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I can't remember the last Freep column he wrote that sounded like he put much effort into it.
http://www.freep.com/article/2011013...xt|FRONTPAGE|p
this is his latest, and like just about everything else he writes nowadays, it's pretty forgettable. anyone else feel this way?
LIkely after seeing that there was little public outrage about him being a scab and then having success as an author of schmaltz and then little public outrage about him faking reports [[not being at a game but pretending he was). After those three things, he probably began to feel entitled to live on easy street and that nobody would care.
About 20 years ago. Tuesdays with Morey=puke.
A few select quotes from his latest with my comments added:
[QUOTE]
Well. He's right about BS.
[/QUOTE
Coming from a guy who wrote a fake account of being at a game, I assume the "It takes one to know one" rule applies here.
Well Mitch, you were never at that game you wrote about, were you? Does that make you an ethical coward?Quote:
And never have to look a man in the eye.
How cowardly for these athletes to take apart one of their own from the comfort of their living rooms. The very thing they always whine about the media -- "You're not there on the field!" -- they now violate with fast-typing thumbs
When your house is made of glass, you should not cast stones.
When he got on his soapbox and criticized McCarty for pummelling Claude Liemiuex at Joe Louis, saying what an outrage the violence was and how the brawl[[both goalies fighting) was a travesty to professional sports. Go drink your latte somewhere else mitch-ette, this is a blue collar town and lemiuex got off easy.
I agree with 20 years ago. I also agree with the comment about schmaltz.
Anyway, if you want to read a Mitch Album column, read Michael Rosenberg. His columns somewhat resemble/copy the early Album style.
I've always found his occassinal rants about paying too much in taxes to be incredibly ironic.
He kind of reminds me of how far Joe Falls dropped towards the end.
Course, he hasn't been caught with a hooker yet.
These guys are like athletes playing out the string. You can see the
spirit just isn't in them anymore.
I don't know the exact date, but it was before I was born.
I don't know anyone who likes him or his column, so why the hell do they keep that doofus around? The same goes for Rochelle Riley. Do these people have a contract or something? I know if I was that sucky at my job, they could just can me and get somebody better. That stupid O Street vandal lady disappeared, why can't they?
Quote:
Originally Posted by DetroitPole
Forgive me but you are acting naive. The reason they .."Keep him around",,, is that he is a best selling author and nationally recognized columnist. And don't mistake my observation as being a blanket endorsement/praise of Mitch Album it isn't. I am aware enough to know that the DFP knows they have a star so to speak and any number of papers[[that are left) would snatch him up quickly were he available.
Fading discredited publicaction, fading discredited writer - they're made for each other. Never read him, never listen to him. I thank the Internet for teaching me how to deal with people like him. Switched him off when betrayed his fellow and sister workers to collect his forty pieces.
Wow, no wonder anybody who has the talent to leave this town does so considering the back stabbing Mitch Albom gets from his hometown readers. His writing may be sentimental and schmaltzy but that style appeals to a lot of people and it's won him a national audience. With his embarrassment of riches, Mitch Albom has donated to many causes to benefit those not as fortunate as the rest of us. Can you make the same claim?
Mitch has been a joke for a long time....but please, Elrick and Schaefer did a pretty good job on the mayor at that "faded" publication, and I continue to see numerous links here back to it. A little disingenous I think...
As a fiction writer, sure sure- he sells well with his Morrie stuff. But as far as being a journalist with any measure of integrity, that went when he tried to fabricate the story about the MSU team. It was an outright lie and the Freep didn't have the backbone to can him. He's schmarmy at best for me as a radio personality and I turn away but when a newspaper, which should be an authority on the Truth goes spineless by not firing him- it went sour for me then. So shame on the Free Press and double dog shame on Albom for knowing better because once someone's integrity is shot- it's gonna take a heckuva lot to regain.
Would you ever trust his writings again? I won't. All novice journalist know better than to fabricate stories and he was caught red-handed.
Mitch Albom is a sportswriter?
Maybe I'm not giving him enough credit, but I've always seen him as a Jack of all trades and master of none.
The petty vindictiveness of the forum is truly admirable.
Don't get me wrong. There are many outstanding and trust-worthy journalists doing great work for the Freep. However it is a fading publication. In terms of circulation and influence, it is a shadow of its former self.Quote:
Originally Posted by pffft
This is not the fault of the journalists, with the exception of a very few, but a management that once stood behind the working man, and sold papers based on that stance, but then immediately hired replacement workers as soon as the strike began after taking editorial stances against such practices. Combined with the subject of this thread, it is has been severely discredited IMO.
Management's role in bringing in 1200 outside mercenaries to suppress the strike and who committed acts of violence against Detroiters brought on further discredit. While other journalist suffered through the strike with dignity to fight for their rights Mitch Albom used it as an opportunity to catapult his career.
Management also lacked understanding of the internet revolution that was occurring at the same time and wasted valuable time in addressing that challenge and opportunity. It is arguable that the fading of their publication was due more to that failure than from loss of credibility due to their handling of the strike.
A management that stood behind "the working man"? The Free Press? In name only, in its editorial page.
I don't have an embarrassment of riches, but with the money I have I do donate to many causes also. Plus, I never crossed my union brothers & sisters by crossing the picket line 3 days into a strike.Quote:
Originally Posted by eno
I'm not sure if this is meant as sarcasm or not, but I firmly believe that years ago if it was anyone other than the Free Press' golden boy Mitch Albom- they would've been shown the door immediately for fabricating a story. Nothing vindictive about it- the facts bore themselves out and he even admitted to making up that story. His lame excuse was that he had to beat a deadline.Quote:
Originally Posted by citylover
To see this sort of slipshod attempt at journalism really hurts the credibility of not just the writer but the paper's integrity too. It was wrong on Mitch's part and it only got more murkier when the Free Press didn't do anything about it other than giving him a few days off.
Awhile ago.
I generally stopped reading, but did happen to read one awhile back that had to do with estate taxes. It was absolutely horrible and filled with half truths and lazy researching. I actually wrote a letter to the editor complaining about it and pointing out various inaccuracies, of which some of the letter was actually printed in the paper. :[[
Makes me grow teary eyed for the days when if it got printed, it meant something. It was factual and well researched. We could bank on it and it was an accurate historical record to what happened. We counted on the likes of Mitch Albom to be a credible witness for us- and boy did he let us down bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by laurin
I agree it was wrong....so move on, don't read his stuff....why all the vitriol?Quote:
Originally Posted by smogboy
Because in this county we have a "free press" which has a bounden duty to expose untruths, not make a career out of creating them along with self-aggrandizement.Quote:
Originally Posted by citylover
To be a journalist is not the same as working at Wal-Mart. These people have a higher standard to live up to.
There are 307 million people in the United States and I bet millions of them are damn fine writers and honest Americans looking for work, unlike scab Mitch Albom. I'm sick of looking at his shit-eating grin; hire one of them instead.
I couldn't agree more. I don't read his stuff AT ALL. What galls me is that he's still allowed to write for a paper that I once respected. And quite honestly I don't wish Mitch any ill will; I just wish he would ply his craft to writing his fiction or his radio show. He breached that trust with us when he fabricated the story so if he's got a measure of talent for fabricating stuff- go for it. Write all the fiction and sell novels and make a mint that way. We Detroiters deserve better.Quote:
Originally Posted by DetroitPole
As a former newsboy for the Freep about 25 years ago,I keep putting it off, making that call to say"I WANT TO CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION". Yet being a former newsboy and working in the printing business for 13 years I can't make the leap.
I can say I was never a big follower of Mitch Albom. At times I have read his articles and said the old WTF. It is a new world and them papers are dying , I might be getting old cept, I am getting sick of the amount of paper that gets taken to the recycling dumpster when I get there with all the unread stuff I pay for.Not to bash Mitch, But all of the Freep.But without it I would be unable to answer my Moms questions"Did you see that coupon in the paper?".NO, I gotta look for it"
A long long time ago, he had credibity. Saw a Piston's game once on TV and they got zero fair calls by refs. The following story was hilarious. His outrage at Ernie Harwells firing was outstanding.
Now he is just a hack. Scab worker. Writes sappy stories. I lost total interest when he faked a story. Don't read him.
I feel that the papers are not failing, we are failing the papers. Their troubles stem from people reading their news online for free. If it were not for these alleged failures this site in particular would be quite devoid of any content at all regarding the reporting of local news. And I find it amusing that both the Freep and the News have apps for the iPod and iPhone. Where is the DYES app?
And for what it is worth, the whole scab thing is sooooo long ago. You people need to get a grip, really. There are union employees still working there arent there? And I do agree on one thing. Albom is a hack writer.
Well there may or may not be some damn fine writers out there but Mitch has got the gig.Your vicious unrelenting hostility says much about you.....why don't you buy the free press so you can fire Mitch and hire one of those brilliant writers?.............or you could not read him and move on.Quote:
Originally Posted by DetroitPole
Sometimes I read him others times I don't; depends if the topic interests me.He is a columnist not an investigative reporter.There is no doubt at all that he is a talented writer.
I will never understand how one can hate a journalist for fabricating a story [[Mitch), but love one who plagiarizes one.[[LeDuff)
To me, there is little difference.
citylover, your support of Mitchy is curious, don't people get to voice their opinion of that evil little gnome? Yes he has the job, many undeserving people have excellent gigs, that's the way of the world. However, I can't see a single reason to let Albom off the hook for any of his numerous sins, which include his scabbing ways. You can forget it if you like, plenty of us don't.
Actually and unfortunately, there are many days when the only thing worth reading in the Free Press is Mitch's column. Sad but true.
Amazing. Aren't you are reading this forum for free? And if you want our iPod and iPhone app start the download process here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vox
Oldrefordette, you go, girl or guy
Doubt I have a MEAN BONE IN MY BODY. I have never been a union person but sure don't like scabs. It talks to integrity and he has none.
Fake stories..I Hiss
Do get the paper, the three days a week, they deliver now. But wonder why??? Can't really give credibility to a paper that retains a serious joker!.
Have a personal signed letter somewhere in my files from that jerk. Will happily give it away. Worthless paper from an arrogant ass.
Sappy, crappy insolent sob.
Sumas
Hey Sumas,Quote:
Originally Posted by sumas
Try to sell it on e-bay. You might get some Morrie lover to buy it.
I disagree. I get the paper delivered 3 days a week, & I read it online. Both are pretty scant on the content.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vox
Funny. I do not read this forum for news. I read it for reaction to news from original sources, for the most part. Obviously from failing sources, as it seems. Go figure. And you should have a paypal account set up for the site. Does clicking on the ads count? And of course you would not have a app. I was only kidding. You usually have to have original content for that. Maybe one for the photos, certainly not for the forum.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lowell
I'm a subscriber. I'm more liberal. I couldn't stand reading Mitch Albom anymore so I switched to the News. I told them that. It's the same company so my money's not really moving but I'd rather read the News. They've had some good articles about the fire department and about speculators recently. And though I often disagree with Finley, at least he makes some sort of argument instead of just writing drivel. My biggest disappointment with Sunday's newspaper is usually seeing Mitch's smiling face as skim then forget his column.
Man I wish we could write NYT's calibre. Luckily we can get that here too.
I would contend that is subjective. And you're more than entitled to your opinion of what you consider good and/or talented writing. I'll give you that. But fabricating a story is just outright wrong for any journalist- and for that he should've been fired on the spot. There's nothing subjective about that and it really harms the Freep's credibility on standing up for the truth. It calls into question their integrity. Is the Free Press willing to buckle under and not print an article because it might paint someone in a bad light? Can the Free Press be bought? Mitch's still being employed is there is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what a true free press for the people is supposed to be about.Quote:
Originally Posted by citylover
Sorry to say this but whether or not he is talented is not subjective; he is. I am not defending his fabricating.I would point out that both the NY times and the Wash post dealt with this problem on a much larger scale.Quote:
Originally Posted by smogboy
What is curious and a bit pathetic to me is the viciousness toward Mitch Albom on this forum.Has he personally offended some of you? I mean on a person to person basis.....did he not repay a debt? Steal your girlfriend?
Don't fucking read him if you all don't like hum but frankly the hostility on this forum tells me nothing about him and a lot about you all.
Mitch, is that you?
I think Mitch started 'mailing it in' when he started doing his 'non-sports' columns on Sundays.
When I was a kid growing up, I woke up and one of the things that got me out of bed was to get the paper and read Mitch's columns. I lived for his sportswriting back in the 80's and early 90's.
I think when he started branching out into radio, non-sports columns, books, and all the rest is when he lost some of his luster.
I still read everything he writes just because the respect he earned twenty years ago bought a lifetime card of reading, but it saddens me each time because his writing is a shell of what it once was.
Lately, when he does write a sports column, he comes up with a catchy sentence, repeats it about six or seven times, and then inserts a few paragraphs between each instance. It's very formulatic.
I wish no ill will on the guy. I hope one day, as he gets older, he figures out that he can 'return to his roots' and spends the last few years of his career exclusively in sports.
I guess I do respect him that, even though he has [[in my opinion) lost his way, that he's stuck in Detroit. Many others, after winning award after award, certainly would have left Detroit for New York or Chicago, but Mitch has stayed. Again, though I don't think much of his writing these days, I appreciate that.
Any time you have an opinion makes it subjective. Some people like him, some don't- it's not a set-in-stone fact that he's universally loved as you may think.Quote:
Originally Posted by citylover
Jayson Blair of the NYTimes left and Janet Cooke left the Washington Post. Explain to me why Mitch is still at his post with the Free Press. Both the NYTimes & Washington Post have tried their very darndest to maintain their integrity by getting rid of people who outright lie. The Free Press has not.Quote:
Originally Posted by citylover
As much as you think we decry the Free Press' and Mitch's antics, you just as fervently defend him as well- and on what ground? Does he somehow lord or rule over you somehow? Is he related to you somehow? Are you in debt to him for saving your life? Does he have nude photos of you? And to get back on subject, we've all mentioned why and when we stopped reading Mitch's writings.Quote:
Originally Posted by citylover
Let's be honest here smogboy, The egregiousness of the post and times crimes were far, far worse than Alboms.And again I am not making excuses but there are degrees of wrong and those went way beyond what Albom did.Quote:
Originally Posted by smogboy
And yes there is an objective measure of talent. I may not like heavy metal music or country music but objectively I can recognize that there are talented artists in those genres.The same may be said of writers.Mitch Albom despite his faults has established himself as a writer. I don't read Albom. But I respect the fact that he has talent as a writer.
Still waiting on the reason for the hostility...........
Definition of objectivity:Quote:
Originally Posted by citylover
1. ability to view things objectively: the ability to perceive or describe something without being influenced by personal emotions or prejudices
2. accuracy: the fact or quality of being accurate, unbiased, and independent of individual perceptions
3. philosophy actual existence: the actual existence of something, without reference to people's impressions or ideas
The fact that we can like or dislike something inherently makes it subjective, so please don't tell us how it's objective. The sheer idea that we can agree to disagree says it's a subjective. Having a bias makes it subjective.
Any hostility or vitriol is something you've erroneously sniffed out. I've just pointed out the facts of Albom's transgressions as a journalist and the Free Press' lack of integrity by hiring him back. Where have I been mean or hostile to him?
When it comes to journalistic integrity, there should only be the truth. If there are wrongs committed in that, there shouldn't be any degrees of wrong. Regardless if the writer worked for the NY Times, Washington Post, Detroit Free Press or teeny tiny hometown newspaper- all journalists know there's that scared breach of trust that they should never step across by lying.
Conversely, why are you defending him or is your line of questioning just geared toward those of us that don't read Albom's column? You choose to support him, bully for you then. Obviously many of us here don't and won't read his writings any more.
I don't see hostility just honesty from folk on this forum. He is a scab and and fakes stories. I've never been union but this is a union town. Never crossed a picket line in my life. Respect is earned. He lost it in my eyes. He has zero integrity.
You must read more carefully.Nowhere did I say I like or dislike Mitch Alboms writing.I said he is talented.That is an objective measure. And by your provided definition I have not allowed my "personal" feelings or subjective feelings to influence my thoughts.....Mitch Albom is a talented writer you are not gonna get very many, if any other talented published writers to say he is not.Quote:
Originally Posted by smogboy
The free press did not fire him for his crime.He publicly apologized. Why the hostility? Or should everyone that commits on offense be chastised and have the full bore of your hostility?
Quote:
Originally Posted by citylover
You've obviously read his columns to make a decision or to form an opinion, right? It's one thing to say he's a writer- it's an entirely different thing to say he's a talented writer. That's where your personal observation/ bias came in hence rendering it non-objective.
Example: It's one thing to say an object is red, it's another thing to say it's bright red.
Using an adjective such as "talented" is debatable because obviously some people her disagree with you.
And just because one apologizes does not make him a trusted source of news any more. You brought up the NY Times & Washington Post writers earlier and they all resigned even after their apologies.
It's a choice I've made not to read his columns. Again, I ask you to point out my hostility towards Albom.
Aw come on Mitch, you're taking this pretty hard. Its just the internets.Quote:
Originally Posted by citylover
Again I see no hostility. An opinion is just that. This town has strong attitudes, a scab is a scab. A liar, a liar!
My husband says Mitch does charity work in the city. I said, What? He couldn't tell me.
Did say he was doing something in Haiti and I said big deal, our kids here, need attention. He is a minor celebrity. BFD.
The free press did not fire him for his crime.He publicly apologized. Why the hostility?
Doesn't make it right, that the FP didn't fire him. On the contrary, it's alienated people...
Why the defensiveness?
yes, he donates to many causes and promotes volunteerism. good for him, except that he spends more time talking about how much he gives. I've seen him treat people like crap at the airport on two different occasions [[100% of the time I've seen him in the airport), and friends in the bookselling industry think he's a primadonna, he no longer writes, he preaches self-riteous tripe posing as columns.Quote:
Originally Posted by eno
Each month he has his "Time To Help" projects where he and a group of volunteers work, plus his recent work with a minister in repairing an inner-city church roof. Those are two off the top of my head.Quote:
Originally Posted by sumas
Neal Ruben and most of the other writers crossed the picket line too, as I recall, yet none of them seem to be feeling any wrath.
Wrong, Detroitej72, not "most." Which is why everybody still remembers what Mitch did.
Did Mitch ever talk about his reason[[s) for crossing the picket line?
Yeah in the paper when he crossed the picket line, didn't read. Don't care.
People that disagree are the ones that are precisely letting subjectivity get in the way.Again I can not like someones ability and still recognize it as talent why is that so difficult? If you recognize he has talent does it somehow diminish your criticism of his offense in your eyes? Is it possible for you to be complex enough to say one has talent and yet has done something very disappointing? Or because you don't like him he can not possibly have talent, is that it?Quote:
Originally Posted by smogboy
The post and times incidents were on going and wholly fabricated at least in one case. Those were far worse than anything Albom did.
In the final analysis the free press did not fire him and he seems to be doing just fine so continue on with your hostility and pettiness.
How hard is it to understand. As a journalist he crossed a very bad line.
Apologies not accepted. He violated a trust that will forever be unforgiven.
He is doing just fine with his other enterprizes. More power to him. Let him stick to his fiction, radio, etc.
Just saying he is no longer a credible journalist.
Actually feel rather sorry for for him. Pathetic to fake a story and lose his integrity. Didn't lose his job. Freep doesn't care. He's a star!! Barf!
Uh, why is it suddenly about me? I questioned your definition of objectivity and subjectivity and obviously you missed the point completely. If it'll unwarp your bunched panties, I'll say that he's got talent for doing his novels and the talent he had for journalism- he squandered it with his actions.Quote:
Originally Posted by citylover
Define how they're worse. All of these people who lied crossed that ethical line of being a journalist. They knew what they did was wrong and it begs the question of why did they do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by citylover
Again, [[must I continue to repeat this to you and get no response?) I ask you to point out where I've been petty and hostile. I've pointed out facts that YOU'VE agreed upon. You're the one making these accusations against the rest of us who choose not to read Albom's columns. I'll also ask again- why are you so fervently defending him? If you want to make it personal, what's YOUR angle?Quote:
Originally Posted by citylover
Well said! When one accepted the job as a journalist, it came with certain social responsibilities. Heck, I even remember them from high school journalism! And you're right- he chose to cross that line of fabricating a story. No one forced him to and it cost him a fair amount of readership.Quote:
Originally Posted by sumas
Thanks mr. smog, maybe I am just angry at the whole newspaper industry. Grew up with Mom reading the Free press ams and Dad coming home to the News. It seemed a tradition.
So little crediblity now. A few good stories but mostly junk.
My favorite thought is our kids sitting at the dining room table on Sundays pretending to read with us. They still love to read. Share books all the time. Just wish we had decent papers now.
When he failed to document what Ed Martin was doing with UofM basketball in his Fab Five book, he lost me. How could a journalist not notice the relationship between Martin and the players?
No one had to ask him. He came right out in his column in the paper defending himself for his reasons. As I remember it, it was to the effect of "I can't take part in this strike because I have a responsibility to my employer. I have a contract I have to honor. I'm still responsible for reporting the news. I have a job to do. Etc etc etc."Quote:
Originally Posted by rjk
We need to start a protest movement to get Mitch Albom canned. We need to bring back reporters and writers who speak only the truth, like the ones who covered up for sports stars or other famous people back in the day when they drank too much or ran around on their spouse or were really gay,etc. I am so glad that so many in here are perfect and have never done anything wrong in any way and can point fingers at others failings with so much ease. Everyone of us has breached someone's trust in some way, but it seems so easy to lay that aside when attacking others.
I really don't need to know much more than that he sold out his fellow workers in 3 days for a few lousy bucks to vehemently dislike Mitch. I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't see that as reason enough all by itself for many people's intense dislike of him.
But his unbearably saccharine and increasingly lazy writing only make it worse. And then there's his smug, self-promoting, and often arrogant public personality...
Right on! Fuck those kids in Haiti.What do they have to gripe about?.And everyone knows you can only help one at a time.The idea that you could help kids in Haiti and do charity work in say Detroit for example is unheard of.......yep no hostility coming from you Sumas!Quote:
Originally Posted by sumas
Said, I didn't sense hostility on thread, didn't say, I didn't have some. There are kids and people, right here in need.
Designer charities in far off places don't impress me. I say take care of your own back yard first.
Income tax write offs for travel /vacations don't impress me at all. Sumas
Quote:
Originally Posted by sumas
So the idea that charity can be extended to more than one at the same time is impossible?..............
You express hostility; but don't sense any? um ok
Not sure what a "designer" charity is.......definition?
Who exactly is using income tax write offs for vacations etc?
Thought I was concise. Apparently not.
Yes !!
I have hostility towards bozos that can't see the need here. I mean HERE!
No I didn't see hostility on this thread. My personal thoughts, have nothing to do with what is posted. i said my piece thats all
Designer vacations are all the rage. Check with your tax attorney. Take a vacation, make a donation and write it off. Have fun!
Concise has nothing to do with it, you are not articulating clearly.Quote:
Originally Posted by sumas
1) As a participant on this thread and admittedly expressing hostility it is logical for me to say there is hostility here..............your personal thoughts have everything to do with what is posted.
You originally said designer charities and now in your latest post designer vacations....I am still confused.....but more relevant is you failed to say who exactly is doing this although the implication is that Mitch Albom is_ you have no way of knowing that of course, it is just prejudicial on your part.
Someone posted about Alboms charity work here in the Detroit area so it seems charity can be done in multiple places at the same time.
Sorry, Mitch, but a single person can not actually be in two places at the same time.Quote:
Originally Posted by citylover
Quote:
Originally Posted by East Detroit
But his money can........
If money was all that mattered, then people would be admirers, not critics, of Mitch.Quote:
Originally Posted by citylover
Quote:
Originally Posted by East Detroit
Spare me. The original question of this thread opened the very predictable floodgates of vitriol and hostility.
It fascinates me to see how easily you all spit out the venom.I suppose I should not be so damn naive.
I am neither defending nor praising Mitch Albom.If you all can't see that then there is nothing I can do. My comments are on the hostility toward him based on a simple question initially asked on this thread; whether he was "mailing in his column these days...............................so based on one known transgression Mitch Albom is a rotten son of a bitch and who gives a shit about any supposed good he does because we all know the slimy bastard is out for himself and his tax atty as they take their damn designer vacations together.
Here are some other worthless fucks and god help them if they are doing any charity/ community service work as we can see thru all that shit for the true sleaze-balls they are.
http://catalog.freedomforum.org/FFLi...stScandals.htm
Beyond naive, I'm not sure where you're seeing this vitriol and hostility. Just because someone disagrees with your view- it's considered hostile? Where's the dialogue? I see people answering the original premise of this thread and you're the one pouncing all over them for their supposed hatred.Quote:
Originally Posted by citylover
I don't have a problem with people disagreeing with me. I can respect a different point of view but when you start labeling other's posts as hatred and vitriol, I think you're way off base. But then I guess you're going to call it "hate speech" or some other derogatory term for an opposing view.
Sorry Citylover, really don't mean to upset anyone. Sending email hugs.
I am not backing down on my stance but do realize I was rude to you. For that I apologize! Really been a horrible week and I get testy but still no excuse for bad behavior or comments.
Sumas
From toolbox morrie equals puke; from mjb 3 Mitchette...is that supposed to imply he is feminine? From Detroitpole Doofus; from sumas jerk. bozo's; old redforette, evil little gnome.......Quote:
Originally Posted by Thruster315
Those are the things written about a guy that as far as I know no one here knows personally and all based on a question about his free press column.I would call the above damn good example of personal attacks i.e. vitriol and hostility.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sumas
I did not feel you were being rude.I accept any apology you want to give but again I was not offended.
Reading his stuff is like marching through quicksand in a blizzard. Mitch Albom is a hack, and I'm not apologizing for that.
Nor should you have to apologize. I think Mitch's writing is horrible too. His actions as noted by so many other folks here are just as deplorable. Again- no "hatred and vitriol" towards the guy personally [[I don't know him)- it's just my opinion that his writing for the Free Press is about as routine and a snorefest as it can get when it is factual. When his stories are made up for the Free Press- that's when his stuff is the worst.Quote:
Originally Posted by kathy2trips
Again- nothing personal towards Mitch the man. Mitch the writing is bad beyond belief now.
I have been following this thread a long time and wanted to respond more than once. It has took a while to process what I would say.
I think the problem with Albom is maybe how he handled his success. I recall his articles as being fine, but I have not read him in years and found the quality to be not what they used to be so I stopped reading them. His books are ok, although I only have read Tuesdays with Morie. Frankly it was enough and while the message was good it was "sappy." But that is just my opinion and it means little. As I understand it the books post the first were more of the same.
What really has turned me off on with Albom is two things. First the fabrication of a story at his level in his chosen profession is completely not excusable. I am no journalist, but to me I would say he got caught in a cardinal sin. He is not ther first to survivie it where others have been professionally destroyed.
The second is listening to this guy on the radio. There is just far too much "look at me" going on with him. He is opinionated and you need that to be successful as a talk radio host, but he comes across as condescending and harsh to those who may not see his side of issues [[again a lot of right wing hacks have made a living doing that). I admire the philanthropy that he has undertaken, but there is so much of a feeling that it is about what he is doing. Like "look at me help the poor people of Haiti." It just annoys me greatly and he comes off as a self-promoter. I recall when the Five People You Will Meet in Heaven movie came out and he was promoting it on his show. He kept calling it "Five People" and interrupting guests to use the short title like we all should know about what a huge hit "Five People" had turned into. Totally annoying and it guarranteed that there was no way I was going to watch the movie.
I guess he must be doing something right or his ratings would be bad and he would be off the air. So I guess he must be doing something right.
When Mitch first started I bet he spent a lot more time writing each column. Script writing and other stuff took a back seat to his day job at the Freep. Now he has the radio show, The Sports Reporters and Hollywood obligations in addition to the travel involved with being a reporter. He can probably dash off a column on an iPad while riding in the back of a cab. Only he can answer, but it would be interesting to know how much time he spent on past award-winning columns compared to how much time he spent writing his last few entries.
He is Detroit's Oprah.
http://blog.detroitathletic.com/2011...eman-of-ernie/
I guess DYes isn't the only place that has Mitch Albom loathers.
I thought we were hard on Albom... wow !
Looks like as though once someone gets national fame, the Detroit self-loathing makes jealousy the only dish served.
What a collection of richards.
Am I the only one who thinks Mitch Albom is not a great writer? He's good, and sometimes he's very good. But c'mon, is he really good - worthy of the Free Press - and I'm just not seeing it?
"Batter after batter, they went down like chopped vines. A harmless popout. A dribbler to second base. Justin Verlander would machete through the Yankees, sit down for 20 minutes, come back and do it again. A fly to left. A pop foul. A strikeout. A lawn mower doesn't flatten things this easily. "
Unfortunately, anyone is worthy of the Free Press as it stands these days. But agreed regarding Mr. Albom's lack of greatness.
"Unfortunately, anyone is worthy of the Free Press as it stands these days"
I agree. I'm waiting for the "Detroit Mom Has 2 Headed Alien Baby" articles.
Thanks for bringing this up. After watching last nights game and waking up slightly tired after drinking slightly too much, I was eager to read about it. However I found myself struggling to get through his Berenstains Bears style of writing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crystal
Whatever happened to Mike Downey? That guy was funny and made fun of pompous blowhards; Albom is one.
As we have seen the Freep just dumped another batch of quality photo folk and reporters. Sigh.Quote:
Originally Posted by KJ5
He's retired now but I really loved his writing and hated it when he leftQuote:
Originally Posted by KJ5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Downey
Thanks for the link, firstandten! Guess I could've just looked that up myself. Hope Mr. Downey writes an autobiography. Looks like he's led a pretty interesting life.Quote:
Originally Posted by firstandten
As a sportwriter Albom is a shell of what he was in the late 80s and early 90s. He's stretched himself too thin and - let's face it - Detroit no longer has so many of the interesting characters it had in the sports world 25 years ago.
Ernie, Sparky, Gibby, Stevie, Probie, The Bad Boys...all gone.
As I recall one of the best columns Albom ever wrote was a feature on Red Wings coach Jacques Demers. They used to drive to games together. Jacques spoke English with a heavy accent, and meant to say "sometimes good dreams come true". It came out sounding "sometimes good teams come true". Mitch went with the way it sounded as the headline, then explained why.
It was sportswriting at it's best.