Have you ever wanted to call your readers morons?

[AMacIsaac]

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

 

[AMacIsaac]

What a ****ty lede:

I recently spent two weeks relaxing on vacation in the tropical paradise of Jamaica. Regretfully, while I was away, the decision to run the Jan. 27 column that called you “the fine, upstanding morons of High River” was made.

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

 

[HejiraHenry]

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

 

[JakeandElwood]

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 Should Coco]

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.

 

[Mark2010]

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.

 

[budcrew08]

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.

 

[times38]

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

 

[Mark2010]

Can be equally insulting, however.

 

[Fredrick]

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

 

[AMacIsaac]

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.

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

 

[AMacIsaac]

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

I'm convinced you have a really small fanbase.

 

[Birdscribe]

"It's not a columnist's job to make people angry..." Really?

There's a right way and a wrong way (of which this is Exhibit 3,406) of pissing off your readers, but anger is always a good emotion to elicit. It shows people care about what you're writing.

I won't call this publisher a moron, but journalistically ignorant fits rather well.

 

[DirtyDeeds]

What a ****ty lede:

I recently spent two weeks relaxing on vacation in the tropical paradise of Jamaica. Regretfully, while I was away, the decision to run the Jan. 27 column that called you “the fine, upstanding morons of High River” was made.

That hit me immediately too. What a pompous way to start an apology column. To me it's almost as condescending as calling the readers morons. Jeebus.
And how on Earth did anyone think it was a good idea to run this column? I can ALMOST see the argument that it will evoke a response. But how could anyone in an editing position not expect that response to be complete outrage?

 

[huntsie]

I suspect the guy didn't have an idea for a column; that's the one he wrote and figured the outrage from readers and his follow up defending of his actions would carry him for a while.
Ridiculous idea. He's where he belongs.

 

[micke77]

As bad as that column was (the damn reference to being in Jamaica makes you wanna gag), I gotta wonder who in the hell let that damn story through in the first place.

 

[DirtyDeeds]

I'm guessing the editor who was fired. From the publisher's column:
"the Times has parted ways with former editor John MacNeil and reporter Aaron Carr."
The question is WHY did he let it through? I'm thinking he's a moron.

 

[slappy4428]

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

Was thinking of someone more tied to this board...

 

[podunk press]

I've never wanted to call my readers morons.

Because without them, we wouldn't have jobs, would we?

 

[21]

Had no idea Gregg Doyel moved to Canada.