[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

A few thoughts on your very rilled up reply.

You're the only one in this conversation who is riled up. I'm laughing at the utter absurdity of the points you are trying to make.

1. News is not always news. Much print media is nothing but opinion based columns that claim to be nothing but that, opinions on news. Even “news news” is always reported with some form of a tint and bias and we all know that and can’t ever expect true media to be able to avoid it.

True but irrelevant. Fan forums do not even pretend to be reporting news. The fact that person A is not living up to his professional standards does not say anything about person B, who is not even in that profession and is not bound by those standards.

But most importantly when we are talking sport or entertainment, it is not the same as reporting on actual news or events that matter. The NHL is nothing more than a reality TV show or play we all watch.

You mean the games are scripted? News to me.

Anything that goes on within the parameters of putting on that show which includes trades, contracts and buyouts really doesn’t need the same standard of pure fact reporting true world events do. The opinions and spin media offer on those moves is just part of the show. Can it go to far? Fore sure, but let’s not pretend the media has the same obligation to report “the facts and only the facts” when talking hockey transactions.

They have the same legal obligation not to spread false news and not to commit libel. They have the same practical obligation not to lose their paying customers.

2. You’ve been here over 10 years and you haven’t picked up on the undertone of arrogance in regards to this collective board.

I have been here over 10 years, and I have often noticed that the most arrogant people here are those who make generalizations about the board as if it were a monolithic entity obeying some kind of corporate policy. That's a hint, by the way.

I enjoy it here, but as a group we think we are cats meow to all things Flames.

We do? I must have missed that memo – but see above.

Whether it be the constant “Fan 960 must be reading the board again”

I see that comparatively rarely, and most often in a jocular way, as who should say ‘Speak of the devil’.

to just how much the opinions on here are taken as the most educated about the Flames (and maybe that’s true) this collectively personality of this site feels very strongly about just how good and seriously the opinions on here should be valued.

Your opinion – which, by the way, I do not value or take seriously at all, as indeed I do not take most of the opinions posted here.

3. Most of your last points feed exactly what I’m saying. I’m aware of the lack of legal obligation we have when writing our opinions, and I’m aware the media has those and should. I’m also aware of our right to have and express those opinions. What I’m talking about is just how easy it is to share your opinion when you never have to but your name behind it.

It's just as easy to share your opinion when you do have to put your name behind it.

80% of what gets spewed here would never get said if the people it was said about were in the room able to identify who said it.

You mean people censor themselves when there's a celebrity in the room and they don't want to be rude to him? Oh, my, what a shocking idea.

And that be ok if it got said and disappeared like it used to in the past when a group of people were just talking hockey over beers. On here it lives on forever, and the people we talk about can read it, but we get the luxury of an anonymous opinion. At least the media have the check and balance of I’m actually going to have to see this guy after they write.

Actually, the media often get the luxury of anonymous opinions. Quick quiz: Who wrote that idiotic headline for the front page of the Sun? An anonymous headline writer, that's who. Articles are signed, editorials and headlines are never signed.

What I find ironic is a bunch of people up in arms about what the Sun headline reflects on our city etc... when there is often fear but also belief that the players and management read and are influenced by this site. If so, how is the Sun headline any worse reflection on the city or fan base then what gets said in here?

I agree, it's foolish for anyone to think the Sun headline reflects on the city. People don't judge New York by what gets spewed in the Post or the Daily News, and they certainly don't judge London by the trash in their tabloid papers.

4. “Need a tighter should” is not proper English, bravo. Should have said “but the media should”. Fat finger / auto correct typing on my iPhone at play.

If you're taking other people to task about their written communications, you need to be extra careful that your own writing is at least comprehensible. There is a preview function on this board. Fat fingers and autocorrupt are a valid excuse for making errors; not for failing to edit yourself.