DU standards are slipping.

[paineinthearse]

This morning I sadly observe DU slipping into sensationalism and using false and misleading subject lines.

Take for example "WP: Miers Makes Rounds On Hill (& displays her ignorance)", in LBN and on the home page. This subject line is out of line on two counts. It not only is misleading, giving the impression that the WP called Miers "ignorant", it is in violation of the LBN rules:

1. The placement of the quotation marks changes the meaning. The actual WP headline reads "Miers Makes Rounds On Hill" with a secondary line reading "Some Senators Remain Skeptical". Is this some kind of a cheep attempt to make readers believe that WP said Miers said Miers displayed ignorance?

2. LBN rule 4 states:

When posting articles, always use the published title of the article as the title of the discussion thread. Additional information may be included in a thread title (in parentheses) if it helps to make the title more clear.

The parenthetical expression "(& displays her ignorance)" does NOT make the title more clear and is unnecessary. Beyond that, it is misleading.

In its form with the (intentionally?) misplaced quotation mark, the post does not deserve the endorsement of being on the home page. The LBN mods should have caught the rule 4 faux pas and asked the poster to edit the subject line within the editing window.

Going forward, let's not become tabloid journalists by twisting headlines in order to present false ideas. In doing so we fall to the level of freepers and Rove. Let us be better than the freepers and rethugs, upholding honesty and objectiveness.

:hide: OK, I'll duck for cover now. :hide:

[MaineDem]

1. Alert the mods

Let them look at it if you feel it breaks the rules.

[paineinthearse]

7. Do the mods promote articles to the home page?

??????

[leftchick]

9. send a PM to the Admins

griping here won't change anything.

[BiggJawn]

2. Lighten up, they just got new Mods...

Or would you prefer the usual "New Mods Jitters", where they lock and delete like a bunch of Cossacks racing over the Steppes?

[WritingIsMyReligion]

6. LOL n/t

[patricia92243]

3. This type of thing needs to be sent to Skinner. n/t

[WritingIsMyReligion]

4. I dunno if that was intentional...

It might have just been an accidental thing. If you feel it violates things so heavily, go tell a mod.

[acmejack]

5. You had better!

I was flamed for pointing out an article was not LBN and supplied a link from an hour and half earlier. It was pointed out to me that that link was GD so it was OK for it to be LBN. I was beaten up & denigrated for saying anything at all about it.

I don't hang out much on weekends anymore, it is a different (read meaner) crowd now days on weekends.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

8. I've also noticed that

people on here on weekends can be very....savage. I don't know what THAT'S all about... :scared:

[B Calm]

10. The poster did put (& displays her ignorance) separately..

lighten up..

[TallahasseeGrannie]

11. Good reminder

I think it is safe to come out now

[BlueJac]

12. Call the cop!

[rasputin1952]

13. Locking

For comments regarding how moderators/Admin maintain this site, please contact Admin with your concerns.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

rasputin1952
Moderator GD