[lbo-talk] VV fires Richard Goldstein

[Doug Henwood]

[This is sad, and further evidence of the VV's endless decline. 
Goldstein was at the Voice for like 40 years, and I'm not kidding. In 
June 1969, the Voice's offices were over the Stonewall bar. 
Goldstein, then married and straight, recalls looking out the window 
at the developing riot, and saying to a colleague, "I hope those 
people get what they want." This is Gawker's report 
<http://www.gawker.com/topic/richard-goldstein-yes-laid-off-at-the-voice-018857.php>]

Richard Goldstein: Yes, Laid Off At the 'Voice'

You know, we even surprise ourselves when we're right: Richard 
Goldstein, who has worked at the Village Voice since before most of 
us were born, was laid off this week. Says the Voice's PR department:

"Richard was laid off as the final step of a restructuring of the 
editorial department that began last month. It was not an easy 
decision. We are grateful for his contribution to the paper."

Okay, we're ready for the backstory now, because -- wha? We like that 
"restructuring" plan:

1. Get rid of media critic Cynthia Cotts and new hire, online editor 
Matt Haber.
2. Ask the staff to do lots of extra work.
3. Fire executive editor Richard Goldstein.

We'd love to see the napkin that plan was scribbled on at 2 a.m.