Dateline: May 1997

The Miami Herald decides to reassign Dave Barry, ending his humor column, to instead have him work reporting the local beat.

Stupid? Yes.

So here's Dave Barry's reaction to the decision of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's decision to reassign James Lileks from his quirky humor column to local news:

This is like the Miami Heat deciding to relieve Dwyane Wade of his basketball-playing obligations so he can keep stats.

Sometimes I don't understand the newspaper business. What's left of it.

And here's Lilek's remarkably civil comments on the matter. I rather like his ideas on a new direction for the Star-Tribune web site. It's too bad he's not actually going to be able to do it.

Nancy Nall, with a somewhat mean-spirited response, does offer some good advice, based on her similar experience. I'm inclined to agree the Star-Tribune wants Lileks to quit voluntarily.

And here's Don Surber, with a summary of links and a memorable quote: "hot type thinking in a digital world."