Reich is a fine reporter. I particularly admired his coverage of earthquakes, which was always knowledgeable and free of sensationalism. When he was on this beat, Times readers were in a very good position to stay current on the key debates among seismologists.

Just a few years ago he did a consumer affairs column that actually applied journalism to a field where a David Horowitz-style show-biz, "gotcha" approach had come to dominate. His columns were built on real consumer adventures, but he typically went deeper, looking for causes and looking for links to larger trends. He was also scrupulously fair, giving the company involved in the dispute ample opportunity to state its side.

There are a number of Times bylines I've come to trust. His is one and I'm sorry to see him leave.

I'm with you, Tim. His consumer affairs column was really good, and I've missed it. I haven't seen his byline much at all lately. While we admittedly don't have all the details, firing a guy (or letting him resign) for blowing his top seems a bit much. Maybe this is a move to cut newsroom costs by bringing in younger, cheaper reporters? A buyout without the buy? The Times got rid of a bunch of good staffers with buyouts a few years ago. Now some of them are working freelance on their old beats for peanuts.

Peanuts sans benefits, at that.

Sorry to hear Ken Reich is no longer with the L.A. Times. With the Olympic games opening in Athens this week...suggest you read about the 1984 Olympics. I have revisited the excellent book Ken Reich wrote about it..."Making It Happen---Peter Ueberroth and the 1984 Olympics." Capra Press. 1986. I worked at Coca-Cola (an Olympic Sponsor) and 100% of my time for 3 years was spent on the Olympics. And Reich really told the story of the Olympics and the people who put it together. Take the time and revisit this great event at our city.