. Comment
Racist comments
Posted: June 3, 2:39 pm | (permalink) | (5 comments)
We’ve had several, but not many, user complaints about what are perceived as racist comments on the various stories about the Crofton teen who was killed. While I personally agree with the assessment that a few of the comments have a racist tinge to them, should we start deleting them? If we do where do we draw the line? Leaving a “racist” comment up may be offensive to some readers but taking it down will be offensive to others.
Of course readers who are offended by such comments might argue “you’re the editor, you’re paid to make these decisions.” We’ve made the deliberate decision to leave up as many comments as possible. If you don’t like a comment offer your own. Ultimately we hope that comments, as a whole, are self-balancing. That can be achieved only if we take a hands-off approach. Our karma rating is also a part of that self-balancing process. Remember that the “self” is you, the user.
So what is going to get a comment deleted? Using vulgar profanity is a given. Comments threatening fellow users are also going to get bounced. We seriously consider every report of abuse we get however we’re not necessarily going to delete a comment just because someone doesn't like it.
Of course readers who are offended by such comments might argue “you’re the editor, you’re paid to make these decisions.” We’ve made the deliberate decision to leave up as many comments as possible. If you don’t like a comment offer your own. Ultimately we hope that comments, as a whole, are self-balancing. That can be achieved only if we take a hands-off approach. Our karma rating is also a part of that self-balancing process. Remember that the “self” is you, the user.
So what is going to get a comment deleted? Using vulgar profanity is a given. Comments threatening fellow users are also going to get bounced. We seriously consider every report of abuse we get however we’re not necessarily going to delete a comment just because someone doesn't like it.
-Nick Lundskow
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Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.
People Please - 2009-06-09
I agree that Jesse and Al might be here but then I don't know once you read my commnet on the page about the lack of response from the school system for my son....
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Sarah Burnside - Karma: Terrible
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.
1
Crofton Murder & Racism - 2009-06-05
If this were an innocent black kid murdered by 5 white kids, we would have Al and Jessie down on Capital Hill screaming "Crofton Must Burn" or something to the effect. And you can NOT deny that fact. Additionally, the simple fact of that matter is this, the suspects and their friends are products of their parents. It is sickening to see the true lack of "parenting" that exists in our nation today. Parenting is much more than feeding and clothing your child and so many, today, just don't have a clue, yet our society keeps "pumping them out". This was a senseless, violent and unnecessary murder that could have been prevented. No one can deny it. It's just like many disasters that occur. It wasn't caused by one single event. It was caused by a series of events and it could have been prevented had one of those events not taken place.
The simple fact of the matter is this; the police need to get their heads out of their butts, the teachers and school officials need to quit being afraid of "what the parents will think" and the parents of these dirt bags need to start acting like parents and quit letting them rule your world. Unless of course you enjoy sensless crap like this.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Rob Morrison - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 1
3
Crofton Murder & Racism - 2009-06-05
If this were an innocent black kid murdered by 5 white kids, we would have Al and Jessie down on Capital Hill screaming "Crofton Must Burn" or something to the effect. And you can NOT deny that fact. Additionally, the simple fact of that matter is this, the suspects and their friends are products of their parents. It is sickening to see the true lack of "parenting" that exists in our nation today. Parenting is much more than feeding and clothing your child and so many, today, just don't have a clue, yet our society keeps "pumping them out". This was a senseless, violent and unnecessary murder that could have been prevented. No one can deny it. It's just like many disasters that occur. It wasn't caused by one single event. It was caused by a series of events and it could have been prevented had one of those events not taken place.
The simple fact of the matter is this; the police need to get their heads out of their butts, the teachers and school officials need to quit being afraid of "what the parents will think" and the parents of these dirt bags need to start acting like parents and quit letting them rule your world. Unless of course you enjoy sensless crap like this.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Rob Morrison - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 2
1
cooley - 2009-06-05
I beg to differ Amanda. I think, given the amount and karma status of the racists posters the lack of censorship serves an invaluable purpose. It illustrates that which many of us have always known, Maryland is a deeply southern state in denial of the ever-present undercurrent of racism. Furthermore, it illustrates , in my opinion , that neo-cons are intolerant bigots.
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reggie schmoenberg - Karma: Neutral
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 2
What a shocker! - 2009-06-04
Wow, color everyone surprised! As if anyone believed for a second that the Capitol would delete messages that offended people of color. As long as no one posts messages that offends caucasian readers censorship will remain a non-issue.
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Amanda Cooley - Karma: Neutral
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