I’m a devotee of the Constitution — at least, while we still have one. Which is why I am torn about this issue: commenting on newspaper websites. It seems that every newspaper has opened up comment boards for stories, which has resulted in every kook, ass, and moron voicing his opinion on serious news stories. Sometimes, there’s simply no reason to allow this sort of thing; here’s an example from today’s San Jose Mercury News:
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating an apparent suicide at a closed golf course at the intersection of White and Tully roads, Sgt. Don Morrissey said today.
Passersby reported seeing a man hanging from a tree to 911 dispatchers about 7:45 a.m. today, according to officials.
The course, formerly the Pleasant Hill Golf Course, is largely overgrown, Morrissey said.
Morrissey declined to release the man’s name, saying his family hasn’t been notified yet. He also said investigators are working to determine the man’s age.
This is a sad, tragic story; but you’d never know it from the insensitive, unfunny, and downright obnoxious comments posted on the Merc’s website from “readers:”
He took his bad round of golf a little too seriously.
Posted by:9/23/2007 4:51 PM
It was his last game in the rough.
Posted by:9/23/2007 5:01 PM
His game won’t improve much just hanging around.
Posted by:9/23/2007 6:16 PM
I bet OJ is involved. Did he have “juice” memorabilia?
Posted by:9/23/2007 7:09 PM
We are a nation of asses, of boors, of insensitive sons of bitches. The First Amendment is a wonderful thing, but there’s nothing in the Constitution saying that anyone with a press must allow any moron from off the street to use it. Let these asses get their own websites, and stop giving them a place on legitimate news sites. Or, do as I do: review comments before publishing them to the world.
