Bachelors and Spinsters

“In Washington, the chances of a newspaper reporter winning the Pulitzer Prize and being elected father of the year are not very good. It is theoretically possible, like balancing the federal budget, but the practical demands of keeping up with the conduct and misconduct of both children and officials are beyond most mortals, and the divorce statistics seem to suggest that newspaper reporting was meant for bachelors and spinsters.”

—James “Scotty” Reston (1909-1995), from his memoir, Deadline (1991). Reston won two Pulitzers as a reporter and Washington columnist for the New York Times, but never divorced. (Thanks to alert WORDster Joseph Benham)

• Editorial Comment: Reston wouldn’t have recognized Washington journalism today.

Peezpix by Ted Pease

Eureka Slough RR Trestle

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Ted Pease, Professor of Interesting Stuff, Trinidad, California. (Be)Friend The WORD

“I don’t think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones, in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.” —Tom Stoppard