Robservations: Anonymous complaints show no guts
If you’re a regular reader of this piece, you probably remember a few months ago when I addressed the issue of anonymity among disgruntled readers.
If you missed it, here’s a brief summary of those thoughts: I hate it, and have made a vow not to dignify it with responses. Because it just burns me up when somebody with a bone to pick or ax to grind calls us up, or sends an anonymous letter telling us at the paper just how awful we are.
When I post my opinion, it’s got my handsome face on top of it for all the world to see, so everyone knows it’s my opinion. But other people can rant and rave all they want, with no fear of anyone arguing their points, because they don’t have the stones to say who’s leaving the phone message, or to sign their rumor-filled, accusatorial little letters.
And, as I’ve said, normally I just let the thoughts of these anonymous people go in one ear and out the other, figuring if they don’t have the courtesy of telling their name, I’m not giving them the courtesy of my attention.
That is, until now. I’ve decided to make a couple of exceptions, and let the rest of you readers know just how a few folks — who have chosen to remain nameless — get their kicks, vent their frustrations or sow their wild accusations without fear of reprisal.
Example one: Over the last few weeks I, as well as other people on this newspaper’s staff and members of the sports broadcasting crew of the local radio station, received unsigned letters telling us just how bad the situation with the Pioneer football team had become.
I won’t go into detail regarding all the claims made in these letters, other than to let you know that after receiving two in as many weeks, it didn’t take Sherlock Holmes to run through the list of Pioneer (or, more accurately, ex-Pioneer) families and get a pretty good idea as to the identity of their author.
To that person, I have one bit of advice: Learn to spell, or at least to use the spell-check function on your computer. No matter what kind of point you’re trying to make, when you spell the word “win” as “when” (just one of numerous mistakes), you look like a moron.
Example two came in just this week, on the friendly neighborhood sports voice mail. And, in an attempt to be as accurate as possible, I’ll quote it directly here:
“I was just curious as to why you never have the Traveling Titans in the paper. This little JFL league is nothing, compared to the Titans. We’re playing against teams that the high school couldn’t even beat. Why don’t you give us a little recognition every now and then?”
Well, anonymous fan, you’ve got it. Here’s the recognition you’ve requested.
I recognize the arrogance it takes to slam the high school football team, while at the same time the administration of your own league has time and again noted how they’re hoping to train athletes that will help the high school program down the road.
Furthermore, I recognize the ignorance it takes to bash how much coverage these teams have gotten, and to do so in such a rude manner.
And finally, I recognize the lack of class that it takes for someone associated with one youth football organization to insult those associated with another youth football association. They’re little kids, and you called them “nothing.”
No wonder you wouldn’t leave your name. You should be ashamed of yourself.