Saturday, February 11, 2006

Jack Shafer brings 'A' game

Slate columnist Jack Shafer is a guy that I just can't figure out. Sometimes I really like his stuff, other times I loathe the guy. His latest at Slate has a couple of gems, though.
Plagued as he is with elephantiasis of the ego, Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly relishes attacks from the New York Times or any other A-list media.
Heh. Nice imagery. Then there is this, in reference to Nicholas Kristoff:
Those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make a newspaper columnist. Most columnists start off with a bag full of ideas and endless energy. But the job begins to weigh on even the most talented journalist. He starts writing columns about columns he's written, about his kids, or about the deaths of relatives. He composes columns as open letters to world leaders—or writes from inside their heads. He quotes cab drivers. His columns become more assertion than argument. Finally, he starts picking silly, protracted fights with other media machers.

No comments: