is what makes it look like a forced departure. (Or, in the alternate, a “take this job and shove it”, storming out of the office resignation).

If Dwight decided to retire, the usual course of action is to give notice, and go out in style. Retirement parties, a smooth transition to a successor, accolades, love. In the media biz, a beloved writer who retires is the subject of columns of praise by his former colleagues.

When you go suddenly from working there to not working there, it creates the impression in the public mind that the divorce was not amicable, no matter what the parties involved say.

Those of us who work in industry all understand the lie that is “left to pursue other interests”. When a manager or executive suddenly stops working at a company with no warning, and it is announced by all that he “left to pursue other interests”, it usually means one thing:

He was fired. Or laid off, either way. And is being permitted to save face somewhat, a common tactic when someone is let go for reasons other than malfeasance.

It’s interesting-there is lots of praise for Jaynes in this column, when a few days ago, this site was in large agreement that Jaynes was a hack. It reminds me of when Jesse Helms died a few weeks back-the praise and fond memories started flowing like wine, including from Jesse’s former political rivals.

Only a few commentators (including the Oregonian’s David Sarahson) spoiled the party by reminding readers what a vile racist #$<img src="#" alt="" />! Helms really was; and unlike other Southern politicians like Strom Thurmond and George Wallace, who actually did change their stripes in their later years (or did a good job of faking it), Helms was a racist-and one who did little to hide it-until the day he died.

Obviously, Jaynes should not be compared with the likes of Jesse Helms; there’s a wide difference between being a mediocre journalist, and being an outright evil politician. But the point is—if this were a retirement, it wouldn’t be so sudden and abrupt.