"How is such an idiot an editor?"

One for whom the adjective "blithering" would seem to have been invented, I agree.

But what's perhaps as bad, on later reflection, is the behaviour of the editor who originally solicited and accepted the story -- just turning round and bending over, and apparently insisting her/his authors do likewise. In my day (insert phthisic wheeze here) one of the duties of editors was to stand up for their authors.

I kinda wish Vincent would name names, so we'd all know who to avoid . . .