Herald to cut about 175 positions

I am not sure why there isn't a specific exception to the "no outing" rule for cases like this. There are a lot of good reasons for anonymity. Making the most vicious personal attacks does not seem to be one of them. I'm sure "anybody who knows the background" knows the people in question. But if they're both applying for jobs, someone's going to be able to Google "Mike Phillips" and find character assassination on this thread. The assassin, meanwhile, goes undetected. Not fair.

Check Jim Carty's post about the Ann Arbor News; although he ripped a reporter there, he did so without using her name (or letting anyone in the comments use it), for the simple reason of Google.

 

I said what I had to say. Many believed it. You, apparently, did not. That is your right. I've dealt with this stuff for six months and finally got it off my chest. That was therapeutic. To sit here and argue with you serves the purpose of reliving this awful situation again and again.

Trust me, for those in the know, they are aware of what happened and believe the story. I am sorry if you do not. Do not think I will get into a pissing match with you so you can get your pound of flesh after someone you obviously care for was exposed.

And, you're right. There were very few people who came to my going away party. The ones I most wanted there were in attendance, so it was a success to me.

 

Being as I am still a relative newbie on here, can someone help me figure out when it's appropriate to ask "bullet" and "1HPGrad" to take this exchange to PMs, and also when it's appropriate for "bullet" to step out from behind the curtain, since his identity is no longer a secret to a handful of posters on here? ???

 

I am not sure about the statute of limitations and all that.

But if you get the green light, how about asking HP to not sound like such a festering ass when criticizing the posting conduct of others.

 

Also, Andy....

I know a former reporter at the Herald nicknamed "The Bullet".... but who's to say that that is actually the person posting as "the bullet"

Among many reasons why I think it is pointless confirming letters to the editor, short of asking to see a driver's license and birth certificate.

 

I always provide appropriate ID when writing a letter to the editor.

Sincerely yours,
Dick Gozinya

 

Oh, wait...

There are probably quite a few other people on here who have been accused of not being team players by those with whom they've worked. In some cases, such things were probably trumped up, and, in other cases, maybe not. It's an easy excuse to get rid of somebody, and very subjective.

At this point, with so much going on in the business, everyone on here probably has a story, or even a lesser-known back-story, of some sort.

The bullet just chose to post his.

I have no problem with what or how he wrote it, or even where, considering that this is a journalism board, we follow certain tenets of decorum (most of the time), and he presented his information in a straightforward way, with details. (Yes, it is kind of like a well-reported story, in that sense).

I just wish that Mike Phillips would do the same in order to have some semblance of the other side's voice.

Maybe HP1Grad is attempting to provide a little of that. It's not working, though, because he's being too vague and over-emotional in his offensive against the bullet.

 

Has 1HPGrad refuted the claim that one writer tried to extort payment from a colleague, using a looming buyout/layoff as his hammer?

That would seem to be the crux of this, all intramural sniping aside.

"the bullet" says yes and several longtime posters here say that's what they heard, long before this thread was created. Short of a direct denial and alternative version, that perception isn't changing.

 

Right. And this stuff is good to know.

Not everyone to whom we give send-offs, tributes and encouragement -- because they've been laid off and we're all relating to and feeling bad about what's happening in the business -- is a perfect saint.

And, you know what? That's OK. The differences and complexities and not-always-expected-ness of people and situations are part and parcel of what I've always loved the most about the business, in general, and about the people for and with whom I've worked, in particular.

 

Perhaps the two sides are going to settle this dispute in this private rather than on the board. Who knows?