Saturday, December 6, 2008

Putting the No-Spin Zone on "Ignore"

Henrik Hertzberg of the New Yorker tells a fascinating story on his blog about how Bill O'Reilly and his producers tried to get Hertzberg and the New Yorker editorial staff embroiled in a non-controversy after ambushing Hertzberg outside his apartment. What's wonderful is how Hertzberg and David Remnick, the New Yorker's editor, simply chose not to engage following that ambush.

What's even better is the growing desperation on the part of O'Reilly's producer in his e-mails to Remnick, almost pleading for Remnick and Hertzberg to get riled up, followed by the smooth put-down by Remnick. You could just about see the smile that must have been on his face when he press the Send button. O'Reilly must have been chewing on the scenery at being ignored like that. That, ladies and gentlemen, is why I'm such a fan of the New Yorker.

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