MetaChat - Hit-and-run victim was quiet and dependable, co-workers say

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06 October 2010

Hit-and-run victim was quiet and dependable, co-workers say The St. Petersburg Times writes a quietly moving obit for a local man, in response to an internet troll.→[More:] "Web editors removed the comment, deeming it an offensive and insensitive insult to a dead man's friends and family. Though hardly unusual — check out the comments beneath stories about any recent tragedy — this one spurred the Times to make Mr. Smith the subject of this story, as a reminder that every life matters."

post by: BoringPostcards at: 07:23 | 10 comments

I make it a rule never to read the comments on newspaper websites, because it's a very fast way to lose one's faith in humanity.

This story, however, is a very good way to restore one's faith in humanity.

posted by JanetLand 06 October | 07:45

Wow, that made me cry.

posted by amro 06 October | 10:34

Odd that you posted this today. Last night I got to wondering what ever came of the story of the man found frozen in a block of ice in Detroit a couple of years ago. Turns out his name was Johnnie Redding.

posted by arse_hat 06 October | 12:45

Just about everyone's life is of value to someone else.

posted by Senyar 06 October | 13:07

That was quite moving and I applaud the St. Petersburg Times for publishing it. So often newspapers are responsible for reinforcing the message that poor people's lives don't matter.

Thanks for posting this.

posted by serazin 06 October | 13:40

I think that's very nice. For the next piece in the series, I'd like them to go to the house of the troll, and write a piece about what a big freakin' loser he is.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 06 October | 15:38

That was very touching and sad. I'm also glad the St. Pete Times chose to write this.

posted by LoriFLA 06 October | 19:48

I'd give twenty bucks for a suitable memorial for this guy if there was a way.

posted by tortillathehun 06 October | 19:48

I do think the story would not have lost anything if all references to the douchebutt troll had been omitted.

I make it a rule never to read the comments on newspaper websites, because it's a very fast way to lose one's faith in humanity.

You and me both, J-Land. The beauty of NoScript in Firefox is that comments are usually hidden unless I allow the website's scripts. Every time I do let them through, I'm sadly reminded why I usually don't.

posted by hangashore 06 October | 20:33

Thank you for posting this. I reposted in on Facebook. Every life does matter. Assholes on the Interwebs regularly make me depressed about the state of this world. This posting helped.

posted by toastedbeagle 07 October | 14:36

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