I've got to admit it, Jed. You almost had me going there.
Nice touch, that "apology" of yours. "This past year was frustrating on many levels for 49ers fans," you wrote. "For that, I want to apologize to you and everyone that cares deeply about this team."
And then, at the podium, you stepped right up and doubled down: "This season wasn't fun. It wasn't fun for me, it certainly wasn't fun for the fans, and I truly am sorry that we had to go through this year."
Even some of your harshest critics were impressed. "He acted with contrition and humility," said one. "He acted the right way. He acted like the man he needs to become."
And even I myself was tempted. As I said, you almost had me going there.
But then I realized, we've been here before.
Let me tell you a story, Jed. It had been a dark time for the Niners. In only a few short years, they'd gone from powerhouse to laughingstock. They had a poor roster that had been poorly coached, but the issue went much deeper than that. After a series of dubious ownership decisions, the Niners—organizationally—lacked any shred of credibility. The fans, purportedly "Faithful" or no, expressed the one doubt that makes owners quake: they doubted whether the owners even wanted to win.
So as the fresh young face of the ownership group, you stepped up to put that doubt to rest. With every ounce of your conviction, you put it in no uncertain terms: "I promise I won't rest until we reestablish a championship culture."
And the fans, as desperate and foolish as fans often are, believed you.
That was eight years ago.
Now let's fast-forward to yesterday, and let's see if this sounds familiar, Jed. It had been a dark time for the Niners. In only a few short years, they'd gone from powerhouse to laughingstock. A poor roster, sure, but a coaching staff that was the league's worst by a country mile, led by the most poorly-equipped head coach ever. And organizationally, the Niners lacked any shred of credibility. The fans, purportedly "Faithful" or no, expressed the same doubt: they doubted whether the owners even wanted to win.
So though neither as fresh nor nearly as young, you stepped up to put that doubt to rest. With every ounce of your conviction, you put it in no uncertain terms: "I want this team to win. Nobody wants this team to win more than I do. And I'm going to work at it every day to make sure that we get back where we belong." You even went so far as to add the classic huckster's favorite line: "You can trust me."
Some fans, as desperate and foolish as fans often are, will again believe you. But dare I say, the smart ones won't.
Oh, don't get me wrong. If you know nothing else—and, by now, it's clear that you might—you know how to deliver a speech. And sure enough, "nobody wants to win more than I do" is at least as stirring as "championship culture." But you can't erase those years in between. And it's those years that prove it. You're lying again.
As the press more or less pointed out, you already had a championship culture. Despite his faults—many of which I've detailed here—Jim Harbaugh produced one immediately. If nobody wanted to win more than you, then you should've kept Harbaugh. Or, upon firing Harbaugh, you should've hired someone who, at least theoretically, could've won just as much.
Instead, you hired Jim Tomsula.
Yesterday, you were asked to explain. "In terms of Jimmy T.," you said, speaking as if Tomsula were some kind of Mob enforcer, "we took a chance on somebody that we believed strongly in, certainly his character, his leadership ability, what he was able to do, and ultimately that didn't work out, and I feel like, watching what my uncle did, watching what my grandfather did, you have to learn from mistakes, you have to learn from failure, and we didn't get this one right."
So let's unpack this. You "believed strongly" that Tomsula could produce wins at a Harbaugh-like rate, in light of "his character," "his leadership ability," and "what he was able to do." These, of course, are lies. We're talking about a coach who couldn't articulate a coherent sentence, let alone a coherent vision. Do you actually expect me to think, for a single second, that you interviewed Tomsula and came away "believing strongly" in "his leadership ability"? Believing that Tomsula would win more than Harbaugh?
It's possible, I guess. But there are two possibilities, and only two. One is that you actually did, in which case you're a complete idiot. The other is that you actually didn't, in which case, despite what you just told us, you don't care about winning, or at least you don't care nearly enough. I subscribe to the latter view, if only because you seem much more conniving than dumb. But in the end, it doesn't matter. In either case, you're totally unfit for your job.
Which brings us back to your purported "contrition and humility."
As I'm sure you know, there's a P.R. tactic known as a "non-apology apology." Here's what Wikipedia says: "A non-apology apology is a statement that has the form of an apology but does not express the expected contrition. It is common in both politics and public relations. It most commonly entails the speaker saying that he or she is sorry not for a behavior, statement or misdeed, but rather is sorry only because a person who has been aggrieved is requesting the apology, expressing a grievance, or is threatening some form of retribution or retaliation."
And this, in fact, is what you did. Faced not only with the fans' grievances, but also with their threatened retaliation (and even their actual retaliation, if you consider those rows and rows of empty seats), you said you were sorry. But specifically, you said you were sorry "that we had to go through this year." As if this year was just bad luck.
No, Jed. You didn't have to go through this year; you chose to go through this year. For God's sake, don't you realize what you've done? Eight years ago, you asked us to stick with you as you reestablished a championship culture. We did, and then you did; we joined you on the long, slow climb up the mountain, and then we finally reached the summit. And then, out of some fit of self-righteous pique, you simply threw it all away. And now that we're down at the bottom again, you've got the gall—the absolute gall—to ask us to stick with you again. To trust you. Because, hey, no one wants to win more than you.
Forget it, Jed. It's too late. You can hire whomever you want; now that you know that you must make a splash, I'm sure that you'll go after all the big names. (I'm not sure why any of them would work for you—after all, look how you treated the last big name—but who knows, one of them might.) But I invested in you, and you punished me for it. I simply refuse to invest again.
Especially because, as it turns out, I don't need you.
This season, for the first time in 35 years, I didn't watch the Niners play. I kept tabs on them, enough to know that you'd succeeded in dragging them back to oblivion. But thanks to you, I didn't invest in them. I didn't invest any time, money, labor, or love. I invested those in other interests, which deserved them more. And, again, thanks to you, I didn't miss the Niners at all.
But it was actually even more than that. I celebrated each embarrassing loss. I treasured each empty stadium-seat. Any failure that you could suffer, I wished for you to suffer it. And no matter whom you hire next, I still will wish you to suffer it. For what you did to this glorious team—for turning the league's greatest franchise into one of its very most pathetic—I will wish you to suffer.
And so it's hit me, a truth that I'd been running from but now can simply no longer escape. I'm no longer a Niner fan.
And this site, I know, is for Niner fans.
I've been so honored to have this platform these last seven years. Reaching thousands of you every week was an incredible thrill. And receiving your feedback, whether it was positive, negative, or just plain nutty—Lucky Phil, I'm looking in your general direction—was incredibly gratifying. All in all, this site has given me some of the best times I've ever had.
Thank you, David, for this great opportunity. And thank you, dear readers, for all your support. I won't miss Jed. But I will miss you.
And, indeed, you can trust me.
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Dan b
Fair winds and following seas. I always enjoyed your articles and felt like you could articulate my doubts and frustrations better than I. It's sad to see you go. You will be missed.
Feb 2, 2016 at 5:26 AM
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Lucky Phil
Questions I ask myself. 1) What happened to Brandon Thomas? Did he get shot in a drive-by? 2) What happened to Jimmy T? I think I saw him at Subways rolling meatballs, can anyone confirm that? Please don't let that Son Of A Bitch roll the meatballs! 3) What happened at Chipotle? I went to lunch their last week, I can't step away from the toilet for longer than 5 minutes. I hear they are closing their doors for two hours in Feb. to "Discuss the Menu". After I heard that their stock price jumped 10%. 4) Who the f$#k is voting for Trump!!? You motherphuckers should be deported! 5) Sarah Palin?? WTF is she talking about!! 6) Hillary Clinton xxo. With an ass like that you know she's getting Kanye's vote. 7) What's the beef with Kanye and Wiz Khalifa, anyway? Can't us black people all just get along? Wait a minute I'm not black, I don't care. 8) When do the Oscars start? 9) Why did Kim Karadashian take an x-ray of her ass? She should get a CAT scan of her forehead and prove to me her brain isn't fake. 10) Why is Flint, Michigan drinking brown tap water? And who the hell told them that water was OK? Shit, My toilet water looks better than that. 11) God Damn what happened to my country?
Jan 31, 2016 at 2:49 PM
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NinerTy
Thanks for saving us from having to read and hear your whiny crap about a team you claimed to support. When you support a team, which evidently is called being a fan, you ride and die with that team. You are not the owner, GM, or anyone else in administration. So, you live with the moves they make. But you want to win now! And if you don't, you will take your ball and go home! Good! Because when the Niners start to win again we won't have to deal with your little WHINY ASS!!!
Jan 27, 2016 at 9:10 AM
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EastCoast9er
Round of applause
Jan 27, 2016 at 6:20 AM
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Hayward Niner fan
I can't believe I wasted time reading this article. Fan is short for fanatic and you are not that. Glad you are done being a "fan." There are 31 other teams that can read your pointless articles.
Jan 26, 2016 at 1:40 PM
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Dallas Niner Fan
Yea, I have a great joke. 9ers management.
Jan 18, 2016 at 7:51 AM
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Lucky Phil
Does anyone have a good joke? Your not helping me out here. Well hell, you know what that means. I'll have another dumb joke, tommorrow, then.
Jan 15, 2016 at 5:24 PM
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Lucky Phil
I'd also like to say, for people that misunderstand me, Chip is miles ahead of Jimmy T. Jimbo was the fat kid standing on the railroad tracks, waiting for the train. Think about it. For those of you that are a little slow, you might might want to count the seconds. You might surprise yourself today! On second thought just don't catch any fu@%$@ trains!
Jan 15, 2016 at 12:48 PM
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Lucky Phil
My impression of Chip Kelly coaching the Eagles this year was a fat kid standing on railroad tracks playing "Don't Blink" with a locomotive... You Win Chip!
Jan 15, 2016 at 12:33 PM
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Lucky Phil
Memorable Embraces of 2016
1. El Chapo "Hugging Sean Penn was like squeezing a bag of love in a field of burning cow dung".
2. Jed York "Hugging Chip Kelly is like squeezing a bag of S#$! Until it overflows with warmth and joy".
3. Chip Kelly "Hugging Jed York is like holding a flaccid penis, you just want to choke it to death because it's so useless".
4. Trent Baalke's wife "Hugging Trent Baalke is like squeezing a baseball bat, solid and dependable, and if I could snap his neck over my knee I would".
5. 49er Fans "Embracing the Niners is like Face Palming yourself with a bag of a horse s#$!"
Jan 15, 2016 at 12:02 PM
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Dallas Niner Fan
Niners screw up again, hire Kelly.
Jan 14, 2016 at 11:31 AM
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Nick
I have been a Niner fan since 1981 and have seen and witnessed many niner memories good and bad. But I can relate with Jeff's article as I have now become non emotional about my beloved team. IMO the saddest day in niner history was Eddie stepping down as Owner and the York's taking over and ruining this once proud franchise. Nothing has changed with this team by firing Tomsula as he is simply the latest scapegoat with Baalke still employed as GM. I too have not seen the Niners play this season and have not invested my time and money on this team anymore. In sincere apologies are just that I reach out to other Niner faithful to not spend any more time and money on this team until real changes happen and it starts with the Yorks and their "yes man" Baalke.
Jan 11, 2016 at 8:26 AM
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Matot Maiocco
In un-related news, Geep Chryst met with Baalke for his exit interview. Sources say the meeting went well. During the meeting Geep asked Trent, "How did I do?" Baalke's reply was, "Well, Your performance as OC has been consistent, in 1999 your Chargers ranked 30th in the league in offense, in 2000 - 29th and last yr. 31st in total offense. "Exactly" replied Geep. After a short 5 min meeting, Geep Chryst has accepted the position of HC for the S.F Forty-Niners.
Jan 10, 2016 at 5:19 PM
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Matt Maiocco
For over six hours Lucky Phil has been in a meeting with the S.F Forty-Niners. Sources say Baalke has been impressed with Lucky's stamina, he has been kicking Jed in the ass for over two hours.
Jan 10, 2016 at 4:43 PM
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Blue Balls In Minnesota
Ooh Shit.
Jan 10, 2016 at 4:30 PM
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Mr. Potato
Feels good not to be a Bengals Fan
Jan 10, 2016 at 1:32 PM
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Seahawks Fan
Don't bet against the Seahawks this weekend in Minnesota. When asked about the frigid weather in the northern state, Russell Wilson said, "Don't worry, I play better in cold weather". When Seahawks center, Patrick Lewis was asked why Russell is so confident, he replied, "Russell's big hands will help with the freezing temps ... but my balls still feel ice cold".
Jan 8, 2016 at 6:44 PM
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Lucky Phil
To quote Neil Armstrong, "One small bowel movement for Lucky Phil, One humongous pile of s@$# for mankind". Think about it, Jed. You need a big swinging dick in Santa Clara. And no one swings a bigger dick than me. Just get out of my way. LOL
Jan 8, 2016 at 6:11 PM
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Lucky Phil
A short note to Jed. Hi there. Nice to see you at the comment boards, again. Now, there are some people that question my sincerity or senility, ok, but no one can question my passion for the Niners. They are my crack cocaine! I can't live without it. I tried but I just can't do it. So, Here's my reason for the note. Jed.You're going to Kill Me. You're seriously going to kill me. If we hire another Sing or Jimbo that's it I'm done! This team is killing Lucky Phil! Ok, so I'm offering my services for free. I can help, I know I joke around, but trust me I have keen eye for talent and I have a brilliant strategic mind. And I'm offering you my services for free. Yes, Free. I'm bringing my talent to Santa Clara. Just send an email to Kaplan, he knows how to get a hold of me. Follow me boys, I'm one bowel movement ahead of the curve.
Jan 8, 2016 at 3:12 PM
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Lucky Phil
For those of you fans wondering when ESPN would make a 30 for 30 documentary on the Niners changing of guard from "Jim to Him?". They are in production now. The working title is The Flaccid Penis and the Fluffer: The Rise and Fall of Jed York.
Jan 8, 2016 at 2:34 PM
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Lucky Phil
A prerequisite for the next Head Coach of out beloved S.F Forty-Niners. 1) Lets make sure he can breathe through his nose. Maybe Jed can crawl across his desk and pinch our prospective HC's nose for a minute. If he can't use his nose, he's probably brain dead. We don't want that. 2) Does he believe God will show him the way? No, God will not show you the way! I want I guy that walks on water and shits gold bricks. I want a God, not a follower of Bullshit. 3) How do you lead a team? 4) How do you win respect? 5) Show me creativity and excellence. 6) Name a coach you worked with that you admire, what did you learn? 7) Who do you want to QB this team next year and why? 8) Are you another flaccid penis in the room or can we expect something more. 9) Drop your pants ... and Bend Over! Jed give me a call your too damn stupid to get this right.
Jan 8, 2016 at 1:13 PM
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49ersJimmy
Mr. Kaplan, I hope this is not your last post. You have been my favorite writer on this website. But good luck and don't give up your love for the 49ers!
Jan 8, 2016 at 7:29 AM
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Fresh
Spot on article, but I dont agree w not being a fan anymore. But the thing is I dont have to. Its his choice, good for you for being honest. Wish you would still write articles but I get it, best of luck.
Jan 8, 2016 at 3:33 AM
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sanfran49erfan
I can empathize with this article, because I too "quit" on the niners this year. I no longer watched the games or gave more than a flirting glance towards them after around week 5. The ownership threw my team away and if they weren't going to try, I wasnt investing. I'm nit gone for good, but this is the first year, ever, I didn't even realize it was the end of the year. Jedi York has made me not care, and that's frightening...
Jan 7, 2016 at 9:11 PM
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Terry B.
Right, CJS, you moron. A real fan is someone who celebrates while the owner runs the team into the ground, fires successful coaches, and hires people like Mike Singletary and Jim Tomsula that no other team would even dream of making a head coach. Someone who cheerleads moves like that, now THAT's a real fan. Idiot.
Jan 7, 2016 at 2:28 PM
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Niner fan no more??
You are getting a rough rap for saying how you feel in this article, but there have to be many more just like you out there. We need to ask, "what really is a fan?" I have loved the Niners since I was 10 years old but I found myself caring less and less this year what happened to them as a team. I have reached the point where I no longer allow myself to get emotionally invested in the team. I can' t do that to myself anymore. I can't care so much about something that someone else (York) is destroying. I can't invest my time, energy, or money into that, because if I do then I am rewarding Jed. I will read the headlines, I will follow all of their roster moves, I will follow their players performance, I will follow the teams successes and failures....but i will not return to being a fan (and all that that entails) until Jed proves to all of us that he is finally going to do what it takes to make the 49ers a winner again.
Jan 7, 2016 at 1:19 PM
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Dallas Niner Fan
cynic,
I'm right there with you brother.
Jan 7, 2016 at 12:20 PM
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Paul
When they hired/promoted Jim T I was thinking you can't be serious. I feel for him, because a lot of players retired or were lost in free agency after he was hired. With the loss of talent it would have been hard for any coach to win 8 games.
I give credit to York for a few things: 1) Realizing that Jim T can't turn this around, and not dragging this out for another year. 2) Hiring Jim Harbaugh
York gets the blame for so many things: 1) Sticking by a GM rather than a great coach 2) Keeping a GM that is a big part of the current problem, 3) Leaking or not stopping the leaks. 4) Always talking about his uncle that seems to not be helping. 5) Never earning a real job.
Jim Harbaugh is a strange and stubborn guy. His brother is more reasonable and doesn't wear out everybody as much. Jim Harbaugh hasn't won a championship in College or the NFL as a player or coach. I think his stubbornness will prevent him from a championship.
If York can get someone that can turn around the team in a few years I'll feel he gets it, but for now I'm glad I have the NFL package so can switch around to watch interesting.
Jan 7, 2016 at 11:07 AM
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Zion Niner
Jeff, I couldn't agree more. The years after Mariucci were a joke, and it took a long, hard fight to get the pro bowl level roster we had when they hired Harbaugh.
Three NFC championship games, a Superbowl, then an 8-8 season and he gets kicked to the curb. Wow. Oh, and then the "JimmieT" season. Wow.
And now Jed wants us to rewind the clock again and be nice little fans. I don't think so. I'm still a huge fan, love watching them, etc, but I aint spending a dime on the York cash cow until I see some real changes.
The Yorks and Baalke can take a hike.
Go Niners!
Jan 7, 2016 at 10:45 AM
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Scott Bennett
Brutal Brutal Brutal and spot on in every sense of the words. Thanks
Jan 7, 2016 at 9:31 AM
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cynic
I'm still a fan but I agree with a lot of this. I stopped watching games this season, the first time I've ever really done that, mostly because it looked like the team has given up (punting from the 37 yd line with a tie game in the 4th???). I was also rooting for them to lose, to be embarrassed, for Jed to be a national laughingstock just so others would feel my pain. This is not a good place to be for anyone, especially a fan.
Jan 7, 2016 at 7:31 AM
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Taylor
For someone who doesn't "need" the 49ers that was quite the book.
Seriously, I found this article to be an embarrassment for this website. Do I need 49erswebzone? Not really. But my family has been season ticket holders since 1973 and I have been attending games since I was five in 1974. We were fans before a single Lombardi graced the halls of the 49ers compound. And I watched every game this year. Some of them were damn good games.
So cry me a river with your"I don't need you" BS. I don't watch for Jed York, I watch for Bowman, Staley, Boldin, and all the other men on the team I respect.
This article is pathetic and nothing more than a pathetic crybaby rant of epic proportions. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out Kaplan. What a pathetic person you are to make this about you. No one will miss you, this is for sure. But the real fans will watch the games every year, just like I did as a young boy in the 70's before any legend and lore even existed.
Jan 6, 2016 at 9:32 PM
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CJS
"I'm no longer a Niner fan."
We all realized this as soon as you started writing here, but it's taken you this long to catch on?
Jan 6, 2016 at 9:03 PM
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Tom
Thank god for small favors, at least we won't have to look at your whiny, crappy articles anymore.
Jan 6, 2016 at 6:36 PM
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Jan
I have always enjoyed your articles, Mr. Kaplan, whether I agreed with them or not. I, too, have been a Niners fan for many years -- long before the Montana era. And the Yorks have tried my very last nerve. I will always "keep an eye" on the Niners, but no longer will I live and die by how they play. That passion has been knocked out of me by Jed's ego-driven hogwash. Maybe he can fool some of the fans some of the time, but no longer this one. Good luck to you and good luck to the Niners. They're gonna need it.
Jan 6, 2016 at 4:11 PM
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JCC
I really do understand your frustration Mr. Kaplan. I wanted to walk away from watching the 49er games SO BAD this year but guess what? Couldn't do it. No matter how poorly they play, how totally inept their coaching and ownership is--at the end of the day, when you've been a 49er fan as long as I have, to see Jim Marshall run the wrong way for a "TD" and see Dallas trounce us in the 1970 NFC championship game, you DREAM that maybe some day Clark and Montana would hook up for the most iconic pass catch of all time. And then everything changes. Do you watch the 49ers only because you expect them to win another SB? Perhaps you should take a step back and think about how much pure JOY this franchise has given you and and all the rest of us football junkies since whenever.....just sayin'
Jan 6, 2016 at 2:43 PM
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Diluvs49ers
Well now that was quite a statement, Jeff. It is true Jed f-ed up BIG TIME, but to quit on the 49ers is NOT the answer. I hope the front office and owners pull their heads out of their asses and get back to what the Niners do best.....win games and put fans in the stands. #49faithful
Jan 6, 2016 at 2:26 PM
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kieth coster
Spoken like a true Seattle Seahawk fan, YOU Jeff won't be missed.
Jan 6, 2016 at 2:15 PM
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robert ethan
Aw, now Jed York won't be able to sleep at night. Someone named Jeff Kaplan rejected his apology.
Jan 6, 2016 at 12:58 PM
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George Cerda
I think I know where you're coming from. I'm not writing this in attempt to lure you back, although I'm sure, myself included, we'd love for you to stay. Sometimes you just cease to care for something anymore, the passions gone. Its truly unfortunate that your fandom didn't end on your own terms and for that I'm sorry. Wishing you all the best.
Jan 6, 2016 at 11:56 AM
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Edd
Jeff, respect your opinion and share your frustration, but: There are actually quite a few sports franchises worse than the 49ers. York is just a rich kid thrown into a position he wasn't qualified for, but that's life with the rich. I believe he is learning from mistakes, though they should never have been made. The Harbaugh situation was a mess, but I have to admit that Harbaugh's refusal to improve his offense may have contributed to his firing. Tomsula was probably a last resort after failue to hire one of the higher profile candidates. Owners are rich and they are never going to answer to you, the fan. If Jed really wants to win (and I believe this), you will see a good HC hire. Dont give up on the 49ers just yet.
Jan 6, 2016 at 11:27 AM
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Dan Waterman
Don't trust a word he said however, it was nice to see him eat a humble pie. The reason of my feeling is that the problem (Baalke) still exist, if Jed was sincere he should have cleaned the house like Detroit did. 49ers as a team has two basic problems. 1) John York (extremely miser/cheap person) 2) Jed York (an ego maniac). How this will be resolved only God knows.
Jan 6, 2016 at 9:24 AM
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BigandBold
Dear Jeff... This article, like Ivory soap, was 99 and 44/100 pure. Everything you wrote had merit - until you got to the part where you quit. Not a fan? Really? Maybe had you lived through the years between Brodie and Montana you'd be a bit tougher or have a truer frame of reference. Shame on you Jeff. Jed York is a liar. That's easy. Jim Tomsula is a buffoon. That's easy. Being "faithful" when the team is winning? Well, that 's easy too...
Jan 6, 2016 at 9:21 AM
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Dallas Niner Fan
Can't say that I blame you one bit. I have been a Niner fan all of my life since YA Tittle. Now I feel like I want to throw up when I think about the Niner organization. I have actually rooted for the other team hoping that this back stabbing organization would fail and this nightmare would end. Jeff, we are really going to miss you. I respect your decision but, please reconsider for the simple fact that we need you more than ever to help us get through this nightmare. If you ever change your mind myself, Lucky Phil and the gang will welcome you back. Best of luck. hey Lucky, go cards.
Jan 6, 2016 at 7:03 AM
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Mike D
Dear Jeff, you almost got me there, until I realized most of your articles are mostly hate towards the Niners. Maybe your related to Ray Ratto
Jan 6, 2016 at 6:04 AM
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Jeff
I've been a fan of San Fran for as long as I can remember to my early childhood when Joe Cool was just being the man we now know he is today but I never give up and I never turn my back on the niners and my faithful brothers & sisters I will always be a faithful till the good lord calls me home and whoever they get I don't care because I will still be there day in and day out and the only thing you can really say is good about all this is that at least we ain't the Cowboys they haven't done shit since 1996 with a record of 152-152 . We at least came one pass away from winning are 6th Super Bowl and I know we will be back there again way before Dallas even plays a playoff game again so with that 49's Faithful till I die
Jan 6, 2016 at 12:49 AM
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VBN
Sorry, not sorry.
Jan 6, 2016 at 12:43 AM
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Iain tinney
I don't really know the York family personally, I've been a 49ers fan my whole life, I've had the good and the bad joe/Jerry/ Eddie/ Walsh years, the list goes on, I don't want to judge anyone but this year was hard I just hope changes can be made to make the 49ers play at the standard I hope they can. Always faithful .
Jan 6, 2016 at 12:35 AM
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Michael Roma
I totally agree with you on the whole Jed York is messing this team up. But to say your no longer a fan is disgraceful. I enjoy reading everyone's work about my beloved team but reading your last part is sad. But hey if your a true faithful you'll be back. We all say dumb things when we're mad.
Jan 5, 2016 at 9:56 PM
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Darrell G
Fair winds and following seas Jeff. Reading this made me realize I have also been a fan for 35 years. Since the Saints comeback game. Wish you would reconsider, but it is what it is.
Jan 5, 2016 at 9:07 PM
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Nick S.
You won't be missed Kaplan. You started out strong, but then you fell in love with the sound of your own voice and started writing yourself into every article. This last piece of fail is just the sad cherry on top. Please never come back.
Jan 5, 2016 at 9:00 PM
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LaMattsBlue
Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.
Jan 5, 2016 at 8:46 PM
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Chavans
It is always a pleasure to read your articles, Jeff. You are a very talented writer and deep thinker. You can see into the heart of issues and separate the wheat from the chaff. What you stated about JY is right on. He is incompetent and disingenuous. The team is a toy for him in addition to being a means of making money. Sometimes, rich people think they are entitled to do whatever they wish, just because they think no one can stop them. They forget, however, that the fans can stop them. The fans have power because they are the ones who buy the tickets that make the profits. If they stop buying and profits dive, a change in approach will be made, even though the owner's attitude may remain the same. You see and verbalize this reality so well. By writing articles like this, you can help bring about change in sports just as other writers do in politics. It helps us to see the king without his clothes on, and it also reveals that reality to the king.
Jan 5, 2016 at 8:39 PM
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BadgerHawk
Its the NFL- Not For Long
Jan 5, 2016 at 7:48 PM
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SoulfulDynasty49
To Jeff Kaplan,
I have no idea how you got to be a writer for this column, other than the fact that an absolute idiot will be listened to or read by someone. And it doesn't mean that the writer makes sense or has a meaningful thought, which by the way, you don't! For you to turn your back on the team because they lost and YOU BELIEVE that the owner is a liar, I really wonder how your life is going? Why didn't you leave the country when Bush accused Saddam Hussein of having WMD's and all of the free world knew he didn't? Actually, it's not too late! Don't leave angry. Just leave!
Jan 5, 2016 at 7:41 PM
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Phil C.
Jeff, after you finish typing your "article" do you rub one out as you go back and read over it?
Jan 5, 2016 at 7:38 PM
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Todd
Yeah, the hell with Baalke and Jed York.
Jan 5, 2016 at 7:36 PM
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niner
funny how york was so pushy about harbaughs losing to Seattle but said nothing about Tomsula or baalke. he paid harbaugh 20 million for 3 championships and a super bowl appearance. he is paying tomsula 14 million for garbage. should have just paid ji,m. York is so dumb he'd work for tomusla at 7-11. hey jed, make sure momma never disowns you.
Jan 5, 2016 at 7:13 PM
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Mike
Good riddance ! Your articles are crap anyways, bigger cry baby than Kawakami and Damon Bruce ! Get the fuck out of here.
Jan 5, 2016 at 7:06 PM
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Philip
This is the first year I have ever played fantasy football. I saw this season coming.
Jan 5, 2016 at 6:50 PM
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Kevin
Well I guess u were never a fan.I've been a niners fan since 79' I've just about seen it all....Good times and bad times,wins losses, its all part of football..35 yrs and now your not cause your mad! Waaaash! I admit that we have the 3 fkn.stooges in front office but....U WONT B MISSED!
Jan 5, 2016 at 6:47 PM
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RJ
Good riddance, who needs you!
Jan 5, 2016 at 6:45 PM
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Chris P.
Dear Jeff,
We won't miss you. You are not as big a deal as you think you are. Thanks for feeling like you needed to announce to the world that you're no longer a Niners fan. This article was just a long winded Niners bashing salute to your ego. You've been up, down, left and right on the Niners, their coaches, and players for years. There was never any consistency or credibility to what you wrote so take your pen and go somewhere else and don't come back.
Jan 5, 2016 at 6:24 PM
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Isaiah
I am a fan of the San Francisco 49ers. Forever. When my family stuffs my dead body into a casket, and buries it in the ground -- I'll be a 49ers fan. My allegiance to our team is not dependent on the success of the club. Even if they never win another game, I'm a 49ers fan. -- EVEN. IF. THEY. NEVER. WIN. ANOTHER. GAME. People like me are known as The Faithful. Mr. Kaplan, we don't know you. You are not one of us. Just go.
Jan 5, 2016 at 6:20 PM
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Bobbi9698
If Wellington Mara, the Rooney family, or Robert Kraft apologized to their fans after a bad season, it would be believable. These are owners who stick by their coaches through winning and losing. They consistently win because their staff--players and coaches--feel a certain sense of loyalty from the ownership and trust them not to make stupid and capricious decisions based on emotional immaturity. There are no more loyal fans than Steeler fans--and they have the most female fans too--because there ownership is steadfast and dependable. Our ownership, like Cleveland's and Washington's throws away Quarterbacks and Coaches like dirty toilet tissue. And, this, by the way, is not a formula for success...look at who holds the most Superbowl trophies. So, the only solution at this juncture is to continue to boycott all things York--tickets, schwag, etc. Continue the banners, billboards, ads, etc. The only way to obtain a stable, mature ownership in San Francisco, whoops Santa Frickin' Clara, is to get the entire York/DeBartolo clan out of the Bay Area. There simply is no other way.
Jan 5, 2016 at 6:14 PM
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Karen Zoller
Dear Jeff,
I appreciate the straight forward candor in all you said. I agree with you about the greatest franchise being made a laughing stock by an idiot. Letting go of Harbough who all the team respected was idiotic. He not only taught them but gave them the strength to believe in themselves as players. Kaepernick would be a great example and what about all the players who suddenly decided to retire.
I have to disagree and not being a 49er fan. I am fanatical about the 49ers. I fell in love with Steve Young (The south paw) and have loved them ever since. It is not the players that destroy the beauty of watching football. For the most part they work hard. Kaepernick worked harder then any QB in the NFL. I know his personality didn't always click with the media and some of the players. But he is a quiet guy to begin with. He wanted to win. He did not want the lime light. He was convinced they could and would have had Harbough stayed. Putting a read option quarterback in the game and trying to make him stay in the pocket is so wrong. In my eyes they took a splendid QB and ruined him. It's alright. He will be back only for someone else. He will win!
Jan 5, 2016 at 6:12 PM
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Not Sean
He Sean, he shouldn't have fired the good coach he already had last year. And a good dick-sucking would, in fact, be a good start to making me feel better. I bet that's your answer for everything.
Jan 5, 2016 at 6:12 PM
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Lucky Phil
This one's for you Dosia510! "Grow a pair and take it like a man"? What in the hell are you talking about? Why don't you grow a pair and Give It Like A Man! Jesus Christ, "Take it like a man" is the worst advice you can give guy. Why don't you a Grab A Pair .... That's what a man feels like! Go Cardinals!!!
Jan 5, 2016 at 6:08 PM
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RonMexico
bye vrabbit2
Jan 5, 2016 at 6:00 PM
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sean
You guys make me sick. What do you want him to do? He fired the coach and apologized to the fan for the poor season. Does he need to suck your dicks???
Jan 5, 2016 at 6:00 PM
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KapGottaGo
Love the passion...but don't quote wikipedia next time....if you get it from wikipedia just use the citations at the bottom...
Jan 5, 2016 at 5:58 PM
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RishikeshA
Thanks for your views Jeff. The Niners first broke my heart in 1957 when they blew a big lead against the Lions and lost. The next week the Lions blow out the Browns 59-14 for the Championship. That should have been our first title. We had to wait almost a quarter of a century until we won our first title. I can't tell anyone to follow the team or not. What I know is by going through all the tough times. when a Camelot comes along it is oh so sweet.
Jan 5, 2016 at 5:56 PM
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dtg_9er
Every fan has a right to quit being a fan, so good luck Jeff. My fandom has never relied on owners but has often had to be patient to outlast bad ownership (Warriors). Jed is not the worst owner we've seen in the bay area and it seems obvious he wants the team to win. His publicly evolving maturity has become part of the show. Looking forward to next year...go niners!
Jan 5, 2016 at 5:13 PM
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Lucky Phil
Jeff It's great to see you back! Well, Maybe not back...but good to hear your alive. I thought this season might have killed you. But hey who are we kidding we have lived through this before. LOL. I missed you buddy. No one can incite a riot better than a Kaplan article. I don't know how you do it. It's like you have a pack of wolves trolling the Webzone. They have waited all year ... to rip you a new one. Enjoy it! This one will be special. Hey Jeff, What do you think about the Arizona Cardinals? I need a team and I'm going with the Cardinals. Do the Cardinals have a Webzone? You really shouldn't let your writing talent go to waste. It's been a blast reading your stuff. Go Cardinals!
Jan 5, 2016 at 5:04 PM
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TruthTeller
To all those saying "good riddance" and calling Kaplan out for abandoning the team or complaining, YORK IS BANKING ON YOU MOUTHBREATHERS BUYING TICKETS TO THIS DISASTER. No where in all of my years has anyone said you have to support every move your team makes and believe everything they tell you. If that's your belief, you probably have a soft head and poor critical thinking skills.
Jan 5, 2016 at 4:43 PM
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Marco
Lucky Sperm Jed is an incompetent weasel. He has created a rat ship. The best thing 49er fans can do is give Lucky Sperm Jed and his low IQ parents an empty stadium next year. Maybe then their hand would be forced, and Larry Ellison could buy the team.
Jan 5, 2016 at 4:34 PM
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GM
In a nutshell why the league fans as a whole despise 49er fans; spoiled, with this verbose sense of entitlement that somehow the NFL world owes them a championship, that somehow because an owner stumbled upon genius 39 years ago means they are owed genius forever. Get over yourself. Like any other sports fans 49er fans don't have any special claim to every HOF QB or WR or CB than the other 31 teams. Somehow there's this myth you can just go out and find genius as if it's sitting on a shelf at a corner store. Jed is not perfect but you really think owners apologize to their fan base on a regular basis? You think Ellison as an owner would apologize for mistakes? And please don't tell me that any owner wouldn't do "x" because ... Success doesn't mean someone is perfect. Name one owner in the last 5 years that has apologized to the fan base the way Jed did yesterday. Some 49er fans don't deserve the history and legacy of this team - they act just as petulant and spoiled as the man they claim was "born with a silver spoon." You sir, deserve to live in Cleveland or Jacksonville or Philadelphia or Miami or Tenesee or Houston or Detoit.
Jan 5, 2016 at 4:31 PM
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zoob
@Webzone Commenter you should shut up because you don't know any thing about me or my football background.
Jan 5, 2016 at 4:30 PM
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Webzone Commenter
Have a good life you looser! we don't need anymore fairwearhte bandwagon jumping fans around here. Cant even wait around to see how things turn out can you? Good, I don't want you around here when we win the super bowel; you'd just find something else to wine about! I don't know why anyone would not give the benefit of the doubt to someone who hired head coaches like Singleterry and Tomlusa, but you just won't will you? Well, bad luck in whatever you do from now on. Maybe wright about something you KNOW something about, now like football which you never played. It makes me laugh that you think you know more than our coaches! Have a nice life, and Good ridance! I bet the Raiders need more fans1!!!
Jan 5, 2016 at 4:25 PM
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zoob123
This year didn't watch 49ers play. I didn't purchase any tickets to watch 49ers loose. Dork destroyed this team with the help of his worst Manger blood brother Baalke. Because of Baalke, Jim Harbaugh is not our coach. Baalke is an absolute poison for 49ers. He and his incompetent scouts are drafting garbage year after year with 12-14 draft pics each year. Now instead of getting fired, he is interviewing coaches and will draft again. Dork should sell this team to worth owned because we already know what is going to happen next year; 6-10 season. I will not purchase either regular ticket r season ticket this year like i didn't for 2015 sean.
Jan 5, 2016 at 4:19 PM
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dan
Good. One less hack writer to clog the feed.
Jan 5, 2016 at 4:17 PM
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Jesse Dumas
Jeff, yours is the work that made me want to write for this site. I've been struggling for two months now to put into writing what you just said here and you said it, as usual, perfectly. The comments you're getting now are ridiculous, "bandwagon fan" accusation et all. I'm going to stick around and write about the wreckage, but you're feeling of betrayal and desire for York to fail on a personal level are things any thinking-fan would be and should be feeling right now. Best wishes, let us know if your writing will be elsewhere.
Jan 5, 2016 at 4:14 PM
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Ditch
Have a nice life! Don't come back here looking to start writing articles when we become relevant again. Your acting like a 12 and nothing like a faithful!
Jan 5, 2016 at 4:06 PM
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leaphall
hey man u cant give up member joe and jerry wen we knew we wer gona win.in r minds but also in are hearts
jed will find out soon enogh about that balke and fire him.in my apoin he shud hire mclune back and go beg harbah on hands and nees then weed have a dynasty
Jan 5, 2016 at 4:05 PM
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IowaNiner16
"Take it easy Francis"
Jan 5, 2016 at 3:58 PM
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Ex Niner Fan
Since October, 1980, the San Francisco 49ers had been a big part of my life. I sucked it up through the dog years or Erickson, Nolan and Singletary, after the inept Dr. York derailed the team with his ham-handed handling of Steve Mariucci.
Finally, through an incredible stroke of luck, when Jed York signed up Jim Harbaugh, it really felt like 1980 all over again, and I really thought history was repeating itself.
It is just mind boggling that Jed would turn out to be a bigger fool than his father. Simply unbelievable that this could be happening!
You indeed nailed it Jeff - Jed York has put himself in a position where he is either a fool or he is lying. Actually, he is both.
I just dumped my two SBLs at Levi's Stadium. I got about 75% of what I paid for it, so it was a loss. But that loss is nothing compared to the gain I'm making by not having to keep buying season tickets to watch a dog meat team that is an insult to not only the legendary 49ers teams of Brodie, Montana and Young, but even the 2010-2013 team.
Most importantly, I will not be contributing another penny to the York family wealth. There are 30 better NFL teams and a dozen college football teams to watch.
Jan 5, 2016 at 3:55 PM
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Dosia510
This piece sounds like a bitter, spoiled fan piece to me. Grow a pair and take it like a man. You dont even know what jeds going to do yet and already your bashing him. Give him a chance to do what he is saying he is going to do. If he doesnt, then write your tantrum article.
Jan 5, 2016 at 3:49 PM
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leakyfausett
I am sure there is still room on the Seattle band wagon. "Well Bye"
Jan 5, 2016 at 3:42 PM
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Giants9ersfan
WTF? - I fell like some that are writing about the 49ers (Kawakami and others) are seemingly just trying to "one-up" each other on insane stories/articles. I mean, for that, excellent article.
Jan 5, 2016 at 3:42 PM
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DC
The San Francisco 49ers don't need B.S Fans like you bro. One less bandwagon fan us faithfull have to worry about
Jan 5, 2016 at 3:38 PM
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BorneAgain
That was a pretty cynical diatribe of a rant. Investing in watching a professional football team is a choice not a mandatory option especially for 35 years. When it comes down to it, there are seats that face the field they are meant for you to sit down in and just watch. Wanna watch from home, there's a channel in high definition for that. Taking a team and making it your own is whats wrong with sports. Just because I wear the shirt, the hat buy the jersey they are mine. No they are not, these players are just young men they have no obligation to make our lives better a lot of them don't even know what a 49er is both football player wise and or a long bearded man panning for gold. Years ago I attended 49ers Training Camp in Stockton, just generally speaking to a rookie he kindly said you know what I'm from Alabama I don't know even know what California is. That should some it up there, they are just young mean going to work. Ownership, front office, players just people going to work but we get to follow it on a beat by beat basis. A choice, not mandatory.
Jan 5, 2016 at 3:32 PM
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Fan since 1968
what's the point of this response? Think about it. No disrespect but there's no point to complain, move forward and let's see what happens.
Jan 5, 2016 at 3:32 PM
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Joey
Buh-Bye
Jan 5, 2016 at 3:29 PM
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Fresh
Well damn
Jan 5, 2016 at 3:29 PM
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RamItOn
I clicked on this link and was excited! to see Jeff's name in the byline--he's back!!!!!!!!! I am no longer excited, but very disappointed. We'll miss you, Mr. Kaplan. Reading your pieces was always the highlight of this site and of my day. Good luck in your future endeavors, and if you decide to return, we will accept you.
Jan 5, 2016 at 3:27 PM