Stranger in their midst

Michael Kinsley dropped in at the L.A. Times offices this week (the ones in Los Angeles, not in Seattle) and sent around this email to the staff explaining his presence. He's sorry about the "ambiguity" concerning his future with the paper, and implies it might be decided after he meets Thursday with Publisher Jeff Johnson, his new boss. Kinsley had been on a long summer vacation; note the subject line.

From: Kinsley, Michael
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 5:44 PM
To: yy2All
Subject: Who IS that guy?

Yes it's me and I'm back, for this week. In the longer run, who knows. But I'm not going to be managing the editorial and op-ed pages, or Current, and I don't plan to interfere with those who are.

I do apologize for all this seemingly unending ambiguity--not to be confused with "mystery," which implies that someone, at least, knows what's going on. I'm meeting with Jeff on Thursday (he's out of town until then) and all should become clearer. Meanwhile, anyone with any complaints about any aspect of this transition, or the Opinion Manufacturing Division, or the entire paper, or the Tribune Company or the world is welcome to come to me. I will be deeply sympathetic--made possible by the fact that I won't be able to do anything about it.

Thanks.

Mike.

Previously:
Kinsley and The Atlantic
Kinsley answers Finke
Kinsley era ending