Posted on 12/09/2021 5:11:51 PM PST by george76
ASPEN — A conservative opinion writer who was fired by the Aspen Times after seven years because his ideology was too far right, has won best columnist of the year for the second year in row by the readers of the Times, despite not having a presence in the paper since December 2019.
Glenn Beaton said in his blog that on Christmas Eve, 2019, Aspen Times management sent him an email telling him that his values were not what they were looking for in a columnist, despite his column being one of the most read features of the paper, Beaton said, garnering thousands of clicks more than any other writer or feature.
“But I evidently wasn’t hired to be a conservative success. Rather, I was hired to be a conservative token,” Beaton wrote in a column on his blog about the award.
Beaton said his departure came just a few weeks after a column that hit hard against elite Aspen business owners and government officials for utilizing taxpayer-subsidized housing for themselves for “dimes on the dollar.” These housing units are at times are adjacent the ski mountain and worth millions, Beaton said.
“The liberal establishment that treats itself to this exorbitant housing at taxpayer expense includes, coincidentally, some of the editors, reporters and other columnists at the Aspen Times, the company that fired me after I reported on it,” Beaton said in his blog. “Small world, huh?”
His departure from the Times, however, didn’t silence his work. Instead, he punched back harder through a personal blog, and his readership grew.
“I’ll admit, I was disappointed when the Aspen Times fired me on Christmas Eve a couple of years ago after I became the most-read columnist in the 130-year history of the paper,” Beaton told Complete Colorado. “But it worked out well for me. Now my blog has taken off with over a half million readers, and I have a national platform.”
His new acclaim led to two consecutive “best columnist” award in the Aspen Times’ own “Best of Aspen,” a yearly special publication used in the newspaper industry and designed to sell more advertising to the winners. “Best of” publications always feature local businesses that the newspaper can then go back to when they win and sell them advertising “thanking” their customers for “loving” them. They also, many times, feature a bit of back-patting, too, by asking readers to vote on who in their newsroom is the best.
That’s where Beaton has now taken top prize two years in a row, as readers are also allowed to “nominate” someone, and Beaton continues to be nominated. This year it went even further, Beaton not only won best columnist, but he won the award of all awards, he was named “Mr. Aspen” by Times’ readers.
“I demand a crown and the keys to the city. Or at least the keys to some of those taxpayer-subsidized slope-side digs,” Beaton said in his blog. “For all this, I thank my readers. You’re the best. I may or may not have those bad values for which the Aspen Times fired me. That judgment is beyond my pay grade, at least in this world. But in any event, I’m in good company with readers like you. Thank you.”
The Times, which was originally owned by Swift Communications, has recently been sold to West Virginia-based Ogden Newspapers, purportedly led by somewhat more conservative ownership. Maybe new management will find Beaton a desk again.
“In Aspen itself, it’s gratifying to see the support of the Aspen Times readers,” Beaton said, adding his thoughts on the new management that is due to take over in a few weeks: “Merry Christmas and pass the popcorn.
Colorado Ping ( Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the list.)
They like shooting themselves in the foot. Knew a company that fired a salesman, a salesman who delivered two million a year in business. The owner did not like him. That company is no longer in business.
Awesome. Also, Swift was awful, glad they are gone, let’s hope the new owners are an improvement.
Good! Obviously, like minds think alike. Stupid minds think stupidly.
Swift Communications is selling their Colorado & Utah media chain that formerly allowed comments .. then stopped allowing comments, columns like Glenn Beaton’s , and letters to the editor that were not left wing garbage.
The politicians stay in power because of government housing projects.. their voters live in subsidized housing that violates density, height, and other codes, do not pay taxes while the taxpayers ( tourists = sales, lodging .. taxes and second home owners = property taxes.. )... do not vote.
and ...
Almost anything will be better.
The New Business —
It’s not about the News
And it’s not really a Business either.
It’s political activism for the Left. Nothing more.
Poor people can't afford to live in Aspen. Lots of workers there have long commutes due to the expense of living near Aspen.
“The liberal establishment that treats itself to this exorbitant housing at taxpayer expense includes, coincidentally, some of the editors, reporters and other columnists at the Aspen Times, the company that fired me after I reported on it,” Beaton said in his blog. “Small world, huh?”
This is what it looks like when the Left turns an entire state into their personal dacha, complete with Soros puppets like Jena Griswold...
“Lots of workers there have long commutes due to the expense of living near Aspen.”
Yep, been that way for 30 years, Vail too. Lots of workers can’t afford Silverthorne/Frisco/Breck anymore either, they drive in from Kremmling.
Sounds like a good opportunity for someone to start a new newspaper. That could work in many places nationwide.
Middle class people can't afford to live in Aspen. They have to live down the valley. It's all limousine liberals.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.