Local freelancer Michael Goldstein wonders at his blog, Monday Morning Media Quarterback, if the Huffington Post is getting its money's worth out of unpaid fire blogger Kristen Reeves:

Newspapers are edited for style, consistency and accuracy, among other things. Should a group blog like The Huffington Post be as well?

The question gains weight today with this post on the Malibu fires. Although this blogger does capture memory and imagery, her post on a national site is remarkably poorly written.

The writer asks “Since when were there track homes in the multi-million dollar mansion area?” Perhaps she meant “tract” homes?

Both the first and last sentence make little sense, as the author can’t figure out what the subject is:

“Born and raised in Los Angeles, breaking news of a fire in Malibu is caught by a local resident to be no big surprise.

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The last sentence is even worse:

“Anticipating the idea that Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, or Lindsay Lohan’s beach houses in Malibu aren’t burning anytime soon, Malibu will be on the back burner once again until another premiere disaster strikes or is sent to rehab!”

Reeves' HuffPost bio says "she graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in broadcast journalism in 2003. Currently she works as a freelance entertainment reporter and producer for Orange County TV and WireImage Video and has made guest appearances on Access Hollywood as a correspondent." This was her first contribution to the Huffington Post.