Friends And Allies Of Rome Part III: Michael Hiltzik Is Gone

Or, at least the blog is. That's right, GoldenState Blog is no more, according to this announcement on the site:

The Times has suspended Michael Hiltzik’s Golden State blog on latimes.com. Hiltzik admitted Thursday that he posted items on the paper’s website, and on other websites, under names other than his own. That is a violation of The Times ethics policy, which requires editors and reporters to identify themselves when dealing with the public. The policy applies to both the print and online editions of the newspaper. The Times is investigating the postings.

Anyone pick up on a couple of things?

First of all, and most importantly, at least to us, is where's the apology from the Times?

I also noticed that he/the blog wasn't suspended because he peddled false information. He was suspended for not identifying himself. According to Hugh Hewitt, he's asked the LA Times for their ethics policy. As yet, they haven't delivered it. I concur. I'd like to see those policies, too. An e-mail has already been sent requesting the exact same thing.

The Times admits that they're investigating, which goes back to Marcie's observation that the round-robin went through this morning by Duane. This has become "this will be dealt with internally," and they're fine with that. Great. I'm happy for them that they could come to that conclusion. But Hiltzik is still a journalist with the paper. Is he suspended, as well? If that is to be gleaned from their announcement, then I'm satisfied.

But the Times will be in deep kimshi if their investigations she he broke no ethics code, and they decide to reinstate him. It'll be beyond unacceptable. And if they think they can sidestep the issue, think again. There are already enough bloggers on this issue. It won't go unnoticed, or unremarked. But I must agree with a caller into Hugh's show.

The Times will cut him loose, cutting its losses. They can state they fired him because of his "lapse in ethical conclusions," or whatever the hell they decide to call it. But they will do it so they can show their readership (what limited supscriptions are left) that they stand for integrity. They won't tolerate someone like him working with them. Nevermind the fact that he's pulled garbage like this before. As I stated this morning, Patterico and he have had a long running feud. And it's probably because Patterico lives in California, and like many center-right bloggers, he dislikes how Michael Hiltzik likes to play hard and fast with the rules. So do a lot of bloggers. We're a couple of them.

The Times wants this issue closed, and fast. As I said, there are a number of bloggers commenting on this issue:

More from The Real Ugly American
Carol Platt Liebau
Flap (with pictures)
SisterToldjah
LAVoice
CreeTees
Laura's Misc.Musings

and IndependentSources has a long link list.

The fact of the matter remains is the Times isn't admitting that he lied, and neither is he. Neither one has issued an apology. And if the Times thinks they can pull his blog down for a few days, or restart another one with him at the helm--even possibly under a pseudonym. Time will tell, but we will be watching this develop.

Publius II