Essay: Please Don't Quote Me

Please Don't Quote Me

"An article devoid of ((quotes)), one that consists entirely of the author's own observations and conclusions, will generally leave readers dissatisfied and unpersuaded, as well as bored."

-- Federal Appeals Judge Alex Kozinski (dissenting), Masson v. New Yorker Magazine, Inc.

During the last election a television journalist called up to say he wanted to interview me. Puzzled -- this man knows far more than I about politics -- but flattered, I said sure. He showed up at my office, set up his lights and camera, and asked, "Mike, would you say that . . ." Then he proceeded to enunciate some...

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