But thank you for saying the Observer's web design is dreadful. It is, and if a bitch like myself can't find one of their star writers, Simon Doonan in the Style section, something's very wrong. Simon's been there forever, but under Kushner he's just an employee, and not a hugely entertaining asset and a star attraction.

I'm a longtime reader of the Observer, it used to have a sharp urbane wit that had some Spy in its DNA, and not just because of coincidental personnel over the years. It was bright, knowing and often funny. Under Kushner though, there's been a deadly dull earnestness that's crept in, as if they were going to profile every real estate mensch alive, as if they were incredibly fascinating starlets. It might be the owner's interests, but makes for deadly dull reading. The paper's gotten very boring.

But I fully applaud Kaplan and his distinguished career, and he deserves all the kind words you're generously writing here. Best to him.

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