Dear Loyal CP Readers:
Starting this Wednesday, I will be writing a weekly column for The Capital. This might shock those familiar with my many dozens of letters to this newspaper over twenty-five years, and my thousand or so posts here, but how could I turn down the chance to expose my vexatious observations of Annapolis life and politics to many more readers than I've been able to do with this notoriously snarky blog?
The Capital's editor and publisher Tom Marquardt knows what he is getting--and what he is getting into (pardon the ending with a preposition). He does not intend to edit or restrict me. You’ll be reading the same irreverent, cranky, sarcastic, controversial and risqué things you have come to expect from me, but I’ll probably be nicer to the newspaper--at least on the record. You can read his column about my column in today's Capital at Tom-Marquardt.
I will be paid, although it's a miserable, intolerable and insulting stipend. Considering the times and the conditions of newspapers, I am lucky. The Capital could not pay me enough to sell out--but it is giving me the opportunity to attract a lot more readers and get paid something. Anything is better than the less-than-beer-money-pittance I now earn from third-party Google ads.
Because the personal energy required to write regularly is very demanding, I was thinking of shutting down (shutting up?) or reverting to an occasional column or two, either at CP or perhaps in conjunction with another blogger. To more fully understand, consider the wise words of “gonzo” journalist Hunter S. Thompson who said, “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” Or put another way, as Jimmy Neutron’s cartoon friend Sheen remarked, “I do so relish these times of peril”.
Tom and I had developed a friendly relationship since we met at a party many years ago and he could not believe that mild-mannered me was the man behind the poison pen, and the scourge of his newsroom. The wine at the party must have helped. Though I was a frequent critic of the paper which he has edited for decades, we always respected each other and our basic goals as journalists remained essentially aligned, although his style is more, shall I say constrained than is mine? As with most journalists, we both appreciate reader response, comments and even criticism, from those who actually care about the news.
Tom and I have been meeting occasionally for lunch to “reality check” each other. I’d tell him how bad his paper was and harass him for some unpardonable journalistic sin or for a silly, murky editorial. He’d tell me how ridiculous one of my letters was or how my unedited writing shamelessly delved into trivial matters that knew no bounds. I’d say how readers were disgusted with his paper. He’d tell me how his reporters or particularly his two veteran columnists were steamed at me. Sometimes we’d even share news tips, discuss how to handle a developing story or poke fun at the antics of some elected official.
Then we’d enjoy lunch and part as friends. He’d drive his luxury car back to his reserved spot and go to his plush, corner-office to run that rag of an excuse for a newspaper (or web-site) in which you can, ahem, cough, cough, now read my column. I’d return on my bike or in my ancient mini-van to sit alone in my dark office, stare at the computer where I’d open a vein and proceed to pollute cyberspace and the local polity with the madly absurd, unedited, and unexpurgated rants that you have come to expect.
So please continue to fawningly follow my every word, including "The Ninth Ward" in The Capital where they will allow me a measly 700 or so words a week. Today The Capital in print and online. Tomorrow the entire blogosphere.
Sincerely,
"CP" a.k.a. Paul Foer and now the weekly writer of "The Ninth Ward."
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19 Comments:
Congrats! Does this mean that on Thursday, The Capital will pick up the tab? You did get an expense account...right?
Not really. I think they had to fire five or six reporters, and cut their electricity in half to pay me so they could not offer an expense account. Thanks....
Congratulations, Paul, and good for Tom to give you a spot. Look forward to seeing your column.
Mazel Tov Paul!
I rarely read The Crapital, but fortunately, Sandy reads it all the time. She saw Tom's article introducing you as a new columnist for the paper, so I'm gonna have to revise my opinion of the paper and start reading it, at least on Wednesdays.
You're a fine American, and I always learn something from you, even those times when I disagree with your opinion.
Best regards,
SteveR
Congrats Bro! It is well earned and we are proud of you! Looking forward to your penetrating, humorous, snarky writings.......BTW, what is "snarky"?
Am very happy for you and The Capital. Really. You have a lot of talent and The Capital has a lot to gain. "Break a leg!
Stan Jaffe
As the editor of HometownAnnapolis (The Capital's Web site), my jaw about hit the floor (at 5 this morning) when I got to posting Tom Marquardt's column about adding Paul as a columnist. Paul's already had some experience with some of our rabid commenters. They're going to be drooling at the chance to take some pot shots. Can you say "lightning rod?" But I'm looking forward to it...To the column, not the comments. OK, yes...the comments too.
When I saw the mushroom cloud go up over Moyer's house on Eastern Avenue, I knew something was afoot.
We don't agree on much, when it comes to political philosophy, and your spelling is much better than mine. Nevertheless, your point-of-view is well researched, and the presentation always makes for a fun read.
Good luck on the column; I look forward to reading it.
Bob McWilliams
Alright Paul...Kudos! As a long time Capital subscriber, I look forward to your column. And, as someone who's known you for at least a day and a half,I'm sure you'll submit a first class job.
From Doug Smith, president of Ward One Association...
A note to Paul Foer and to Tom Marquardt.
The move by the Capital to hire Paul Foer is a vote for democracy. Annapolis needs more discussion not less, and adding Paul Foer as a columnist is certainly going to bring more light to the issues facing Annapolis, the county, and the state. Tom Marquardt is also due a very large compliment. Readers of Paul’s Capital Punishment blog know that Paul frequently pushes the Capital to dig deeper and give us more information, to go beyond the surface story and find out what is really going on. I think Mr. Marquardt is demonstrating that he does want the Capital to be a journalist force in the community. This is a good move for the Capital and an excellent opportunity for us readers to be better informed.
Doug Smith
Annapolis Md.
I just read Tom Marquardt's (really very nice and even admiring) announcement of your being hired to write "The Ninth Ward" weekly column in The Capital starting on Wednesday. He made a very good decision, and it will be good for regional journalism and the socio-political climate upon which it comments, feeds, and sometime leads. This is just terrific, and I am very happy that your talents have not only received the admiration of thousands via your superb blog but also from inside the public media establishment by this executive decision from within "the fold," so to speak. You see, sometimes there IS good news after all. I hope this doesn't mean there will be no other opps for lunches now and then :-).
Good luck, Paul, because you will most certainly need it.
-Joe Gross
The "Crapital" has hit a new low having a low-life like you writing anything for it.
Regular Schmoe will be an enthusiastic reader, and as you know not his real identity, he will be commenting and you won't know.
Wow....great comments...and I even published a few anonymous ones but I doubt Joe Gross would really write me a note and identify himself. I think he is likely the guy sending me all the really nasty notes,,,but how would I know..or would I know? And regular schmoe--your initials are SL-yes?
sorry paul, no.
...and how do I know you are not lying?
Alex (D-Day) Tasi has left a new comment on your post "CP Sells Out....or Who Ever Said "Capital Punishme...":
Paul,you wrote:"To more fully understand, consider the wise words of “gonzo” journalist Hunter S. Thompson who said, “When the going gets tough, the weird turn pro.”
...I'll have to call you out on that incorrect quote "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro" would be the words of H.S.T
Congratulations on the new gig.
Submitted by Alex Tasi
Alex You get the weekly alert blogger award. I stand corrected. Thanks so much for reading and writing in to correct me. Out of respect to accuracy and to Thompson I shall make the correction. Weird. Tough.
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