Annual Augusta National He-Man Woman Haters Club Masters Dilemma

I guess journalists shouldn't accuse politicians of ethical lapses if they've never served in office.

The defense of this is disgraceful. You want it both ways. The press has a role to play. Benefiting financially or "recreational" as a result of your status as a member of the press bastardizes that role.

You want to compare yourself to John Mariani, or movie junketeers, have at it. They have no respect from anyone in journalism, or the industries they cover.

 

Well, at least we're no longer talking about what a bunch of backwards neanderthals run Augusta National.

 

And journalists probably shouldn't be questioned on their ethics by a coffee guy. :

 

Should athletes be questioned by people who have never played before?

 

Why?

Journalists play the role of watchdog. Who watches you?

Your job is to serve to public. I'm the public. When you don't uphold your own ethics, it's hypocritical, and you deserve to be called on it -- even by a coffee guy.

 

And, look. I used to face these decisions every day.

I spent millions of dollars with professional sports franchises. I didn't abuse the relationships for personal gain.

 

Any reader, heck any citizen, has a right to question the ethics of the media. But if someone has a demonstrated history of not understanding how papers work, and then takes an absolutist position on this with no consideration for nuance, I'm not likely to take it at less than face value.

 

15,907 posts suggest otherwise.

 

Owsies.

 

And we'll see you... Tomorrow night!

 

Where's the gray area in this instance? Where's the nuance?

The only thing that makes people defend it is that it's so "awesome" that folks can't imagine turning it down. It would be less "gray" if it was a lesser prize.

A more valuable gift doesn't change the ethics of the situation. And you know it.