KSK Blogger Fired by WaPo

Tunison responds:

http://kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com/2008/04/dept-of-dragging-things-out-ape-responds.html

The exchange between Tunison and the E&P writer, if true, looks bad. How can you write "Tunison could not be reached for comment" without making a more strenuous effort to contact him?

 

Goalmouth, please, please, PLEASE tell me we haven't reached a point where basic modicums of behavior aren't expected, even in the free-for-all of blogs and cyberpower?

To me, there is clearly a reason why this guy wanted to retain his anonymity as long as he did -- because clearly he was afraid of consequences if he not only revealed his identity, but also his affiliation. You know what? At the end of the day the Washington Post should be above dick jokes. It just should. Does that make it stodgy, un-fun, out-of-touch? In a world without any standards, sure it does.

In our world, in the real world, if a clerk in a law firm posts titty jokes on a blog and identifies himself as "Arnie Becker of Mackenzie/Brackman," guess what? M&B is going to dump his ass by lunchtime.

Maybe it means you can't dip your toe in both pools, but I think common sense prevails here. Everyone knows how great Joe Posnanski's blog is, zillions of people read it, and guess what? He manages to do it without using the word "schlong" or "hooters" or any of Carlin's seven dirty words. And he can keep blogging to his heart's content, and sleeping well at night, because he doesn't ever come close to compromising the Star's reputation -- or his own for that matter.

I hope Tenison is perfectly comfortable being a martyr for this cause. I'd like to think if you're going to go down in flames, it's worth finding a better cause than being able to act like you're still in the frat house five years after your final toga party.

Just one guy's opinion.

Mike Vaccaro
New York Post

 

I agree with you Johnny/Mike.

But I don't think Tunison is trying to be a martyr. I think he's probably a little angry (at WaPo and himself) and is reacting from that state.

 

Note the signoff on the KSK response - "The Romenesko crowd can go **** themselves." Classy. (um, no), which makes me wonder about his exit from the Post. Is security escort commonplace or did Christmas Ape leave the cage with a roar?

(On a side note, I went to high school with a Michael Tunison. Still trying to figure out if, in fact, this is the class clown.)

 

I once recorded a piece for NPR that was one long dick joke, so I can't say I have a particular problem with that concept. (Of course, being NPR, it was tasteful.) But Tunison can't act surprised and ticked that the Post fired him, or whatever happened. My sports stuff is all freelance, and my employer knows full well what I do. But if I called my column C u next Tuesday Punch or wrote for the Storm Front web site or something, I would be given two choices -- the window, or the stairs. (Any other "I'm Gonna Get Ya Sucka" fans out there?)

It is too bad that Tunison and the Post couldn't work something out, but the WaPo would have every reporter, copy editor and janitor up its ass about why-didn't-you-allow-me-to-freelance if Tunison stayed.

It may be, though, that this is the best thing for Tunison. I know that sounds like manager-speak (it's not a firing, it's an opportunity!) but certainly Tunison doesn't have to worry about some potential business partner not knowing who he is.

 

Turning lemons into lemonade, or a blog into a book, or something ... Tunison comes out with a book that Deadspin loves:

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/03/q-a-with-michael-tunison-on-football-fans-manifesto/

 

Why'd Deadspin love it, does every chapter start with the most embarrassing photo they could find of an athlete living his private life? Seriously, that is about the worst book endorsement you could come up with. Oh, and the fact that Deadspin "loves" it is probably related to the fact that the KSK guys work for, yep, Deadspin.

There was a time that site might have meant something in a journalistic discussion. That time is long past.

 

KSK is owned by Deadspin/Gawker? Since when?

 

I don't think I said that, but KSK's Big Daddy Drew writes for Deadspin, which suggests a pretty tight relationship between the two. (Not sure if this book author has written for Deadspin/Gawker at it has sunk deeper into the cesspool.)

 

Some folks have a hard time wrapping their heads around that. I mean, geez, it's in the Gettysburg Address, so it must be true.

 

Tunison is also the new Orson Swindle at TSN:
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/29672/site_news_tsb_roster_makeover_coming