Press Pounces at News of Deaths
Like many other bloggers in Dallas, the The Dallas Morning News' Rodger Jones commented on the deaths of Rufus Shaw and Lynn Flint Shaw, whose bodies were found in their home Monday after an apparent murder-suicide. But whereas all of the other commenters limited themselved to expressions of shock and sorrow, Rodger Jones quickly dispensed with the condolences and jumped immediately to speculation about the details of the deaths, even before both bodies had been identified. And not just explaining the legal, financial, and possibly health issues the couple faced. No, Rodger Jones had only one question on his mind: "Was she going to implicate him in the fraud case that the DA was bringing against her? Did that trigger the violence last night?"
Readers immediately pointed out how the speculation was tasteless (as one put it), how Jones had no facts or evidence to support his fantasizing (as another put it), how Jones' blog might even border on schadenfreude (as yet another put it, which I agree was "piling on", as the commenter himself admitted).
That last accusation brought Rodger Jones out in public to defend his sadness as genuine and his questions as legitimate. None of the other blogs (Frontburner, Unfair Park, Dallas Blog) engaged in such unfounded, idle speculation. Maybe they have a higher journalistic standard than does the The Dallas Morning News.
Find the Popes in the Pizza
The Dallas Morning News' Bruce Tomaso reports on Pope Benedict XVI's first visit to the United States, from April 15 to April 20. I just love the excitement generated by a papal visit...
Father Guido Sarducci: "Going along with this Papal mania, I've kind of designed a contest about the Popes. It's called 'Find the Popes in the Pizza' ... All two hundred and fifty-four Popes, they're in here. ... While you're looking at the pizza for thirty seconds, I'm gonna play a cut from Pius XII's album. ... Here is Pius XII singing 'On the Sunny Side of the Street' ... And now find the Popes in the pizza. Good luck to you. All two hundred and fifty-four. ... Some are easy to find, some are hard. ... Here's a little clue for you. Most of the Popes have red faces."
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