Here’s why newspapers shouldn’t open comments online

Monday, December 7, 2009

Remember the Letter to the Editor? Sure, there were always crackpots, ridiculous rants, and some amusement — but at the very least, an editor read them.
Today we have newspaper websites, where any moron, racist or bigot can post their crap with the click of a mouse.
Example, you say? I say, have you ever READ a newspaper site?
Here ya go: Yesterday in the San Jose Mercury News there was a story about Evan Low, the newly appointed mayor of Campbell, a few miles down the road from me. He's 26, so not the youngest mayor ever... he's Asian, so now he gets a superlative: youngest Asian mayor. Ah, but wait — he's gay, so he's the youngest gay Asian mayor ever.
Not sure I approve of all the stacking of superlatives to make a story, but whatever.
Anyway. You want an example of how discrimination still reigns in this country? Take a look at this bizarre screed posted as a comment after the story:

Monday, 12/07/2009 - 12:56 a.m. PST — This is disgusting!
LibertyOrDeath
Joined: Nov 2009
Current Posts: 30

I live in campbell almost 30 years now and I feel offended. Asians are OK, but they pushed him into office bc he's "gay". Homosexuality nowadays is a preference and ground for discrimination. The NWO agenda is to discourage young people being for families and encourage everyone for the homos.

I really think to sell my homes and move out from Campbell. This is sick.

Where to begin...
First off, a clearly right wing guy - "LibertyOrDeath" - who posts quite a bit. He's full of opinions and wants to make sure everyone has to hear them.
Next — is it just me, but aren't the people on the right always making fun of people on the left being offended? Guess what — you're too easily offended. Whine, whine, whine.
Sentence 3: "nowadays" homosexuality is a preference? So, you're saying that in the past it wasn't? That maybe in the past homosexuals should have had equal civil rights, but nowadays there aren't any real homosexuals, it's just people pretending? Interesting.
Sentence 4: There's always a point in a conservative's screed (and often in leftists' as well) where they suddenly let one little thing slip. At that point, thinking, rational people usually go, "aha! He's a moron." This guy's point is where he mentions "NWO." You know, the New World Order, the shadowy cabal that's really running everything (and is probably made up of reptilian aliens).
And the icing on the cake: he owns "homes". Not one, but plural. Screw him.

Oh, one thing that does set this guy head and shoulders above the anonymous, wimpy scum: he actually gave his full name and address.

[Mercury News]

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