Last week's Lexington column on The Economist's Web site explores President Barack Obama's growing problems with white male voters. To find some white male voters to illustrate these problems, the columnist went to a shop in Millington and asked the "white gentleman behind the counter" for his opinion of the president.
The original post has plenty of interest besides that one quote, including a mention of the 8th District congressional race, in which the seat looks ready to flip from Democratic to Republican control for the first time in a couple of centuries.
* Caution: Lexington actually spells out the F- and N-words.
"He's a f------ n-----," came the reply. The shopkeeper then helpfully explained that he was "not bashful" about expressing his opinions.*Mediaverse points out a related Lexington blog post in which the writer actually identifies the man who used the epithet.
The original post has plenty of interest besides that one quote, including a mention of the 8th District congressional race, in which the seat looks ready to flip from Democratic to Republican control for the first time in a couple of centuries.
* Caution: Lexington actually spells out the F- and N-words.
I'm just curious: what would happen if you didn't put that "warning" in about the two words being spelled out, and what happens if people actually see those words spelled out? Do they turn into pillars of salt?
When will the Commercial Appeal get over the potential damage seeing "dirty" words can do, and start being concerned about the damage its coverage (i.e., crime, violence, etc.) actually does?
BogeyMan,
We don't print the F-word or the N-word in our products, print or online. That's just how it is. And it's common practice for online media outlets to disclaim outside links.
I'm interested in how our coverage might have caused crime and violence. Would you care to elaborate?
mr
I don't have an issue with the CA censoring the obvious profanities and obscenities, but you guys do have one of the most restrictive comment filters I've ever seen anywhere on the internet. I don't know how much sway you have over that Mark, but it would be nice if you could get some of the more commonly used words taken off that list. (The word used to describe what a vacuum cleaner does is a good example of what I'm talking about.)
Mark: I'll answer your question. The CA's obsession with crime and violence cheapens the quality of life in this city in so many ways, I have a hard time knowing where to start.
Among other things, it contributes to Memphis' negativity about itself, which manifests itself in, among other places, the recent Forbes "misery" poll.
When the reality about crime in Memphis (i.e., that it is, predominantly, between people who know each other and that it is declining) is ignored by the CA, in favor of stoking the fear of its readers that crime is lurking around every corner, just waiting to make them a victim, it capitalizes on the old "perception vs. reality" dichotomy in a way that distorts that reality.
I wasn't saying the CA's preoccupation with crime causes crime, per se, but I think I could make a persuasive argument that, just like when there is an automobile accident in a particular location, the chances go up astronomically that there will be another one, in that same location, shortly after the original one, incessant crime reporting may have the same effect.
This was a very interesting blog read. I look forward to more good reads like this. Thanks for taking the time to wtite this.
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Super! I so am crazy about Barrack Obama!
I don't care what people say, but he is a lot better than Mugabe.