Par Excellence

How well do the spun spin? That’s the non-legal question on the table as the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press squabble in court over former Pioneer Press publisher Par’s preposterous paper pilfering prank. To the drive-by observer, Par Ridder’s defense comes across as “sure, I stole your property, but I didn’t use it to hurt you, so get over it.” Putting aside how likely it is that the stolen information was never used – not very, it seems — that argument doesn’t pass the smell test at the water cooler. Imagine if someone stole your car and their defense was “sure, I stole your car, but I didn’t ram you with it, so get over it.” Note: The stuff Mr. Ridder stole was probably far more valuable than a car. As a legal matter, I imagine Mr. Ridder’s defense team does have to show the Pioneer Press wasn’t actually harmed by the action. As a PR matter, however, publicly arguing that “no blood, no foul” point is making Mr. Ridder look like a buffoon. If that’s the only legal argument...