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.