times = A gaggle of clymers

Yeah even though Adam is retiring, there are plenty of Clymers let at the NYT.

[MJY1288]

With Adam Clymer retiring, it will one step in a long road to recovery for the NYT's, if it's possible at all :-)

[MindBender26]

same same, G.I.

[Stultis]

Does anyone think he really intended to retire after 26 years?

Heck, no. In all likelihood he's just hauling clymer before his own work (and/or exploitation of interns and stringers) falls under scrutiny.