I don’t mind that the New York Times created a blog devoted to movies. I do, however, mind the name they came up with for the blog.
What’s worse, it doesn’t really make any sense in a movie context. “Carpetbagger” clearly has its roots in a political context and is still used with political connotations. What does the word have to do with movies?
Meaning aside, haven’t I pretty much established my connection to the word? Jeez, some people.
Not that it’s right, because they’re still totally stealing your name, but it’s probably more a play on David Carr’s name than on anything political.
Apparently, David Carr is “bagging” the big names on the red carpet for interviews….thus Carpetbagger… Pretty lame.
I smell a lawsuit Steve.
Send them a cease and desist, Mr. Carpetbagger!
Fight it. A few years ago WaPo started a column that had a name very close to Talking Points Memo. Josh Marshall fought it with a write-in campaign and eventually won.
I wouldn’t send them anything legal without a friendly discussion first. Almost everyone is well-meaning, and why not start with expectation that well-meaning people to come to a mutual understanding? This is the New York Times we’re talking about, not Bill O’Reilly. You know, attracting more flies with honey than with vinegar, and all that. I’m sure CB and the Paper of Record can work something out without bringing lawsuits into it. In fact, I’d love to hear if you do reach a resolution without doing so.
There’s only one genuine article carpetbagger on the net–accept no substitutes!
Write them a very nice letter. Ask them to consider changing their name. Speak to Josh Marshall just in case they choose not to. Then, if that fails, turn loose the dogs of death (your public) and the lawyers.
Well put, Rian and fellow Carpetistas. Fight tooth and nail but be polite about it, unless necessary. Probably a few well-placed phone calls to the right editor would do the trick. They’re still trying to recover from the Judy Miller/Bob Woodward fiascos, I doubt they’d want any more negative publicity at this stage.
And I’m sure every one of us would send an email if you want us to. Just post the address, we’ll take care of the rest.
Yes, by all means, go with the suggestions
to try to resolve this amicably. I can’t imagine
them refusing to change the name.
And I’m sure every one of us would send an email if you want us to. Just post the address, we’ll take care of the rest.
Seconded. (FWIW: I was kidding about the cease and desist; those calling for attempts at reasonable, polite non-legal remedies first are absolutely correct).
David Carr’s email address:
carpetbagger@nytimes.com
Maybe you can convince him to change the name to a more apropos “redcarpetbagger”?
How’s this as an example? I haven’t sent it yet but it’s saved as a draft and ready to go. What do you think, CB?
Dear Mr. Carr,
As you are probably becoming aware, the term “Carpetbagger” as the title of an online web log has been in use for some time in “The Carpetbagger Report” (http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com). We, his legion of loyal readers, respectfully request that you amend the name of your website. This would be considered a gesture of goodwill and fairness to the blogging public. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Maybe he’d change his name if you showed him some of your choice emails from the trolls. He might see the wisdom of not being confused with a big name political blogger.
Since it’s been published I feel I should ask everyone to remember that you’re representing CB here so do be polite and nonthreatening above all. I’m sure CB would appreciate it.
The more Carpetbaggers the merrier!
…unless those other Carpetbaggers aren’t worthy of the name and reputation established by the original. It would be like another FoxNews being created that was truly Fair & Balanced. Oh wait… bad analogy.
What do you think, CB?
It’s terrific to see so many of you offer words of support and encouragement. Many, many thanks.
At this point, I was planning to send Carr a quick, polite, and friendly note this afternoon (after I’ve wrapped up posting for the day), just to touch base and share my concerns.
As for whether readers should also contact him, I suspect it’d be better to hold off, at least for a few days. My hope is that he’ll consider a name change just to avoid confusion between two blogs, and I wouldn’t want to get off on the wrong foot by inundating him with emails from, as bubba put it, “the dogs of death.”
I promise to keep everyone posted about any response(s) I get. Thanks again to everyone for the support.
What’s even more annoying is that he also ripped off the Bull Moose and refers to himself in the third person constantly.
I guess since Jayson Blair left there is a shortage of creativity over at the Times…
Maybe you can convince him to change the name to a more apropos “redcarpetbagger”?
Gridlock, can we do a contest to help Mr. David Carr find a new name? I have have a couple of entries: “red carpet rover,” or if it’s more apropos–“flaming red carpetbagger” (it’s a joke in honor of Rex Reed, remember him?)
Also: Don’t flame me for a silly joke.
Mmmm, somebody is being a bit cavalier. Especially when top result for a google search on [carpetbagger] comes up with:
>>
A polite but firm little letter to the NY Times is in order
Oh crap. Stupid me!
So, as I said, top result for a google search on [carpetbagger] is:
The Carpetbagger Report
Commentary, analysis, and tirades on politics in America.
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/ – 79k – 5 Dec 2005 – Cached – Similar pages
Perhaps you could start doing some film reviews and run them out of business.
I agree that they are appropriating your good name. Fight it.
I did write him the following:
Please change the name from “Carpetbagger” to something more appropriate.
The word has no meaning (that I can discern) in the context of movie reviews.
It is already the name of a well-established political blog (a context in which the word does have meaning).
I’m writing this as a frequent to contributor to the Carpetbagger Report and as an early contributor (and still one of the top 20 contributors) to the Internet Movie Database (137 mini-biographies, 1199 plot summaries).
Sorry, but I hadn’t noticed the request to hold off for while.
What does the word have to do with movies?
Gone with the Wind?
When I saw the Times’ announcement of The Carpetbagger movie blog I thought you had left us folks in the reality-based community. Glad to hear that that Carpetbagger is a pretender. I, too, will write or loose the dogs or whatever–you just say the word.
Dang bubba. The Dogs of Death? And Lawyers? This close to Christmas? I reckon for the defense of the true Carpetbagger they’re an option. But the fallout. Whoa.
For now I’ll keep Curmudgeon’s letter bookmarked and wait for instructions while I weld some more scrap armor on the laptop.
I think your all being silly. Keep the name and don’t say anything. I bet you your traffic has multiplied by thousands in the past 24 hours because of the NYTimes having a blog with the same name. Don’t kiss a gift horse in the mouth… put some banners up and enjoy the clickthroughs.
It’s funny, I saw Carpetbagger in NYT Yesterday and wondered if it was you.
For my two cents, I think a friendly email campaign is in order. Give the word…
Troll, your an idiot. A real idiot. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Idiot.
As for a friendly email campaign, Why? So you can stop getting taffic here? Now the NYT site is linked to here – FREE advertising on the biggest new site in the country! Jackass!
I think Nicky Bee’s on to something. This could be an opportunity for mutual profit, not a lawsuit in the making.
And while I’m still here on this page, in case everyone hasn’t already left, I think the name-calling is absolutely unnecessary as well as reflecting poorly on us. We attack the conservatives and the right on an almost daily basis for dragging what should be civilized debate down into the mud, and this is just the sort of thing that we should be above, and I expect us to be above.
Ditto on the name calling Rian; this isn’t that kind of blog. In fact, I held back a comment just because this blog is one of the most civil on the net and I didn’t want to cause conflict. However, since everyone seems to be attracted to this thread, I’m going to put in my two cents.
The Carpetbagger Report has been around a long time and is read by professional bloggers for its excellent reporting and analysis. It is quoted throughout blogtopia and by members of the MSM. I hardly think it needs to piggyback on the NYT. CB isn’t one to quote traffic stats, but don’t judge its traffic by the number of commentators here. The comment threads are something CB started about six months ago, and the tone is a little intimidating for your average blog junkie. You have to know your stuff to be a regular here, and most of the regulars are a cut above in political knowledge. (Way above me – that’s why I mostly lurk.) So I’m not buying the argument that CB will benefit from confusion with a film reviewer.
Wow! What did Roger eat this morning? What’s with the idiot talk? Be nice.
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