Plenty of people, including the Powerline guys have had their share of problems with the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. I know that by criticizing this paper, I run the risk of incurring the wrath of Nick Coleman. So be it.
According to Tongue Tied, the ombudsman at the Star-Trib says a story about the school shooting in Red Lake, MN should not have featured the word “rampage”. Why?
Because it’s insensitive to Native Americans.
“While the technical definition of “rampage” would accurately describe a shooting that leaves 10 dead, it was a poorly chosen word to describe a catastrophe on an Indian reservation,” writes Kate Parry. “Portrayals of ‘rampaging Indians’ fed hateful stereotypes in books and movies for many years. Yet I’ve seen the word used in many media around the country to describe the Red Lake shooting.”
Someone take away the keys to this woman’s word processor. I think she’s had a little too much to drink.
Let’s call it what it is, Kate. This was mass murder. This was not only a rampage, this was a massacre. And if think it’s a good thing to rid your news stories of any factual yet possibly offensive terms, you are an insult to journalism.
After the Nick Coleman stuff and now this, I feel sorry for anybody who has to read this rag.
Oh for crap’s sake.
Just goes to show you that when people never have something interesting to say, they just make shit up.
I guess I should cut the phrase “I went on a rampage” from my vocabulary…which will be difficult, as I use it all the time.
Am I the only one who’s sick and tired of all this touchy-feely, hypersensitive bullsh*t? Thankfully not, based on aka_monty’s comment.
I’m not saying we should abandon civility, I’m just asking all of the grown-ups out there to remember we aren’t in kindergarten any more. Grow a thicker freakin’ skin and get over it.
The largest measure of my lineage is Cherokee, and I can assure all concerned parties that I’m not the least bit offended by “rampage”, “slaughter”, “Washington Redskins”, or the fighting Illini’s “Chief Illiniwek”. Anyone who is should take their momma’s tit out of their mouth and grow up.
Does this mean I can get my official curmudgeon t-shirt now?