Ryan Sager is a sharp guy who calls things as he sees them. However, his comments on a recent article in The New Republic by Eve Fairbanks at the RCP blog have done her a gross injustice.
In the interests of full disclosure, I was one of those she met for that article. It was a nice time, and I found her to be a very charming and wonderful person. Given the time that elapsed, I am not upset about any minor inconsistencies. I don't remember every single small detail about the date, myself.
As for the lack of disclosure that an article was in the works - I don't hold it against her, she had been given an assignment, and from the beginning it was clear she worked for The New Republic. If anyone is to be blamed for this situation, it is the editors who gave her the assignment. Quite frankly, though, if she hadn't received the assignment, would I have met a very wonderful and charming person? I doubt it. So, I really can't be that upset with them, either.
I only have one regret - that I have not been able to keep touch with her. I hope that someday, she and I can meet in circumstances that will allow us to keep in touch. I certainly hope she is doing well, and I wish her the best. I believe Mr. Sager has been grossly unfair to her with his comparison to Stephen Glass, and I take exception to that.
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6 comments:
I was also in touch with her for a while, Shooter. Suffice it to say I do not agree with your opinion at all.
You are entitled to your opinion, Shooter. That does not track with the experience as I rememner it. I certainly was not taking any notes during the date, and I would be hard-pressed to remember every single detail about it myself.
In any case, she was assigned to write the story by her editors, as I have explained.
1. My date was, at least as far as I can recall, portrayed with reasonable accuracy given the time that elapsed from meeting her to publication.
2. I'll repeat what I said in my original post. She was on assignment from her editors. If anyone's to be blamed for it, the blame stops there, not on a talented young woman who I enjoyed meeting and talking with.
Finally, Shooter, you have your own blog on which you are free to say whatever you wish about her. I won't stop you. But I am not going to tolerate any further comments that take shots at Ms. Fairbanks, particularly when she isn't around to defend herself.
Qutie frankly, it shows a distinct lack of class on your part.
And you, Son, are a gentleman.
I think it is a little irresponsible of you to remove any blame from the author. The article cites Ms. Fairbanks as bearing responsibility for the words. Thus, we can assume that she wrote the origional words, and endorses any changes the editors may have made. She has not suggested anything to the contrary.
Ms. Fairbanks is responsible for all the ways in which she bent reality to make a more interesting story.
And Erick... the article portrayed the date with reasonable accuracy. I couldn't give you a transcript of the date if I wanted to.
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