An early entry for the 2010 Albus Bad Writing Award looks to be well in the lead, likely to save the Award once again for the redoubtable Antigo Daily Journal. Here’s the story, from page 3 of April 16 2010 issue of ADJ:
“Drinking is problem for two males
“The consumption of alcohol became a problem for two males as they met up with officers from the Langlade County sheriff’s department and Antigo police.
“One was cited for first offense of drunken driving and the other for disorderly conduct at Langlade Hospital.
“The conduct charge grew out an incident when a difficult man from the Crandon area was at the hospital and urinated in an inappropriate location.”
There you have it, folks. That’s the whole story. The over-reaching author of this little gem has actually accused “officers from the Langlade County sheriff’s department and Antigo police” of drunken driving and disorderly conduct, charges rarely leveled at on-duty officers.
Who knew that “disorderly conduct at Langlade Hospital” was a chargable offense anyway? How could an ordinance of such specificity be on the books? Are there matching ordinances covering conduct at the library, city hall, Copp’s, and Menards? What about WalMart?
And why are two males meeting up with officers for the consumption of alcohol? Do you have to make an appointment, these days, to get arrested? And how did a “difficult man from Crandon” get into the story? On reflection, I suppose if writers of sleazy detective stories can refer to “easy women”, it’s reasonable for news articles to refer to “difficult men”.
It will be a long, long time before we see anything in print that can beat this story for the Albus Bad Writing Award. Even with ADJ for a source, it could be days, maybe even a week!
—–
get a life
Fred? Is that you, Fred? You told me you “don’t look at” Antigobuzz!
I bet he really does, Albus!
Nah. To quote the famous Jack Nicholson line, “You want the truth? You can’t HANDLE the truth!”
Disorderly conduct is disorderly conduct. It doesn’t matter if it is in the Langlade Memorial E.R., Menards, Fleet Farm, Smitty’s bar or anywhere else. What is so difficult to understand about that?. The drunks were charged with disorderly conduct. The location of their disorderly conduct was in the E.R. so they were charged with disorderly conduct at Langlade Memorial Hospital. Seems pretty staightforward to me. You sound like a person who needs to get out of the house and experience life a little. Life is short, get one while you can.
Ben, it is, indeed, this time, easy to figure out. However, if you believe disorderly conduct is disorderly conduct, you would also have to agree that bad writing is bad writing. It doesn’t matter if you can eventually figure it out. It’s still bad writing. Even if the ADJ appended an explanatory note to each article — “What the writer really meant was….” — it wouldn’t really excuse the bad writing, would it?
Yeah, sure, I’m a pedantic grammar freak, but that’s what it takes to be a writer. Anything less, and you’re just a pretender. You know that already — I can tell from your use of short, coherent sentences. Wouldn’t it be great if the Antigo Daily Journal followed your example?
Are you really a pedantic grammar freak or do you have OCD
(Obsessive–compulsive disorder). Wikidpedia identifies OCD as
a mental disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce anxiety, by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety, or by a combination of such thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions). The symptoms of this anxiety disorder include repetitive hand-washing; extensive hoarding; preoccupation with sexual or aggressive impulses, or with particular religious beliefs; aversion to odd numbers; and nervous habits, such as opening a door and closing it a certain number of times before one enters or leaves a room. These symptoms can be alienating and time-consuming, and often cause severe emotional and economic loss. The acts of those who have OCD may appear paranoid and come across to others as psychotic. However, OCD sufferers generally recognize their thoughts and subsequent actions as irrational, and they may become further distressed by this realization.
Compulsions: While some with OCD perform compulsive rituals because they inexplicably feel they must, others act compulsively so as to mitigate the anxiety that stems from particular obsessive thoughts. The person with OCD might feel that these actions somehow either will prevent a dreaded event from occurring, or will push the event from their thoughts. In any case, the individual’s reasoning is so idiosyncratic or distorted that it results in significant distress for the individual with OCD or for those around them.
Some common compulsions include counting specific things (such as footsteps) or in specific ways (for instance, by intervals of two) and doing other repetitive actions, often with atypical sensitivity to numbers or patterns. People might repeatedly wash their hands[14] or clear their throats, repeatedly check that their parked cars have been locked before leaving them, turn lights on and off, keep doors shut or closed at all times, touch objects a certain number of times before exiting a room, walk in a certain routine way like only stepping on a certain color of tile, or have a routine for using stairs, such as always finishing a flight on the same foot.
People rely on compulsions as an escape from their obsessive thoughts; however, they are aware that the relief is only temporary, that the intrusive thoughts will soon come back. Some people use compulsions to avoid situations that may trigger their obsessions. Although some people do certain things over and over again, they don’t necessarily perform these actions compulsively. For example, bedtime routines, learning a new skill, and religious practices are not compulsions. Whether or not behaviors are compulsions or mere habit depends on the context in which the behaviors are performed. For example, arranging and ordering DVDs or videos for eight hours a day would be expected of one who works in a video store, but would seem abnormal in other situations. Put another way, if the activity helps bring efficiency to one’s life, it is probably a habit, if it interferes with one’s normal enjoyment of life, it is probably a compulsion. [15]
For some people with OCD, these tasks, along with the attendant anxiety and fear, can take hours of each day, making it hard for the person to fulfill their work, family, or social roles. In some cases, these behaviors can also cause adverse physical symptoms: People who obsessively wash their hands with antibacterial soap and hot water (to remove germs) can make their skin red and raw with dermatitis.[16] To others, these tasks may appear odd and unnecessary. But for the person with OCD, such tasks can feel critically important, and must be performed in particular ways. Individuals with OCD are aware that their thoughts and behavior are not rational,[17] but they feel bound to comply with them to fend off feelings of panic or dread.
Sounds to me like you have a compulsive behavior to grammer and can’t let go of the ADJ errors. I look forward to reading the ADJ for the news and information it provides. I don’t dwell on the typo’s and grammatical errors. Its a newspaper for crips sake, get over it.
Wrong diagnosis, Ben. I’m actually bi-polar ADHD narcissistic perfectionist with a huge capacity for intense focus on a task, but with not the slightest hint of OCD. You need to get more familiar with your DSM-IV before grabbing and quoting the first psychobabble diagnosis that Wikipedia pops up for you.
This is interesting: “I don’t dwell on the typo’s and grammatical errors. Its a newspaper for crips sake, get over it.” In my view, BECAUSE it’s a newspaper, the ADJ should be free of such errors. Fred Berner harps on what his journalism professor at UW-Stevens Point told him, but shows no sign of having listened.
By the way, Ben, it should be “It’s”, “typos”, and “cripe’s”. Just trying to help…..
“I’m actually bi-polar ADHD narcissistic”
Albus, seek treatment. Just trying to help…….
Ben, I KNOW what I am, and how to maximize my strengths. Like Popeye, “I yam what I yam,” and it all works quite well together. At least I don’t delude myself that bad writing is an “okay” feature for a newspaper, or pretend that things will get better all on their own if no one makes a fuss.
Come one.. Fight nice now..
I’ll shut up and go back to my favorite website.. http://www.ratemypoo.com
Hmmm…. Local stories in ADJ, CSPAN coverage of the US Senate, ratemypoo.com…. decisions, decisions….. How to choose?
Well, after reading this one – http://www.antigodailyjournal.com/full.php?id=10568 – the preferred choice is ratemypoo.com
“Fleeing on foot, he ran an estimated 100 yards before a city police officer caught up with him and threatened the use of a Taser to bring him under control. Failing to comply, the suspect was hit by the prongs of the electronic control device. Seemingly unfazed by the first shock, he was hit with the Taser again after jumping to his feet and taking a swing and then charging at the officer. The two tumbled to the ground and after some struggle and the threat of pepper spray, the suspect was handcuffed but continued to resist. Brought to his feet, he kicked the officer in the shin. Further subdued with leg cuffs, he was carted off by other responding officials to an awaiting squad car and a subsequent ride to jail.”
Somebody at the Antigo Daily Journal loves participial phrases to excess, and adores the accompanying passive voice they so often require. This is a clear indication of someone who thinks he or she knows how to write, but actually hasn’t a clue about the craft.
Perhaps these ADJ articles represent submissions to the annual Bulwer-Lytton competition sponsored by the English Department at San Jose State University. No, wait!! That’s for fiction. Newspaper articles aren’t fiction..well, except for the chiropractic ads.
Is there a “Raymond Federman, Double or Nothing” contest? If not, there should be. ADJ writers (I call them writers, for certainly they are not jounalists) would be formidable opponents!
I like the idea of a “Raymond Federman, Double or Nothing” contest! Let’s do a spin-off on that. How about a “Best ADJ Style” contest? Offer up some basic facts on a local news event, and give a prize for the best ADJ-style news story treatment. First prize would be an all-expenses paid, no holds barred, chiropractic treatment session for the person the winner hates the most. Second prize could be a one-month, all you can fry, tanning salon pass for the ex- boyfriend or girlfriend or spouse of your choice. To motivate peak performance and maximum effort, we’ll give the bottom-of-the-pack weakest-effort loser a free dinner with Fred Berner!
Albus, you are a genius! What a fabulous idea! And perhaps Fred could be persuaded to “serenade” the loser with a recitation of inane ramblings excerpted from “Bits and Pieces.” It will be wonderful! Oh, Albus, I do love the way you think.
I don’t know if it’s such a good idea, after all. What if someone on the Antigo Daily Journal staff entered the contest under an assumed name? Everyone would be wiped out by writing like this bit from ADJ May 3, page 3:”Call for help sparks concern, woman okay”
“Concern was heightened that something may have been very wrong in a town of Norwood woods early today but the problem turned out to be far less serious than first thought.
“The 1:59 a.m. report indicated that a woman could be heard screaming for help and neighbors near the location advised that she suggested she may have been injured.”
Oy…. I hate it when they write so badly that I can’t even come up with a snarky zinger for it, let alone a mocking parody. How do you lampoon something so awful it’s beyond ludicrous?
Even high school sports gets the ADJ’s special treatment. See http://www.antigodailyjournal.com/full.php?id=10696 “Kyle Paulson earns all-conference ranking”
“Elcho’s Kyle Paulson shot a 90 to finish in seventh place overall at Thursday’s Northern Lakes Conference finale and in the process, earned himself a ranking as one of the league’s best golfers.
….
Paulsen golfed 45 on the front nine and a 48 on the back to collect the 90 on the day.”
I’ve golfed with guys who keep score like that, but in this case I’m betting the creative math belongs to the ADJ’s erstwhile reporting staff.
I read the article. At least the writer was consistent, which is important. Still, I don’t believe 8 + 5 has ever equalled 10. Well…maybe when I was three.
I just wanted to let you know that your writing has been inspiring me for years. Partly because it so accurately states the obvious about poor grammar and even worse ‘writing’ – I believe that’s what they call it at the ADJ. With no TVs in your house and the ADJ as the locally-owned paper being your local link to area news it’s no wonder you’re in disbelief! Thank goodness for internet so you can connect with real media sources. Of course if you just read the Associated Press’ website you’ll be reading 3/4 of the ADJ and could save yourself a yearly subscription cost. I don’t want to criticize too many of the articles that are written in the paper due to the fact that a large majority of them are submitted by local residents who I am sure make no claims to being journalists. It is the responsibility of the publisher/editor and proof readers to correct the obvious mistakes. Doesn’t seem like those corrections get made! I now have a question to ask. Why is it that the ADJ gets such a large majority of their articles and photos given to them by the community? I understand that they have been locally owned for a hundred years. Blah, blah, blah. Does that mean they shouldn’t be held accountable to show up at the events and get their own stories and photos? What is the minimum number of years in business before you get to be lazy? I have heard numerous people in the community say that if they don’t submit their stories and photos to the Journal it won’t get in the paper at all. So now the community is responsible for event and news coverage? Not to give a lot of credit to a corporation that I’m not fond of, but at least you see the reporter from the Shoppers Guide out covering events and writing stories. Maybe the ADJ could try to do the same at some point in the next hundred years! So regardless of what others may say to you, please Albus, keep the critiques coming! I hate to see you throw your money away, but I would miss the comments that make me smile! I truly am one of your biggest fans. One last thought – win or lose, who would want to have a meal with him? You may as well purchase the gift certificate from Fifth Avenue now. We all know that’s where the meal with him will take place. Within stumbling distance of the paper.
I’ve been at sporting events this spring where nobody from ADJ showed up. An out-of-town newspaper reporter was there and sent his pictures to ADJ and they printed one, without putting the guy’s name on it. The next time this same reporter sent pictures to ADJ, his name was underneath with the credit. Someone at the ADJ might be reading these comments you put in here because they actually gave the guy credit for his picture, which, by the way, was a really good picture. I have to wonder why the team pictures for any of the spring sports for AHS were never in the ADJ this spring. Again, bad reporting. I’ve said it before, these gets want and need recognition for the good things they do athletically; it’s what keeps kids involved in good things and out of trouble.
oops! I made a typo. Guess I’m human. I meant to say these kids want and need recognition. Sorry. But, I am not making a newspaper.
Looks like everyone is unemployed with too much time on their hands these days.
movingforward..NO KIDDING!! Albus, Ben Drinken, and all the other over-dramatic narcissistic antigobuzz bloggers, get a hobby! Holy christ. You guys are all SO negative. I LOVE good debates, which is why I checked this out in the first place..but wow. You guys are out of line. It’s literally annoying to even read your posts.
“Sad, sad people…”, we DO have hobbies. Problem is, trying to get ADJ to print something useful about something important in a grammatical fashion so we can devote more time to our cherished hobbies instead of wasting time trying to figure out just what the hell the ADJ is all about, anyway!