Times reporter's note to the 'resident bully'

Reporter Myron Levin, one of the veteran reporters to take the Los Angeles Times buyout, checked out today with a farewell email to the entire editorial staff. He seems to aim his barb at Sam Zell and chide the Times' recent habit of changing editors, publishers and direction every year or two.

From: Levin, Myron
Sent: Thu Mar 27 15:26:10 2008
Subject: Happy Trails...

So long, friends and colleagues. In case we don't connect at the send-off tomorrow, I want to say good-bye, good luck, & stay in touch.

As I leave here after more than 23 years, some things strike me as funny and sad... For one, our sorry history of regime change, and the way each new overlord makes the last seem like Joseph Pulitzer (Note to the resident bully & business genius: Why not follow the example of every ten year old who's ever run a lemonade stand, and stop trashing the product.)

Here's hoping you can stick together, continue the great work, and in spite of everything keep the LA Times one of the country's finest papers.

Myron Levin

KCRW on the latest LAT controversy: Warren Olney discusses the Times' apology for the Sean Combs-Tupac Shakur gaffe tonight on Which Way, L.A.? with Joe Jesselli from The Smoking Gun, Jay Rosen of New York University and USC critical studies professor Todd Boyd. Airs at 7 pm.