The Tribune had every reason to be proud of the cover story in its March 30 Sunday magazine: “Comeback Kid,” a profile of violinist Rachel Barton Pine by Howard Reich. Previously an exceptionally private public figure, Pine made Reich privy to her estrangement from much of her family, her physical limitations since she fell beneath the wheels of a Metra train in 1995, and her regrets about her career. Reich wrote: “Medically, ‘It’s never over, just because of the complicated nature of the combination of my injuries,’ she says. Professionally, she still longs to perform with the world’s greatest ensembles. ‘If I didn’t get to play with those kinds of orchestras,’ she adds, ‘I would be heartbroken.’”
I am sick of hearing the pathetic story of Rachel Barton. Let’s look at the real issues here:
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- If the violin is stuck in the doors of a train, let it go, don’t let it drag you onto the tracks.
It was signed “Call me a bonehead but” in Oak Lawn.
I got in touch with Geelhoed and asked him to elaborate. Posts that ascribed Pine’s career troubles to her personality and level of talent were responding to premises of the article. Should they have been screened out?
One reason why is legal. Think of the reaction to the Rachel Barton Pine story as a blizzard that quickly turned to deep, dirty slush. Until Chicago passed an ordinance several years ago immunizing residents who shoveled their sidewalks, it was legally safer to let the snow lie where it fell than to go out and clear it away. A snow-covered walk was God’s doing—but when you shoveled it you made yourself responsible for its condition.
Twenty more employees! And the press believes its salvation lies in one day having far more reader activity than there is now.
