Is $50K worth it?

Ray, if I was a good enough writer, I’d take her up on it. Some things are worth more than money.

Go for it Weez! Why not? You’re good enough.

Thanks for the praise, Dave. However, there’s a fifth element that goes into competent journalistic writing that I’m not sure I have anymore. Moreover, I’m disabled. I am not sure I have the stuffings left in me to really bite on to a gig like that with the fervor it deserves. I wouldn’t turn it down if offered, but I think that whomever takes up Margo’s offer would be a little younger & quicker than I.

Don’t down play your ability Weez. Your writing is as good as any I’ve ever read.

I don’t know the extent of your disability, however, I wouldn’t imagine that would be an issue. I think speed of brain is the criteria – something you have in abundance.

Thanks, David. My disabilities are mainly related to mobility. Quite often in reporting, you’re running about to talk to so-and-so about this-n-that. Mobile phones & internet make a journo’s life quite a bit easier than it was when I last was working press, tho.

I think there’s a certain obsessive rabidity required for a beat that will be as political as Margo’s. It would be a monster job. It will envelop whomever takes it on. It would become a spouse.

Someone younger and with a bit more spring in their steel will do that job well. These days, I’d be like a battering ram. I would alienate my sources faster than I could cultivate new ones. Kid you not, I have SO little patience for the open hypocrisies of daily politics that I’d crash the job. I’m probably best off writing for fun.

I hope she finds a way to make it work (without going broke). It’s unfortunate that those who can actually provide good quality, well-researched facts and opinions find themselves struggling to make a living because we increasingly expect information to be free.