Deadspin
The young man in this picture, enjoying himself with the Pittsburgh Parrot, is Michael Tunison. He has two lives. In one, he is Michael Tunison, reporter for The Washington Post. In the other, he is Christmas Ape, one of the crew at Kissing Suzy Kolber and a weekend editor at this here site. Earlier this week, these two worlds collided when Tunison shed his anonymity. In most cases, this turns out well for bloggers; heck, Jason McIntyre is getting freelance work now. It did not turn out well for Mr. Tunison.
Once Tunison "came out," MediaBistroDC did a dopey, sniggering post about it — we are unfamiliar with those! — and, perhaps predictably or perhaps surprisingly, the Post freaked out. Less than 48 hours after Tunison's KSK post, he was fired.
Upon sacking, I was told that I brought "discredit to the paper" with my choosing to drink at bars in my free time. Any good journo knows to keep the flask in the desk.
Getting escorted out of the building by security was no fun, and sharing the elevator with Dana Milbank on the way out was even worse, but none of that compares with the withering scorn of Jean Grey.
We understand the importance of The Washington Post not being "discredited" by its employees doing "embarrassing" things (like, say, drinking at a bar with a mascot). You would never, ever want to see something like that. (And one to grow on!)
Thankfully, today, the name of The Washington Post is safe.
Postie Likes To Post Solo Drunk Shots [FishbowlDC]
Ape Got Dooced [Kissing Suzy Kolber]
(Poor Dan Steinberg: The Tunison defense league has taken over his comments. We do not know for sure whether Mr. Steinberg was directly responsible for Tunison's firing, but, uh, we doubt it. )
Comments
Time to out Big Daddy Drew. No, seriously. We just had sex.
If it makes you feel any better, Ape, I got axed from the Wash Times. You're still better than me.
I fear that a completely unrelated picture of the Pirate Parrot is the closest we will ever get to a Deadspin mention of Nate McLouth.
/bitter Pirate fan
Shoulda been you, StarterWife.
What a bunch of assholes.
I don't think he was fired just because he was drinking with a mascot. It's that he chose to associate himself with the Pirate Parrot.
Damn, and Templeton wins a damned Pulitzer. Life isn't fair.
Wait a minute; you mean he wasn't in his pajamas blogging from his mom's basement? He was a real journalist? My head asplode!
Goddammit, Ape! Now where am I supposed to get my Montgomery County school board news!?!
"The Washington Post will gladly bend over and spread 'em for the Bush Administration for the last 8 years, but we will not, I repeat, NOT TOLERATE A BLOGGER IN OUR MIDST!"
Now if that had been Steely McBeam that Ape had his arm around, I'd have understood the Post's position...
@Suss--: sussy, let's not name names
@StuScott Booyahs: You got Mooned?
God Save The Washington Post
But what about the fan?
Ape: Please tell me you smacked that shit eating grin off of Milbank's face before you departed the elevator?
Ape, I got fired from the Journal News for telling a room full of young reporters (including three females) they could all give me a blumpkin.
So, don't feel too bad.
Why anyone would ever reveal their real name in the blogworld is beyond me.
Sucks. Sorry XmasApe.
@ArkansasFred: I got your hookup for any info you need on Montgomery Cty. Catholic schools.
The Onion > The Washington Post
@Juancho: I did indeed, even though I never met the guy. Harsh.
Christmas Ape is fired. Yet, Charles Krauthammer still has a job. Which one is truly more embarassing?
For shame, Washington Post. Your glory days as a paper are way behind you.
Wait, lemme get this straight- the Post had one of the most recognizable and widely-read sports bloggers already in the fold... and rather than capitalize on the opportunity and make him a Post blogger, they fired him?
Makes perfect sense!
This is why I stick to the NY Post. Because they have no shame at all. And don't employ Mike Lupica.
I think that's Jenny's new phone number.
@DamnSkippy: Well, in fairness, Ape shouldn't have been making up those stories about the homeless.
Ya betta ask someboddddaaaayyyyyy!
for some spare change
@LeNoceur: The end is nigh.
Did Christmas Ape comment on the Deadspin Blue Jays preview?
@Rob Iracane: Right?
@Christmas Ape: Beautiful.
Gingers are nothing but trouble.
@UkraineNotWeak: the way I figure, Krauthammer must have nudie pics of Kathleen Graham he's hanging onto.
@Christmas Ape:
Here'a a quarter. Call your mother and tell her you are no longer a journalist.
I'd blame Katherine Graham, if that bitch wasn't dead.
@Juancho: Montgomery Cty School News: Drooling, paste eating, moron's mom thinks he's a genius.
Bernstein just rolled over in his grave.
Well, when the Apes take over, we now know who just moved up the list of first against the wall.
Christmas Ape, I'm sorry, I really am. Hopefully some time at Summer Camp will make everything better.
Next up for the Post: Who put the flaming bag of dog shit on the Johnson's porch? by Woodward and Bernstein
Kornheiser: Wilbon, what do you think about this blogger getting fired from the post? I think his name was Tunison.
Wilbon: Why should I care? I'm a journalist. Have I ever met this guy? Do I have to ride in the elevator with him? Do you care Tony?
Kornheiser: Does he watch American Idol?
Wilbon: Why should I care if he watches American Idol? Don't bring that trash about bloggers around me. I'm a journalist.
Kornheiser: So was he.
Wilbon: That's stupid.
@Christmas Ape: Hey, at least as a parting gift you got a post about you on Deadspin.
That's like a severance package right?
[/sorry]
@StuScott Booyahs: Damn. I got canned from Dillard's, if that's any consolation.
@Weed Against Speed: +19
@Christmas Ape:
Did you at least take a slug at Len Downie?
@Weed Against Speed:
Was that transcript taken from PTI or their daily pre-show circle jerk?
That's really sad. Sorry, Christmas Ape.
Hopefully, Bob Woodward is already hard at work on a book about it.
@Christmas Ape: +1 for the comment and +63 cents for a coffee
I wanted to come out to my employer, but I was afraid they'd misinterpret that and roll cameras...
@Christmas Ape: I hear San Francisco is quite generous to the homeless.
@Texas Gal: In other words...
1. Fire known and generally liked blogger.
2. ...
3. Profit!
On the bright side Ape, those comments are nothing short of glorious.
This is my real name.
My parents were really upset with the state of the Celtics.
*affixes brown ribbon to lapel*
@Weed Against Speed: +1