Post Imports Jamaica's Finest
Oct. 27 2008, Published 7:07 a.m. ET
IRIE MON Artist's approximation
If Rupert Murdoch falls short on his bid to buy the Wall Street Journal, he can at least take solace in knowing that the New York Post is poaching the best talent Jamaican tabloids have to offer.
The Post recently added Leonardo Blair and Kaili McDonnough to its stable of bloodhounds, proving conclusively that the paper has no problem drafting minorities, just so long as the minorities in question are two of the best journalists in a medium-size nation.
Blair, who graduated from the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication at the University of The West Indies, covered the national desk for the Gleaner and recently worked on a story about the plot to blow up JFK International Airport. He is currently studying at Columbia, and caused a minor stir after he threatened in print to kill a sex offender—which would be more noteworthy if he hadn't managed to get his own comments scooped by the Daily News.
McDonnough spent much of her time with the Gleaner as a lifestyle section reporter covering food and wine. In NYC, however, she's been entrusted with the terrorism beat.
No comment from anybody at the Post as to why the paper had to go overseas to find a minority willing to take their money, although they were no doubt impressed by Blair's knack for coming up with Post-worthy phrases like "sexual terrorism."