Further thoughts on Therese's slow fadeout,, pols who won't share a secret lest it disturb the cheering crowd, deflection forever, and a loathsome but expensive creature.
“Note that Bottomly’s replacement will come after a ‘national search.’ Doesn’t bode well for her immediate underlings.”
Actually, it might. Various Oregon and Portland institutions have been known to announce “national searches” and then settle on someone local. Perhaps it’s a way to reassure themselves that they truly are special.
If The Oregonian’s decision-makers were smart, they would try to woo Aaron Mesh from Willamette Week to be the next editor. Willamette Week, with a much smaller staff, beats The O on a regular basis. Would Mesh want to give up the fun and freedom of Willamette Week for a larger staff that appears to be permanently constrained by Portland’s progressive culture?
Willamette Week will occasionally annoy the progressive sheep. The O plays it safe and boring.
Then there’s Oregonian alumnus Anna Griffin, news director at OPB. She can be counted on to put the progressive in Oregon Progressive Broadcasting. But perhaps her keepers have noted the public’s embrace of Trump’s threat to cut funding for public broadcasting. Getting rid of her and replacing her with someone who is more of a nonentity would allow them to look like they are being responsive to public concerns (even though OPB is wealthy and can continue to move in lockstep with Portland’s “values.” Griffin has even been quoted talking about those values as if she were a spokesman for the city’s soul.)
She would be bossier than Bottomly and more obnoxious.
There is also Erik Lukens. He was editorial page editor when his team won the Pulitzer Prize for a collection of editorials about Oregon’s public pension crisis. As you note, that Pulitzer didn’t carry much sway with the state’s politicians. Did any of them read or care about The O’s PERS coverage?
Lukens went on to be editor in chief of the Bend Bulletin and is now communications director for Oregon Business and Industry.
The Oregonian may not be a particularly attractive career move for anyone. Look at the nanny scolds in that Grant Wood painting. Who wants to work with that bunch?
What The O needs besides a new editor is a way to turn a profit. But profits are not very progressive. They are a sign of greed. Ask Portland City Councilors Candace Avalos or Angelita Morillo.
I can't even begin to describe how discouraged and disgusted I am with how this last election turned out. Personally, I can't wait for the drama and the fireworks to begin. I'll be sitting there, watching with my bowl of low sodium popcorn and ice cold apple juice. LOL...
“Note that Bottomly’s replacement will come after a ‘national search.’ Doesn’t bode well for her immediate underlings.”
Actually, it might. Various Oregon and Portland institutions have been known to announce “national searches” and then settle on someone local. Perhaps it’s a way to reassure themselves that they truly are special.
If The Oregonian’s decision-makers were smart, they would try to woo Aaron Mesh from Willamette Week to be the next editor. Willamette Week, with a much smaller staff, beats The O on a regular basis. Would Mesh want to give up the fun and freedom of Willamette Week for a larger staff that appears to be permanently constrained by Portland’s progressive culture?
Willamette Week will occasionally annoy the progressive sheep. The O plays it safe and boring.
Then there’s Oregonian alumnus Anna Griffin, news director at OPB. She can be counted on to put the progressive in Oregon Progressive Broadcasting. But perhaps her keepers have noted the public’s embrace of Trump’s threat to cut funding for public broadcasting. Getting rid of her and replacing her with someone who is more of a nonentity would allow them to look like they are being responsive to public concerns (even though OPB is wealthy and can continue to move in lockstep with Portland’s “values.” Griffin has even been quoted talking about those values as if she were a spokesman for the city’s soul.)
She would be bossier than Bottomly and more obnoxious.
There is also Erik Lukens. He was editorial page editor when his team won the Pulitzer Prize for a collection of editorials about Oregon’s public pension crisis. As you note, that Pulitzer didn’t carry much sway with the state’s politicians. Did any of them read or care about The O’s PERS coverage?
Lukens went on to be editor in chief of the Bend Bulletin and is now communications director for Oregon Business and Industry.
The Oregonian may not be a particularly attractive career move for anyone. Look at the nanny scolds in that Grant Wood painting. Who wants to work with that bunch?
What The O needs besides a new editor is a way to turn a profit. But profits are not very progressive. They are a sign of greed. Ask Portland City Councilors Candace Avalos or Angelita Morillo.
They should hire you, Pamela. You've been an editor in your past life; it's kinda like knowing how to ride a bike.
No. Somebody else will have to save The O. I’m thankful for the career I had.
Daily newspaper journalism can be a front-row seat on the human condition.
Another great article, Richard.
I can't even begin to describe how discouraged and disgusted I am with how this last election turned out. Personally, I can't wait for the drama and the fireworks to begin. I'll be sitting there, watching with my bowl of low sodium popcorn and ice cold apple juice. LOL...
Keep up the good work. I just wish I wasn’t surrounded by so many sheep.
Oregon Progressive Broadcasting has legs