Instead of my usual column, I thought this correspondence between our CEO and some spammer was enlightening:

Hi,

I’m XXXXXXXX, and I blog at XXXXXXXX I’m wondering if I can offer a guest post to your site? I’m thinking of writing about “How to Improve Your Credit Rating,” as I think this post might be useful for your visitors.

What do you think? Let me know if you like the idea or if you have a better suggestion.

Have a great week and thanks in advance.

Regards,

XXXXXXXX

Dear Blackened Rectangle,

Thank you for the offer, but have you actually read our site? I don’t think that our visitors would trust us with financial advice. Now the Ghetto Shaman commenting on how to trash your credit rating through alcohol, drugs and Thai hookers, maybe. Thanks again for your interest!

Pierce X. Winslow