The "Homer" sports writer

When people insist on giving us free stuff, we have a closet in the newsroom where we stockpile everything and then auction it off for charity. I don't live in the paper's city any more, but they still do that.

 

so, you're saying you don't think he drinks to forget?

 

Honest question -- is it an issue for music reviewers to get CDs for free? What about a movie reviewer getting into a movie for free or getting a DVD sent to them?
I always say that it may be true that everyone has a price, but my price is a hell of a lot more than a pizza.

 

chilidogs here.

 

Mr. Heartbreaker,

My girlfriend from college went to middle/high school with Reese Witherspoon (though Reese was a few years older), and she HATED her. She always tried to tell me these reasons why she hated her, but I always just thought that my ex — as smoking hot as she was — was mad that she could never have been the hottest blonde in school as long as Reese was there.

Your friend and mine,

HP

 

Maybe it was the pointy chin.

 

yes, sir. the SEC wears a size 4.

 

I don't get shirts of the team I cover. I'm thinking more along the lines of a free meal or free entrance to the game.
And I don't know how you can argue there is a big difference in getting a CD or getting many of the "gifts" we get. I'd say a CD, if it's any good at all, is worth more in the long run than any gift I have received.

 

I think you're really splitting hairs there.
I'm not saying it's wrong for a paper to accept a CD that is mailed to them, but couldn't they pay for it if they wanted to?
Why do you seem to have different standards for music and sports?
Like I said before, I don't ask for gifts and I don't wear the local team's apparel. But if they are going to give me some pizza, I'm taking it, and I'm not going to be more favorable because of that.

 

Well, if the standard is what is a legitimate part of the job, then I've never had a "gift" of any kind.
I've gotten into games for free. I've used internet connections for free. Used their electricity. Had some pizza. Took up the time of players and coaches. Accepted useful media-related items at conference tournaments/bowl games (like laptop bags, a suitcase, a bathroom bag, etc.).
I don't see how any of that is different than a newspaper have a CD sent to it and then not paying for it. They could send a check just as easily as some papers pay for the media meals their writers enjoy.

 

Yeah.

 

roger.