Changes

I have decided to retire from the evening shift and am leaving Slate. I've been given a fellowship to study for the year at Columbia -- focusing on national security and human rights -- and then to study Arabic next summer and fall, which I'm planning to do in Cairo or perhaps Beirut. (And no, the fellowship doesn't come courtesy of the CIA...or Amnesty International.)

The upshot: Tonight I'm doing my last Today's Papers.

The other upshot: I'm about to go to the beach for a week. More on that tomorrow.

UPDATE:  Thank you all for your  kind words.  TP was hard work. The hours, well, sucked. Many a morning I woke up fuzzy-headed and cranky. But writing it has also been enormously fun and...meaningful.  The emails and comments only make it more so. So, thank you again.

Comments

[terry in AZ]

I will miss your TP snark, but that's a wonderful opportunity. Good luck!

[john]

we wish you weren't going
you did the best job and TP is the best part of Slate
so long and
best wishes, Eric

[john]

ps
And try to be freaking careful in Cairo or perhaps Beirut.

[Andy]

Good luck and enjoy the beach. Your TP was a great way to start each morning.

[Dr. Howard Ralph]

Eric,
You are a person of disciplined passion. It is not surprising that you would be "taking a break" in seeking knowledge and deeper understanding. Your absence from "Today's Papers" is my loss, however. As always, my wishes for all the the best.
Howard

[Scribbler]

You'll be mised. TP is what first hooked me on Slate, and TP has always meant Eric Umansky (well, when it hasn't mean toilet paper). Good luck, and keep your head down abroad.

[Ted Sawchuck]

I look forward to your Today's Papers as much as I do Washington Journal - healthy dose of news and just a little bit of snark.

Best of luck in your future work.

[Brad Harzman]

Thanks for the news clipping service and your opinions. I've enjoyed your consise dissection and your wry comments. Good luck in your next job.

[denise]

I will be sorry to see you go as your TP is unequalled. You have a gift for concise, succint intelligent writing with and edge that had a glint of humour. I looked forward to it and was never disappointed.
Good luck with the fellowship-- and keep writing
a fan in Colombia

[Chris]

Congratulations. Like some other people commenting here, I always found TP the best feature on Slate and your TPs were always the best by far. I do hope you'll keep up the blog.

[A Grateful Longtime Slate Reader]

Eric, just a quick note to add my thanks. Back when you first started I thought, "this guy will never be as good as Scott Shuger" but your snark and insight put your own stamp on this invaluable column. Best wishes for a successful future.

[Susan Lowry]

So Eric, you were the famous blogger-in-pajamas guy? Will really miss your column. Best of luck!

[Dorothy]

I have enjoyed reading your TP's and wish you luck @ Columbia and beyond.

[Marc]

Echoing what's been said, you were the best TP'er, giving the right balance of news analysis, summary and a little humor. I'm going to miss your writing - good luck!

[Paul Guinnessy]

Good luck with the career change, and congratulations on receiving the fellowship. I've enjoyed reading your TP comments over the years. You'll be a hard act to replace!

[Tom]

Good luck. I've enjoyed your work on TP.

[Amy T]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - you rock, Eric! Thanks for shining some light in dark times.

[Annette]

I try to start my work day with TP and often email links to various friends. Your perspective and sense of humor will serve you well. Good luck..

[Esther]

Best of luck to you! Your words and wisdom will be missed - you made TP worth reading.

[claudia]

Eric, good luck. Will miss your snark.

[bob]

Eric, your tp were really awesome. You're by far the best at doing that--I'm sorry you won't be. I hope I'm reading you again in the next 5 years in a bigger venue.

[MariaPia]

Good luck, Eric,
you have been my first read of the morning for years, when i was a full time US correspondent for a european newspaper. you will be missed.

[James]

Good luck to you, Eric. I also have enjoyed your summaries of the dailies, and will miss reading them from you. I hope that it goes well for you at Columbia, and abroad. Take care!

[janet]

I'd only just found TP this year! But yours were always the best - I wish I had found them earlier! Best of luck at Columbia and afterwards!

[juliana]

You will be missed, good luck at columbia, i hope you keep blogging so we can still get your superb analysis.