How much should we know?
November 14, 2005 8:09 PM Subscribe
If you watch television news stations, you've probably already heard that the latest missing white girl has been found. Naturally, the media is now obsessed with figuring out what led to the murder of the girl's parents. In the unending quest for information, TV news stations have shown the myspace pages of the two teens. And like many other teenagers, the two have xanga journals as well. But several sources, both blogs and mainstream news sites, have publicized the location of these pages. Is this responsible journalism?
Previously on MeFi: Blogging from prison; diary of a killer?
Previously on MeFi: Blogging from prison; diary of a killer?
The AP just says they have web sites, which I would expect. And of course blogs are going to link to them. You did too, Mr. Responsible Journalism.
posted by smackfu at 8:18 PM on November 14, 2005
posted by smackfu at 8:18 PM on November 14, 2005
Is this responsible journalism?
What, exactly, would be irresponsible about it?
I find it interesting that the girl logged in sometime yesterday.
posted by Ynoxas at 8:22 PM on November 14, 2005
What, exactly, would be irresponsible about it?
I find it interesting that the girl logged in sometime yesterday.
posted by Ynoxas at 8:22 PM on November 14, 2005
The sites are on the Internet, after all. Seems like public information to me.
posted by nyterrant at 8:23 PM on November 14, 2005
posted by nyterrant at 8:23 PM on November 14, 2005
I didn't want to editorialize on the front page too much, but this literally makes me sick. I'm sure the news stations are mostly using these sites as a substitute for actual content and meaningful reporting, but it seems overly exploitative and sensational to me. Maybe someday in the near future, they'll do away with any sense of restraint and start publishing suicide notes alongside the obituary.
On preview: the My Way news article links to the blogs at the bottom of the article. The sites I linked to are plainly displayed in the the blog I linked to. I personally didn't explore them, but I provided the links for those who wish to do so, as they were easily found in the other sources and people would have posted them in the comments here anyway.
posted by kyleg at 8:25 PM on November 14, 2005
On preview: the My Way news article links to the blogs at the bottom of the article. The sites I linked to are plainly displayed in the the blog I linked to. I personally didn't explore them, but I provided the links for those who wish to do so, as they were easily found in the other sources and people would have posted them in the comments here anyway.
posted by kyleg at 8:25 PM on November 14, 2005
Do you think it's responsible journalism? If not, why did you post the links here?
posted by brundlefly at 8:25 PM on November 14, 2005
posted by brundlefly at 8:25 PM on November 14, 2005
On not previewing: Gotcha. But really, aren't myspace pages SUPPOSED to be public? Isn't that their purpose?
posted by brundlefly at 8:27 PM on November 14, 2005
posted by brundlefly at 8:27 PM on November 14, 2005
What's irresponsible is having a Xanga. It's just embarrassing.
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 8:27 PM on November 14, 2005
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 8:27 PM on November 14, 2005
If nothing else, at least I was able to find this in one of the myspace comments. Thank you irresponsible media!
posted by brundlefly at 8:31 PM on November 14, 2005
posted by brundlefly at 8:31 PM on November 14, 2005
Whoa! I feel like an anthropologist or something. On the girl's Xanga page, she lists as interests "JESUS!! church," "hugging," and "having partys OH YEAH BABY," among other things (but not "Art").
Under expertise she says, "uh... babysitting." Then, under Occupation and Industry she lists "Artist" and "Art" respectively. Wow.
If it weren't for the tragic circumstances, this would be hilarious. Instead, it's just fascinating. I guess I'm just monumentally naive, having avoided teenagers even when I was one, but I was struck by the incoherence. I've seen people spoof the OMG-type teen internet stuff before (say, on ALL CAPS DAY), but this pure, real example of it is amazing!
*shakes head, marveling*
OK. Go about your business.
posted by brundlefly at 8:45 PM on November 14, 2005
Under expertise she says, "uh... babysitting." Then, under Occupation and Industry she lists "Artist" and "Art" respectively. Wow.
If it weren't for the tragic circumstances, this would be hilarious. Instead, it's just fascinating. I guess I'm just monumentally naive, having avoided teenagers even when I was one, but I was struck by the incoherence. I've seen people spoof the OMG-type teen internet stuff before (say, on ALL CAPS DAY), but this pure, real example of it is amazing!
*shakes head, marveling*
OK. Go about your business.
posted by brundlefly at 8:45 PM on November 14, 2005
If it's on the internet, it's public. It gets a little creepy when it's children we're talking, but that doesn't make it any less public. Everyone thinks the danger of the internet is pedophiles and creepy weirdos, but it's not- it's that anything you say is potentially (and probably) out there forever. For anyone to read at any time. This is what parents have to teach their children about the internet.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:45 PM on November 14, 2005 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:45 PM on November 14, 2005 [1 favorite]
Ugh, ugh, ugh. Responsible journalism? I don't know. Maybe, maybe not. Ethical and human? Not in my view. I'm sure the army of bloggers would find the sites within seconds, but to have them appear in the MSM? Something about that just squicks me - that it's combining two disparate worlds, perhaps. Or that it seems more an invasion of privacy.
(Interesting - what's the difference between journalism blogging and journalism in MSM? Are there different rules? Should there be?)
I'm glad she was found. I was driving home Sunday night on the PA Turnpike and the Amber Alerts were on all the electronic boards. It was chilling.
posted by kalimac at 8:46 PM on November 14, 2005
(Interesting - what's the difference between journalism blogging and journalism in MSM? Are there different rules? Should there be?)
I'm glad she was found. I was driving home Sunday night on the PA Turnpike and the Amber Alerts were on all the electronic boards. It was chilling.
posted by kalimac at 8:46 PM on November 14, 2005
Holy shit! My kids could kill me next!
That is why I don't sleep. Ever.
posted by LarryC at 9:13 PM on November 14, 2005
That is why I don't sleep. Ever.
posted by LarryC at 9:13 PM on November 14, 2005
Anybody find it interesting that a home-schooled "Jesus-loving" 14-year-old girl would be so "glamorous" and "sexy" that she'd attract an 18-year-old guy who'd kill her parents and take her away? It's like a fairy tale. That he's from a similar background and met her at some kind of "home-schooling event" only makes it more "romantic."
I mean y'all have seen her photos, right? Would you guess from those shots that her first interests are "JESUS!!" and "church"?
posted by davy at 9:22 PM on November 14, 2005
I mean y'all have seen her photos, right? Would you guess from those shots that her first interests are "JESUS!!" and "church"?
posted by davy at 9:22 PM on November 14, 2005
Teen sharpshooter David Ludwig says, BASTA with these fags already. Straight pride all the way!
Oh, those zany webrings.
Tired of all those gay pride organizations... well finally there's a group for straight people who are proud of their natural attraction to the opposite sex and WHO WANT TO KEEP THE HUMAN RACE ALIVE.
posted by digaman at 9:33 PM on November 14, 2005
Oh, those zany webrings.
Tired of all those gay pride organizations... well finally there's a group for straight people who are proud of their natural attraction to the opposite sex and WHO WANT TO KEEP THE HUMAN RACE ALIVE.
posted by digaman at 9:33 PM on November 14, 2005
From the news media's perspective they are competing with blogs. Why should just blogggers get the scoop ?
posted by bigmusic at 9:38 PM on November 14, 2005
posted by bigmusic at 9:38 PM on November 14, 2005
If young David thought he was sick of homosexuals before heading off to prison...
posted by digaman at 9:38 PM on November 14, 2005
posted by digaman at 9:38 PM on November 14, 2005
A user profile from the Straight Pride page:
Welcome to my dreary life.... :) Anywho, what can I say about myself? I do the mountain biking thing and hope to become a missionary in a few years. Africa next summer, yay! Currently, though, I'm a Gen. Psychology and International Relations major (So boring). Umm.... Well, my new obsession has become Wedding Crashers! Best movie ever, EVER! Talk to me.
Er... no.
posted by brundlefly at 9:40 PM on November 14, 2005
Welcome to my dreary life.... :) Anywho, what can I say about myself? I do the mountain biking thing and hope to become a missionary in a few years. Africa next summer, yay! Currently, though, I'm a Gen. Psychology and International Relations major (So boring). Umm.... Well, my new obsession has become Wedding Crashers! Best movie ever, EVER! Talk to me.
Er... no.
posted by brundlefly at 9:40 PM on November 14, 2005
Do we really have to say "latest missing white girl"?
posted by loquax at 10:04 PM on November 14, 2005
posted by loquax at 10:04 PM on November 14, 2005
j-urb: Holy shit! My kids could kill me next!
LarryC That is why I don't sleep. Ever.
That's why I don't have kids. Ever.
Goodnight....
posted by pompomtom at 10:09 PM on November 14, 2005
LarryC That is why I don't sleep. Ever.
That's why I don't have kids. Ever.
Goodnight....
posted by pompomtom at 10:09 PM on November 14, 2005
Irresponsible journalism? No.
Stupid journalism? Maybe.
posted by papakwanz at 10:25 PM on November 14, 2005
Stupid journalism? Maybe.
posted by papakwanz at 10:25 PM on November 14, 2005
It's called linking. On the internet.
posted by juggernautco at 10:32 PM on November 14, 2005
posted by juggernautco at 10:32 PM on November 14, 2005
papakwanz: Yeah, pretty much. There's nothing really wrong with pointing out the kids' blogs, but why do it? As near as I can tell, there's no story-related stuff on the sites (other than the kazillian new comments).
I'm sure these kids had cellphones, too. So? What does it matter? If the guy had posted a Quake map based on the girl's parent's house or something, I could see how it would be potentially part of the story. But the guy's talking about his laptop. Whoop de doo.
posted by brundlefly at 10:38 PM on November 14, 2005
I'm sure these kids had cellphones, too. So? What does it matter? If the guy had posted a Quake map based on the girl's parent's house or something, I could see how it would be potentially part of the story. But the guy's talking about his laptop. Whoop de doo.
posted by brundlefly at 10:38 PM on November 14, 2005
Next time there's white girl missing, I'm gonna ignore it and tell myself, OH YEAH? WHAT ABOUT THE MISSING MINORIITES YOU ASSHOEL TOM BROWKA.
posted by shoos at 10:54 PM on November 14, 2005
posted by shoos at 10:54 PM on November 14, 2005
A few years back I found the website, via a friend, of an attempted school shooter. We tried to sell it to the San Jose Mercury news.
posted by iamck at 11:09 PM on November 14, 2005
posted by iamck at 11:09 PM on November 14, 2005
I think there were some warning signs in her blog:
hmm lets see..i love the lord..i go to church..i love all my friends on Metafilter! YOU GUYS ARE SOO AWESOME! hmm im 14 and i have brown hair with blonde highlights..im about 5'1..i have brown eyes also..which i totally hate =P..music totally rox..and i love soccer and bball..and PCP..shopping is fun..but i mostly like just chilling with friends..i also smoke rocks..hehe..hmm well i dont know what else..wellt if there's anything you want to know just ask me!! LOVE YOU ALL!!
posted by theorique at 11:11 PM on November 14, 2005
hmm lets see..i love the lord..i go to church..i love all my friends on Metafilter! YOU GUYS ARE SOO AWESOME! hmm im 14 and i have brown hair with blonde highlights..im about 5'1..i have brown eyes also..which i totally hate =P..music totally rox..and i love soccer and bball..and PCP..shopping is fun..but i mostly like just chilling with friends..i also smoke rocks..hehe..hmm well i dont know what else..wellt if there's anything you want to know just ask me!! LOVE YOU ALL!!
posted by theorique at 11:11 PM on November 14, 2005
The amount of taxpayer money spent on investigations, searches, and prosecutions of cases involving attractive white girls is enough to make me throw up when compared to the amount of money spent on similar cases of black victims of crime. It is a way that our society clearly states that certain lives are worth more than other lives. The media plays a big part in that. As such -- but for different reasons -- I find it to be irresponsible journalism. It is irresponsible because it is not considering the social effects that their one-sided reporting can have.
posted by flarbuse at 6:17 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by flarbuse at 6:17 AM on November 15, 2005
He has an unusual fascination with Matt Damon. Suuuuure he's straight.
posted by terrapin at 6:27 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by terrapin at 6:27 AM on November 15, 2005
The amount of taxpayer money spent on investigations, searches, and prosecutions of cases involving attractive white girls is enough to make me throw up when compared to the amount of money spent on similar cases of black victims of crime.
Can we quantify this?
posted by loquax at 6:27 AM on November 15, 2005
Can we quantify this?
posted by loquax at 6:27 AM on November 15, 2005
Or that it seems more an invasion of privacy.
Are you folks serious?! Do you really think that once you have published your content on the Internet that somehow it should be considered private?
When you write to the internet, you are publishing, folks. The content is not yours to control any longer - especially on sites with no property safeguards. You know that funny 'terms and conditions' page you just skip to the bottom of? That's where it becomes obvious that this is public speech, and that you no longer have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Sites which don't even have such an agreement page are even less secure for you, since there's no agreement for anyone to violate. If you want your thoughts to be private, buy a nice blank book and keep an eye on it.
posted by Miko at 6:28 AM on November 15, 2005
Are you folks serious?! Do you really think that once you have published your content on the Internet that somehow it should be considered private?
When you write to the internet, you are publishing, folks. The content is not yours to control any longer - especially on sites with no property safeguards. You know that funny 'terms and conditions' page you just skip to the bottom of? That's where it becomes obvious that this is public speech, and that you no longer have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Sites which don't even have such an agreement page are even less secure for you, since there's no agreement for anyone to violate. If you want your thoughts to be private, buy a nice blank book and keep an eye on it.
posted by Miko at 6:28 AM on November 15, 2005
Do we really have to say "latest missing white girl"?
Yes. Even if it has nothing to do with the post, you gotta establish your bona fides.
posted by pardonyou? at 6:39 AM on November 15, 2005
Yes. Even if it has nothing to do with the post, you gotta establish your bona fides.
posted by pardonyou? at 6:39 AM on November 15, 2005
"Vous avez lu l'histoire
De Jesse James
Comment il vecut
Comment il est mort
Ca vous a plus hein
Vous en d'mandez encore
Et bien
Ecoutez l'histoire
De Bonnie and Clyde"
posted by klangklangston at 6:47 AM on November 15, 2005
De Jesse James
Comment il vecut
Comment il est mort
Ca vous a plus hein
Vous en d'mandez encore
Et bien
Ecoutez l'histoire
De Bonnie and Clyde"
posted by klangklangston at 6:47 AM on November 15, 2005
I don't have cable so I don't have to subject myself to this pornography thereby I don't have to have an opinion on something so sad and stupid. Cancel your cable, it's controlling your mind. Decide for yourself what you should be thinking about - read a book.
posted by any major dude at 6:57 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by any major dude at 6:57 AM on November 15, 2005
davy writes "That he's from a similar background and met her at some kind of 'home-schooling event' only makes it more 'romantic.' "
Thank the winds of chance they didn't meet with the help of the internet, the panic headlines would have been cranked up another notch or two. As it is the next time some religous whack job starts berating me about my heathen life being bad for the children I can trot out this case and make them go away.
posted by Mitheral at 7:10 AM on November 15, 2005
Thank the winds of chance they didn't meet with the help of the internet, the panic headlines would have been cranked up another notch or two. As it is the next time some religous whack job starts berating me about my heathen life being bad for the children I can trot out this case and make them go away.
posted by Mitheral at 7:10 AM on November 15, 2005
I'll just second any major dude's post. I was blissfully unaware of this latest missing white girl (yes, we have to say it) until I read this post. Please, turn off your tv and live a little.
And one more thing.
Soylent Green is people!!!!
I just thought you should know that.
posted by Outlawyr at 7:14 AM on November 15, 2005
And one more thing.
Soylent Green is people!!!!
I just thought you should know that.
posted by Outlawyr at 7:14 AM on November 15, 2005
There is absolutely nothing to be learned about this case from a photo like this. Nope.
posted by digaman at 7:15 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by digaman at 7:15 AM on November 15, 2005
Is it wrong that I'm glad they didn't have livejournals?
posted by drezdn at 7:18 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by drezdn at 7:18 AM on November 15, 2005
Meanwhile, the younger sister and brother have a lifetime of nightmares ahead of them. I hope my born again brainwashed home schooling sister with 6 kids is paying attention. Then again, with their logic, they will just write it off as, "they weren't REAL Christians".
posted by yoga at 7:18 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by yoga at 7:18 AM on November 15, 2005
From my 12 year old daughter's MySpace page:
Heroes Mom, dad, Paris Hilton
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 7:23 AM on November 15, 2005
Heroes Mom, dad, Paris Hilton
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 7:23 AM on November 15, 2005
Digaman, what's that a photo of? Is he cauterizing a disembowelled deer?
posted by davy at 7:26 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by davy at 7:26 AM on November 15, 2005
So "keep the human race alive" is the new code for "kill gay people"? Or does it mean "have heterosexual penis-in-vagina intercourse without birth control", which is hardly worth making an issue of even if your girlfriend is only 14?
posted by davy at 7:30 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by davy at 7:30 AM on November 15, 2005
Ummm. This is a pretty pathetic question.
Let's deconstruct this.
I've been here for a LONG LONG time now, and one of the greatest joys MEFI has is when all of its members can turn all scooby gang and sniff around looking for clues. "Look!!! I found his IP!!!" "He says he's in Mexico, but his site is registered in New Hampshire!" Ad infinitum, ad nauseum. Hey - no problem with me; I get a kick out of it. But if we're going to whine about "Invasion of Privacy" issues, why don't we all form a great big circle and give ourselves spankys?
Perhaps somebody has the idea that its OK for the nerds to do it, but all of this Interwebs stuff is their little personal private hidey hole, and nobody else should be able to lookie-loo. If so, this is one of those components that makes nerds nerds, and should be avoided at all costs.
I work for a newspaper chain - happily, I work as a writer, not as a reporter. But I guaran-tootin'-tee you I'd plaster the stupid URLs myself. For the same reason you folks were hopping all over 'em yesterday like a bunny on Viagra. People have a morbid curiousity, just like us nerds, and they find it cool to
a) Look at the freakshow
b)Try to get a glimpse of the mind of a killer
c) Whatever other rationale one might cook up for wanting to look at the freakshow.
In short, if you've just jacked off, don't moan about everybody else churning butter.
posted by Perigee at 7:32 AM on November 15, 2005
Let's deconstruct this.
I've been here for a LONG LONG time now, and one of the greatest joys MEFI has is when all of its members can turn all scooby gang and sniff around looking for clues. "Look!!! I found his IP!!!" "He says he's in Mexico, but his site is registered in New Hampshire!" Ad infinitum, ad nauseum. Hey - no problem with me; I get a kick out of it. But if we're going to whine about "Invasion of Privacy" issues, why don't we all form a great big circle and give ourselves spankys?
Perhaps somebody has the idea that its OK for the nerds to do it, but all of this Interwebs stuff is their little personal private hidey hole, and nobody else should be able to lookie-loo. If so, this is one of those components that makes nerds nerds, and should be avoided at all costs.
I work for a newspaper chain - happily, I work as a writer, not as a reporter. But I guaran-tootin'-tee you I'd plaster the stupid URLs myself. For the same reason you folks were hopping all over 'em yesterday like a bunny on Viagra. People have a morbid curiousity, just like us nerds, and they find it cool to
a) Look at the freakshow
b)Try to get a glimpse of the mind of a killer
c) Whatever other rationale one might cook up for wanting to look at the freakshow.
In short, if you've just jacked off, don't moan about everybody else churning butter.
posted by Perigee at 7:32 AM on November 15, 2005
davy, I do believe he's gutting his kill. That's a pretty savage grin on his face too....you can read the bloodlust in his face. He has tasted the kill, and now he hungers for more...
posted by cosmicbandito at 7:37 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by cosmicbandito at 7:37 AM on November 15, 2005
Yes, Davy. Now, I'm not declaring that all kids homeschooled by Christian parents who join webrings called "Straight Pride" and grin broadly while slitting a deer open from throat to anus would be desensitized to violence or anything. Just sayin'.
posted by digaman at 7:37 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by digaman at 7:37 AM on November 15, 2005
After all, I'm sure he killed that deer because his Paleolithic family needed food on the table.
posted by digaman at 7:38 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by digaman at 7:38 AM on November 15, 2005
And remember: the real threat to our kids' mental health is a bunch of queens camping it up about drapes and hair gel on Queer Eye.
posted by digaman at 7:41 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by digaman at 7:41 AM on November 15, 2005
I like this quote I keep seeing in AP articles on it, from one of Ludwig's friends:
“Their parents didn’t approve of them being together” because of the age difference, she said. “It wasn’t because he was a shady character, because he wasn’t.”
Oh no, he wasn't a shady character, he just "saw" their daughter behind their backs and then shot them dead. Nothing shady about that.
(This my gratuitous twitticism of the morning.)
posted by davy at 7:46 AM on November 15, 2005
“Their parents didn’t approve of them being together” because of the age difference, she said. “It wasn’t because he was a shady character, because he wasn’t.”
Oh no, he wasn't a shady character, he just "saw" their daughter behind their backs and then shot them dead. Nothing shady about that.
(This my gratuitous twitticism of the morning.)
posted by davy at 7:46 AM on November 15, 2005
outlawyr and major dude: I didn't' see anything about this on television, but I was intimately aware of it. I am a heavy user of internet news sites, and this was of course all over those points of interest. I even saw the video on cnn.com of the arrest.
How does being uninformed rely upon turning off your television?
posted by Ynoxas at 7:47 AM on November 15, 2005
How does being uninformed rely upon turning off your television?
posted by Ynoxas at 7:47 AM on November 15, 2005
Nothing shady about that.
Well, at least he wasn't smoking pot or reading Ginsberg!
posted by digaman at 7:53 AM on November 15, 2005
Well, at least he wasn't smoking pot or reading Ginsberg!
posted by digaman at 7:53 AM on November 15, 2005
This is not responsible journalism. This item, like all idiotic random murders, deserves six paragraphs on page three.
By slathering the kids and their blogs with fawning attention it encourages others to seek this outlet for their hormonal frustrations.
posted by CynicalKnight at 7:57 AM on November 15, 2005
By slathering the kids and their blogs with fawning attention it encourages others to seek this outlet for their hormonal frustrations.
posted by CynicalKnight at 7:57 AM on November 15, 2005
digaman: There is absolutely nothing to be learned about this case from a [photo of suspect gutting a deer]. Nope.
Again with villifying hunters? I thought we agreed last week that hunters who ate their kills could at least be regarded with a live and let live (no pun intended) attitude....
I mean, seriously... if all his photos had been him at his computer and someone said "hey, look... we know he's a freak cause he was using the INTERNETS" everyone would be gnashing their teeth.
Leave the hunters alone! =)
Sorry, I don't know how to smirk wryly on the internet.
posted by illovich at 8:05 AM on November 15, 2005
Again with villifying hunters? I thought we agreed last week that hunters who ate their kills could at least be regarded with a live and let live (no pun intended) attitude....
I mean, seriously... if all his photos had been him at his computer and someone said "hey, look... we know he's a freak cause he was using the INTERNETS" everyone would be gnashing their teeth.
Leave the hunters alone! =)
Sorry, I don't know how to smirk wryly on the internet.
posted by illovich at 8:05 AM on November 15, 2005
You're right, Illovich. There is no reason to think that a kid who had access to guns because he went on hunting trips would use them for any other purpose.
posted by digaman at 8:07 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by digaman at 8:07 AM on November 15, 2005
Ya, because whack jobs have never used knives, gas, cars, pieces of wire, hands, rat poison, or pointy sticks to kill their victims.
posted by Mitheral at 8:41 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by Mitheral at 8:41 AM on November 15, 2005
Hey, if you know where the guns are, poison seems a little 16th-century Spain. Also pointy sticks are hard to make.
posted by jenovus at 8:44 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by jenovus at 8:44 AM on November 15, 2005
Anybody find it interesting that a home-schooled "Jesus-loving" 14-year-old girl would be so "glamorous" and "sexy" that she'd attract an 18-year-old guy who'd kill her parents and take her away? ... I mean y'all have seen her photos, right? ...
posted by davy at 12:22 AM EST on November 15 [!]
no, but i do find it interesting that you'd judge the internet narcissism of a 14 year old girl a good basis for bashing Christianity.
posted by quonsar at 8:59 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by davy at 12:22 AM EST on November 15 [!]
no, but i do find it interesting that you'd judge the internet narcissism of a 14 year old girl a good basis for bashing Christianity.
posted by quonsar at 8:59 AM on November 15, 2005
Ynoxas, watch tv news. then read newspaper / internet / whatever news. You'll notice a difference. Random access and control. You read what you want to read, and ignore puff pieces and runaway brides. The TV news decides what stories you hear, and in what order, and in what detail. You'll note the FPP itself acknowledges this by starting, " If you watch television news stations, you've probably already heard . . . ".
And I don't think refusing to follow the latest missing white girl story qualifies one as "uninformed."
And anyway, what does any of that matter when we are all eating humans?!? I think that's just wrong, don't you?
posted by Outlawyr at 9:36 AM on November 15, 2005
And I don't think refusing to follow the latest missing white girl story qualifies one as "uninformed."
And anyway, what does any of that matter when we are all eating humans?!? I think that's just wrong, don't you?
posted by Outlawyr at 9:36 AM on November 15, 2005
In some ways this is just an extension of existing journalistic practices - like printing school essays that acquaintances get hold of or running photos from school yearbooks. Compared to things like that, blogs are intentionally publicly available and you could actually argue it's far less irresponsible purely in terms of respect for privacy if journalists decide to publish details of them. They're not secret diaries kept padlocked in a desk drawer. That doesn't take away from the fact that it's basically the equivalent of slowing down to look at a crash on the other side of the road - what drives most of this is just morbid fascination, I think. Not really that morally reprehensible, but it is something that you would have thought high-quality media organisations would have steered clear of.
posted by greycap at 11:43 AM on November 15, 2005
posted by greycap at 11:43 AM on November 15, 2005
It's interesting that the boyfriend (alleged killer) was a big Christian, too. Looks like he was a big music fan, here's some lyrics:
Here's a chance to show you how I feel
A chance for you to see it's real
To see just what I feel inside and who it is that's by my side
I will never change my mind
Try to torch me and you'll find
You can't turn me or deter me
No matter how you try
You can't burn me
By a Christian rock group. At least no one can blame this in Marilyn Manson. But maybe a new news angle-- is today's Christian Rock too violent?
posted by cell divide at 12:09 PM on November 15, 2005
Here's a chance to show you how I feel
A chance for you to see it's real
To see just what I feel inside and who it is that's by my side
I will never change my mind
Try to torch me and you'll find
You can't turn me or deter me
No matter how you try
You can't burn me
By a Christian rock group. At least no one can blame this in Marilyn Manson. But maybe a new news angle-- is today's Christian Rock too violent?
posted by cell divide at 12:09 PM on November 15, 2005
j-urb: Holy shit! My kids could kill me next!
LarryC That is why I don't sleep. Ever.
That's why I don't have kids. Ever.
Well, if your kids don't kill you, someone else's will.
posted by graventy at 1:37 PM on November 15, 2005
I have to say that my first reaction on seeing Kara's picture was: 'They let their 14 year old daughter wear that much make-up?'
That's a terrible, on some level 'They were asking for it' response, I know. But *sigh* Don't kids climb trees at that age anymore?
In other news: Teenager plots father's death in revenge for curfew.
posted by Catch at 1:39 PM on November 15, 2005
That's a terrible, on some level 'They were asking for it' response, I know. But *sigh* Don't kids climb trees at that age anymore?
In other news: Teenager plots father's death in revenge for curfew.
posted by Catch at 1:39 PM on November 15, 2005
Homeschooled. Christian. Homicidal. Somehow, it makes sense to me.
I typed up several versions of this comment going into why it makes sense, but when you try to explain it, it just gets so convoluted.
posted by Doohickie at 2:23 PM on November 15, 2005
I typed up several versions of this comment going into why it makes sense, but when you try to explain it, it just gets so convoluted.
posted by Doohickie at 2:23 PM on November 15, 2005
Quonsar, how did I bash Christianity this time? I was implying that she doesn't look like my idea of a home-schooled Christian girl: I thought they were supposed to be more modest and less "worldly". More like a nun than a mall rat, more like Carrry Nation than Paris Hilton. (My grandma would say "Her shirt shows off too much.") Get the idea?
As for my bringing up the "fairy tale" thing (which you ellpitified away), I was implying that somehow(!) a Knight in Shining Armour slew an Ogre Couple and rescued a Princess from a Hellish Dungeon. (So oh yeah baby MORE PARTYS!!!) Don't you think that's so romantic? Like Romeo & Juliet meet Mickey and Mallory! It is to SWOON!
What does this stuff have to do with "bashing Christianity"?
posted by davy at 7:21 PM on November 15, 2005
As for my bringing up the "fairy tale" thing (which you ellpitified away), I was implying that somehow(!) a Knight in Shining Armour slew an Ogre Couple and rescued a Princess from a Hellish Dungeon. (So oh yeah baby MORE PARTYS!!!) Don't you think that's so romantic? Like Romeo & Juliet meet Mickey and Mallory! It is to SWOON!
What does this stuff have to do with "bashing Christianity"?
posted by davy at 7:21 PM on November 15, 2005
There are many flavors of Christians. I happen to be one myself. But the homeschool crowd often frightens me. They are shrinking from society and making up their own, often unrealistic world, then trying to get the world to conform to their misguided conceptions.
posted by Doohickie at 9:15 PM on November 15, 2005
posted by Doohickie at 9:15 PM on November 15, 2005
I happen to be one myself. But the homeschool crowd often frightens me.
If you are not watching The Amazing Race, you are missing one of the great train wrecks of all time. The Weaver Team is a fundamentalist Christian mother and her three home schooled children. They promote their own brand of Christianity by making fun of the garbage collector father of another team (The Weaver dad died while cleaning up debris on a race track,) mocking another team's blondness (One of the Weaver girls has big skunk-like stripes in her dark hair,) declaring "We would rather you hate us for who we are, then love us for who we are not." (while bitching and moaning about how hateful the other teams are and throwing garbage at another teams' car,) demanding compassion rom others at the GO Kart track because of the circumstances of the father's death but belittling the very people who try to console them
All this while the two chunky teenage daughters race about in hot pants and tank tops.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 7:46 AM on November 16, 2005
If you are not watching The Amazing Race, you are missing one of the great train wrecks of all time. The Weaver Team is a fundamentalist Christian mother and her three home schooled children. They promote their own brand of Christianity by making fun of the garbage collector father of another team (The Weaver dad died while cleaning up debris on a race track,) mocking another team's blondness (One of the Weaver girls has big skunk-like stripes in her dark hair,) declaring "We would rather you hate us for who we are, then love us for who we are not." (while bitching and moaning about how hateful the other teams are and throwing garbage at another teams' car,) demanding compassion rom others at the GO Kart track because of the circumstances of the father's death but belittling the very people who try to console them
All this while the two chunky teenage daughters race about in hot pants and tank tops.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 7:46 AM on November 16, 2005
SLoG, you're missing the point! They're still in the race -- irrefutable proof that God IS listening and IS answering their prayers. Remember when Mom Gaghan couldn't find the red bean? Even though the Weavers were way behind, all they had to do was pray, and they found the bean before the Gaghans. Which, of course, made the Gaghans lose, and made little Carissa cry. The only conclusion you can reach is that God loves the Weavers and hates the Gaghans. Oh, that and the fact that God does love him some reality TV.
posted by pardonyou? at 8:17 AM on November 16, 2005
posted by pardonyou? at 8:17 AM on November 16, 2005
No, No! God loves MEEEEEEE!
I just realized the other day how much I look forward each week to watching the bat-shit insane Weevils. Say what you will-- they are easily the most entertaining team ever to enter The Amazing Race. In the frighteningly intense glare eminating from their psychotic eyes, all other teams appear dull and without character.
Dear God, if it be your will, please let the Weavers continue to fill my screen on Tuesday nights with their Christian goodness.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 11:46 AM on November 16, 2005
I just realized the other day how much I look forward each week to watching the bat-shit insane Weevils. Say what you will-- they are easily the most entertaining team ever to enter The Amazing Race. In the frighteningly intense glare eminating from their psychotic eyes, all other teams appear dull and without character.
Dear God, if it be your will, please let the Weavers continue to fill my screen on Tuesday nights with their Christian goodness.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 11:46 AM on November 16, 2005
Secret Life of Gravy, your wish is my command. I will continue to bless my flock, the Weavers, so that they may win the million dollars and may buy only the most expensive, designer hot pants and tank tops.
Oh. Uh, Amen.
posted by God at 3:07 PM EST on November 16 [!]
Wow! Is that the first MeFi appearance by the Almighty?
Anyway, I'm with you, SLoG. They are just crazy, frazzled, fanatical, unhinged people. Who entertain me.
posted by pardonyou? at 12:10 PM on November 16, 2005
Oh. Uh, Amen.
posted by God at 3:07 PM EST on November 16 [!]
Wow! Is that the first MeFi appearance by the Almighty?
Anyway, I'm with you, SLoG. They are just crazy, frazzled, fanatical, unhinged people. Who entertain me.
posted by pardonyou? at 12:10 PM on November 16, 2005
(Ugh. Screwed it up. Note to self: There's no empty line below the text!)
posted by pardonyou? at 12:11 PM on November 16, 2005
posted by pardonyou? at 12:11 PM on November 16, 2005
I think I'll pass on the race. I live in a state full of Weevils.
posted by Doohickie at 10:44 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by Doohickie at 10:44 PM on November 17, 2005
Metafilter: a state not full of weevils
(thankfully ;- )
posted by Doohickie at 10:45 PM on November 17, 2005
(thankfully ;- )
posted by Doohickie at 10:45 PM on November 17, 2005
Prosecutors say Kara went with him willingly. But her lawyer says she didn't plan the hit. (O the joys and perils of Twue Wuv!)
posted by davy at 8:37 PM on November 23, 2005
posted by davy at 8:37 PM on November 23, 2005
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Holy shit! My kids could kill me next!
posted by j-urb at 8:15 PM on November 14, 2005