This is a nasty column. The author agrees that the public reasons given for Donald McNeil's firing are weak, but says that he probably had it coming anyway beca

This is a nasty column. The author agrees that the public reasons given for Donald McNeil's firing are weak, but says that he probably had it coming anyway because, the author speculates, McNeil is a "crotchety old-school asshole". Here are some quotes: 'Donald McNeil He did not deserve it for quoting someone who had used a racial slur (the use/mention distinction matters!). But I have a vague sense that it’s more complicated than this. ... Anyway, here’s the totally speculative hunch I’ve formed from the stuff I’ve read. Now, I have no idea whether this is true, but I’ve gotten the impression that McNeil is sort of a crotchety old-school asshole. But the resources, visibility and plum beats that guys like him are afforded might be part of the festering frustration of younger, less white, less male staffers, who feel that they aren’t being given equitable opportunity for advancement.'