but they’re in college and swearing is cool.  Seriously, after the article on “pissing on your partner” I decided to stop griping.

I wouldn’t term this a case of the “gripes”...instead, it’s calling someone out on poor, lazy writing. 
Asking for a common denominator (i.e. a modicum of decency) is something that’s universally understood.

... and the Buzz won a national student journalism award. Obviously they looked at the pretty photos and didn’t read the content.

I used to work there, and while there are some very talented writers from time to time, there is no quality control when it comes to hiring. Pretty much anyone can write, or edit. It shows.

There are some really great articles every once in a while, but quality control is the key to being recognized as a legitimate source of media.

Todd, I hope you aren’t talking about “Doin’ it well”. That column is the only consistently good piece of the Buzz.

ugh. the college journalism here is sooooo crappy. this is the only school i’ve gone to which actually PAYS students to write (my old schools portland state and cambridge put out vastly superior publications under a budget, without paying writers), and it’s just amazing to me how offensive, naive, and completely unobjective so much of the writing is. i have no idea why they have the likes and gripes section, which is a great example. talk about beating off! (no offense to, um…) and the best sushi is town is koe fusion and mexican dos? talk about privilege, getting paid to write about whatever half-baked 19-y/o opinion comes to you. but my FAVORITE is when the daily illini publishes officialeeze UI statements as news, ala Fox news. fair and balanced, and with excellent, well-informed opinions!! ok i’m done.

While I agree that what Drake said was stupid and poorly written, it was in the “Likes and Gripes” section. Objectivity is not implied there.

And Matt, you were a valued member of buzz and a great blogger, but you don’t know how we hire.  buzz hires writers who want to get experience, so yes, it’s easy to become a writer there. However, to become an editor is a different story.  The whole point of this is that students should be able to get experience before they graduate.

Judging from the few emails I’ve received as a college of Media student from Smile Politely, they strive to do the same.  And that’s admirable on all counts.

Keep in mind this was a 56-page issue and you’re talking about 2 sentences. Yes, it was a mistake to run that, but look at the bigger picture here.

Elle,

You’re right. That comment shit on something that was good to me and hired me when i had no writing experience to my name. Not cool on my part. I also have no idea how they hire editors, but as I was hired as a writer, I do have some idea how they do that.

I think the DI and the217 definitely deserved the awards they got, but I still have issues with the way Buzz uses writing talent.

From my experience, thirty writers were sent emails with lists of stories. There was always an issue with people not volunteering for them. I believe the magazine could be way better if they cut down to a more “elite” staff of writers that are required to meet weekly and write every week. Make people invest in making it better kind of thing? Quality would no doubt improve. Sure, give the no-name a chance to write, but make sure they have some idea of what they are doing.

Sorry for being uncool before.

that “doin it well” can can freely publish articles on pissing that my 7 year old niece can pick up at Borders is indicative of the lack of editing that allows tasteless retard jokes to get printed.

Im pretty sure The Ney Your Times, Chicago Trib., The Sun, The LA Times and every other major newspaper in the country print significantly bigger publications on a DAILY basis and would be pretty amazed if someone got away with using the word retarded in that manor. That being said, I use the word sometimes, but not in a far reaching printed format like The Buzz. Know your audience.

Thanks Matt. I appreciate that, and I’m sure we would all benefit from a smaller writing staff, but I’m not sure ‘elite’ is the right word.  The problem is, this is a big, big school.  And there’s a lot of smart people walking around. So it makes it hard.

That being said, I’m glad there is a large staff ... then everyone gets a chance to do something that they’re interested in. The fact that any blogger can come to me with a reasonable idea and we can put it online fairly quickly is exciting to me.  And that’s why I work here.

Additionally, I’d like everyone to think about other ‘alternative’ papers that tell jokes like this all the time. Have you ever read the jokes section in Maxim? (Your 7 year old can pick that up, too). Buzz isn’t that far-reaching. People don’t read this all over the country. And it wasn’t an article. That comment represented something Drake thought, in a section that was almost basically labeled “DRAKE’S THOUGHTS” blatantly.

Todd,

The media your child has access to is completely up to you. If you feel like censoring them from a sex column, then explain to them it is not something they are ready to see. I think you should definitely censor them from that column.

Question: Why is your 7 year old reading the Buzz? Does he/she frequent concerts around campus? Does he/she have interest in the local food and business? My guess is your kid wouldn’t do much more than look at the pictures, then go back to watching Batman cartoons - which I totally support.

Doin’ It Well is about subjects that effect the lives of all adults. I think it has every right to be in a publicly syndicated magazine.

By the way, do you have a problem with Borders giving your child access to thousands of pieces of literature with sexually explicit writing? Cause I’m pretty sure its just as easy to pick up Catcher in the Rye as it is to pick up the Buzz.

Thanks for the unprofessionalism, that was nice. Before anyone clicks on that, it’s been deleted, because it does not represent how I feel about this issue. It represents how I feel about this article.

It’s ridiculous. The issue, though, is not. And I apologize if anyone thought that there was any bigotry involved, but there wasn’t. That’s not what I was commenting on.

If you feel like this offended you, report it.

People often take things too light…Elle, Drake, others…this is how negativity gets perpetuated.

http://www.odos.uiuc.edu/tolerance/responsibility.asp

really stupid joke and stupid to allow it to be printed.

i’ve been to detroit.  it’s certainly the worst city i’ve ever seen.  camden was pretty bad, too.

the broncos are mighty, indeed.  they have a great team, and a really nifty stadium carved in the side of a hill.  too bad we didn’t play there.  kalamazoo is an exceptionally cool town.

i think ron guenther’s athletic department is serious, and professional.  not much scandal, and few signs of pocket-lining.

“retarded” means slow.  no big deal.

let’s all work diligently on getting todd laid.

preferably a hot urinator please.  I need a cleanse

The football team has gone downhill, and so has basketball… He just put it into perspective.

Seriously though, this isn’t the New York Times or anything. Its a college newspaper that’s meant to be fun(at least thats what I get out of it). Don’t make such a big fucking deal about it. Instead of overanalyzing snippets from someone’s personal opinion, why don’t you write something worthwhile. You talk about how he is a bad writer, but I have never heard of any great publications from you. You post on a shitty blog that nobody outside of the C-U really cares about. Is your future employment going to be consistent of talking shit about some other person’s work? Alright guys, have fun arguing about nothing.

Nevermind, I do know the name. I heard you suck hard at booking shows.

Sophomoric name calling reminiscent of playground days when bullies held court while those without a voice or defenseless were attacked.  Seriously?  You couldn’t find another way to describe the Illinois football team?  Did you really have to bring up Trig Palin as a way to insult Ron Guenther?  Did you really have to insult mothers who have children with developmental delays?  I have a child with Down syndrome.  Does that mean you should use me as a punching bag for your sad attempt at humor?  I would prefer that you use me instead of my little girl.  I would prefer that you have the guts to look me in the eye instead of hiding behind your keyboard while spouting hatred against those who were born with a little more genetic material.  A flaw to you is a gift to those of us who love someone with Down syndrome or a developmental delay. 

Be careful of your words.  They do carry weight.  My world is inclusive and there will come a time when you join us or love someone who has developmental delays. 

Retarded is a word that when used properly is appropriate in some areas of life.  Illinois football is not one of them.  You should be ashamed of yourself. 

www.larkinsplace.com - spend some time at my blog and perhaps we can enlighten you.

wow jovan. you need a hug? or are you always a hypocritical, insensitive asshole? sorry to everyone else for smiling impolitely.

How is it unprofessional to link to a “private” blog on a very public internet that you list your full name on?

Sophomoric? Hypocritical? Its true. I’m an insensitive asshole, but I am not “sophomoric” or “hypocritical.”

The phrase “Down syndrome” was not used nor was “mental retardation.” Genetic mutations happen by accident all of the time, and some people may be genetically predisposed to terminal illnesses like cancer or heart disease. Accidents cannot be avoided. I learned that when I lost my leg in a car accident. Even though I had to deal with a great deal of pain(both mentally and physically-for several years), I let it go, and five years later, I am more than thankful that I’m alive even with my loss. What I am trying to get at is that if I describe that something is “dumb,” are people going to start writing blogs about how much I offended mutes? I don’t get all sad when people slip and refer to my prosthetic leg in some rude manner. I try to have fun with it because I am happy that I am alive, and I know that I am loved. Sorry that I had to tell you that story. I really don’t want people to feel guilty for me. I just thought that you guys might like to hear this from someone who is actually handicapped.

I get plenty of lovin, so no thanks on the hug.

Oh, and this isn’t my real name. I’m not that obtuse.

“Oh, and this isn’t my real name. I’m not that obtuse.”

Oh, my. And right after you claim not to be hypocritical? Well, at least you are open about the fact that you have no spine. Again, once you want to reveal yourself, then we can start discussing integrity.

Wait, I wont be a hypocrite if I post my real name??? Ok my real name is Jovan. Its nice to meet you. How are you? I have no spine? Well, thats funny. I guess it takes a bold and courageous person with alot of balls to post on a blog. So lets discuss integrity now, thou gallant blogger.

You argue over a blog. This isn’t even a face to face argument and yet you call me spineless. I was giving my story and my point of view to the situation. Thanks for missing a whole paragraph of text while you were analyzing my post. Dick.

Jovan,

I wasn’t addressing you

The writer implies that the Illinois football team is “retarded” and makes a direct reference to Sarah Palin.  She gave birth to a child with Down syndrome.  Perhaps you are not aware that Ms. Palin has a child named Trig who does in fact have Down syndrome.  So while the writer did not write DS - he implies it VERY CLEARLY.

And it’s good to note that you are “actually handicapped”.  I am not sure what your definition of Down syndrome is but for the rest of the world it is in fact a disability. 

Bottom line is the writer should NEVER have taken a shot at Sarah Palin’s child and used the word retarded in the same breath.  Now if he would like to say that the team has a retardation specific to an area - then I can excuse it - although there are about 1 billion other adjectives to use that would be much more palatable.

I too am appalled by Mr. Baer’s comments.  Calling Mr. Ron Guenther retarded is giving him and the Illinois Athletic Department too much credit.  Perhaps a better suited comparison for Mr. Guenther would be Terry Schiavo, ‘cause our sports is vegetative.

Politically correct or not, I will still read the Buzz. I enjoy reading the buzz, and if something that I do not agree with is written in the Buzz, I will glance over it, laugh at it, and then continue reading. I know that Sarah Palin had a child with down syndrome. I am a republican who voted McCain… Politics aside, the Buzz is a college newspaper that nobody outside the vicinity of Champaign-Urbana reads(like I said before). There are many other publications on campus that are far from being PC. This is my last post…that is unless someone else is going to call me spineless on a blog and not to my face.

okay everyone, write it down: 

DELAYED - okay
RETARDED - verboten

also acceptable:

DELIBERATE
SUPINELY THOUGHTED
SOPOR-TERR-IFIC
LEISURELY

awaiting consideration:

TORPIDLY ACTIVE
LAGGARDLY
PHILOSOPHICALLY POSTPONED
DROWSYWIT

Ignoring whether or not its offensive for a moment…can we talk about how absolutely not funny it is. I mean, it’s a really terrible joke. A very lame ass attempt at creating humor. Sarah Palin reference? Wow. So original.

Who can make a better joke talking about the futility of our sports program? Bonus points if you DO use Sarah Palin but actually make it funny.

So if he has said Illinois Sports is progressing like a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest would you still be defending the statment?

Wow, what an unbelievable ass. That is unspeakably offensive and I’m now on a campaign to have him removed from the staff of the Buzz. That’s nothing but hate speech. The end.

The Buzz is for tools anyway though.

(no offense Seth)

Hahaha that is a pretty funny picture if you think about it…there wouldn’t be much progression if you ask me (that is unless I were to use my cane to cane some fools).

What I don’t get is why it was fine for people (pre-election) to call Palin “retarded,” “a fucking moron,” or the best one (sarcasm), “a stupid bitch” (I must have heard all of these descriptions at least 50 times each before the election). Now, there are actually people defending her. I wish she got this support before the election…Well no, I actually wish McCain would have picked a different running mate.

Last post, I swear. Remember, I’m not spineless. I’m just missing my left leg. I have to stay positive about my situation.

I hate nearly everything she represents, but I never called Sarah Palin “retarded” or a “bitch,” because those terms are, well, moronic. The point here, my friend, is that “retarded” should not be used interchangeably with “moronic,” “bad,” “stupid” or any other pejorative term. It’s mean-spirited and offensive. Those of us who actually know people with mental handicaps or developmental disabilities know they’re more than simply “stupid.” If it’s a concept you can’t get your head around, then, frankly, fuck off.

Also, I sent an letter to the editor of the Buzz and she promises an apology and retraction in the next issue.

JoeFun, I’m not saying I would defend the comment if it was funny. I’m just pointing out that it wasn’t even funny on top of everything else that people have said.

At least if it was clever I could have maybe gotten a laugh out of it.

pat, i need a few bits of clarification because i’m trying to keep up.

is it now okay to call our Special Friends “moronic?”  or is it okay to call them “retarded?”  i may be getting mixed messages on this point.

also, i think i read that you are not allowed to use the phrase “mental handicap” as it may be offensive for people who have mechanical hands—especially those who have SmartHand technology, or any similar artificially intelligent dexterity.

in these situations “mental brainicap” is preferred.  “mental headicap” is not considered an acceptable alternative, as it has its own history of misuse by teasers.

finally, i think i should point out that it’s considered a faux pas to use “represents” in any connotation where the thing represented is being labeled a bad thing—as here with sarah palin.  using “represents” negatively is inherently insulting to the hip-hop community.

you really have to be careful, these days.

Rob,

I can’t begin to tell you how much your irreverence amuses me. You are so very clever. Keep it up!

I suppose it is true that one hundred years ago, “moron” did refer to people with handicaps, but these days that is not what people mean when they say “moron.” (Unless I’ve been mistaken my whole life.) When people say “retard,” they are actually mocking a specific minority group.

So while I understand your very, very funny joke about political correctness that you have now made about twenty times, Rob, you should understand that these people are real people. Your patronizing “Special Friends” and feigned ignorance are only evidence that you have no “Special” friends and that you’re willing to sacrifice any true consideration of these issues in favor of making a joke. You may think you’re being clever, but what you’re engaging in is intellectual laziness.

Jon,

I understand that. My comment was mostly directed to Jovan, who has a handicap of his own to live with. I didn’t pose the question to be malicious. I wanted to illustrate that some things hit home harder to those who are in a front row seat to the struggle that people and their families live with. Jovan was able to laugh at the comment and find humor in what could be an offensive comment to folks who have lost a limb, which I applaud. I don’t know if I would have the same strength and ability. I would think most people are less willing to find humor in a comment like the one made by Drake, especially when its their child who is being made the butt of the joke.

If you’re offended, tough shit. Don’t punish him for exercising his freedom of speech.

oh, and Pat? Die in a fire.

now pat, intellectual laziness is certainly a serious social problem—both for intellectuals, and the lazy.  you’ll get no argument from me.

in re-reading some of these entries, i found two other bits of phrasing that you may wish to reconsider.  first, you said “frankly” and then immediately followed it with “fuck off.”

i think i am not off base in suggesting that “frankly” might seem a precipitously dangling modifier in those sentences where Frank’s presence is only inferred.  in competitive sexual situations, Frank’s presence is always loosely felt, i suppose.  but for some people it might be hard to make that connection.

Seth: don’t you have something better to do?

I’m totally with you on this one, Seth.
see http://www.r-word.org/