Illinois

It seems as though the station and I have what you might call a fundamental disagreement over how to cover Chicago mayoral elections. I believe in bringing in all the candidates. Ask them tough questions. Give them time to respond. And then call on other sharp political observers to help you figure out what's really going on—with lots of humor to make the B.S. a little easier to take.

Actually, now that I think about it, I should have seen this coming. Several months ago—well before Rahm said he wasn't running for re-election—a honcho at the station told me I was being too tough on the mayor. "Go easy on Rahm," he said.

I paid no attention—it's a little late to put that genie back in the bottle. Also, I never figured a Chicago journalist would be fired for being too tough on politicians. Man, was I naïve. Guess the Reader spoiled me by letting do my thing for all these years.

On Friday I read WCPT's official explanation for why I was fired—it came in a press release that quoted Pinski. Which I will quote. 'Cause, as every journalist knows, you gotta tell both sides of the story. (By the way, I reached out to Fred for comment and he didn't respond.)