This is about morals and responsibility when you have access to a public platform. I just read the blog post TU’s Kristi Gustafson Barlette wrote about a family that hung the US flag upside down on their home.
In the article Kristi posts a picture of the home, and says she called the homeowner to ask why the flag was being hung this way. She says the homeowner acknowledged that is was a political statement, and that the homeowner declined further details.
Traditionally, when a flag is hung upside down it is a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
I find it very troubling that this family’s home was then put up on the Times Union, and purposely headlined in the “Featured Blogs” section. With the article came a slew of comments-
I find it morally wrong to throw a family and the picture of their home onto a staff writer’s blog, simply because they feel like it. Are you aware, Ms. Barlette, that indeed there were significant threats made against America, American interests, all military, and Americans over the last week? Did you know there were credible reports of impending terrorist threats, to the point that the President issued an order to shut down 19 US Embassies? That indeed would be considered possible extreme danger to life or property.
Ms. Barlette, did you even stop to consider that perhaps this family may have American family serving in the military that is stationed abroad? Did you stop to consider that they may have lost anyone in a previous terrorist attack, like many Americans have, and were exercising their right to stand up and voice that distress? Did you stop to consider that this may be a Veteran, who has been through great distress, and they are taking the most recent threats against America seriously? Whatever their reasons, did you stop to consider they may be valid? Even if they are protesting, it is their right.
It was well within their right not to get into details with you if they chose not to. After all, your main writings are not political, so why would they feel comfortable giving you their story?
Why Ms. Barlette did you not bother to write about the real threats that were made against our country, our citizens, our military and our embassies and consulates? Instead, you just decided to make it a free for all on your blog, for a forum to criticize a family you don’t know, never met, and have no idea what their beliefs are.
Where are the morals, values and integrity? Where is the responsibility ? If you do not have any facts about why this family did it, then wouldn’t it be the responsible thing to wait and find out, or just move on without subjecting them to the front page?
I find it cruel, unjust and an irresponsible use of the platform you have been given. Throwing a family onto an on-line newspaper with no facts, and opening them up to the critical comments, without highlighting any of the threats made against this nation over the last week is irresponsible.
I hope this family didn’t suffer repercussions such as harassment or bullying after being subjected to the front page.
Food for thought: Luke 6:31 “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”