Deborah Howell

I am so sorry that she passed. Only really knew her from the ombudsman job at the Post. I yelled at her a few times, and praised her at others.

KT-Sorry for the loss of your friend and a obivous mentor to you. My prayers go to her family.
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According to the story she died while doing what she wanted to do all her life. I would hope with the start of the New Year, that serves as a reminder to us all that we all need to enjoy life a little and appreaciate our time with friends and family.

The newspapers in the Twin Cities were certainly much better when she was around.

Sorry for your loss KT.

My condolences to Deborah’s family and to you for your loss.

KT — My heartfelt condolences go out to you and to her many friends and her family. I am sure that in the coming days much will be said about what Deborah Howell brought to the field of journalism. However, while opinions may differ about what that contribution might have been, there’s little doubt that it takes tremendous courage to go after your dreams at a time when your chosen field places an unwelcome mat at the door and it takes even more grit and grace to turn back to mentor those intrepid souls daring to follow in your footsteps. With this world sorely in need of individuals with character and conviction I’m sure this is a human being who will be missed.

As the battle lines of my youth get redrawn as absurd caricatures of the originals, it’s easy to forget that where we are today is the result of some hard fought battles that were won.

We may remember her for the Abramoff controversy but as Karen reminds us, 45 years ago it would have been beyong the pale for a woman to be in such a position in the first place.

KT: I offer condolences to Mrs Howell’s family and to you for your loss. I had a “lively” correspondence on two occasions with the late Ombudsman and they were informed by courtesy. I think she made a genuine effort at the Post to get readers’ views taken into account.

Condolences to you and to Deborah Howell’s family,KT

Well said Gunny. I second your sentiments.

Sincere condolences to her family.

My condolences as well Karen for your loss of a good friend, and to Ms Howell’s family.
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She sounds from reading her Wikipedia notation to be not only a very strong woman, but a fiesty one at that. Kudos to her! No wonder she was able to break that glass ceiling so well.
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“On January 22, 2006, Howell discussed the controversy started by her column the previous week. She repeated the statement that Abramoff had directed his clients to donate to both parties, but this time referred to her original assertion as a mistake and agreed that the Abramoff scandal is “not a bipartisan scandal; it’s a Republican scandal.” Howell went on to describe some of the “abusive” comments and e-mails she received, saying “I’ll read every e-mail and answer as many legitimate complaints as I can … But I will reject abuse and all that it stands for,” adding, “… I have a tough hide, and a few curse words (which I use frequently) are not going to hurt my feelings.” The kicker for the column summed up her attitude about the whole matter: “To all of those who wanted me fired, I’m afraid you’re out of luck. I have a contract. For the next two years, I will continue to speak my mind. Keep smiling. I will.”

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deborah_Howell
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In January 2006, Howell became involved in a dispute with some of her readers over the contents of one of her columns. In her January 15 column defending the reporting by Washington Post reporter Susan Schmidt on lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Howell claimed that Abramoff “had made substantial campaign contributions to both major parties,”[6] referring to the Republicans and Democrats. Many readers took exception to Howell’s statement, pointing to Federal Election Commission records that showed Abramoff had given money only to Republicans and none to Democrats.

condolences to her family. She was well respected and a very astute ombudsman for the wapo. She recognized the extreme liberal bias in the media and especially the Washington Post. She even wrote in her last column how to tackle the imbalance in the media to provide for fairer coverage..even though she was an admitted Obama voter..

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-baker/2010/01/02/ex-washington-post-ombudsman-who-recognized-liberal-bias-killed-new-zea

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Condolences to her family and to you, KT. Losing a friend so suddenly is a tremedous shock. This reminds us that we must appreciate and find joy in every day we have.

Good Riddance to Deborah Howell. The New Zealander who struck and killed her is a hero. Her wicked, liberal bias at the Washington Post until 2008 was abhorrent and disgusting. She was an anti-American traitor. American journalism and media are now much better off that she is dead. Her evil soul is now where it belongs — burning in the fires of hell beyond the end of time.

Yes, because not acknowledging media bias strenuously enough for your tastes is treason and a mortal sin.
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Get a grip.

pat: You’re one sick puppy. Get a rabies shot and stop eating sh!t. Bad dog.

This is obvious trollery, ignore.

Say hey to the swimmer for me.

KT, my condolences to Deborah’s family and to you. I hope you’ll keep your friend’s legacy going through your work.

[...] for women who didn’t want to spend their careers writing wedding announcements,” wrote Time’s Karen Tumulty this morning. “Because of her, it was a lot easier for those of us who followed, both in the [...]

I am of course sorry about the unfortunate accident that took Ms. Howell’s life. My condolences to her family.

I was not fond of Ms. Howell’s stint at the Post, however.

I believe that she did not truly understand the role of an ombudsman. Instead of being an advocate for the reader, she saw her job as corporate spokesman and apologist.

Her tenure at the Post consisted of drawing false equivalencies between Republican and Democrat misbehavior (i.e., Jack Abramoff was a scandal for both parties), giving cover to Republican talking points (“Even Deborah Howell admits the Post is liberal!”), and studiously avoiding the topics about which Post readers were most concerned.

These traits were obviously part of the new conservative bend at the Post under Editorial Editor Fred Hiatt. The current ombudsman Andy Alexander shares Howell’s characteristic avoidance of burning reader issues. Mr. Alexander conspicuously avoided any comment about the Post’s firing of liberal columnist Dan Froomkin, even after logging over 1000 outraged comments from readers. So obviously Ms. Howell’s behavior was at corporate direction.

But resisting corporate pressure is part of the job of ombudsman. Ms. Howell’s failure to do so is what prevents her from being remembered as a great one.

Deborah will surely be missed by her many friends and family.

My condolences to you Karen.