California, the editors' graveyard

Is this a record? Four Californian editors have lost their jobs within the past few months. Aside from last week's firing of Jim O'Shea at the Los Angeles Times and the kick upstairs for Phil Bronstein at the San Francisco Chronicle, we shouldn't forget that the exodus began with Rick Rodriguez's departure at the Sacramento Bee. That was followed by the firing of Carole Leigh Hutton after a mere seven months at the San Jose Mercury News. Coincidence or a sign of the times? Joe Strupp offers guidance. (Via E&P)