OT - Obvious Writing Strikes Again

Submitted by Blazefire on

So, on occasion I find myself bothered by obvious reporting that isn't quite done right. In this case, I refer to a story written about a woman who started stabbing people at random in a Target in LA.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-target-stabbings,0,4239408.story?hpt=T2

Now, I have no problem with this story, until we get right to the end.

"A motive for the stabbing was not immediately known, but Trawick is believed to be suffering from mental issues."

Seriously? A woman who just pulled out some knives and randomly started stabbing people has mental issues? If you're quoting someone here, such as, "Police Chief Smith said a motive was not known, but mental issues may be involved", that's fine. But this is not a quote. This is just an addendum.

A car crashed. Driver error or mechanical failure are believed to be at fault.

A Tornado killed three people. Powerful weather patterns may have been at fault.

An earthquake struck. A faulty fault may have have been at fault.

Grah! I know news is written for a 4th grade reading comprehension level, but dear god. SHE STABBED FOUR PEOPLE AT RANDOM IN A STORE! SHE'S GOT MENTAL ISSUES! This is not something we need to be told.

 

</rant>

RedGreene

May 3rd, 2010 at 10:45 PM ^

"A motive for the the post was not immediately known, but RationalMSUfan is believed to be suffering from mental issues."

Njia

May 4th, 2010 at 7:22 AM ^

OCT 9, 2010, ANN ARBOR - MSU head football coach Mark Dantonio followed his predecessor, John L Smith, in striking himself in the head and uttering incomprehensible phrases during his press conference after his team's 67-2 clubbing at the Big House by the Michigan Wolverines. The press conference began normally with Dantonio taking questions from reporters. Detroit Free Press columnist, Michael Rosenberg, had just asked whether the coach believed that rule breaking by Michigan may have contributed to the final score when Dantonio suddenly slapped himself and said, "Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids!"

Leaping off the podium, Dantonio removed his loafers, then attacked Rosenberg with one of his shoes. Multiple witnesses said that the coach began yelling, "What's the frequency, Woody?" as he struck the stunned reporter.

MSU Athletic Director, Mark Hollis, who was present at the press conference, was asked to comment about the incident. He declined to provide specifics to reporters but said mental issues may have been involved.

Search4Meaning

May 4th, 2010 at 10:32 AM ^

That these writers have a keen grasp of the obvious.

 

Remember that most articles are written at about the fifth grade level.  

 

Or third grade when it come to OSU fans... if they managed to get that far.

wlvrine

May 4th, 2010 at 2:48 PM ^

My beef is with people who commit horrible crimes (like murder) and then claim they have mental issues.  I know they have mental issues.  They just fucken killed someone.  They are fucking crazy.  These people should not be examined and treated for mental disorders.  They should be locked away to protect the public from their sociopathic behaviour.  If you want to examine and treat them, that is just fine.  But under no circumstances should the criminally insane be released early from a prison sentence because some bleeding heart doctor has "cured" them of their psychosis.

/rant