Nobody is irreplaceable, right?
I get a little dose of that every time I look in the mirror and think back to Sun scribe Steve Rose’ prediction that long after most of the print journalistic Jurassics were gone, I’d still be choking out columns at the
Burman Dinstow
Don’t underemphasize how important race was in the Jason-KC Star relationship. The Star editors talked a good diversity game, but when push came to shove in the early 90s, none of the regular local columnists in the Star were African-American. They were searching far and wide for a columnist who was black. Jason turned out to have the goods as a columnist (he would have been considered decent but nothing special in other cities, but in KC, his blunt and often inelegant opinions and his insistence on not running away from racial issues made him some kind of revolutionary). Early on, Jason and the Star both benefited. A few years go by, and it turns out that Jason has become too big for his britches; the Star hierarchy has no love for him, but they have maintained their marriage of convenience for many years because the alternatives are not great for either party. Now, with Steve Penn and Jenee O. as regular columnists, the departure of Jason would not leave them without African-American local columnists.
Rick M
Newsday appears to be hiring.
http://www.poynter.org/q/?id=A188624
And if you can stomach working for Rupert Murdoch (Whitlock apparently can) he’s doing some sort of digital start-up.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-newscorp-20100813,0,3467576.story
Jim Fitzpatrick
I think “too big for his britches” is exactly the right term, Burman. All the way back to mythological times, writers have told stories about heroes’ Achilles’ heels. And what is the most common fatal flaw? Nothing has changed; it’s pride, arrogance, and Jason has those by the bushel basket. They charge through in his columns and in his Tweets. He’s hopelessly ensnared. Even if the Star is extending an offer, he’s too blind to see that it’s in his best interest to take it…Somebody should have taken his picture — a new one — before he left. He’s gone.
(Good column, Hearne; you showed your humility. Jason would be wise to follow suit.)
H fan
hearne please “get on” with building the next great paper/internet in KC… THE TIME IS NOW.
===========================
BTW-
I sure would like to see those OVERPAID government workers in Johnson county take a pay reduction e.g. Why in the fk does the JOCO county manager makes $180,000?? It should drop to $95,000.
THERE IS TROUBLE BREWING!!!
They just raised taxes AGAIN in Fairway and Roeland Park to make up for city management incompetence and bad choices.
The mayor of Roeland Park has zero problem placing the burden on the citizens, while shw and the city council make too many poor choices.
Folks…
HELLO FOLKS!!!!!! OUT THERE!!!
Why do things have to turn utterly to sht and be a complete mess before anyone one else speaks up.
Would you lazy fkrs please get off you asses and start talking about and pushing for government pay cuts. Tell them to stop raising taxes to pay for inside contracts with government buddies.
Did you EVER fkn wonder why THEY spend so much to get elected? Why would THEY spend $10,000,000 advertising for a job that pays much much less than that. Fkn Meg Whitman has spent $100,000,000 A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS TO TRY TO BE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA …WTHF??!!
Whys spend that kind of money? To buy influence and powr..and the ability to steer public funds.. A never ending non stop flow of YOURS AND MY MONEY!!!
It is called influence..and our public officials have betrayed us.
AT THE VERY LEAST IT IS TIME TO LOOK CLOSER AT WHO / WHAT / WHY THEY RUN OUT LOCAL CITIES!!! COME ON YOU LAZY FKRS!!!
AND HEARNE…..please step up the process, you have the stable of talent, make the next move.
Bro, I am too ignorant to know (or tell you) exactly what to do…. otherfking wise I WOULD!!
Steve
How much do you think he’s getting from FOX?
————
HC: I’ve heard $500 a month tops
MoCrash
Thank you for the explanation, Hearne. I’d agree that Whitlock’s ego seems to have gotten the best of him.
Black Barbie
Stop pikin on the black people, you mean old white hog. I love Jason, he used to come to my club and spend some nice bucks. Wish he would come back. Its all cause he is a black man.
bschloz
Why would readers call Star for his return…he is simply on vacation…Right? That is right isn’t it Star? Hey Whitlock was getting hundreds of comments on those editorial pieces. I thought it was good stuff…a little awkward but good…kind of like Glazer’s blogposts.
So we have 15 million folks out of work? According to some like St.Louis Fed Prez..we are entering into a great deflation..25% of USA has FICO under 600..New paradigm boys and girls….So far we have unwound about 10% of the bubble we blew up….ouch AVOID this hard landing at all costs. Kick that can down the road. Forecast Uncertain?
Keith G. in P.V.
But Hearne, you said he was coming back a couple of weeks ago. What happened?
Love or hate Whitlock, one thing is for sure: He will make a better living writing than Hearne will.
bschloz
My spidey senses tell me the Perkins news up at KU is the biggest story to roll around in a decade. Greg,Jason,Tony,Hearne,JOJO,Craig?
Never just 1 cockroach.
ManDshagger
Move along, nothing to see here