Detroit News columnist fired after using c-word reference about Michigan Attorney General

Says he has nothing to apologize for and praises himself for being clever.

Detroit News fires Charlie LeDuff over c-word insult | Metro Detroit News | Detroit | Detroit Metro Times

This is another case where if this happened 10 years ago, we'd all be "WTF?" about it. But now it feels extremely normal for these times.

 

Every time I hear about someone picking a fight only to cry victim afterward, I think to myself, “I’ll bet that person wears American flag cowboy boots.”

 

The Detroit News is owned by Alden. They are always looking to fire people. If a reporter slips up out they go.

 

This feels like more than an ordinary slipup. Can't imagine him keeping his job at any newspaper after something like this.

But point taken.

 

I thought See You Next Tuesday was pretty clever when I first heard it 20 years ago. It’s not as edgy as this guy thinks.

 

So we won't see him next Tuesday?

And while the Cavs didn't necessarily fire Paul Silas for saying the exact same thing nearly 20 years ago, he was fined by the NBA and canned not long after. So, no, it isn't a sign of the times we're in.

 

I'm very familiar with Charlie's work - he's not a typical reporter - he's an outlandish personality. He's a bomb-thrower and a loose cannon, and this was destined to happen. I believe he's still employed by the Detroit market's Fox TV affiliate, though.

His job is to make people gasp - that's his schtick. That's why news organizations hire him and that's what sells his books (I own one).

That said, I'm not a fan of Michigan AG Dana Nessel, either. She takes great pride in being polarizing in a time where government officials should strive to be above that (they always should, but even more so now). In fact, the AG's office is paying the Wayne County Sheriff's Office to have a deputy parked outside her house every evening. Her address is known because her wife is on the city commission and had to put it out there when she ran.

If his column about Nessel was accurate (and I'm not sure how accurate it is), it's damning against her.

His insult absolutely was grounds for firing.