Times Bomb [Jayson Blair's inside story, from Newsweek]

Newsweek ^ | May 18, 2003 | Seth Minookin and others

[summer]

Times Bomb

Newsweek

.... As the Times meeting was unfolding, Jayson Blair was holed up in an apartment in Manhattan, talking with his lawyer and his literary agent. The week before, friends say, Blair had checked himself out of Silver Hill, a tony inpatient hospital in New Canaan, Conn., where he had been receiving treatment for a history of alcoholism, cocaine abuse and manic depression, NEWSWEEK has learned. ....

...In a conversation with NEWSWEEK, Blair spoke of his feelings since his career went up in flames: "I can't say anything other than the fact that I feel a range of emotions including guilt, shame, sadness, betrayal, freedom and appreciation for those who have stood by me, been tough on me, and have taken the time to understand that there is a deeper story and not to believe everything they read in the newspapers."...

...But Blair's performance, already spotty, seemed to be getting worse. His personal life also seemed to be spinning out of control. His apartment in Brooklyn was littered with broken furniture and rotting food, his landlord said; there was fungus, and mold. When he moved out in the fall of 2002, the place was in such sordid condition his landlord considered taking him to small-claims court to recoup damages. "It was real filth," the landlord told NEWSWEEK. "Imagine using a bathroom for two-and-a-half years and never cleaning it."

....Within months, Blair was circulating drafts of a book proposal on the sniper story in which he discussed his own anger and frustration as an African-American. "[A friend] encouraged me to look for answers about the history of violence in my own family and that of Lee Malvo [the other sniper suspect], suggesting the search would not be in vain, if it at least ended my restless angst," Blair wrote. Later, he told friends that he identified with Malvo....

[MEG33]

Jayson Blair is one sick puppy.The management's desks should be cleaned out and they should be fired.

[summer]

Yes, I agree. The management should be OUT. Period.

[summer]

Thanks, backhoe. I appreciate your post. I am waiting to see which political party's leaders take the time to do this important task of stopping fraud from being the basis of a fat paycheck and royalties for the Jayson Blairs of our country. I bet it will be the GOP, because the Dem leaders will probably be too afraid to be accused of being racists, and so, will remain silent. Consequently, I hope the GOP speaks up here. Because truly, such a law would teach kids in our nation a lesson they are never going to get from the NYT's spineless management.

[summer]

See post #5.

[dennisw]

This paper is exposed as the vile cesspool of liberal nonsense, bilge and filth that we always knew it was. I guess none of us should be surprised at any of this since we've long known it, but seeing them exposed to the world is simply quite satisfying in a gut, visceral way that's hard to explain.

Believe it or not this was a solid, if liberal, newspaper when I was little. The newspaper of record. The decline started 20 years ago when they added separate lifestyle sections for each day of the week. Added due to demographics, market pressures and slowly "feminized" the newspaper to where it's squishy soft and run by closeted gays according to accounts and Freep threads

[my right]

He feels betrayed? I guess this guy feels that the Times' version of affirmative action guaranteed him success and lifetime tenure no matter how slovenly and dishonest his performance as a journalist.

NO, he will now probably say that they put him in a position to fail by giving him too much rein and promoting him before he had the experience to handle it. They didn't bring him along slowly as they did their real favorites.

[garbanzo]

Interesting story...reminds me of the story of a young white kid from Arkansas who went into politics. The lying, the coke use, the charming smile...

[bmwcyle]

Oh no, they had a street wise black with addictions who did not work honestly. How could that happen?

I'm shocked!

[summer]

Re your post #15 - Very interesting. I did not assume that, but, now we all know. Jayson Blair had serious problems, and why he would be assigned to cover the SNIPER case and other such matters is beyond me. I am now wondering if the NYT management is also on drugs.

[mewzilla]

I think this is more about damage control. I've seen the author on the boob tube talking about this subject and he's always seemed very sympathetic toward Blair. Wonder if Blair placed any conditions on the interview? If Newsweek made any concessions? Inquiring minds want to know...

[summer]

Re your post #14 - Hi Dog, I think people will always want to read more about Jayson Blair in an effort to better understand how and why this happened -- but, Jayson Blair should NOT be the one to pocket a dime.

[summer]

I think this is more about damage control.

It might be, but the article does mention the board members of the NYT are getting nervous about all the negative publicity. I can't see how a cover story on Jayson Blair lessens the negative publicity.

[bigfootbob]

This may sound superficial, but what's with the photo of Blair taking a big hit off of a cigarette? Subtle demonization? We know the libs hate tabacco smokers. I just thought it odd.

[summer]

Re your post #12 - I think you are making a valid point.

[summer]

Re your post #33 - I agree; that is not a flaterring photo at all.

[Publicus]

You are right.

I think it would help if we restored the teaching of values, character, and civics in our elementary and secondary schools. (The demonrats removed this subjects back in the 1960's and we have seen the results since.)

[aristeides]

I suspect the agent business is for the purpose of extorting more out of the NYT. Somehow Blair was able to pay a $3,800 bill to American Express a few days ago.

[ChadGore]

Jayson Blair scheamed a way to get payed for not actually doing the work.

Isn't that the essence of socialism ?

[MEG33]

They conceded one could not trust his words.He refused to answer a lot of questions.

[summer]

Inquiring minds want to know...

Here's what I want to know, as Jayson Blair came from a two parent home, and his mom was a teacher: Did his parents know he had these addiction problems? And, did they know he failed to get a diploma from college -- yet, he was working at the NYT? I am curious about these matters, as I would expect a parent who is a teacher to be somewhat interested in attending her son's graduation ceremony at college, and/or getting a frame for his diploma and hanging it on the wall at home.