“It sucked. Can I have my £1m now?”

A couple of months ago, 15 UK troops were taken hostage in Iraq. They were eventually freed. Then I started seeing news stories about how everyone was furious because the troops were selling their personal stories to the highest bidder. Maybe I’ve been in the US too long, but I didn’t understand what people were upset about. I still don’t. Those troops went through a hideous ordeal. Why shouldn’t they be allowed to get money in return for telling people what it was like?

Quote of the week (1934)

But the good journalist must recognize in Fascism certain ancient virtues of the race, whether or not they happen to be momentarily fashionable in his own country. Among these are Discipline, Duty, Courage, Glory, Sacrifice. —Fortune magazine cover story on Italian Fascism, July 1934.

News media make news

The VA sniper is watching the news media and noting their predictions just so he can mock them. I’m surprised it’s taken this long for a case like it. I wonder whether it will result in any improvement in journalistic standards? Sorry, stupid question.