Interesting column

I don't usually read Maureen Dowd, but this one was really interesting:

On Hunter Thompson

Call me a heretic.

"OK, Liam, you're a heretic."

I just cannot get all worked up about Hunter Thompson's passing.

Yes, it is sad that he committed suicide. (Though the cynical part of me wonders why he didn't use a shotgun like Hemingway did).

I guess I am a purist. I am an old-style newshound (at least I would be if I wasn't teaching instead of working at a newspaper).

He was indeed one of the most influential journalists of the century and, in fact, of the business in general. He changed the way we look at writing at reporting.

But he was a writer, not a reporter. He was a columnist in everything he wrote. He filled his reporting with opinion and randomness. Not necessarily a bad thing, but not necessarily a good thing, either.

I think in some ways, by playing fast and loose, he paved the way for people like Jayson Blair.

My question now: What is Garry Trudeau going to do with Duke?

Crossposted to my LJ and newsroom

Meme Time!

I have not done this yet.

It's gonna take some thought.

Link via muskrat_john

I am going out . . . .

Other than taking evilnicola to school for her trip to Florida and picking Nataliia up at Logan (in the wee hours this morning), I have not been out of the house since Saturday.

"How did you spend your vacation Mr. Toscano?"

"I sat and played on the computer all week, Johnny."

"You need a life, Mr. T."

I am headed to Central/Harvard/Davis Square for various things.

On a related note, if you are in the Boston area and want to get together let me know.

Liam