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Bebo had found potential buyers in Microsoft and Yahoo, sources told BoomTown's Kara Swisher, not Google or News Corp. as TechCrunch reported. These facts were "easy to find out about by anyone who can pick up a phone and ask around like a reporter is supposed to," WSJ vet Swisher writes on her blog. Then she goes on to slam Michael Arrington's TechCrunch some more.

BoomTown is simultaneously incredulous and in awe of the way TechCrunch's fanciful story on the Bebo sale yesterday managed to both loudly hawk the rumor and also madly back-pedal away from it: "We put the chances of this rumor being true at a solid 50 percent.

Next time, Kara, save yourself the mental agony and just publish your exquisitely sourced story first. (Photo by Joi)