I’ve also declined offers of money to write specific pieces, even though I agreed with the sentiment. I just didn’t feel comfortable with it. I’m disappointed to hear about Doug Bandow.

But what would be the problem with this: someone with an axe to grind approaches me to write a piece on a topic for compensation. I say that I don’t do that kind of quid pro quo, even though I agree with the subject. But I do have a tip jar, and can point it out to them. If I write the piece that I want to write (perhaps partially based on material provided to me by them), and they like it sufficiently to make a donation of an amount of their choosing, is there anything wrong with that? The only way I’ve been influenced is by the idea of writing the piece in the first place.

Where is the line crossed? Only when there’s an explicit quid pro quo, in which one is being a stenographer in exchange for an agreed-upon amount?