For the record.

There is no copyright on information -- it just is. I do chuckle and sigh, however, every time I see someone copy-paste specific facts lifted directly from my stories.

I'm glad people read our web updates online, especially when they show up on other folks' web pages an hour later. But when they insist on pretending it was their work ... well ... maybe they could help subsidize my paycheck? Believe it or don't, I work pretty hard to cultivate relationships and sources to have an idea of what's going on and get it in the paper and/or on our web site.

Some of us don't wait for press releases to rewrite into a 'story' ... we go out and leverage the relationships we have, the knowledge of who knows what (and how), and experience to ask the right questions of the right people.

Most professional media organizations understand the nature of the work and the why it's important to give credit. From time to time, we'll reference something as "according to the Los Angeles Times" or "the Pasadena Weekly reported ... " And vice-versa.

Why? Because it's honest. It's not our job to deceive. Our business and profession is about straining for an honest representation of facts, not bending it for the sake of trying to look good.

Example: This report on the Rose Parade controversy from abc7.com, which was mostly based on my stories and gave credit when referencing my break of the Oct. 29 meeting:

The Pasadena Star-News reports today that the council will hold a special session Oct. 29 to air out the matter, and possibly take steps.

I don't expect that level of honesty from everyone, I'm just saying. For the record. <.<