It did not take long after the story about the sad situation in Springfield hit our website than the worse part about the internet soon reared its head again. There are many things about the online world that I am coming to love. But there remain some things about it that I loathe. One of those is the ability of some “commenters” on our website to add their special brand of crudeness, incivility, racism and in some instances just plain hate to the conversation. The whole idea of having the ability to comment on every story that appears on our website is to further our mission of getting our readers more engaged, at times even taking part in the news process. But it’s become clear to me that our current method of posting comments needs to be refined. So here is your opportunity. Tell me how you think we should handle them. Currently we require those who wish to comment to register, but in effect most of the commenters are provided the cloak of anonymity. They give us their e-mail address, the IP and a name they wish to appear with their comments. For all intent and purpose, their identity is unknown, at least to the general public. That leads to problems. Specifically, it often gives people the online equivalent of “beer muscles.” Without their name being affixed to their beliefs, people are willing to say things they would never utter if they knew their name was going to be there for all to see. In addition, the comments also are not reviewed before they appear on the site. If people object to something that appears in the comments, they can notify us via e-mail. We also review comments throughout the day and remove objectionable material. But the fact is that a lot of comments that have no business being displayed in fact do wind up on our website, at least for awhile. They add little or nothing to the conversation. They do often throw gasoline on an already volatile mix. And sometimes they simply hurt. While we make it clear we are not responsible for the content posted in these forums, it doesn’t change the fact that we are hosting it on our site. In recent weeks several stories have sparked objectionable comments. Just about any crime story out of Chester will bring the racists out of the woodwork, condemning an entire race for the actions of a few. It’s as if no white people have ever committed a crime. A story from Upper Darby on Friday on a shotgun shooting sparked an avalanche of ugly comments. Then there’s the story of Strath Haven High School girls lacrosse coach Jan Duckenfield. The school board did not renew her contract to coach the team, which for the first time ever shared the Central League title last year. The story sparked strong reaction in the community, and likewise strong reactions on our website. Comments were posted both in favor and against the coach. But it didn’t take long for her enemies to turn the conversation into a personal attack on Duckenfield. I actually had several conversations with Duckenfield about the comments. Eventually I decided to disable the ability of readers to comment on the story. That is one option that I have. It is not one I want to use routinely. At the same time, I am convinced we need a new way of dealing with comments. Right now I am considering reviewing all comments before they appear on the site. It is something of a Herculean task. The popularity of our site means the number of comments also has exploded. I don’t want to cut off that outlet to readers. I also don’t want to stamp out the spontaneity of being able to post comments in real time. It goes against the spirit of the Internet. But I no longer want to be part of offering a forum for cowards who use the cloak of anonymity to post their hate-filled, ugly, demeaning commentaries. Do you agree or disagree? Join the conversation. Post a comment on this blog and let me know how you would handle this situation. Your thoughts will be shared with the editors of the newspaper as we determine a new policy for commenting online. It might be the last time you can do so without that material being scrutinized before it goes out there for the world to see.
A sad story from Springfield There’s really only one sentiment that washes over you when you read the sad story that played out in Springfield yesterday. There’s just an overwhelming sense of sadness. Ernest Rayfield is charged with the stabbing death of his seriously ill wife. Rayfield is 88.
You can read the full story here.
He apparently told police he’d “had enough” in caring for his wife. He was found kneeling over his wife’s lifeless body. Sad actually doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Figuring out the Phils If someone has figured out this Phillies team, please let the rest of us in on the secret. After looking thoroughly inept and about to fall out of the playoff race in dropping four straight at home to the lowly Houston Astros, the Phils had their work cut out for them as they jetted across the country for a weekend set with the best team in the National League. For a team struggling offensively, the thought of three games against the best pitching staff and ERA in baseball did not bode well for the Phils. So of course the Phils simply reversed course and promptly beat the Padres three straight times. In doing so, they actually beat San Diego at their own game. The Phils out-pitched and out-fielded the Padres, whose normally sure-handed defense let them down. Hard-luck Cole Hamels wasn’t taking any chances yesterday. Again and again this year the team has failed to score for Hamels. He took care of that by blanking the Padres over eight strong innings. Brad Lidge, who had blown a save opportunity on Friday night by balking home the tying run, then retired the Padres 1-2-3 Saturday night, was not needed on Sunday. With the 5-0 lead the Phils called on Ryan Madson to close the door in the ninth. He did just that. The bad news is despite winning three straight, the Phils failed to gain ground on the Braves. That’s in part due to the largesse of the Marlins, who managed to blow a 6-1 lead to Atlanta. The Braves scored three runs in the eighth and three more in the ninth – including a walk-off homer by catcher Brian McCann that had to be reviewed by instant replay. Now the Phils head to L.A. and three games against the Dodgers. The only thing you can be sure of is that you really don’t know which Phillies team will show up. But I do know this. With Roy Halladay on the hill tonight, I like the Phils’ chances.
The Daily Numbers: 88, age of man charged with fatally stabbing his ailing wife in Springfield. 50 years, how long Ernest and Mary Rayfield lived on Madison Road in Springfield. 50 students from the closed St. Joe’s School in Collingdale who will be attending classes at St. Eugene’s in Primos. 100 mph, how fast police believe a motorcycle was going when it crashed on I-95 in Tinicum late last night, killing the driver. 13 parochial elementary schools that have closed in Delaware County since 1981. 109 years of service for Second Baptist Church in Media. They broke ground for a new building on Sunday. 21, age of man fatally shot during a confrontation in Yeadon early Saturday. 21, also the age of a man in critical condition after he was shot by two shotgun-toting assailants in the Stonehurst Hills section of Upper Darby last week. 72 homes that would be displaced in Tinicum by the final recommendation for expansion and a new runway at Philadelphia International Airport. 30 road projects at a cost of $257 million in federal stimulus funds being done across the Philadelphia region. 1 suspect being sought in the rape of a woman at downtown Philly bus stop last night. 30 residents chased from their homes when flames erupted at a rooming house in Atlantic City. 40 table games for blackjack, craps and mini-baccarat that will arrive at the SugarHouse casino in Philadelphia this morning. They are due to open Sept. 23. 2 people killed in a head-on crash in Southwest Philly Sunday morning. 28 cities in Northeast U.S. that set records for high average temperature for the period March through August. 8,500 pounds of ground beef that has been recalled in the latest E.-coli scare. 4.50 a month more for customers of Philadelphia Gas Works under rate hike that goes into effect Sept. 1. 120 new Silverliner rail cars for the SEPTA regional rail lines that have now been delayed. They’ll start arriving in October. 5 Delaware County school districts that will start the school year without a teachers’ contract in place. 2.70 a gallon, average price for gas in the Philly region. Of course it’s starting to go down just a the summer driving season comes to an end. 3 straight wins for the Phils in San Diego, after they got swept 4 straight at home by the Astros. 8 scoreless inning unfurled yesterday in a gem by Cole Hamels. 2 earned runs give up by Phillies starters in the 3-game set in San Diego. 16 straight batters retired by Hamels before he gave way to Ryan Madson for the 9th. Call me a Phanatic: A look at the ups and downs of being a Philadelphia sports fan. Anyone able to figure out this Phillies team? If you have, please let the rest of us know. They lose 4 straight at home to the lowly Astros, then go to San Diego and sweep the best team in the National League? Go figure. I Don’t Get It: A man left his pants behind as he fled the scene of a rape at a bus stop in downtown Philly last night. I don’t get it. Today’s Upper: Kudos to all those who showed up over the weekend for the fundraiser for wounded Marine Lance Cpl. Nick Green of Nether Providence. Quote Box: “We all just feel terrible about it. He was a good father and a good husband over the years. – Springfield neighbor of Ernest Rayfield, who is charged in the stabbing death of his ailing, elderly wife.
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