Most of you know about the teen-ignited wildfires near Gatlinburg, Tennesee, that led to the deaths of fourteen people and the damage to or destruction of over 2,000 structures in the Gatlinburg area.\u00a0 This is tragic and sad, but what portends further sadness ahead is evident in the reaction of the locals (as well as those not-so-local).<\/p>\n
I made the mistake of delving into the comments on the article “Authorities Charge Two Teens in Gatlingburg Wildfires<\/a>” published in our so-called “local” newspaper, Asheville Citizen-Times<\/em>.\u00a0 Since the commenters made their remarks in a public forum, I feel free to reproduce their comments here and at length.\u00a0 In fact, it is the very length and depth of this muck that make their words editorially notable, and deplorable.<\/p>\n \u00a0__________________________________________<\/p>\n Anthony Cieszkiewicz \u00b7 <\/em>Texas A&M<\/em><\/strong> Mirella Gutierrez \u00b7 <\/em>Escuela Secundaria Tecnica #77<\/em><\/strong> Pete Baynes<\/em><\/strong> Vanessa Merold \u00b7 <\/em>Milton, Florida<\/em><\/strong> David Mcandrew \u00b7 <\/em>The Old School Of Hard Knocks<\/em><\/strong> David Cook \u00b7 <\/em>Auburn University at Montgomery<\/em><\/strong> John Smith<\/em><\/strong> Sidney Jewell \u00b7 <\/em>Landrum, South Carolina<\/em><\/strong> Terrence Allen<\/em><\/strong> Gregg Anderson<\/em><\/strong> Carrie Anne Smith<\/em><\/strong> Jason Lago<\/em><\/strong> Paulette Baker<\/em><\/strong> Jim Christian<\/em><\/strong> Jim Misner \u00b7 <\/em>Works at Retired<\/em><\/strong> Bill Melater \u00b7 <\/em>Dillon, Colorado<\/em><\/strong> Thomas Wright<\/em><\/strong> Chris Hanson<\/em><\/strong> Bill Snider<\/em><\/strong> John Morgan \u00b7 <\/em>Part Time at Gizmonic Institute: Twin Cities <\/em><\/strong> Joseph Girard \u00b7 Classical High School, Springfield, MA<\/em><\/strong> Jeff Felix \u00b7 Concord High School<\/em><\/strong> Hampton John Ray \u00b7 <\/em>Ohio Northern University<\/em><\/strong> Mark Willis<\/em><\/strong> Karen Davis<\/em><\/strong> Christal Butler<\/em><\/strong> Rick Hansen \u00b7 <\/em>Owner at RLHansen LLC<\/em><\/strong> Tyson Park \u00b7 <\/em>Works at Big Ed’s Gas Farm<\/em><\/strong> Nick Kenworthy \u00b7 <\/em>Works at Certified problem solver<\/em><\/strong> Eric Kinnaw \u00b7 <\/em>Mizzou<\/em><\/strong> Peggy Moody<\/em><\/strong> Larry Jones<\/em><\/strong> John Monteiro \u00b7 <\/em>Owner at Self-Employed<\/em><\/strong> Mary George<\/em><\/strong> Don Scotter \u00b7 Works at Retired<\/em><\/strong> Richard VanCamp \u00b7 Works at Self-Employed<\/em><\/strong> Thomas Frazier<\/em><\/strong> Betty White<\/em><\/strong> Brent Miller \u00b7 <\/em>University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center<\/em><\/strong> Tom DH<\/em><\/strong> Sally Carlstrom Matthews \u00b7 <\/em>Rehab Nurse at Murray-Calloway County Hospital<\/em><\/strong> \u00a0__________________________________________<\/p>\n I remind my Appalachian friends — as few as you may be — that these commenters would comprise the so-called jury of your peers, should you ever have the misfortune to enter our criminal justice system.\u00a0 But if you do happen to be arrested in these parts (perhaps for using the wrong restroom), take heart:\u00a0 you can rely on the Fourth Estate, our free press, to illuminate the events of the day and to ensure that justice and enlightenment will prevail in your case.\u00a0 Right?<\/p>\n Here is the text of an email conversation I initiated with the News Department of the Asheville Citizen-Times<\/em>, after having slogged through the disgusting comments above:<\/p>\n ME<\/strong> (to the Asheville Citizen-Times news editor, December 7):\u00a0 Are you not aware of the hateful, insulting, swearing comments that have been posted on this article?\u00a0 Read them!\u00a0 All of them.\u00a0 It is clearly out of control, a lynch mob mentality, and the Citizen-Times, by not moderating it, only encourages it.\u00a0 Your newspaper is not creating an enlightened readership.\u00a0 When it gets to this point, it simply provides fodder for the ignorant and hateful to stoke fires.\u00a0 You — your newspaper — has a role in this and you need to step up to the plate and stop it.\u00a0 You, your newspaper, is asleep at the wheel. CITIZEN-TIMES <\/strong>(automated reply from Katie Wadington):\u00a0 Hello!\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry I missed your note. I will be out of the office until Monday, Dec. 12<\/span><\/span>, and will not be checking email until then, so a proper reply may be delayed.\u00a0 For breaking news or urgent matters, please contact Brian Ponder. CITIZEN-TIMES<\/strong> (eight hours later, December 8, from Casey Swaney):\u00a0 Mr. Collins, the story you are referring to is from the Knoxville News Sentinel.\u00a0 While we are able to use their news on our website since they are part of the Gannett network, they are the only one who can police the comments on stories they originate. I would encourage you to contact them with your concerns. Below is a link to their online contact page with phone numbers and a way to email.\u00a0\u00a0 Thanks,\u00a0 Casey Swaney<\/p>\n ME <\/strong>(replying to Casey Swaney, December 8): But you (Citizen-Times) re-published it!!\u00a0 Do you not have a responsibility for what you display on your site?\u00a0 Why do YOU not contact the other newspaper?\u00a0 You seem to have a very hands-off attitude about this.<\/em><\/p>\n CITIZEN-TIMES <\/strong> (silence):<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Most of you know about the teen-ignited wildfires near Gatlinburg, Tennesee, that led to the deaths of fourteen people and the damage to or destruction of over 2,000 structures in the Gatlinburg area.\u00a0 This is tragic and sad, but what … Continue reading
\nThe social workers and public aid lawyers will contend that these two teenagers could not have known that there would be any consequences to starting a fire. They started a small fire, not a large one.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 4:40pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nthey’re probably some Caucasian Christian right-wing Trumpsters from Tennessee and as such will get minimal charges (if any). I predict that a 3 year prison term is the max they’ll face….<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 4:49pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMirella Gutierrez Bigot.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 4:51pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMirella Gutierrez, you’re an idiot<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 4:57pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMirella Gutierrez whereas you would be deprted and right back the next day<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 4:59pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMirella Gutierrez, Your EBT card has been refilled.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 5:09pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMirella Gutierrez or they are minority islamic jihadist<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 5:12pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMirella Gutierrez how can someone so young be a bigot already?<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 5:12pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMirella Gutierrez Yeah. I bet they release the names\/pictures if the kids are White, but not if they’re Dindoos. What part Mexico are you moving back to, btw?<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 5:18pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMirella Gutierrez: <\/em>Or Hillary protesters<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 5:19pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMirella Gutierrez – Hillary, is that you logged into your fake FB account?<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 5:24pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMirella Gutierrez Build the Wall<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 5:29pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nPete Baynes You call her a bigot? Because she’s probably right about their being white?<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 5:31pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAnthony Cieszkiewicz: Muslims.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 5:33pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMirella Gutierrez posted by a, or want to be illegal Mexican, Central American, or South American mud hut trash. Worry about your internal problems, and how you’ll cross the river and keep your hair dry.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 5:51pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMirella Gutierrez are you a dbag all the time?<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 5:54pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMirella Gutierrez: You soiled yourself Mirella. Get over it. You lost. America won. Enjoy your stay.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 6:16pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMirella Gutierrez you sound like an angry mixed up girl. Good thing there are many other countries you could move to. Please go where u think its better than here.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 6:16pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMirella Gutierrez: Or they might be some illegal mexicans who have overstayed their visit and can’t scam anymore welfare out of real Americans<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 6:30pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nDeath Penalty case if you ask me.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 3:32pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWouldn’t that depend on whether or not they set the fire on purpose?<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 3:33pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nJoseph Girard<\/em>: Good point.<\/em>\u00a0 That’s why we need to follow our process.<\/em>
\nHowever, if it was arson I support Mr. Morgans recommendation.<\/em>
\nThe media gives the impression is was arson…..unfortunately none of us can trust the media from any side anymore.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 3:42pm<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n
\nOr a cigarette tossed out s window could’ve caused it. If they did it by accident give them probation, why ruin their lives , won’t bring anyone’s life back. Tragedies happen.<\/em>
\nDec 9, 2016 10:12am<\/em><\/p>\n
\nFunny, the Republican lawmakers who set the table for this disaster with their decades of climate change denial seem to be “living with” themselves just fine. I guess those millions in fossil fuel bribes kind of help ease any compunctions.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 9:31pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nIf these boys did set this fire they should be charged as adults and charged with murder.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 3:43pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nUnbelievable!!! Two juveniles are responsible for this horrific tragedy and have been charged with aggravated arsen? How about adding 14 charges of negligent homicide and if charges do not exist for the monetary loss of a business due to arsen, let’s add that in too. I could not imagine being the parents of these two.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 3:46pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nScrew that putting them in jail, let the families who lost family members in this fire, take the two teenagers out tie them back to back, have them sit down and pour gasoline on the both and set them on fire, letting them feel what it’s like to lose a life<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 4:01pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nReported.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 4:30pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nTyson Park – reported?\u00a0 For what?\u00a0 Sounds better than housing them for the next forty or so years.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 4:33pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWhat did your wife cuck you again and that’s why your such a salty Cunt today.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 5:31pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMake their parents pay the cost of fighting the fire then lock them both up for life.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 4:46pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nDo you really think their parents have MILLIONS of dollars?<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 6:29pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nIt’s total Karma in my opinion that brings these life changing events into the lives of unsuspecting victums. Our souls\/spirits are never ending. Can we agree on that? If that is true, then we all have had good and bad experiences in the many previous incarnations that we’ve lived through. These experiences will come back to either haunt or reward you. “What goes around comes around.”<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 4:46pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThere is a female Mexican on this comment site who said the arsonists were white Christians. So what? How does the Mexican woman know? All I can say is Mexicans claim they are Catholic, and that they are very religious. Lies,lies,lies! All Mexicans voted for Killary, and Mexicans expect me a white Christian to pay for their abortions. Shut your ignorant mouth Mexican woman.\u00a0 Get your backside back the other side of the border.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 4:58pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nBurning at the stake would be appropriate.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 4:59pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nHow about burning them to a stake down town Gatlinburg. These kids should tried as adults. For 7 counts of murder or how ever many died. Get them for killing animal , arson<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 6:11pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nBurn them to death. There is nothing there worth saving.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 6:42pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nHang there lil punk asses, they probably don’t and WONT work, we don’t need to keep them up.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 7:06pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWorthless trash. Please transfer them to adult court so they can spend the next few years being sodomized behind bars.<\/em>
\nDec 7, 2016 8:01pm<\/em><\/p>\n
\nHang ’em high.<\/em>
\nDec 8, 2016 10:35am<\/em><\/p>\n
\nLife behind bars. No parole.<\/em>
\nDec 8, 2016 12:01pm<\/em><\/p>\n
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