Well I took a long weekend off and visited old friends up north. It was a fun time and it is good to get away for a couple days from the bump and grind. I am one of those antsy types of people so I enjoy a couple days away rather than a week-long or longer vacation.
When I got back I had a ton of e-mail to sort through and respond to or delete.
More and more I am getting these agenda driven commentaries from what I consider fringe groups all looking for a home to place their hate.
Now there are blogs everywhere for these people to have their freedom of speech but it seems they think newspapers trying hard to deliver news and fair and balanced commentary also should be required to post their hateful messages.
At my paper we have a simple mantra. Commentary cannot be hateful, no personal attacks and issues are local. That issues are local is a key as that is what a small neighborhood newspaper should be involved in.
I try to be professional and answer these people by explaining, as mentioned above, why I am not interested in their diatribes and why I would appreciate them taking me off their mailing list.
It takes no time at all for some to respond how I am no doubt an evil person or a supporter of what they hate or I otherwise would want them as a daily columnist writing about whom we need to blame and who we need to fear without one ounce of fact in their message. We live in a country that allows opinions to be made as a right. It seems that some people however don't feel anyone else has a right to ignore their hatred.
Now the junk I am getting is not an opinion piece espousing views or opinions like those that grace the pages of Searchwarp. The writings aren't about politics or some nutty dictator that anyone in their right mind would know is an airhead. The commentaries aren't about war or no war or taxes or less taxes: Instead they are some of the most bizarre and hateful writings I have ever seen and really don't deserve a place anywhere in writing let alone journalism. I personally love to complain about taxes and utility companies and big oil. I am mad all the time but I don't hate. Hatred takes away from the message. It always has. I never once have written that all utility officials will burn in hell for all eternity. I'm not in charge of that decision and I don't believe any other mortal is either.
I'm not sure how these people get my e-mail. I assume it is from a list they found on the web and I wondered as the LDN continued to grow if this would get worse. I asked a recently retired colleague who spent years with a nationally known newspaper chain if he was inundated with this kind of garbage.
He said it was nothing to get a thousand e-mails a day from PR firms trying to sneak in an ad as news, self-publishers wanting their book reviewed and all kinds of information that no one would consider looking for let alone reading in a newspaper. He also said he got a ton of writing from what he called "Kooks" that really aren't making any point except the fact they believe they have been put in charge of telling the world why we need to hate a certain person or religion or group of individuals.
He told me I was being a dummy responding to any of them and I should just delete them and block the sender.
I wish I could do that but it isn't in my nature. When someone tells me they require I hate someone. I respond by telling them it is my right to not hate someone, including them.
Freelance writer, columnist, author and writing coach, ex-Chicagoan Mike Fak presently resides in Central Illinois. More information about Mike's services are available at his home website www.mikefak.com
Mike currently writes primarily humor columns for searchwarp bi-weekly and is the managing editor of www.lincolndailynews.com
Mike now offers a 26,000 word e-book on making money as a freelance writer for only $10.00 at this page. http://www.mikefak.com/id45.html
It takes little talent to be negative but it takes a skilled and masterful writer to show he/she has taken into account both sides of the argument and came to a balanced conclusion.
Thanks Connor. A writer can come to a conclusion that is for something. They just need to explain how they came to their belief using facts and information.
I have this thing about sharing with comments that I am trying to conquer ~ any suggestions? Just kidding there, but had to let you know that you have a great style of writing, Mike. I chuckled throughout this and visualized you bustling up to a soapbox with clanging heel taps on your shoes and LoL "I'm mad all the time l but I don't hate......" `~ that paragraph was priceless.
I truly don't think it does any good blocking these people because they'll use another e-mail address ~ if it were me, I'd direct the puppies to a spam folder without opening them and see if they will eventually go there automatically. I also echo Connor Davidson on his comments ~ a very well-balanced conclusion. Suzy
Thanks Suzy. Usually for a few minutes on my Friday radio show I jump on my soapbox. But then I come down and we start have fun and share a few laughs.
Yep I am mad all the time. I'm 60. That means I am a card-carrying curmudgeon.
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