[Leica] M-cassettes FS and journalism

[Summicron1@aol.com]

i know it' saturday but i tried to post this Friday and it looks as if it 
didn't make it, judging from the digest I just went through, so I'll beg the 
pardon of all and add a thought on journalism to put this as on thread as 
anything gets here these days:

I have about 15 Leica M cassettes I no longer need, since I use only half a 
dozen or so, and would like to sell them. They are clean, in good working 
order, although some show brassing, but this affects their ability to protect 
your film in no way. I am asking $20 each and will pay shipping anywhere in 
the US of A. This includes the plastic Leitz can they come in.

Now, apparently on-topic -- I saw a lot of discussion about journalism ethics 
and allowing people to check stories in advance of publication. Personally, 
as a reporter and columnist for 25 years, I never do this, ever. It is what 
we call "prior restraint," and violates our duty to the reader to remain 
independent of the people we cover.

I DO make very sure that what I am doing is accurate -- I tell the people I 
am interviewing I want them to make sure in their own mind that I understand 
what they are telling me, and I make sure and discuss it with them long 
enough so that we both are comfortable. Only if there is some technical or 
factual aspect I am not sure of later on do I contact them again. Because of 
this policy I very rarely am accused of mis-quoting anyone or getting a story 
wrong. 

As to what other newspapers do, I don't care. I have higher standards than 
most of the national press. Especially the Washington Press Corps, which in 
my opinion is way too close to the objects it covers.

charles trentelman
ogden, utah