• by John Gaffney , June 6, 2003

Other People's Riffs For June 6:

Amazing Journalistic Insight of the Week: On Wednesday, June 4, just a day before The New York Times cleaned house, I wrote in this column: "Don't tell anyone, but I think the Jayson Blair/New York Times deconstruction may be ebbing."

Now Please Excuse Me, I Have to Go Work On My Book: In an interview in Newsday today, Blair said: "I was staring at the picture (of Raines and Boyd) and I just felt sadness. Mainly for them, but for my actions and the paper."

This Week's Sign Of The Apocalypse: Game Show Network (GSN) will unveil the "Chucklehead," the world's largest bobblehead. The "Chucklehead" is an 11 foot tall bobblehead of Chuck Woolery, the legendary game show host. The giant bobblehead weighs 900 lbs. and is made of steel and It is being transported in a customized "Chuckwagon" complete with dancing "Chucklettes." The event is open to the public.

The Last Word: Maybe the best and most compassionate capper on this week was written by Jill Geisler at Poynter Online: "Two strong leaders who care passionately about journalism resigned Thursday - and are as absent from the room as the prevaricating young reporter whose lies triggered their demise. I hope Howell Raines and Gerald Boyd will find ways to teach from their experiences. They have resigned in the best interest of their newspaper, but they should not leave journalism behind. Their perspective, their experiences, their successes, and this current shame - and yes, it is a shame -- are filled with lessons for leaders at all levels.

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