They have, in essence, treated these articles as empty vessels to be filled with some witches brew of charges considered, charges considered and abandoned, and charges never considered at all.
Johnston Press carried out a trial of subscription charges for some of its local titles but abandoned them after the online editions failed to attract readers.
And while the Bush administration is dragging its feet over the tobacco treaty, it has apparently not abandoned its own case against the tobacco firms, which could lead to criminal charges and more huge compensation payments.