For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for February 07, 2024

January 25, Bergner agrees to a story for the student newspaper. Then, February 6, he claims that Michael said it was just a class project. In order to plug up this obvious plot hole, I choose to believe that Bergner has a slight case of dementia.

The strips contradict each other concerning the original stated purpose of the interview.January 25, Mike says to Bergner “Excuse me, sir… Could I interview you for the student newspaper?”

But February 6, Mike says to Bergner “That interview I did with you? It turned out great! In fact, it’s going into the student newspaper!” Bergner replies “Oh? You said it was just a class project!” And I thought: No, he didn’t. He specifically said “student newspaper.”

Also, there’s no reason why Michael would have said that, since it was presented to us, the readers, as a class assignment. So you gotta wonder partly why he said it was for the student newspaper, and why Bergner is now claiming that Mike never said this.

Weed is not a very good influence for Mike. Apparently, he’s enrolled in the “Yellow” School of Journalism.

Mike needs to take this to a more experienced person.

That sounds like a good plan, Weeder, until the shoe is on the other foot and it’s YOU who is the subject.

He didn’t talk to a reporter, he talked to a student who needed an assignment for class. OTOH, given IP rules for universities that story now belongs to the University and who knows what they will do?

Weed, don’t be a jerk!

He changed his mind. Be a good person and don’t publish. It wasn’t the confession of a murderer.

He asked to do a school project, he needs to ask to publish it further. If the answer is no, respect his wishes.

Maybe Mr. Bergner made up the story and is afraid that the truth will come out.

A person’s right to privacy should supersede the “public’s right to know”. Unless the info directly affects the do NOT need to know. Someone’s personal life is theirs and for someone to demand to know is an invasion of privacy. The USA has this assumption that their “rights” cover everything. In most cases, these “rights” are privileges which have to be earned, and I do not see that knowing the man’s personal life affects the public…so BUTT OUT OF HIS LIFE. Weed is totally out of line and disrespectful of others.

Mike’s holding a smart phone….They did not exist when this comic was first out.

Weed ends up a reporter for the National Enquirer while Michael ends up at The Star.

Like when NBC was guilty of falsifying a story in 1992. NBC accused General Motors of unsafe practices, showing footage of two trucks colliding and exploding on impact. Little did NBC know that GM found the destroyed trucks in a junkyard to get to the bottom of this, and found an explosive device.

Looks like a lawsuit is coming

Weed is leading Michael down the primrose path, and will suffer no consequences. If Michael publishes, he’ll be a d**k, Mr. Bergner will hate him, and his conscience will haunt him.

Maybe Bergner has history he wants to hide?

Not sure of Canadian law, but I would think Bergner retains the rights to his life story. The question is does Mike have the right to publish it without Bergner’s permission? Much like authors in the USA having the right to publish ‘Unauthorized’ biographies of people.

there’s also this thing called ‘ethics’

East Germany had two big cities—Berlin was probably in bad shape; and the USA firebombed Dresden in the closing days of the war

Michael told him it was for a class project. I choose to believe that Michael is a typical lelftist journalist.

I believe this is a conundrum that every aspiring journalist has. There comes a point where each one has to decide for himself whether it is the person or the story that is more important, and it will affect the rest of their career. I can’t wait to see which Mike chooses.

“Names have been changed to protect the identity of those involved”

Simply publishing solution: Don’t identify the interview subject.

Don’t do, man. There could be more/better stories. You could not publish his name…

Don’t listen to the scumbag. Let the guy read it first.

If anyone knows about “elaborating” other people’s stories for personal use, it is Lynn John$ton.