Well now I want to cry, I spent about a good 20 minutes typing out a clearer explanation only to have the forum eat it. It's completely gone. Needless to say I'm not going to retype the whole thing. So I apologize if this seems rudely

Well there's a big problem here ... which grammar rules? :D :D :D There is no strict code in English of RULES, three textbooks can give three completely different "rules" for the same point of grammar, the "rules" taught in

You don't have to backshift when the information you're reporting has not changed, when it is still true at the present time. If you do it is still grammatically correct but people may assume the situation is different now. So it depends

Couple of thoughts, first meatloaf isn't leftover cooked meat ... it's like a loaf of bread made from (usually) ground beef, pork, and veal with eggs, bread crumbs and spices to hold it all together. Most people find it disgusting because