I got an e-mail the other morning.
That, by itself,was not news – I get work e-mails all day, every day. But this message, and its subject matter, got me thinking, and ultimately prompted this column.
The e-mail directed me to a blog that deals heavily with Zionsville conspiracy theories. If you’re reading this, you know its name and that’s good, because I refuse to promote it any further than need be.
Before I execute my takedown of this pothole on the information superhighway, let me be clear: I’m not from Zionsville and have no dog in the fight concerning Zionsville politics. I’m here to tell stories and to relay the news, in as impartial a manner as possible; that’s called journalism.
Said blog is not journalism. It’s cowardly, anonymous trash. Whoever the author is – everyone seems to have ideas about that – he or she apparently feels comfortable lobbing grenades, often personal ones, from behind an opaque keyboard.
To my knowledge, the blog hasn’t tossed any literary explosives in Current in Zionsville’s direction, but that’s not the issue. I take exception to its gutless tone, and the taking to task of people who, ostensibly, are simply trying to make a living or improve their community.
If you’re connecting mental dots and assume Current in Zionsville is in bed with local politicians now, because of the chasm between the tone of this column and that blog, stop. If you’re thinking I’m a hypocrite because I used anonymous quotes in a Current story on the subject with which the blog deals, stop. Those quotes were a far cry from the blog’s hurtful, childish ramblings.
As a human, either you get it, or you don’t. Slandering people from behind the veil of anonymity is a huge hallmark of the latter. Just sign your name – maybe people would take your garbage more seriously.