In the spirit of our final Get Out of Town! issue, I thought I’d present a rant about several things that, as an editor, I wish would just go away:
• People who are trekking across the country to raise awareness about (insert name of cause here). While I appreciate that you’ve put your life on hold to Do Something Good, and while I am sure the cause you’re supporting or the message you’re promoting is very worthwhile, you are the 98,232nd person to use this particular trope. Therefore, it’s not news. And we’re a newspaper. Ahem.
• People who get indignant when we decline to review their self-published book. There are some damn fine self-published books out there; that’s why we have “Writer’s Block,” our occasional online series that includes features on self-published books. However, we have only 52 book-review slots, give or take, in the dead-tree version of the Tucson Weekly each year, so we restrict that to non-self-published books. Hey, give us a break: That’s several dozen more reviews of books than any other local media do per year.
• People who drop by the office without an appointment. I answer all of my emails, and I answer my phone when it rings, and I return all of my phone messages. In other words, I am accessible. Dropping by unannounced—especially on a Monday or a Tuesday, when we’re in the midst of 12-hour production days, give or take—is unnecessary, and I will be distracted and therefore unable to give you my full attention.
• People who accuse of us of being anti-local business when we criticize a local business. It’s our job to be a mirror, of sorts, to Tucson—and it’s our job to call ’em as we see ’em. Consider it tough love.
This article appears in Dec 13-19, 2012.
Jimmy, you will be missed. I agree with you most of the time, which is odd, as I am a conservative independent. Iconcur with your assessment regarding some of the local businesses. A large number figure they don’t have to care because they are entitled to be here. Some of the worst service I have had in Tucson was at one of the oldest restaurants, terrible service and even worse food. I won’t say where, but the big black bull outside will give a hint. At 5:30, they were out of the special and it took over an hour to get an entree. On top of that the server delivered the wrong items and then took them to another table. That should get him fired for unsanitary service. But it is hard to fire family.
Jimmy, your departure will create a void for many of us, I’m sure. In a way, I see you as a male Rachel Maddow. Both of you cut through the Scheisse and deliver it as it is. Best wishes for you in your new undertaking. But somehow, I know it will thrive.