http://poynter.org/forum/view_post.asp?id=11068

Date/Time: 2/8/2006 4:31:47 PM

Title: Chicago Tribune ME's e-mail to Tucker Carlson

Posted By: Jim Romenesko

Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 3:39 PM

To: [Tucker Carlson]

Subject: Response to Tucker


Dear Tucker,

Taping your show that ran on MSNBC last night was a real lesson for
me. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11217622/

I now understand why you have so few viewers.

Who wants to deal with someone whose backbone is as flimsy as his bow
tie.

Your personal and derogatory comment about me after my taped
appearance on your show to discuss why the Chicago Tribune decided not
to publish cartoons offensive to Muslims was cowardly.

When I was in the Army (an experience I'm sure you've not shared), we
referred to people like you as "guys who back up to the pay table."

It is one thing to disagree with me about the decisions we make in
what we run and don't run in the Chicago Tribune.

You even had the gall to say "I respectfully disagree but I appreciate
your coming on (to the show) to explain it."

That was when I was being taped, or as close as you could come to
looking me in the eye.

After the tape ran on your live show later and I (and the hundreds of
millions of other Americans who don't watch Tucker) were otherwise
occupied, you referred to my newspaper as "cowardly" and to me
personally as a "corporate worm."

You didn't even have the guts to say that to me on tape.

It is no wonder that people don't want to appear on your show.

I know I won't appear on your show or MSNBC and I would guess that
would apply to my colleagues at the Chicago Tribune.

I resent your comment about my newspaper even more than your craven
characterization of me.

The Chicago Tribune is an honorable newspaper run by people who
believe journalism is more than a game show.

The people who work here are brave, courageous reporters and editors
who make tough calls everyday, an experience I know you can't
understand since you've never done so.

Many have risked their lives bringing news to our readers.

For someone like you to imply they are cowardly is disgusting.

Then again I guess I should be more understanding.

When someone is at the bottom of a well in the ratings and desperate
for attention, I shouldn't be surprised that they slide so naturally
into name-calling.

I suspect that the Chicago Tribune will be around a lot longer than
you, Tucker, and if I'm wrong, I will buy you your drink of choice,
which is probably a sarsaparilla.

Disrespectfully,

James O'Shea
Managing Editor
Chicago Tribune

__________________________________________________

Harry