Posted on 05/21/2003 12:10:06 PM PDT by Temple Owl
Second Thoughts
By William W. Lawrence
05/20/2003
The Inquirer, last week, somewhat buried the story about Walker Lundy, the 60-year-old editor who walked out on them just after 17 months. The story was played in the "local news" section below the fold.
Lundy was hired to "reinvigorate" the dying publication, but decided to smell roses instead.
In his resignation letter, Lundy said he looks forward to retirement: "People tell me roses have an odor about them, and I want to see if that's true. Plus, I want to live on a lake and drive a boat fast. And read a million books. And write something more spellbinding than memos."
It sounds like expensive fun. I hope Lundy had a golden parachute.
A story in the Philadelphia Weekly quoted a newsroom staffer as saying, "There is not going to be any sadness about Lundy leaving. Just fear about what comes next."
It is kind of scary. These print journalists could show up at 400 N. Broad St. some morning and find locks on the doors.
In the Philadelphia Weekly story, veteran reporter Dick Polman said, "The thrust of most of the questions was 'What is really going on here?' If things were supposedly going so great for Walker, then why would he not wait around a couple of years until he hit retirement age -- unless there is something else going on."
But good things could also happen for the left-leaning editorial staff. Managing Editor Anne Gordon could be promoted to replace Lundy. That would have them dancing in aisles. Ms. Gordon served as communications director for the Colorado Democratic Party during Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign. Or think about this! Baghdad Bob is looking for a job.
***
Then again, there may be an opening for the top job at the New York Times for Baghdad Bob.
Jayson Blair, a young ace reporter, turned out to be a liar. I guess that qualifies him to run for President as a Democrat or be offered a million bucks to write his story.
The New York Times, like the Inquirer, is in a quagmire and is about to go under. That may mean that Executive Editor Howell Raines will also go around smelling roses.
(Excerpt) Read more at CountyPressOnline.com ...
"Left-leaning"???
LOL, this paper writes editorials lecturing Republican politicians for "pandering to taxpayers".
For real. Those exact words.
It's been five years since I cancelled the Inquirer and two since I convinced my elderly Mom to give it up. I wish that paper would hurry up and die.
Oh, it will.
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