Have you ever wanted to call your readers morons?

Of course you have. And many of you have noted as such right on these walls.

But this guy said it in print:

http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:2Ypz2xPteikJ:highriver.siteseer.ca/PrintArticle.aspx%3Fe%3D1407047+the+fine,+upstanding+morons+of+High+River&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&client=safari

And is now on the unemployment line:

http://www.highrivertimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1428990

 

Haha ... yeah, well ... that's the publisher, though. We all know they can't write.

 

Back on point, the column the guy wrote was just not print-worthy. Yikes.

 

I still don't know what the point was. Beyond trying to get fired.

 

I agree with the last two posts: this "morons" column was worthless. If you're going to go down in flames, at least make it worth your while -- get a few zingers in at some specific targets, or at least irritating groups of people.

Here's a sample from a farewell column an SE friend of mine wrote a few years back at a small daily in the upper Midwest. He thanked a lot of people (including me; that's why I saved it), then finished with a barb for the handful of nutty parents we all know and love:

(after referring to his own young son) "I have sworn to myself that I will not resort to the arcane tactics some parents use to cajole media into providing ink/airtime for their children.

"Parents, do your children a favor: Support them and be there for them, but don't take it upon yourselves to be their press agent."

Amen to that, B.R. Still true almost nine years later.

 

Wow!! I gotta wonder if that columnist was drunk, stoned or otherwise impaired.

Many of us have called people morons in closed-door meetings or over drinks at a bar. but not in print. Unacceptable!!

He also used plenty of words not suitable for a family publication or community newspaper. If someone cannot find more eloquent words with which to express themselves, then journalism is not the field for them.

I've written for newspapers and magazines of varying sizes, but I've always tried to respect my audiences, even when I may have disagreed with their opinions. I feel sorry for the people who have to clean up this idiot's mess and rebuild the trust with readers and advertisers.

 

Not really the point, but I think curse words can be used in print more in Canada than in the U.S.

 

that reminded me a bit of reading Stephen A. Smith or Scoop Jackson.

 

Can be equally insulting, however.

 

The readers who put anonymous comments after stories are morons. Fucking morons and nobody can convince me otherwise.

 

Not so much. We couldn't even let NHL players say 'got our asses kicked' at the Sun.

 

I'm convinced you have a really small fanbase.