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n2doc

(47,953 posts)
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 10:48 AM Jul 2014

Newspaper Comment Sections Become Cordoned-Off Hate Crime Scenes

Last edited Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:46 PM - Edit history (1)

By Roberto Cintli Rodriguez, Truthout | News Analysis


The unexpected new locations for hate crime scenes in the 21st century appear to be the comments sections of the nation's leading newspapers, where calls to violence have become routine and through which progressives have decided correcting the record is a waste of their time.
Hate crime scenes are dehumanizing places of revulsion. They shock the conscience and psyche of entire communities and leave searing memories. One normally associates hate crimes with cross burnings and lynchings or something equally heinous, however, the shocking and unexpected new locations for hate crime scenes in the 21st century appear to be the editorial pages of the nation's leading newspapers, (1) where calls to violence have also become routine. (2)

In Arizona, exposure to constant hate is a daily occurrence in the letters to the editor or comments section of media. Within these contexts, communities are subjected to vicious anti-Mexican and anti-immigrant hate disguised as discourse against "illegals," or "illegal aliens." This hate can be found in not just the daily newspapers, but also in most of the mainstream media and their websites and, of course, right-wing talk radio. Not a few intimate the use of extreme violence. Often, the letter-writers take their cues from editorial or column writers who themselves tend to be hostile toward anything Mexican, again, under the guise of combating illegal immigration. As a result, Arizona letter-writers respond with a vitriol that was not permitted in newspapers until very recently. The following are two letters that illustrate this point from the June 25, 2012, The Arizona Republic in response to an article regarding the US Supreme Court striking down three of the four anti-immigrant SB 1070 provisions. (3)

From caretaker: "FOKES THIS IS GOING TO LEAD TO US'' THE PEOPLE PROTECTING OUR COUNTRY OUR SELVES... THERE'S NO CHOICE, THIS IS WHAT OUR FORE FATHERS MEANT IN OUR CONSTITUTION ..."
From Fastfreddy: "Would you rather see the citizens of Arizona use the 2nd amendment as a solution to the illegal problem or rather see the courts try to solve the problem."


This kind of discourse with allusions to violence has become so normalized that no one appears to give it a second thought. If this constant badgering and threats of violence involved the daily haranguing of other peoples, for example, Jews, African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Anglo-Americans or any other identifiable group, it is assumed, per the newspaper's comment guidelines, that they would never make it into these pages.(4) But they inexplicably do and thus, the media, particularly letters to the editor sections, have become what I refer to as hate crime scenes.

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Newspaper Comment Sections Become Cordoned-Off Hate Crime Scenes (Original Post) n2doc Jul 2014 OP
This message was self-deleted by its author randys1 Jul 2014 #1
NOthing to say, america broken, stupid everywhere randys1 Jul 2014 #2
Damn had my reply to you ready to go and you self deleted LOL snooper2 Jul 2014 #3
had to, whenever you say anything about revolution here you get in trouble randys1 Jul 2014 #5
Agree..they push for a Rwanda and then will scream when it happens to them Katashi_itto Jul 2014 #11
If the stupids could get the USA they think they want, this problem would resolve itself randys1 Jul 2014 #12
I want to hear your reply randys1 Jul 2014 #10
had to do with sovereign assholes in Montana and homophobic pricks in Detroit snooper2 Jul 2014 #20
Scary stuff...When the populace is full of incorrect information, coupled with their immature randys1 Jul 2014 #28
Not just newspapers, the alsame Jul 2014 #4
Sometimes I do wonder if anonymity on the internet is a good thing or not. Perhaps individuals RKP5637 Jul 2014 #8
Providing real names is more likely to shut down voices of reason than assholes. JoeyT Jul 2014 #18
Excellent point!!!! RKP5637 Jul 2014 #19
I just wish sites were alsame Jul 2014 #27
I spend most of my online time on DU. I also really never post to any groups but DU. The RKP5637 Jul 2014 #33
Hatred seems to be everywhere in the US. I used to be in some other website communities RKP5637 Jul 2014 #6
alternative health sites and videos hopemountain Jul 2014 #7
What?????? AlbertCat Jul 2014 #15
a nice example reddread Jul 2014 #21
You don't like the Woo? I thought everyone like the Woo! snooper2 Jul 2014 #30
because herbal remedies never work reddread Jul 2014 #37
sure they work, my four year old wants to drink coffee like mommy snooper2 Jul 2014 #46
thats a wickedly addictive substance to turn a 4 year old onto reddread Jul 2014 #50
I know, we are working on it, snooper2 Jul 2014 #55
unless a greedy pharmaceutical company sells them to you? AlbertCat Jul 2014 #60
!!!!!! reddread Jul 2014 #61
Indeed, 6 indignant question marks are a tell carolinayellowdog Jul 2014 #56
It's interesting they've warped the 2nd Amendment to mean... Oilwellian Jul 2014 #9
The 2nd amendment clearly states.... AlbertCat Jul 2014 #13
That's as much a myth as what the NRA propagates unrepentant progress Jul 2014 #25
That's bogus. GeorgeGist Jul 2014 #57
Ah, there's that fine DU intellectual spirit unrepentant progress Jul 2014 #58
Professor Bogus argues that there is strong reason to believe AlbertCat Jul 2014 #59
Yup. The Right lies. SunSeeker Jul 2014 #14
Really dislike comments sections in pretty much every online publication abelenkpe Jul 2014 #16
Every forum I've visited that allows right-wingers is awash in raw sewage. Scuba Jul 2014 #17
McClatchy forces Facebook ID use reddread Jul 2014 #22
Make people use their real names... JohnnyRingo Jul 2014 #23
I agree. conservaphobe Jul 2014 #26
not from what ive seen reddread Jul 2014 #36
Sacramento Bee shanti Jul 2014 #53
K&R ReRe Jul 2014 #24
No, saying mean, nasty, disgusting things is not like tritsofme Jul 2014 #29
OK...then what happens... ReRe Jul 2014 #31
I'm not sure I understand. tritsofme Jul 2014 #35
I'm talking about... ReRe Jul 2014 #45
Threatening someone's life is not protected speech. tritsofme Jul 2014 #47
Well... ReRe Jul 2014 #49
Saying nasty things is not inciting violence. tritsofme Jul 2014 #51
Thank you for the colloquy... ReRe Jul 2014 #52
Fixed link alp227 Jul 2014 #32
Something keeps nagging at the back of my mind about this latest influx of youngsters. Frustratedlady Jul 2014 #34
From what I've read it is that conditions are really getting bad down there n2doc Jul 2014 #38
You are probably right, but it still keeps nagging at me. Frustratedlady Jul 2014 #40
Simply ban pseudonyms. Commenters should have to give real names mainer Jul 2014 #39
They still find ways... TheMightyFavog Jul 2014 #41
New? Baitball Blogger Jul 2014 #42
Was anyone proposing "second amendment solutions" to the mythical 'welfare queen' problem? nt redqueen Jul 2014 #44
Not second amendment solutions. But libertarians or Libertarians were arguing that Baitball Blogger Jul 2014 #48
K&R redqueen Jul 2014 #43
AKA/The brainwashed-braindead Section. Cha Jul 2014 #54

Response to n2doc (Original post)

randys1

(16,286 posts)
5. had to, whenever you say anything about revolution here you get in trouble
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 10:59 AM
Jul 2014

and we cant get away from them, can we

they are everywhere

but either we accept they want to kill us, and they do, and we do something about it without violence, or.....

randys1

(16,286 posts)
12. If the stupids could get the USA they think they want, this problem would resolve itself
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 11:18 AM
Jul 2014

within months the whiny crybaby fucks would be on their knees begging the adults, liberals, to fix it

randys1

(16,286 posts)
28. Scary stuff...When the populace is full of incorrect information, coupled with their immature
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:21 PM
Jul 2014

hate of all those not like them, you have a super duper time bomb.

alsame

(7,784 posts)
4. Not just newspapers, the
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 10:56 AM
Jul 2014

comment sections of almost all online sites are full of hate. Some are moderated but most are not. But generally they are cesspools.

RKP5637

(67,032 posts)
8. Sometimes I do wonder if anonymity on the internet is a good thing or not. Perhaps individuals
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 11:07 AM
Jul 2014

should stand behind their real name with their hatred so all can see who they are.

JoeyT

(6,785 posts)
18. Providing real names is more likely to shut down voices of reason than assholes.
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 11:58 AM
Jul 2014

Voices of reason don't send death threats. Assholes do. Voices of reason probably won't fire employees for disagreeing with them unless they really cross some pretty serious lines. Assholes would do it in a second.

Plenty of assholes are perfectly willing to make hateful comments with their facebook profile in full view. It not only doesn't bother them, they're proud of it.

alsame

(7,784 posts)
27. I just wish sites were
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:15 PM
Jul 2014

moderated and that disgusting comments would be deleted. I know that's probably too much work for heavily trafficked sites, but I've sometimes been shocked to see racism, misogyny, etc on sites that have nothing at all to do with politics or news.

A few years ago I was reading a forum that is dedicated to a hobby that my niece was into at the time, it's primarily geared to kids and tweens but adults (I assume parents) post also. And in the middle of a discussion about the hobby, someone started ranting about our N word baby killing President. I guess some people just can't control themselves.

RKP5637

(67,032 posts)
33. I spend most of my online time on DU. I also really never post to any groups but DU. The
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:49 PM
Jul 2014

internet is just so full of really ignorant and stupid people, and those that seem to troll for hatred. I've just been stunned by the ignorant and hateful crap posted on many sites, often as in your case, having little bearing to the topic being discussed. On youtube, I'm always amazed at the idiotic comments often posted ... just so illiterate, horrific grammar and misspelling ... and that is just before one reads and tries to comprehend their inane comment(s).

RKP5637

(67,032 posts)
6. Hatred seems to be everywhere in the US. I used to be in some other website communities
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 11:05 AM
Jul 2014

and I left them and/or never post. Just a small comment and tons of hatred was piled on. It seems to be the new never ending sport in America, endless hatred ... and the stupidity is appalling.

I often wonder what has this country become and where is it headed. I fear it is rushing exponentially toward total Idiocracy ... especially with the endless assault on education.

When I was young advanced education was within grasp, now, it seems to be further and further away from so many people, and sadly the void left for education is replaced by raving lunatics and control freaks imposing their brand of education onto unsuspecting individuals, warping their minds.

hopemountain

(3,919 posts)
7. alternative health sites and videos
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 11:07 AM
Jul 2014

are infested with anti alternative rants and attacks - even on an 8 year old boy.

the hard hearted and mean spirited are organized in their disorganization of crazy hate.

 

reddread

(6,896 posts)
37. because herbal remedies never work
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:57 PM
Jul 2014

unless a greedy pharmaceutical company sells them to you?

Derision becomes you, Im sure.

 

snooper2

(30,151 posts)
46. sure they work, my four year old wants to drink coffee like mommy
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 02:00 PM
Jul 2014

so we make her some warm dark tea, LOVES IT!

 

reddread

(6,896 posts)
50. thats a wickedly addictive substance to turn a 4 year old onto
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 02:21 PM
Jul 2014

I wouldnt point anyone at a coffee habit.

 

snooper2

(30,151 posts)
55. I know, we are working on it,
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 09:17 PM
Jul 2014

just like working on teaching her not to just read the reply title, but the content in the post as well-

But she is only four, she'll get it in two months

 

AlbertCat

(17,505 posts)
60. unless a greedy pharmaceutical company sells them to you?
Mon Jul 7, 2014, 10:18 AM
Jul 2014

Herbs are full of all kinds of chemicals other than the ones that are effective.

So Pharmaceutical companies refine the stuff that works and eliminate the stuff that is not needed, or renders the remedy less effective or is actually more harmful than the remedy.

But go ahead with your irrational fear of big pharma and take some unregulated stuff that could contain anything. Big pharma is baaaaaad. But ingesting any ol' dried plant is just fine. Alrighty then!

Foolishness becomes you, I'm sure.

carolinayellowdog

(3,247 posts)
56. Indeed, 6 indignant question marks are a tell
Mon Jul 7, 2014, 01:30 AM
Jul 2014

Anyone with that many question marks is just itching to humiliate someone over something

Oilwellian

(12,647 posts)
9. It's interesting they've warped the 2nd Amendment to mean...
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 11:13 AM
Jul 2014

it can be used to overthrow our government. I don't think our founding fathers had it in mind to create an amendment that would allow that. That's what the ballot box is for. If they were to study history, they would realize the Whiskey Rebellion was a perfect example of how the 2nd Amendment was used to squash seditious attempts to overthrow our government. Oh, the irony of it all.

 

AlbertCat

(17,505 posts)
13. The 2nd amendment clearly states....
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 11:44 AM
Jul 2014

..... that you may own a flintlock if you join a militia to help repel the British when they come back to try and reclaim their colonies..... which they did in 1812.

25. That's as much a myth as what the NRA propagates
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:13 PM
Jul 2014

See Carl Bogus' 1998 The Hidden History of the Second Amendment. You can grab the PDF here: http://goo.gl/K6MHuZ (link to my Evernote save)

Abstract:

Professor Bogus argues that there is strong reason to believe that, in significant part, James Madison drafted the Second Amendment to assure his constituents in Virginia, and the South generally, that Congress could not use its newly-acquired powers to indirectly undermine the slave system by disarming the militia, on which the South relied for slave control. His argument is based on a multiplicity of the historical evidence, including debates between James Madison and George Mason and Patrick Henry at the Constitutional Ratifying Convention in Richmond,Virginia in June 1788; the record from the First Congress; and the antecedent of the American right to bear arms provision in the English Declaration of Rights of 1688.
 

AlbertCat

(17,505 posts)
59. Professor Bogus argues that there is strong reason to believe
Mon Jul 7, 2014, 10:05 AM
Jul 2014

How does this discredit what I wrote? There's a strong reason to believe what I wrote too.


Anyway..... both just support the notion that the 2nd Amendment does not mean any dumbfuck can own a gun and use it because he doesn't like who was elected.

SunSeeker

(51,378 posts)
14. Yup. The Right lies.
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 11:45 AM
Jul 2014

Unfortunately, thanks to our crumbling educational system, most Americans don't know when they're being lied to. Which is why the Right doesn't want to spend any money on education. See how that works?

abelenkpe

(9,933 posts)
16. Really dislike comments sections in pretty much every online publication
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 11:48 AM
Jul 2014

They are not moderated and articles about things as innocent as recipes will have hateful bigoted crap attached. Newspapers shouldn't have comment sections if they are unable or unwilling to effectively moderate them.

 

reddread

(6,896 posts)
22. McClatchy forces Facebook ID use
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:06 PM
Jul 2014

which, as many posts above explain, offers a significant risk to voices of reason from the dangers promised by
less civic minded knuckledragging racists.
Hard to believe DU is a refuge from that ill conceived (or mendacious) policy.
Of course, there was a violence advocate the other day whose offensive post
was voted "Leave it" by two jurors.
that was interesting.

JohnnyRingo

(18,581 posts)
23. Make people use their real names...
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:10 PM
Jul 2014

Mr John Q Public is less likely than droopynutz562 to issue an intimidating or threatening public statement. It's too easy for a troll to hide behind an internet pseudonym.

At least that's what JohnnyRingo thinks, and if you don't like it I'll kick your ass. hahaha

 

conservaphobe

(1,284 posts)
26. I agree.
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:13 PM
Jul 2014

I don't think there should be a law, but a bunch of these media companies should get together and eradicate comment anonymity.

 

reddread

(6,896 posts)
36. not from what ive seen
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:54 PM
Jul 2014

the ugly just predominates now. overt threats and intimidation are not the sole consideration.

shanti

(21,672 posts)
53. Sacramento Bee
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 05:25 PM
Jul 2014

It's my local paper. The comment area for articles was very nasty and tilted winger. About 6 months ago, they changed their format from open, anonymous comments to Facebook and real person logins. Now, there are very very rarely ANY comments to stories. I find that a good thing, personally, as the comments used to raise my BP.

ReRe

(10,597 posts)
24. K&R
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:13 PM
Jul 2014

It's hate speech, plain and simple. It's like calling fire in a crowded theater. It's incitement to violence. This is a teaching moment... I had no idea these kinds of editorials were permitted anywhere in the US print media. I swear, this country is sitting on dry twigs ready to ignite into Rwanda-like violence. And when it starts, the blame should be laid at the feet of all those editors who allowed the hate speech.

tritsofme

(17,325 posts)
29. No, saying mean, nasty, disgusting things is not like
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:30 PM
Jul 2014

yelling fire. I'm a bit scared to ask what print media ought not be "permitted" to publish.

Free speech is hard, but it should be met in the public square, not censored by government.

ReRe

(10,597 posts)
31. OK...then what happens...
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:34 PM
Jul 2014

... on DU if violence is spoken of? I mean, in no un-certain terms, like they are allowing down in the southwest?

tritsofme

(17,325 posts)
35. I'm not sure I understand.
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:54 PM
Jul 2014

DU management certainly has the right to police their site as they see fit.

A far cry from you having the government look over the shoulders of newspaper editors to decide what is "permitted" to be published.

ReRe

(10,597 posts)
45. I'm talking about...
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 01:52 PM
Jul 2014

... plain old civility.

So when someone publicly and in writing threatens the life of anyone, say your next door neighbor or the President of the United States, then that's OK, since we have Freedom of Speech?

ReRe

(10,597 posts)
49. Well...
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 02:10 PM
Jul 2014

... I thought that's what they were doing down there in the southwest. Inciting violence. Hate Speech is what the Republicans in Congress do and we have to put up with it.

Adios, amigo. Hasta luego.

tritsofme

(17,325 posts)
51. Saying nasty things is not inciting violence.
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 03:48 PM
Jul 2014

The law has a very strict standard, which is generally that: "Only speech that poses an imminent danger of unlawful action, where the speaker has the intention to incite such action and there is the likelihood that this will be the consequence of his or her speech, may be restricted and punished by law"

Proving that speech poses an imminent danger of unlawful action and that the intent of the speaker is to incite, is rightfully a very high burden.

Frustratedlady

(16,254 posts)
34. Something keeps nagging at the back of my mind about this latest influx of youngsters.
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:53 PM
Jul 2014

Have they ever figured out who spread the word that it's OK for the children to come to America? Tell them they'd be welcomed with open arms and taken care of?

I can't believe it is the coyotes or whatever they call the thieves that bus them to the border. The last groups have been flooding in with the same message. Biden went down to clear up the lies that are being told, but nothing has changed.

It just seems to be too convenient what with the election(s) coming up, adding to Obama's humiliation and the GOP trying to repair its image.

Did someone or a group of people...say, Koch-supported groups...drop a few hints or place ads to spread the word? Shoot, I wouldn't put it past Cheney.

I must be getting suspicious in my old age. I wonder why?

n2doc

(47,953 posts)
38. From what I've read it is that conditions are really getting bad down there
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 01:10 PM
Jul 2014

Now, maybe some of the RW thugs are pushing the meme, I wouldn't put it past the CIA to do something like this. But I think there is a definite driving force other than propaganda working here.

Frustratedlady

(16,254 posts)
40. You are probably right, but it still keeps nagging at me.
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 01:28 PM
Jul 2014

I agree about the CIA. I wonder if they actually work for us or against us. Scary thought.

mainer

(12,013 posts)
39. Simply ban pseudonyms. Commenters should have to give real names
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 01:10 PM
Jul 2014

That would cut down on the hate speech, pronto.

TheMightyFavog

(13,770 posts)
41. They still find ways...
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 01:28 PM
Jul 2014

There's a notorious right wing troll on a Wisconsin Public Radio news discussion show's Facebook page who goes by the handle "Citizens United Against Hammer and Baseball Bat Violence.

Baitball Blogger

(46,576 posts)
42. New?
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 01:34 PM
Jul 2014

There have been hate crime comments in my local paper ever since the term "welfare queen" became fashionable.

Baitball Blogger

(46,576 posts)
48. Not second amendment solutions. But libertarians or Libertarians were arguing that
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 02:09 PM
Jul 2014

pest and pestilence was preferable to government regulation. In other words, free market should never be restrained, no matter what the toll is on the masses.

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