GM vs. the New York Times

NYT op-ed columnist Thomas Friedman made GM execs really mad. GM has been trying to get its response published in a letter to the Times.

After some back-and forth-about the length and other editorial matters, the parties got stuck:***

*****
Wednesday, June 7, 11:09 a.m.
To: Mary Drohan [NYT]
From: Brian Akre [GM]
Mary,
With all due respect, we’re a bit perplexed as to why the Times has a problem with “rubbish.” Mr.
Friedman defamed our company and its reputation. Even he has acknowledged in subsequent
interviews that he used unusually strong words “to get their attention.” Are we not entitled to
have the strong reaction that he sought??
He can say that GM is the “most dangerous company in the world” and we cannot opine that that
is “rubbish?” Come on!
Brian
*****
Wed., June 7, 12:45 p.m.
To: Brian Akre
From: Mary Drohan
Sorry, it’s not the tone we use in Letters.
*****

Sorry, Nurse Ratched.

*** read the whole fascinating story on Akre’s GM blog.