If I were Thomas Friedman, I'd be sending out resumes. Both replacements have been orders of magnitude better than the Man Himself.
Maybe they could start with one "adjunct columnist" position, to be filled on an ad hoc basis, then gradually phase out the tenured columnists altogether (though Safire's a tough old bird -- I'm sure he'll outlive them all, even Dowd).
Conservatives exaggerate the degree to which black leaders blame society for the bad choices made by people in their communities. Anyone remember those PSA's that Jesse Jackson did in the 70s? I don't want to hear 'burn, baby, burn', I want you to learn, baby, learn so you can earn, baby, earn! That, in his monster-fro and jumpsuit days, no less.
Most mainstream black leaders supported Cosby; even the ones who disagreed with him recognize that he's one who has paid his dues. Most of the "flak" Gates is referring to came from card-carriers like Ehrenreich (whose Nickle and Dimed I actually admire, but who had her head up her ass on this one).
Wow. Jackson is so fantastic for saying that.