Do you drink from the Toilet?

[Actuary321]

The National Enquirer has settled with the Elizabeth Smart family about their July 2, 2002 story. The story was based on discussions with a couple Salt Lake Tribune reporters. Sunday their editor published this letter:

http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Apr/04272003/utah/51772.asp

Last week, Vigh and Cantera told us about the session and offered their resignations. I verbally wrung their necks and formally disciplined them for ignoring stated policy, but the act did not quite constitute a firing offense. Strictly speaking, talking to the National Enquirer or others of like ilk, in and of itself, is neither illegal nor unethical. Rather, it is akin to drinking water out of a toilet bowl -- dumb, distasteful and, when observed, embarrassing.

How would you like to have your boss not fire you but then publicly tell people your actions were like drinking from the toilet bowl?

A related article from the competing Deseret News:

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,124...33431,00.html?

[Amphiblitz]

I don't think I've had a drink from the toilet since my last K-9 incarnation.

I would if I could figure out a way to lift the seat.

[r. mutt]

Well, yeah-uhhhh...doesn't everyone?

[Actuary321]

Now the National Enquirer says they are going to sue the Salt Lake Tribune if they don't print a retraction.

The published letter contains false and defamatory statements regarding National Enquirer and its policies and procedures for verifying information prior to publication.

Wow, I didn't think the National Enquirer's reputation could be damaged.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,485033665,00.html

http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Apr/04292003/utah/52284.asp

[Retired Bookworm]

The Enquirer is becoming more reputable than some national news groups.

[Actuary321]

As it turns out, the reporters were not totally honest with their editor about their relationship with the National Enquirer. So he fired them.