One Year, Eleven Months And Thirteen Days
That’s how long our beloved V-Squared has been helmed by me, your humble human aggregator. What was initially a six month freelance gig to cover among other things a hard fought contested 2006 Senate Race became a full time mission to cover the political blogosphere here in Tennessee. Not only did we see that race to its conclusion we saw a new mayor elected in Nashville and we got darn near through the longest Presidential Primary season in history in here in 2008.
Unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to see that last one to the end with you. Today, March 14, was my last day at WKRN here in Nashville. Like many cherished colleagues before me at the Deuce, I have fallen prey to those unfortunate media budget cuts you hear about all too often these days.
It has been quite a journey and if I said everything I feel in my heart to say I’d be here writing deep into the weekend and you’d probably stop reading after the 800th word. That said, I am very proud of what we cobbled together here. While there are always things that one looks back on with regret, with a wish to be able to go back and do things differently, that is, for the most part, not the case here. Not for me.
My tenure here was much like a dream from which I’ve just begun to awaken. I hear the alarm. It went off a few hours ago. My eyes are still closed but my mind is slowly becoming aware of my surroundings. Before I do get up and splash that water on face though, let me say this.
I have always been a voracious reader of political news and opinion and to have the names of the people I’d see in print both in the body of text and the byline of those stories know my name was a thrill. To have some of them speak to me as if I were some sort of peer or respectable member of the press was a surreal experience I never really wrapped my head around.
Of course, that only happened because I was standing on the shoulders of some very generous people. Those people, of course, were you, the bloggers whose words I cut and pasted and the commenters whose sometimes inspired, sometimes delightfully ad hominem words made this space a “go-to” hub for those interested in Tennessee politics to come and see “what was going on in blogosphere.”
Many of you deserve special mention for the efforts you made in your spare time that kept me in boxed wine and peanut butter for almost two years but the embarrassing fear of leaving someone out is unfortunately overbearing at this point in time. But to all of you who have appeared, read, and commented here, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
As for those I worked with at WKRN, let me do risk mentioning a few names. To Mike Sechrist, Steve Sabato, Terry Heaton and Brittney Gilbert, the folks who birthed this baby VV, I will forever be in your debt. Thanks also GM Gwen Kinsey and News Director Matthew Zelkind who stretched the purse strings and allowed me to keep doing my thing longer than the bottom line may have warranted.
To Bob Mueller and Chris Bundgaard, it was an honor to come to the newsroom everyday and learn from you and watch you ply your trade with the skill of craftsmen and the honor and integrity of soldiers.
To Trent Seibert, thank you for showing me how a real ink-stained journalist carries it.
To my fellow web producers Heather Emmons and Christian Grantham, thank you for all your help and for counting me as a colleague.
To Michael Kilbane and Bill Satterfield thanks for news tips, the email forwards but most of all for the wealth of institutional knowledge that I took advantage of far too infrequently.
Thanks to my desk neighbors Amy Napier, Teresa Weakley and Christine Maddela for the laughs, the smiles and the lessons in ambitious journalism.
Let me also add one non-WKRN name, one Miss Rebecca, without whom none of this would have been possible.
This is Volunteer Voters post #14775. My name is Kleinheider and I will see you on the flipside
on March 14th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
WOW.
I can’t believe I’m the first to post. I am sure there will be many many more.
At first, I didn’t like you. It was all part of my own journey of not understanding blogging and expecting it to be like journalism.
For your part, you learned to be a journalist while be a blogger first. Like I told Brittney, I learned quite a lesson from her and now you about blogging.
I still think some of your ideas suck, but that’s all part of it.
I’m truly sorry to see you go, and I wish you all good things in the future.
Sincerely,
Sharon
PS–WKRN—You’re making yet another mistake.
on March 14th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Oh. My. God.
I am so sad.
You are amazing, Adam. Don’t be gone too long.
on March 14th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
I’m in shock, despite an inkling of an idea it was coming. It’s a damn shame.
on March 14th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
May the blog Gods look kindly on you as you get back to marching to the beat of your own drum. This sucks for us, but I hope it leads to great things for you.
on March 14th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I can’t stop crying. Or commenting, apparently!
At the risk of sounding melodramatic, this is the end of an era. We fucked some things up, to be sure, but we did good work there at WKRN. This feels almost like a small death. Sad, sad, sad.
on March 14th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
This is a huge loss to political coverage in Tennessee, as well as to the idea of smart online political media in general.
Not a wise move for the Powers That Be.
You have done a fantastic job, and I know you will land somewhere wonderful.
I’ll buy you a beer (or two) next time I’m in Nashville.
-Katie
on March 14th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
You were the best at summarizing everything I needed to be aware of in politics. God Bless!
on March 14th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
KAG is right. Bill Howard Hobbs, crooked politicians and lazy journalists throughout the city are breathing a sigh of relief.
on March 14th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Wanted to add my two cents. Adam has done a wonderful job pulling together many disparate threads of political discourse in his time at WKRN. He worked hard to call our attention to the complex and the zany…many times in the same post. While WKRN will no longer host Volunteer Voters on our web site we wish him well.
on March 14th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Sad to see you go Mr. Kleinheider. WKRN was the first news station I’m aware of that so openly embraced the blogosphere instead of running from it like a petulant child. It’s a shame it never resulted in an increase in the bottom line, but rest assured both you and Brittney created a community of folks that didn’t exist before and you both should be proud of the work you did.
Onward and Upwards!
on March 14th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Adam, I can’t wait to see what is next for you. It was a joy to work with you here at WKRN and always nice to talk politics with someone with a well read perspective. You are a class act, and you make it easy to wish you well and want to follow the career ahead of you. All our best from Studio “A!”
on March 14th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Arooooooooooooooooooooooooo
on March 14th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
^!
on March 14th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
sorry to hear it. If there’s anything I can do, let me know.
It’s offical: I have no use for WKRN.
on March 14th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Thanks for all the links, AC. And the very best to you and yours. I’ll be reading you on the ‘flipside’ and looking forward to reading you ‘unplugged’ as it were.
Brittney is right. It was a grand experiment. Thanks for your part in it all.
on March 14th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I am really speechless. This really is such a poor decision, but I can’t wait to see what you do next!
on March 14th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Adam, this is SUCH a shame. After practically beating the entire WKRN blog platform into something unrecognizable and undesirable following Brittney’s departure, the only real saving grace left was you & VV, and WKRN has effectively now completely killed off one of the best things they ever had going.
What an absolute shame, but I guess it won’t matter anymore when all the powers that be that were involved in this and other decisions of the past 9-10 months move on to their next big gigs in whatever cities and states they land in next, and don’t have to care about what was taken away from Nashville and Tennessee as a whole anymore. Sadly and as usual, it’s apparently all about the dollar and never about what one can contribute to make the world a better place. Like nurturing and caring for the WKRN blog system rather than… well, you know.
Can’t help but be reminded that, along with my parents, I grew up a Channel 4 fan and remained so while local and an adult. My media geekdom drew my support to Channel 2 because of WKRN’s commitment to new media. It’s a shame those who followed in Mike Sechrist’s wake chose to be relatively unsupportive, rather than nurturing, of what was once such a fantastic, groundbreaking project.
And thanks to you and a few of the regulars, you guys actually pulled off the unthinkable and made me interested in politics.
Adam, I know you will be a great success wherever the road next takes you and wish you the very best. As I do for Sechrist and Brittney, you have my utmost respect and I hope great and better things are in your future. You deserve it and you walk away from here leaving behind much to be proud of. And probably better off for it, since they obviously were so much more interested in the almighty buck than something and someone(s) of REAL value.
Best to you, and I am just so sorry this has happened. It’s, again, a downright shame.
on March 14th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
I haven’t been a commenter here, but I have dropped in often to get the unique perspective you have offered.
I was sick when Brittney left, and I must say I feel much the same way at this news. It’s unsettling, to say the least.
You’ve done some amazing things here. My best.
on March 14th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Adam was a good blogger, and a good man. He was one of us. He was a man who loved the outdoors… and blogging, and as a surfer he explored the beaches of Southern California, from La Jolla to Leo Carrillo and… up to… Pismo. He died, like so many young men of his generation, he died before his time. In your wisdom, Lord, you took him, as you took so many bright flowering young men at Khe Sanh, at Langdok, at Hill 364. These young men gave their lives. And so would Adam. Adam, who loved blogging. And so, Adam Carter Kleinheider, in accordance with what we think your dying wishes might well have been, we commit your final mortal remains to the bosom of the Pacific Ocean, which you loved so well. Good night, sweet prince.
on March 14th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
This is not of the good.
Adam needs to be here.
WKRN, what are you thinking???
on March 14th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Ten years from now, you will be able to point to people and say, “I was one of the first to do that.”
“Mike Sechrist, Steve Sabato, Terry Heaton and Brittney Gilbert”
I have a personal stake in that bunch too. They were great to me and my little bbq joint. Great folks.
Best,
Jim
on March 14th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I enjoyed reading you and your honesty. You will do Fine! God’s Speed!
on March 14th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
ACK,
A suggestion. All I ask is that you consider it. See if WKRN will let you keep VV, sell ads, and try to keep it running.
VV is a valuable piece of the TN blogosphere. There is no other aggregate blog that attempts the scope of VV.
WKRN is making a very foolish and short-sighted decision in my opinion. It HAD the go-to political blog in Tennessee, and the station shut it down. Hell, I read VV a helluva lot more than I visit the WKRN website. Why not shut it down instead?
Also, ACK, you made VV what it was, and I hope you’ll consider carrying it on in some form. There are many bloggers that could not set aside their egos for the aggregate format.
Online political reporting in Tennessee took a huge step backward today.
on March 14th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Best wishes, A.C. I have gained so much from your being at this post. On to the next chapter, then.
on March 14th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
ACK,
I am sad to just read this news.
You have set the standard so very high for a broad critical THINKERS blog / news source.
Thanks for all your hard work and I look forward to reading your future work soon.
Best of Luck!
Truman
on March 14th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Damn. There’s not adequate words to express how much I admire you, Kleinheider. This really sucks, but I’m sure somebody will snatch you up quickly. In the meantime, if you’re bored, there’s always MCB.
*hugs*
on March 14th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Much as I hate to admit it, this is an indictment on the state of journalism, and the future of Internet journalism. If a mainstream news organization can’t sustain an objective political dialogue online, then I fear the horizon holds nothing good. ACK: You are a hero for keeping us informed, influenced and in tune with both sides of the body politic. Best of luck.
on March 14th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
All hail the almighty dollar!
ACK, I just want you to know how much respect I have for you. You are a great guy…and somebody who will most definitely land on your feet, I have no doubt.
I sure will miss you…and that cell phone of yours.
on March 14th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
This site is always the second thing I read in the morning, after my email.
ACK, you helped me so much when I first started out last summer. I’m sick to see this site go, but I look forward to seeing the great things you’ll do on the flipside.
on March 14th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
ACK,
Sorry to see you go, this was the only blog that I visited, except that crazy Thaddeus in Memphis, and really the only blog that I needed to visit on a daily visit. While most of the blogosphere reports on their kids, their feelings and partisan opinions, you reported the real news. You are the only local blogger with any credibility for reporting political news. For the most part, your reporting enabled me to not constantly scan headlines. You did it for me.
You had a good thing going here. You reported local political news the way the the local media outlets ought to report local political news. I hope that you keep this going under your own name and on your own time.
Shoot me an email sometime.
TT
on March 14th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Raising my glass to Kleinheider
Today we lost a very important voice in Tennessee politics. WKRN once again bows to the god of the almighty dollar, and has closed shop over at Volunteer Voters.
I have no doubt that Kleinheider will land on his feet and be successful in whatever he d…
on March 14th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
The TV shows I watch always get canceled, too. I hope this doesn’t mean I will actually have to start a blog now. Tennessee really needs this site, though it’s a shame Adam was somewhat muzzled recently. As a social and political activist, I know an informed public has to be my number-one goal. So there’s no way I can be happy about this or a similar loss of information outlet.
on March 14th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Those corporate weasels never make the right decisions. Best of luck.
on March 14th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
I am so sorry to hear this. It’s a real loss for Channel 2…this was an amazing media property thanks to some great work on your part, ACK. I know you will land on your feet, if you haven’t already. You’ve been writing your resume here every day for the last two years.
on March 14th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Adam,
I am proud of you, no matter what, forever. I love you and you will perservere. You do things that I admire every time you peck away at that keyboard.
I love you,
Rebecca
PS= Thank you for dinner
on March 14th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Life goes on. Good to hear you will still be blogging. I feel I need to send you off with something extra special. How bout….
Your sighte was mightty trustegious for this “Smacked a**” to visit.
on March 14th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Stace,
Best thing you’ve every written.
I’m sure ACK will dig it.
on March 14th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
I imagine you will be gone from the game about as long as Marlo.
You are a terrific writer, a talented blogger and journalist and funny as hell. This blog has been on my must read list everyday for the last almost two years. I looked forward to it every day, and I am going to miss it.
I will be reading the new/old blog with equal interest. Good luck.
on March 14th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Geez, I stay away from the keyboard for a few hours and the world changes. Why can’t things just stabilize for a few damn minutes.
Adam, you gave us all a little more online identity to hang on to…a little more justification for our ethereal existence in the cloud, thanks so much for your gentlemanly humanity.
on March 14th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Hate to see VV come to an end. It definitely kept me up on all the important stuff in the Tennessee blogosphere. You will be missed, but I look forward to the return of Kleinheider.com
on March 14th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I remember how skeptical of the whole idea of you Mary and I were when Volunteer Voters was first announced. “They’re counterbalancing someone liberal who doesn’t exclusively cover politics with someone conservative who does?! >:(” I don’t know if the emoticon is a direct quotation, but it’s close.
We couldn’t have been more wrong. As a blog, Volunteer Voters succeeded where no other local source has in pulling together political information about politics accessible to anyone. And as a person, you succeeded big time in winning me over with your affable demeanor and incisive humor.
Volunteer Voters, rest in peace. Kleinheider, don’t rest at all.
on March 14th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Sad. Very, very sad.
There are very few political outlets I care anything about, and, this was one.
Best of luck to you in your future endeavors.
(LMAO @ the Rep.)
on March 14th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
I don’t give a rats ass about politics but ACK is a hottie of immense proportions.
For real…you, like your pal Brittney, will do fantastic in whatever your next gig may be.
on March 14th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Vaya Con Dios Amigo
on March 14th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Klondike,
Get in touch if you’re out there “beating the bushes.” I think there is money to be made… there’s always money to be made.
on March 14th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Wow, I just became endeared to Stacey Campfield with his hilarious comment. Is the Earth spinning off its axis?
on March 15th, 2008 at 12:36 am
Sad day for TN political coverage.
on March 15th, 2008 at 12:53 am
What a sad day. VV was the literal heart of Tennessee politics. It gave me, an East Tennessean, insight into things going on in Middle and West Tennessee that our media here ignores. It also perfectly straddled the partisan and ideological divide. VV was one of the most balanced sites I’ve seen anywhere. I’ve always enjoyed sparring with folks here and hearing perspectives from corners of the state and the spectrum I don’t normally see. We’ll miss you.
on March 15th, 2008 at 1:20 am
I came here expecting to read some gloating about Rev. Wright and I get this. Okay, keep Brad but fire ACK? Yeah, makes sense. Betsy must be beside herself.
雨にもマケズ. さよなら。
on March 15th, 2008 at 7:10 am
I’m so sorry to hear it, Adam! Even though I disagree with you politically, I thought you did an excellent job for VV. You were fair and straightforward and didn’t use your position as a hammer. And you covered the local and state political news really well.
I hope to see you on the blogosphere again. Best of luck to you. And to the management of WKRN: you just made a HUGE mistake!
on March 15th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Also Klondike,
Strike while the iron’s hot. Don’t, in your mind, begin taking a week long vacation before “seeing what else is out there.” Translation: If you got nothing at the moment give me call very soon.
Of course I will expect my usual commission for providing this and any subsequent unsolicited advice… I’ve been there buddy, a couple of times, and with babies to feed.
on March 15th, 2008 at 8:04 am
AC,
Right after I saw you yesterday, Gray Sasser, John Rodgers, and myself were all discussing how easy it was to follow what was going on in Tennessee politics because of VV. John basically admitted that you had become an easy source of “show prep” for a lot of Tennessee media. Give him a call.
on March 15th, 2008 at 8:41 am
A.C., I admire your zeal and your honesty, including the incredible amount of new journalism you did. You will be sorely missed and I dare say political news in TN will not be the same without you.
on March 15th, 2008 at 9:47 am
When conducted in a civil manner, the competition for ideas uplifts us all. The political discourse having taken place at VV made Tennessee a better place.
You, my friend, will be sorely missed.
on March 15th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Well, damn. You’ll be missed.
on March 15th, 2008 at 10:16 am
This is a tremendous disappointment, and I’m sorry to hear it. VV is the only WKRN property that had any real value to me, and I was looking forward to stopping here each day as the election continues. ACK, you have been doing a great job and I’m very sorry to see you go.
on March 15th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Rex - why don’t you show those corporate weasels how it’s done and hire ACK as a full time blogger?
on March 15th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Damn.
I can’t say anything else that others haven’t already (and eloquently). But, I’d like to add this:
When they muzzled your partisan writing last year, amidst all the criticism from bloggers everywhere (including me) you stuck to your guns and remade VV into the must-read site for anyone who wanted to know anything about TN politics.
The fact that you were able to do this with your hands tied behind your back means, to me, that you are one hell of a writer.
I don’t worry for you in the least. I think you are headed to the big time now. Good luck, Adam.
on March 15th, 2008 at 10:31 am
One of my daily reads - so sorry to hear the news.
on March 15th, 2008 at 10:43 am
So sad. Best of luck to you Adam. I will miss seeing you behind my left shoulder.
on March 15th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Dang. I’m going to miss you. I’m a daily visitor here (sometimes more often than that.)
Now who is going to pester me about rumors?
You’ve had a great run. Good luck on the next thing whatever that may be.
on March 15th, 2008 at 10:49 am
What a rotten way to start Saturday morning. We’re all poorer for your departure and all better for the work you have done.
Adam, you did an amazing job of sorting through a host of ideas and egos each day and weaving it into a tapestry that reflected Tennessee politics.
Your work provided a middle ground where bloggers could unite and debate while giving the public — the real reason any journalist toils — a look at politics that is much different from that seen in traditional media.
Enjoy a short vacation, but then get back to work — you’re needed on the front lines.
Good luck!
on March 15th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Profoundly short-sited of WKRN. Once they led the world, now they suck. Best of luck, ACK!
on March 15th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Besides, now I have to go find political posts on my own instead of seeing something here and responding to it.
on March 15th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Jesus Henry Christ on a pogo stick! I just found out about this, and THIS STINKS. We are ALL reliant on you, AC, and this is HORRIBLE.
WKRN, you need to reconsider, can’t you cut the GM”s salary instead? if he makes this kind of decision, he sure as hell isn’t earning it.
on March 15th, 2008 at 11:16 am
How sad.
V-squared has been the place to go for all things related to Tennessee politics, from Bristol to Memphis and all points in between. It was your hard work, Adam, that made it the one-stop shop that it had become.
Best wishes to you, Adam. I’ll be seeing you on the flipside, too.
on March 15th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Based on the majority of the comments this is another terrible loss to the liberal community.
How will I know what Sean Braisted is thinking five times a day? Sad, sad, sad.
Goodbye WKRN, hello Nashville Scene.
on March 15th, 2008 at 11:32 am
This is a terrible loss to the ENTIRE community, moron, we’re mourning here, take your garbage elsewhere.
on March 15th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Very short-sighted decision. Thank you for your diligent contributions to political discourse in Middle Tennessee. Though you may be closing a chapter here, I expect you’ll be opening a new book elsewhere. May your tribe increase! Godspeed.
on March 15th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Enjoyed it. I know I’ll see you around.
on March 15th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Well, I must say, even though I’m not a citizen of Nashville or even a citizen of the great state of Tennessee, this is one of the sites that I came to to catch up on my neighbors and see what was happening in the Music City. It’s a sad day, but remember, this could be a stepping stone to something even bigger and greater! You have tremendous talent, and I have no doubt that God’s plans for you are great! Keep up the good work, and God bless you.
on March 15th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Damn. What am I going to do without you and this blog?
on March 15th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Damn, this IS huge, but hugely disappointed. I’m sorry that WKRN doesn’t realize what they have in you, Adam.
Mostly, I’m sorry that the best political aggregator and most stimulating political thinking has been squelched.
Look forward to seeing what is next for you. I hate leaving the country on this note!
You’re a good man, ACK.
on March 15th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
ACK,
VV was absolutely the best place to find out what was going on in TN politics. People who were “in the know” read VV. I have checked it religiously throughout the day since the beginning and don’t know how I will replace my VV fix. The absence of VV will definitely leave a gaping hole in the TN blogosphere and it’s demise is truly, in my mind, the last nail in the coffin of a golden era of political blogging in TN.
Good luck to you. I am quite confident this will not be the last we hear of AC Kleinheider.
on March 15th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
It was shocking to hear your blog was ending. It’s a valuable resource, and a place where I could always be sure to learn something. Good luck down the road. You know what they say: When one door closes another opens. With your cyber-space talent, it shouldn’t be long before you hear a loud rapping.
on March 15th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Well this is shocking. Good luck to you on your next endeavor.
The poorly-written news stories on the WKRN site are an embarrassment. Your blog & the weather blog were the only areas on the site that I read regularly. (Although I didn’t agree with you a lot of the time.)
on March 15th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Trackback from Tennessee Free Kleinheider will no longer be blogging for WKRN. Budget cuts, and all that.
on March 15th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Everyone’s said it better than I could.. Best of luck ACK
on March 15th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
another bad decision by WKRN. and a major loss of excellent political coverage which has been a constant on this site.
add my cheers to your work and for your future efforts online and off.
and my enormous thanks as well for linking to my thoughts and posts and considering them worth sharing with others.
on March 15th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Good luck in the future this is a huge loss to Tennessee politics.
on March 15th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
As a daily addict to this site, I’m so sad to hear this.
I’m anxious to see what you do next, I’ll be on the lookout.
Good luck!
on March 15th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
ACK best of luck, WKRN you suck.
on March 15th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Too bad. But I’m sure we’ll see you around ACK.
on March 15th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
So sad, I’ll miss you Adam. Wish you the best of luck!
on March 15th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Adam,
I will miss you and your insightful reporting. As several others have said VV was also my go to sight for politics in Tennessee and I will miss it. God bless you and keep you.
on March 15th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Well, I didn’t discover you until the Mayor’s race, and I’m very sorry I didn’t find you sooner. You have been fair, honest, and responsible, and have raised the blogosphere into the realm of journalistic respectability. I don’t know what I’m going to put into your little slot on my RSS feed now. Best of luck, and I look forward to reading you again soon!
on March 15th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I guess Hobbs kept his job lnger than some callng for him to lose it.
on March 15th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I wish I had known, so I would have had the chance to say something nice to you for a change : ) I now feel compelled to point out that our consistently contentious banter was all in jest, but of course, you always knew that. Miss you.
on March 15th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Adam,
It was a pleasure working alongside you, but more importantly, I’m honored to call you a friend. Thank you for brightening my days with your humor, sarcasm, political commentary, and witty banter… you are greatly missed.
on March 15th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
You were awesome, ACK.
on March 15th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Seriously. Will this blog be gone forever? Will you be working somewhere else Adam? I can’t support The Scene in any way. You we’re the best.
on March 15th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Okay, so who’s going to buy this thing and put it back in business? Nashville Post? City Paper? Nashville Scene? C’mon, guys, somebody needs to buy this and put it back online.
on March 15th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
This is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. You’ll bounce right back into something even better.
on March 15th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Luck be with you, AC. You’ve already got the skill part.
on March 15th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
This is truly a terrible loss to the Tennessee blogosphere…I really don’t know what to say, except that if there is anything at all I can do for you A.C., just call me, my friend. I look forward to reading your work for years to come.
on March 15th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Abide.
on March 16th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Volunteer Voters is dismantled. Meanwhile, B-Ho is busy with more “Husseining” in the National Enquirer. Something is sorely wrong in the universe.
on March 16th, 2008 at 9:09 am
You did a good job. Can’t help but think this is a short-sighted decision. Hope someone else will pick up the tab and allow you to continue. Good luck.
on March 16th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Add me to the chorus of mourners. Thank you, A.C., for all of your time and effort, blood, sweat and tears and all the linkage.
If this is anything other than a budgetary move by WKRN, then I don’t get it.
on March 16th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Lola - you are on to something here. There are other media outlets in Nashville that still haven’t jumped on the pioneering gravy train that WKRN is on. They need to buy VV and hire ACK and show WKRN how it is done. Don’t believe them when they say they aren’t making money. That’s a MSM lie so you won’t try to do it yourself!
Rex Hammock - you want to show those “corporate weasels” how it is done? Don’t let common sense destroy your profound vision like it has those corporate weasels at WKRN. SAVE ACK. SAY YES!
Nashville Scene - can’t you convince your boss the value of spending tens of thousands of dollars to build a community of a few hundred extra readers a day? SAVE ACK. SAY YES!
City Paper - think of the hundreds of dollars a year you can get an advertiser to give you for the hundreds of readers that come here. SAVE ACK. SAY YES!
ANY BLOGGER COMMENTING HERE - let’s get together with ACK and use our expert online media knowledge and rake in the dough! Imagine the possibilities. SAVE ACK. SAY YES!
LET’S SHOW WKRN HOW TO DO THIS! YES WE CAN!
Who’s first?
on March 16th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Oh, WKRN, you know not what you do. I was only watching the news on channel 2 to help keep VV in business, not because I liked the on-air news product (though the personalities continue to be fantastic).
Adam, you were always too good for this place. But thanks for hanging out with us anyway.
on March 16th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
ACK, where am I going to get my daily local political news now in one nice neat package? There is a huge void that you filled so nicely. I miss you already.
on March 16th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Anne is right. Didn’t you see that tremendous growth of viewers for WKRN last year when every station in America declined? That was the people reading Adam’s blog. I know this because I asked Mr. Neilsen and he said so.
on March 16th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
A.C. — I’m on the road and so a bit slow to join in the chorus, but kudos on a job very well done. You have established yourself as a true pro. That fact matters more than any momentary career setback. Chin up: Good things will follow.
on March 16th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
One of the brightest guys I know. I’ll miss seeing you in the newsroom and conversations about religion and politics.
I look forward to seeing how your bright future unfolds.
on March 16th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Very sad indeed. Good luck with your next endeavor and I hope for everybody it will be blogging about TN politics.
on March 17th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Hope the suits at WKRN will read these comments and realize what a colossal blunder this is.
So long, ACK, and thanks for all the fish. See you soon in your next excellent adventure.
on March 17th, 2008 at 8:46 am
This is a real shame. I was so proud of Channel 2 for doing things differently, for bringing news into the 21st century. It’s a mistake to keep second guessing yourselves.
Adam, great job. Thanks for bringing us all a tremendous amount of information in a useful manner.
Best.
on March 17th, 2008 at 8:50 am
How unfortunate — but how typical — that WKRN thinks the way to right its ship is to ditch the only uniquely worthwhile aspects of its enterprise. All best to you ACK.
on March 17th, 2008 at 8:52 am
In the words of Curly Bill Brocius, “Well…bye.”
The fact you held your job as long as did says how little WKRN cared about the blogosphere. You were just $10 an hour they’ve now decided to save. Great concept, awful blogger. You won’t be missed, hACK.
on March 17th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Damn dude, what a thing to read first thing on a Monday. Onward and upward.
on March 17th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Zack Attack won’t be missed.
on March 17th, 2008 at 10:12 am
AC good luck to you! You and the two gentlemen in Memphis and Chattanooga were the first in this state to start talking about my little blog and for that I would like to say thank you!
Sincerely,
Dan Turnbow
on March 17th, 2008 at 11:14 am
AC, I just found out about this. Give me a shout if you visit Memphis.
on March 17th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Still sad.
on March 17th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Laaaaame.
on March 17th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Sorry this is happening. All the best to you Adam!
on March 17th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
AC, you will be missed. Missed by your readers now and by WKRN when someone else snaps you up. Good job and good luck.
on March 17th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
What they said. But more like the way the techno Viking would say it. Plus badass dancing.
on March 17th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I’ll miss you too! Best wishes.
on March 17th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Awful news… for my stint in the bsphere there were no greater advocates than ACK and Brit. This may unfortunately be one the final nails in the strictly TN blogosphere coffin.
At least we got Sean back… I thought we were gonna lose 3 greats in 1 year.
Oh and btw, I have a virus that could rip them off big time. Just like Superman 3
on March 17th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Matt, yep, the Tennessee blogosphere lost yet another liberal stalwart. I guess you 41 freaks are going to have suckle at the Daily Kos tit exclusively from now on. What’s a moonbat to do?
At least we’ve still got Braindead and his community college eyebags to kick around.
To hACK, I’ll be down at the Wal-Mart on Rutherford Boulevard in a few weeks. Annual stock up on toilet paper. Be sure to highlight through my receipt as I am leaving. I’d hate to see you fired from that gig, too.
on March 17th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Who am I kidding? I’ll enjoy getting hACK fired from Wal-Mart just as much as I did from WKRN. This has really been even more fun than I could have imagined.
on March 17th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Comment #82, Stan The Man… really? That is the best you can do? I guess you’ve proved the value of three years in law school at a 4th tier college in the midwest. 60k a year and one term worth of job security. Good luck with that.
on March 17th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Comment #2, Britney… Oh. My. God. You’re still as stupid and as ugly as ever. Out in California for months and still not getting laid. When the nice bulldyke comes for you, just go with it. Only then will you feel as liberated as you like to act.
on March 18th, 2008 at 12:23 am
*insert long response*
*ctrl+a, delete*
Not worth it Zach…
on March 18th, 2008 at 6:42 am
I just read the news! This is a horrible loss for the TN blogosphere. ACK-you’ve done a great job reflecting the many types of voices around Tennessee. I couldn’t have kept up with state news and politics without these past two years. Good luck in the future.
on March 18th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Best of luck to you AC. Please keep in touch!
on March 18th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Although, I always hate to see any one lose their job and I appreciate the work that Adam did here at WKRN. I have to say that if his departure saves the job of just one employee that actually does tv work then it was worth it to me. This is a tv station not a blog station. I saw a lot of tv employees lose their jobs while Internet people remained. Before Adam was let go we had 3 Internet people and only 4 directors. For a TV station that is just not smart. Blogs are a luxury for a tv station not a necessity and this station can’t afford any luxuries.
on March 18th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
news2 employee: Let’s revisit that in about 10 years. Then it may be the “new media” people who are subsidizing the “tv people”.
The adaptable survive.
on March 18th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
@news2 employee: Look at revenue streams from broadcast media and new media sources and who’s generating the most money for the station with the least salary and equipment cost. Also look at who is working the hardest all all hours of the day and not just for 2-3 hour periods around a newscast. Also look at the Nielson ratings and how they compare with the unique users of all the sites during a given day. Then get back to us on that.
And no, I am not a current or former manager at the station.
on March 18th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Dearest news2 employee,
I would also like my steamship, railroad and buggy whip monopolies back, if you would be so kind.
Sincerely,
The Eighteenth Century
on March 18th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Looks like living in the parent’s basement is gettin’ to old Zack Attack. I don’t think Mr. Kleinheider will miss him much ‘tall.
Have a nice day!
http://www.cafepress.com/o_yes_we_can
on March 18th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Fundit, of course hACK won’t miss me. I was one of those lobbying to get him fired. He will miss his paycheck, though, no matter how meager. And, of course, he’ll miss circle jerking with you and your 40 pseudo-intellectual brethren. But, like I’ve said before, at least you’ve still got Braindead and the Daily Kook. Good luck with that.
on March 18th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
“The 18th Century” gave the best possible response to News2 Employee.
Zack - ACK is a liberal stalwart? On which planet?
on March 18th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Joe, did you ever read this blog? From Harold Ford to Barack Obama, hACK projected his fantasies (and penis envy) on to any smooth-talking, black Democrat he could find. This while either irrationally bashing, or simply ignoring, Republican candidates. He linked to Sean Braindead five times an hour, but Moore Thoughts maybe once every five months. Then, in his final days, he led a one-man drive to get Bill Hobbs fired from his job at the Tennessee Republican Party. It backfired, of course. Hobbs was commended and hACK was canned. Sweet justice if you ask me.
on March 18th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I have a feeling he’s not sure what planet HE is on, let alone ACK.
on March 18th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Don’t get me wrong I like blogging but I don’t think it is the new media money making machine that you do. I feel as you do that tv will and has to find new ways to reach it’s viewers but some guy or gal sitting in front of a computer typing their opinion isn’t the answer. Mr. Sechrist thought the same thing and you see where it got him.
Former news 2 employee
I think I know why you are a former employee. You are an idiot who obviously doesn’t understand how the process works if you think that a blogger is more important than a director, live truck operator or any other trained tv professional. I’m sure any of those guys who you say only work while the newscasts is on would rather blog all day rather than deal with the pressure of a live broadcast. I see why they fired you!
on March 18th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Fuckedup, thanks for continuing to hang on to every word I say. Your incessant attempts at humping my leg are actually kind of cute, Be careful, though, there is a fine line between cute and obsessive. You certainly don’t need another restraining order taken out against you.
on March 18th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Blogging = the CB radio of the 21st Century.
The fad is over, guys. Blogs connected to established opinion sources, like the Corner at NRO, might survive. Unknown douchebags attempting to change the world, your irrelevancy has been rediscovered.
on March 18th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
“but some guy or gal sitting in front of a computer typing their opinion isn’t the answer”
If you think that is what this blog is–or all blogs are–you aren’t paying attention. Or you are willfully ignorant.
on March 18th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Former News2 Employee: Why are you afraid to use your real name, Brittney? Embarrassed about people laughing at you supposedly finding nirvana in California yet continuing to stay weirdly obsessed with a Tennessee you claimed to loathe?
Oh, and 18th Century, you had railroads and steam ships? Might want to buy a new history book there, genius.
on March 18th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Actually, news2 employee, I was not fired from ANY market. I actually moved on to a bigger market from News 2, on my own terms.
Also, I was a newscast producer at one point and have always worked in newsrooms, so I know very damn well how the process works. In fact, I probably worked alongside you in that same newsroom. The very fact that you’re attacking me is an act of desperation that “bloggers” are pretty used to.
Zach: No, I’m not Brittney. She’s been very happy to use her name. I didn’t use my name because 1) news2 employee didn’t, and 2) I still have friends there that I really don’t want to get in a p*ssing match with. There are a lot of fabulous people who have been fired there, and I’m not defending the business decisions of either the current or former regime at News 2. I promise you that you don’t know me unless you’ve been around a lot longer than I suspect.
All I’m saying is that instead of people on the traditional news side bitching about “bloggers” keeping their jobs while others leave, they should look at where the money’s coming from and possibly adjust what they’re doing. We’re all getting our paychecks from the same places, but it’s easier to keep your job when you continually adjust to the market. It’s the way the biz works, fair or not.
And BTW, what in the bloody blue h*ll do you have against Brittney? She’s a writer and a damn good one. If you don’t like what she has to say, don’t read it. At least respect what she’s done to promote dialogue in the Nashville community instead of saying nasty things about her as a person.
on March 18th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I think blogging is fine but for a tv station to pay someone to ust log is down right crazy. I can understand aying someone to do tv work plus maybe blog on the side for extra money but to just blog is crazy!
on March 18th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Please Please PULL THE PLUG
on March 18th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Everyone: I am frustrated, angry and in pain over many things that are going on in my personal life. I am deeply sorry for showing my ass on this blog. If I hurt anybody’s feelings or sensibilities, then I apologize. Adam in particular, I regret the trouble my aggression may have caused you, directly or indirectly.
on March 18th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
One more thing: the URL to an anonymous proxy service in my comment #146 was intentional. I want you to know and understand that my need for online anonymity is rooted in cowardice. Thanks for letting me get all of this off my chest.
on March 18th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Imitation: the sincerest form of flattery. Thanks, #146 and #147.
on March 19th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Former news 2
You are a producer and have the nerve to talk about people only working around news time. Let’s face it everyone in news has down time and I know the first part of a producers shift is b-sing around. Then splitting the board then stealing stories from the wires and newspapers. Producers spend plenty of time taking smoke breaks and surfing the web. Then they barely get there show on the air because they didn’t spend there time wisely. They spend the rest of the day bitching about editing, reporters and production screwing up their show. I don’t know of any producers in recent years that went on to a bigger market unless they were fired or their contract was not renewed. Which one are you?
Brittney
Don’t take that comment personal. As I said I have great respect for what Adam did but if this blog was bringing in the kind of revenue that everyone claims then he would still be at 2. I for one was surprised he was let go it being a election year. Don’t paint me as a blog hater. I obviously read blogs although I don’t ever see myself authoring one. Yes, tv has to change and evolve just like any other business and the internet is going to be a part of that but in the end we are TV stations and that’s going to pay more than blogging ever will. Like crazy blogger said it makes no since for a station pay for a full time blogger. Let’s face it if you had still been here you would have let go as well.
on March 19th, 2008 at 1:40 am
I said I used to be a newscast producer. I didn’t say I was one at News 2. As far as newscast producers’ workloads, most of the ones I’ve known (and this goes especially there) are amongst the hardest workers I’ve known in a very high-pressure and thankless environment. Few people would voluntarily take a job where they’re yelled at by reporters, photogs, directors, NDs, etc. several times during any given day.
And for the most part, producers surf the Web for stories. It’s kinda like calling new media staff “bloggers” — you see people sitting at their desk looking at Web sites and typing on them and you assume they’re not working as hard or have less skill and are therefore less of an asset to the station. In whatever role you have, how many shows do you direct, or stories do you shoot or edit? Spend a day with one of those guys and see how many pieces they work on in a day and the tasks they juggle to do it.
As for being fired or going off contract, neither of those apply. You’re either not thinking hard enough or I’ve disappeared from memory (probably the latter.) Christian knows who I am now, and I’ll be happy to pass along as many folks as he’d like to verify any of that. I know it’s easy to distrust there because of things that have happened, but I have no interest in pretending to be anything better than I was and am now.
Despite all of this and the management drama that has been rampant there for years, I really do have fond feelings for and memories of WKRN and the wonderful people who work there. I hope no more of them end up getting the shaft from ANY department, because all of them are needed. And really, that’s probably where I should leave this.
on March 19th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Well, crap. I’m entirely to busy to go wading through dozens of websites trying to get the same amount of information that I could get in about 5 minutes from you. Best of luck, you’ve been a great resource.
on March 19th, 2008 at 11:53 am
FN2E: I am not offended. I hear you, and I can see where you are coming from. We just disagree about the future of the t.v. news biz. I’m sure you mean well, and I know I do.
Best of luck to you and the Deuce.
on March 19th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I blogged about this issue today here:
http://knoxvilletalks.com/2008/03/19/blogging-in-newsrooms/
-Katie
on March 19th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
AC,
I look forward to following you in your future endeavors. You’re not only a skilled journalist and blogger, but you’ve been incredibly informed and informative…and of course entertaining! You’re an asset to the Nashville political community and I know you will be for years to come.
on March 19th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Reading this blog has been an indispensible source of useful links and information. What a shame that the powers-that-be didn’t recognize its great value. Congratulations on a job well done. You will be missed.
on March 19th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
This was a valuable site. Thanks AC for linking to Mediaverse from time to time.
As for blogs as a TV investment, the jury is still out. You can read the State of Journalism on the Poynter Institute’s Website and you’ll clearly see that it’s about advertising. This blog doesn’t appear to have ads, which does make it expendable in the larger scheme of things. Too often, TV treats blogs as ancillary coverage. They haven’t quite figured out how to weave them into daily coverage, and when thinking about immediacy, it’s doubtful they ever will because TV is still much faster.
on March 20th, 2008 at 10:53 am
It’s been a week, and I’ve come to a conclusion about the demise of VolunteerVoters.com. It’s not a big loss. It’s a MAMMOTHLY HUGE loss. There is a giant hole in the media fabric in Tennessee when it comes to political news. VV was the indispensable go-to source for all things political involving Tennessee, and provided depth and context that the various disparate news outlets often lack.
Additionally, while MSM outlets mention or quote from press releases and documents and such, VV often uploaded the whole thing, or gave readers a link to it - making it a far more valuable resource than any single MSM outlet for politics junkies.
It’s a damned shame that WKRN couldn’t figure out how to monetize the single most valuable political news property in the state. Here’s hoping that some other news outlet, one which understands the new media - and the new media consumer - and wants to be an information portal for its readers rather than just an information destination, decides it wants to take over VV, or at least hire Kleinheider to build a VV replacement for them.
on March 20th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
The best scenario for a blogger like this is to function independently and thus avoid censorship/muzzling, but I think such a blogger needs to be in or affiliated with a newsroom, unfortunately, for what can be gained from it: sources, discipline, and, uh, paychecks.
on March 20th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
VV could stand on its own, with some clever marketing and use of advertising - why the site never had Google AdSense boggles the mind, for example. And why didn’t WKRN sell ad space on the site?
on March 20th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Bill Hobbs,
Just shut up!
on March 21st, 2008 at 8:17 am
Agreed.
on March 21st, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I feel like I’m visiting a grave site and I had to stop by again and pay my respects. I couldn’t stay away. It’s been a week now since we got the really bad news here. There has definitely been a hole in my online life. The RSS feed hasn’t been the same and I know I’m not as well connected to happenings as I used to be. Just a tremendous loss for Tennessee and still an incomprehensible corporate decision.
on March 21st, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Sorry, Bill, my gerbil wouldn’t come out from his favorite brown hole and I hit a few wrong keys. Your right though, the idiots at WKRN have no clue.
on March 21st, 2008 at 11:52 pm
You guys sure do have exceedingly high opinions of yourselves.
It’s a blog. Get over it. Move on and quit feeling sorry for yourself, you babies.
on March 26th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Kleinheider has landed on his feet.
He’ll be doing what he did here, only for NashvillePost.com.
http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2008/3/26/nashvillepostcom_hires_volunteervoterscom_veteran
Excellent decision by NashvillePost.com, a web-only business and political news site that “gets” the new media because it IS new media.