posted
Today our local paper ran a story off the wire from a reporter in Mineapolis, It was a commentry about motor sports being a "Blood sport". This reporter admited that he was not a "motorsports reporter" and made, IMHO, some very rude and tastless remarks about the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. Below is an direct copy and past from the article he wrote, which can be read entirely on the Mineapolis Star Tribune web site.
“Dale was sacrificing his chance to win to help his friend, Michael Waltrip, and his son, Dale Jr., when he crashed.”
The folks embracing this are trying to bring a greater glory to Earnhardt’s death — to give a nobility to what occurred rather than to accept the reality that this competition they so love is a blood sport.
Denial of this is what keeps the racers and their teams and the fans showing up each week. Even in making the official announcement of Earnhardt’s death, there was an element of denial in the words of NASCAR president Mike Helton.
“ ... After the accident in Turn 4 at the end of the Daytona 500, we’ve lost Dale Earnhardt.”
No, sir. You did not lose Dale Earnhardt. He was right there in the familiar black No. 3 car, slumped over,dead.
Many people have evidently e-mailed Mr. Reusse and wish upon "him" a terrible death. Below is the e-mail I sent to him in responce to his article.
Mr. Reusse,
I live in Evansville,In and our newspaper ran your story today of "Blood Sport". I found it very rude and un-called for. Your remark about "Being slumped over dead" was very insensitive to the Earnhardt family, friends and fans. I find it just as bad as the media hounding the family and repedatly showing footage of the crash, all were in poor taste.
In your article on today's web site from your paper you mentioned you have very little experience in motorsports reporting and that you are not a gear head. Sir, if this is the case you need to limit your reporting to sports that you may have a very deep knowledge of, and leave the rest alone, including motorsports.
I have been a "MotorHead" almost all of my life. I have followed mostly the NHRA for many years attending several national events each year. I was witness to the crash's in Indy that took the lives of NHRA Drag racers Blaine Johnson and Elmer Trent. Yes, motorsports are a dangerous life choice, but it is just that, a choice. All drivers, crews and sometimes even the fans take on the risk of injury or death to participate and enjoy the sports that they love.
Also in your article you wrote how many people have e-mailed you, wishing you a very painful death yourself. This is not the case on my part, and as I realize that you are probably flooded with e-mails, this one too will end up in the "trash bin", but I ask of you please, if you read this to "THINK" before you hit the print button next time.
The only thing I wish is that when the lord decides it is your day, that the tribute piece written in the paper will be more sensitive than you have shown your fellow man these past few days.
Troy "MetalLeg" Haas
If you would like to write to Mr. Reusse his e-mail is : preusse@startribune.com
Please do not e-mail him with ill feelings and wish's of a painful death, but rather you disgust with the way the media handles a tragedy....
I know this is no where near sign related but thought I would share this with those who wish to read it.
------------------ Troy Haas "Metal_Leg" on mIRC
SAM Signs & RPM Auto Graphix 931 W. Columbia street Evansville,Indiana 47710 812-437-5367
"Chaos, panic, disorder - my work here is done."
Posts: 1100 | From: Evansville,Indiana, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Troy, you are very right,the media has made many senseless & inconsiderate reports on this ordeal. I agree with you wholeheartedly about the way they have handled the situation.At the track this week there has been a huge turn out of media reporters that normally wouldn't be there,thus the stupid reports from even more idiotic news people.One guy on hbo last night insinuated that fox media had the restrictor plates put on the engines to make for a better tv show last sunday,...how misinformed can ya get & to think there were millions of viewers who probably believed what this idiot was trying to imply.It astounds me how the media can be so authoritive only because they are on the "right" side of the camera or press!It saddens me to see the public so misinformed of the actual facts. If it wasn't for these guys out there risking life & limb each weekend on the road we wouldn't have half the saftey devices in your family car or truck that detroit installs. 90% of detroits saftey devices & r&d comes from this "bloodsport". So the next time they getin their car to go misinform us, the public they'll get there a helluva lot safer.
------------------ fly low...timi/NC is,.....Tim Barrow Barrow Art Signs Winston-Salem,NC http://artistsfriend.com/signs
[This message has been edited by timi NC (edited February 23, 2001).]
posted
Just one comment about something I know about reporters... it's not an excuse, but for me sometimes knowing "why" makes it easier to deal with.
Reporters- They have to be cold hearted, "removed" and nearly dead inside to be able to report the "facts" over and over again. The callusness that they develope spills over into their stories... thus insulting the readers now and then when it happens. Mostly that kind of comment is reserved for the break room or newsroom where only the staff's ears can hear it and it's edited out of the stories by the Editor.
What are these facts they report over and over again? People die, tragedy happens, really bad people get caught and really bad people get away. Life sucks and we tune in to see it, read about it and comment on it. They live it. They see the parts of these stories that are edited out... like the CHP officer carrying the motorcyle riders head back (in his helmet) to the scene of the auto vs. motorcycle accident... or worse when it comes to stories about kids.
In my Professional Opinion- the Editor should have caught that "editorial" description of Dale, but he didn't and now they are catching hell for it. The reporter may not "soften up" because he can't- to do his job. But- the Editor will probably catch it next time.
I believe your e-mail and all the others will make a difference for that reporter and Editor, but it will not stop it completely. If everyone were to stop watching the news and reading the paper- that would get their attention... but then it would also be cutting off our nose in spite of our face.
Life sucks~ if you let it.
The couldn't stand listening to the reporters in the breakroom side of the Moon... so I left.
Another #3 fan too.
------------------ The Moon aka: Stefenie Harris Moonlight Designs Pollock Pines, CA learnin' somethin' new every day!
Posts: 550 | From: Pollock Pines, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Over the years, I've come to know a reporter or two. One of which was just starting out and on the 'bold' side, to say the least. When I read his stories, I was shocked at the take and/or opinions he made on the situations he wrote about. He didn't think that, he didn't believe that, etc., so why did he write it. When asked, his reply was that he was making his mark, drawing attention to his name, getting the readers riled up with controversy. A controversial opinion will draw attention and opposition. It appears that Mr. Rousse (sp) has succeeded in this. He stuck his neck out and he's gonna hear about it. Maybe the next time you pick up the press, you'll even read his stories to see what he's saying now.
I am deeply saddened by the death of a living legend, Dale Earnhardt, Sr.
I remain, a NASCAR Fan Cher.
------------------ Cheryl Lucas a/k/a "Shag" on MIRC Vital Signs & Graphics, Etc. Cape Coral, Florida VSignsNgraphics@aol.com
Posts: 987 | From: Cape Coral, FL USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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posted
I'm no fan off reporters but is it possible this writer was trying to introduce a moment of lucidity ? I didn't see anything offensive. Racers are human after all.
------------------ "hooked on fonix" Olympia WA
Posts: 797 | From: Olympia, WA | Registered: Nov 1998
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