I first caught this story on HuffPo and could have really cared more, a lot more, because I didn’t care at all – that is until I took the time to read what they took the time to report and noticed a few minor holes in their story.

Here’s what they said:

MALIBU, Calif. Nick Nolte escaped a fire that caused an estimated $1.5 million damage to his Malibu home on Tuesday, authorities said. The 67-year-old actor scraped his arm and inhaled some smoke but was not hospitalized, Los Angeles County fire Inspector Sam Padilla said.

“He is seeing his private physician” for the injuries, he said.

Here’s what they meant:

MALIBU, Calif. Nick Nolte escaped a high that cost an estimated $1,500 in blow on Tuesday, authorities said. The 67-year-old actor, who is frequently mistaken for similar looking C-list actor Gary Busey, cut a line on a mirror and inhaled some smoke from his two foot water pipe but was not hospitalized, Los Angeles County fire Inspector Sam Padilla said.

“He was seeing double at his private physician” Padilla said…

Huffington Post, you’re notorious for fudging the facts, but next time please don’t blow important breaking stories like this one.

The writer, who wishes to remain anonymous, went on the record, “I certainly didn’t think this was going to cause such controversy. I never knew that portraying him in such a way would get me fired. I guess it’s too late now. ”

The passage in question has been reproduced for our readers.

“‘The veteran went on,”Certainly John McCain’s defense record is suspect at best. No one questions that he is a war hero, but he shouldn’t get a free pass because of it.’”

“At first, I was confused. I wasn’t the one calling him a war hero, I was quoting a Vietnam veteran for my piece. Calling him a war hero was taking it took far. I was in breach of my contract and for that I apologize.”

When asked if he’s tried to make amends, “I called up Arianna and spoke with her for a bit. Hell, I even voted for her in the recall election in ‘03, which is essentially like abstaining. And I’m sure Gary Coleman had a better shot of becoming California’s governor than I did getting my job back.”

The writer expressed concern over the direction of the Huffington Post. “I’m worried that HuffPo is becoming a liberal version of Fox News, complete with sensationalism and hardline ideologues. Except most of the journalists there believe in evolution and global warming, so they’ve got that going for them.”

The Huffington Post could not be reached for comment.