A template for the media

[ZeSpectre]

We all know how the media spins anything firearm related. So here's an article from ABC news that involves assault, attempted homicide, injuries, the works...but it doesn't involve firearms.

Isn't it -astounding- (sarcasm) how generally even tempered the article is. Isn't it amazing how there are no calls to ban or restrict access to bricks (or cars for that matter). Note how the entire weight of blame is placed on the CRIMINALS but none on the bricks (oh and not once is the criminal called a "brickman"). Nobody is talking about lawsuits against the brick manufacturers or sellers or automobile windshield companies, and so forth.

It sure would be nice for the media to use this article as a template, you can just imagine how it would have been written if the tool used were a firearm.

HILLSIDE (WABC) -- A warning is being issued for drivers in New Jersey Tuesday.

By Lucy Yang

Police say someone is taking aim at cars with large bricks.

It has happened at least 18 times in the past few week along Route 22 in Hillside, Union County.

It is a new twist on an old and dangerous prank: Throwing rocks at unsuspecting drivers. In the past, the rocks would be tossed from an overpass. But in this case, detectives believe they are being thrown from an oncoming car and that broken pavers or bricks are being tossed.
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There have been 11 vehicles hit and nine innocent passengers and drivers injured. Some required stitches. All the victims were driving east on Route 22. Authorities believe the culprit was driving westbound, and when the opportunity arose, the person would toss a heavy brick out the window, hoping to hit the oncoming car.

"If you have two cars traveling 50 miles an hour, that's 100 miles an hour coming through your windshield," Hillside Detective Lieutenant Matthew Ross said. "So we're asking the public to keep a lookout, and if they see anything suspicious, to give us a call. Because it's going to take all this help in order to catch whoever is doing this."

Police believe the objects are being tossed from the road because in one instance, the brick went through the front windshield and out the back. They say they have also found similar bricks littered along the westbound side of the highway.

Amazingly, no one has been killed. Police are hoping to make some arrests before anyone else is injured.

Of course it's also a little telling that it's happened 18 times in the same area and they haven't caught the bad guy yet.

 

[#shooter]

Give it time. Once someone is killed NJ will ban "brick throwing" and make you register pavers at Home Depot.

 

[cambeul41]

Maybe Lucy Yang is either with us or neutral?

 

[Chipperman]

We need to serial number bricks so we know who bought them.

 

[Seancass]

bricks don't kill people, people with bricks kill people.

p.s. guns?

 

[bogie]

Guys, being even-tempered doesn't sell newspapers or TV news.

Yelling and screaming about how the sky is falling does.

We need to think when we deal with the media: "What is this cat looking for, so that he can file a cool story, get an attaboy from his boss, and go home early on Friday? How can I give him something that will be both positive -and- sensational?"

All too often, gunnies try to craft something that would make their 12th grade English teacher happy. And that doesn't work for Joe Journalist.

I'm guessing that one reason a lot of defensive firearms uses don't make the news is that (a) the good guy is smart enough to ****; and (b) nothing spectacular happened.

Good news is boring. Bad news leads.