Another year, another ride on the fabulous roller-coaster of public opinion. And now that so many of them come in digital form, preserved for all eternity (or at least until the Internet is a victim of a comprehensive cyber-attack), I can put 2008 to bed by sharing with everybody else what some of what some of you, my loyal fans and energetic critics, have been saying.
Don't worry. Nobody will be identified, to protect both the guilty and the innocent.
***
Abstinence deserves a place in sex ed debate, June 1
"Finally, an article that is absolutely 100 percent correct!"
Well, of course. Aren't they all?
"Hey moron, drugs and underage alcohol abuse are illegal There's nothing illegal about someone over the age of consent having sex. The line, 'Thanks to the graphic sex ed they receive in public school, adolescents now hook up on weekends for oral sex,' may be the single stupidest line ever printed in a newspaper."
Which makes me superlative, sort of the way the Detroit Lions are superlative. I didn't write that it was illegal for those over the age of consent to have sex. But, details, details.
***
Real heroes don't whine about their jobs, Aug. 3
"Your column couldn't have been more right on the money if had been written by some firefighter on sodium Pentothal. We do so little actual "work" and get lavished with so much affection (not to mention cakes, pastries, deli platters, etc.) by the public that I am both embarrassed and somewhat stricken by the feeling that I'm stealing money when I get paid ... I actually find the hero worship of firefighters a little disgusting."
So, you're a firefighter. Are you on sodium Pentothal? Get help!
"I think your article was disgraceful. My son is a firefighter, in the service. Served time in Iraq firefighting. They're exposed to all kinds of dangerous diseases out there and they're bringing those diseases home to their families. Who the (bleep) do you think you are? If your home was burning or your children were sick ... who the (bleep) would you call? A firefighter. Who the (worse bleep) do you think you are?"
Uh, are you related to Rod Blagojevich by any chance?
***
Elders don't necessarily need tax breaks, Aug. 17
"You have got to be the most hateful person on earth. I know many older people that do not have the scads of money that you imply. I sense a real jealousy from you that people who work(ed) for a living have enough, and tough luck to them. All the while the government is lavishing billion-dollar tax breaks on oil companies who are turning the largest profits in history."
Have hope! With Obamessiah about to take office, there will soon be a windfall profit tax on those evil oil companies — oh, wait, that's right, the president-elect has put that on hold. Maybe he'll put a windfall profits tax on baseball players.
"I hate to have to agree with Mr. Amerding (sic) because he usually rights (sic) as a lunatic, fact-averse, wingnut but here he is on the right side of the issue. However, rather than blame it all on Obama (well, I can only expect so much from T.A.) who is first in line with their hands out for tax breaks or to oppose over-rides? Seniors. I have always said that I will take their opposition to an override seriously when they decide to close a senior center and use that money for the schools."
Well, thanks for sticking to the issue, and avoiding personal attacks.
"Taylor, Taylor, Taylor, you try to write an honest opinion, but three paragraphs into it your bias is evident. Your personal finances or those of your friends are not representative of even the majority of seniors, many of whom worked blue-collar jobs, not a cushy position at a regional newspaper."
Gee, since it's an opinion column, I was hoping my bias would be evident in the first paragraph. But, excuse me, I have to go find my cushion.
***
What Obama really said at the convention, Sept. 9
"I supported you on the firefighter editorial, but here you are CLEARLY off the mark, although I am also not a fan of Obama. The biggest surprise was your outing yourself as straight, as Lord knows your photo in the Trib would have one assume otherwise."
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
"More drivel from whiny Taylor Armerding. Why don't you move to another country and see how bad you have it here in the USA, you malcontent. These 'editorials' (and I use that term loosely) are so boring now because you have gone to this well too many times. Stick to your 'music' (once again I use THAT term loosely)."
Ouch! This must be why I'm neither famous nor rich.
***
Obama wants to lead a nation of victims, Nov. 2
"Read your column, why don't you wait until you have had an original thought to publish? Whine, whine, whine. Oh my taxes are too high! Ooh the government wants to help others! Oh you are all victims and I work so hard I'm great! Give me a break, you greedy little weasel, what a waste of newsprint! Have a great four years!"
Hey, weasels have feelings too.
***
Jobs 'spread the wealth' better than government, Dec. 7
"Really the rich spread the wealth by making jobs? You mean like Walmart? Old man Walton died and left each one of his kids FOUR billion dollars and the same for his wife. Is that how you mean to spread the wealth? I was around during the depression. You have no idea how bad it was. If there were a few jobs they paid starvation wages."
What!? I thought Vice President-elect Joe Biden said when the Great Depression hit, FDR got on the TV and talked about hope and change, and everything got better.
***
Thanks everybody for writing. Keep it coming. And Happy New Year.
ÔÇ¢ÔÇ¢ÔÇ¢
Taylor Armerding is associate editorial page editor of The Eagle-Tribune. He may be reached at 978-946-2213 or at tarmerding@eagletribune.com. Read him daily at The Soapbox, the Eagle-Tribune blog at blogs.eagletribune.com/soapbox
