So it's been, what, two or three weeks now of tense negotiations over the future of Dow Jones. Of hand-wringing over what News Corp. might do to the company. Of Bancroftian efforts to retain some control of their company, even if they sell it. Of concerns that any promises Murdoch makes about editorial independence will be totally abrogated. Of Murdoch's assurances that really, honestly, genuinely he'll be respectful of the paper, just like he's been of the Times in London. And then the new Time magazine comes out, with ol' Rupe on the cover and this opening paragraph:

"They're taking five billion dollars out of me and want to keep control," Rupert Murdoch was saying into the phone, "in an industry in crisis! They can't sell their company and still control it — that's not how it works. I'm sorry!"

You have to respect the old Aussie, really. How many people have the balls to admit they'll break their promises before the promise is even agreed to?

Exclusive: Rupert Murdoch Speaks [Time]