If you're a journalist attempting to assuage readers' concerns about your ethics, you shouldn't do that by flaunting your stupidity. The Los Angeles Times' Dana Parsons ignores this basic rule.

Have I ever illegally recorded a phone conversation? I can unequivocally deny that, because I wouldn't have the slightest idea how to rig a tape recorder to my phone.

This just in: Los Angeles Times columnist not bright enough to go to local Radio Shack, buy item, follow pimply-faced teenager's directions and install it.