Why?

Only because when you’re blogging for a corporate entity — like Newsweek, or Forbes — where reputation and relationships matter … specifically, those that aren’t your own, but those of your bosses and the company at large … you’re never going to have carte blanche to say whatever you like.  Even if the vaunted blogosphere is behind you all the way (decrying the sacred violation of Transparency).

Even if there are unsaid rules, there were probably written rules when it comes to professional blogging, in fancier terms, also called a “contract” that Mr. Lyons had to sign.  I doubt it will ever really come to light, but its also possible that the tenor, voice, and content of those posts also violated terms in the “problogger” contract Mr. Lyons had to sign.

When you’re blogging for someone else there are always going to be rules, even if your boss claims there aren’t, by virtue of the fact you’re going to be answering to someone bigger than yourself.  

If the “real” Dan Lyons wants to blog “for real”, he’s got only one solution, and that’s to do what “real” bloggers have always done (besides not hiding behind a pseudonym, that is):

Blog on their own and answer to no one.