What was THAT all about?
So I was watching the midday news on CTV earlier, and they were discussing the hearing for the teenage boy in Hudson who was arrested for uttering death threats on the same website that Kimveer Gill used prior to the shootings at Dawson. I didn’t manage to catch the entire story because neither of my kids have much desire to let me actually listen to the news, but I did get to hear just enough to experience a “HUH?” moment.
The reporter was asked whether the boy had taken the stand and she yes he did, wearing a black t-shirt.
Why was that a necessary piece of information? How was it remotely relevant to anything? The fact that he was wearing a black t-shirt has nothing to do with death threats or his guilt. If he had worn a black t-shirt saying “I hate everyone and want to kill you all” then I could see the point of bringing it up. Just a black t-shirt is such a fluffy bit of information. I own plenty of black t-shirts, black button-up shirts, black pullovers, black hoodies, black pants, black skirts, and black dresses. I assure you I am not intending to shoot anyone or write intricate death threats because of my wardrobe.
It just seemed like a bit of useless and even shoddy reporting. This is the news, not “What Not to Wear”.
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I didn’t catch the story either, but my best guess is that the reporter mentioned the black t-shirt in order to imply that the kid leads a “goth” lifestyle.
Being in the business myself (the news business, that is) I don’t think there was anything particularly wrong with that. Mind you, I didn’t see the report myself, but reporters often describe the scene, including the clothes people are wearing and facial expressions, to give you a better feel for what it’s like to be there.
I discovered your blog a few weeks ago, btw, and have added it to my bloglines feeds. Keep up the good work (even if I don’t necessarily agree with you all the time.)