Talking with Charlie LeDuff, even over a satellite link is an adventure. He moved out of the Motor City (like so many have), hit the heights of journalism with the New York Times ("heights", spelled P-u-l-i-t-z-e-r), only to quit and move back to the city of his roots. And what he found was surprising and depressing even to a reporter used to dealing with hard facts.
The crime, corruption, lethargy, racial divides ... all of it had cannibalized Detroit. LeDuff had to document it. And what a Hell of a book resulted. I wish everyone who reads Detroit: An American Autopsy could talk with Charlie. He's as much of a character as the character he writes about. You can tell he's aware of his big personality, his theatrical delivery and he uses it to entertain us into learning—to motivate us to push back.
Charlie called me after the interview to compliment me on making it a smooth conversation. All I did was open the door and let LeDuff work the room. Read the book. Really. You won't be disappointed.
When he comes to LA to visit, he says we're grabbing a drink. I'm holding him to it.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), which considers itself the definitive record of acceptable English words, has just formalized its status as a legitimate noun and verb in relation to social media site Twitter.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), which considers itself the definitive record of acceptable English words, has just formalized its status as a legitimate noun and verb in relation to social media site Twitter.
A 15-year-old girl got a lesson in intolerance from a TSA agent after he said something about her attire at the screening gates. The TSA is investigating the situation.
A 15-year-old girl got a lesson in intolerance from a TSA agent after he said something about her attire at the screening gates. The TSA is investigating the situation.
A Southern California man wanted for sexually exploiting children abroad has been announced as the 500th addition to the FBI's Most Wanted list, and there's a big price on his head.
A Southern California man wanted for sexually exploiting children abroad has been announced as the 500th addition to the FBI's Most Wanted list, and there's a big price on his head.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:29 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:29:36 GMT
A Los Angeles Unified elementary school teacher suspected of stabbing his estranged wife to death at a West Hills home where she had taken refuge was captured in San Bernardino County today, police said.
A Los Angeles Unified elementary school teacher suspected of stabbing his estranged wife to death at a West Hills home where she had taken refuge was captured in San Bernardino County today, police said.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:24 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:24:49 GMT
Los Angeles police today chased a possibly armed motorist to the South Los Angeles area, where the car crashed into a van and the driver refused to surrender.
Los Angeles police today chased a possibly armed motorist to the South Los Angeles area, where the car crashed into a van and the driver refused to surrender.
A Los Angeles plastic surgeon who appeared on TV's "The Doctors" has been found not guilty of secretly making video recordings of patients who undressed for examinations.
A Los Angeles plastic surgeon who appeared on TV's "The Doctors" has been found not guilty of secretly making video recordings of patients who undressed for examinations.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:13 AM EDT2013-06-17 15:13:35 GMT
In response to a rash of shootings and the persistence of gang related homicide in Santa Monica's Pico Neighborhood youth, parents and community leaders organized a vigil and procession to bring healing.
In response to a rash of shootings and the persistence of gang related homicide in Santa Monica's Pico Neighborhood youth, parents and community leaders organized a vigil and procession to bring healing.
