Reporting

Re “Whatever Happened to Checking Out the Facts?” Commentary, Aug. 25: I disagree vehemently with former National Editor Norman Miller’s dismal view of today’s political reporters. I’ve been reading newspapers for over 40 years and the reporting is leagues better today.

The idea that facts must be in hand to state a proposition is seriously misleading. A solid reporter has a wine master’s nose. When he smells a vintage story, the nose twitches and the case is on. Miller’s example of sending four reporters to Arkansas to check Bill Clinton’s possible cocaine use is a perfect example of how the hunt for facts can obscure meaning and deny the real story.

Facts often lie. In politics, they usually lie. What counts with a reporter is judgment and an editor’s willingness to trust his or her judgment. Scandalmongers are always saying that a trusted source said such and such. A real reporter often doesn’t have this easy out.

Don’t give me the facts. Give me an honest story.

BOB RAND

Newport Beach