News
Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 1 - 10 of 403 (Page 1 of 41)Submitted by Rebecca from Charlotte
Q:I have asked several times where "The Squeeze" feature went and have not received a response. In these hard times, it was a useful and inspriational feature...
A: Rebecca, sorry for the delay in answering. We've been discussing the future of The Squeeze and I was waiting for something definitive to tell you. This blog's author, Peter St. Onge, has proposed a more broadly focused blog that would address the story of the day, whatever that may be. Some days, the subject would be the economy and related issues. Other days, it would center on another topic leading the news. For example, it could be about the layoffs of teachers or suspicions that North Korea is exporting nuclear weapons technology.None of this is likely to happen within the next couple of weeks, however, because Peter will be on a special blog assignment. You can read about that in Sunday's Observer.
Submitted by Elaine from Charlotte
Q:Rick, I used to back the Observer but right now I'm very unhappy with the way you and WCNC have exploited the kid who was fired from Carowinds for allegedly rigging a ring toss game. You left his York County mug shot and stupid headline on your site all day. Imagine, in this economy, how much trouble he will have finding employment now. Do you feel good about the way the Observer handled this?
A: No, I'm afraid we did not handle this well. Here's how I see it. I often tell people that news, in its simplest terms, is what’s extraordinary. And readers, by and large, clearly agreed that there was something extraordinary about this story. Why do I say that? Because it was the most widely read story of the day on our Web site. But I’m in agreement with you and other readers who questioned the need to run the arrest photo of the 19-year-old Carowinds employee. We should have been more sensitive to the circumstances. What this employee is accused of doing isn’t extraordinary at all. The charges are misdemeanors. What business doesn’t deal with suspicion of theft by an employee at some point? What was extraordinary, in my opinion, was Carowinds’ decision to refer the matter to police, which led to a teenager being booked and jailed. Judging from the comments, a lot of readers thought that was extraordinary, too. In hindsight, I wish our staff had worked harder in the early stages of this story to have Carowinds and the employee explain their actions. (We eventually did get an explanation from Carowinds, which told us it is standard procedure to refer thefts to police when property of significant value is involved. We continue to try to interview the teen or his family). Context from Carowinds and the teen would have helped readers understand the circumstances, as well as grasp what aspect of this story we found to be newsworthy. To his credit, one of our Web producers did take down the photo after discussing the issue with a concerned reader. While it is standard for jail photos to appear with crime stories, this producer saw the reader’s logic that this was not a standard crime story. I regret that we did not see that for ourselves from the outset and want to thank readers for calling us out on it.
Submitted by MH Alexander from Charlotte, NC
Q:Why are these OLD questions? Rick, why are you posting duplicates? Same questions were posted prior - no difference. Let's look at current questions like why you felt it necessary to individually list every teacher's name who lost their job. The Observer received MANY complaints. I know, I read them. Let's see you step up to the plate and answer why YOU allowed such poor taste????
A: There has been an outpouring of concern for these affected teachers and other school employees, as well there should be. When the school system announced it would have layoffs, we closely examined the process used to fire these teachers. Was it fair? Was it rational? And on Friday, we focused on one teacher's personal experience as she completed her last day on the job. A mass layoff of teachers is a very disturbing and emotional event. All friends of education are deeply saddened over it. As you say, many readers were very upset that we posted a publicly released list of the affected employees on this Web site. But interestingly enough, we've also heard from a number of teachers, and supporters of teachers, who have thanked us for letting the community know how the layoffs were handled at each school. The supporters include parents who want to know how their children's education will be affected. We had other readers who were pleading for this information even before we published it. Even so, we realize that some who lost their jobs would prefer that it remain a private matter. The last thing we would want to do is cause these employees unnecessary embarrassment. It is a difficult conflict. Take my child's middle school, for example. Only through this list did I learn that her beloved music teacher was laid off. As a parent, I needed to know that. But this also required public knowledge of this dedicated teacher's personal job loss. I don't doubt that parents at this school will now ask, why? Why turn out this incredibly talented and devoted teacher? And I will break the news to my daughter, who will be heartbroken. There is no intention here to exploit this terrible situation. But we do attempt to keep the community informed about developments that are reshaping its schools. Our readers have ownership in those schools. They are emotionally and financially invested in them. They depend on this newspaper and Web site to provide them the information they need to look after this precious asset. We must do that. Thank you for caring enough about these teachers and other dedicated employees to speak out in their defense. I hope readers will use all the information that the Observer provides about our schools to improve the prospects for a better education for all of our children.
Submitted by Cynthia Manshack from Monroe, NC
Q:I, too, like to read the comments, but find some of the avatars offensive. Are these really necessary and can't they be removed?
A: I've noticed some bizarre avatars, but haven't come across one I'd consider obscene. When you see one you'd consider offensive to most users, please flag that, too. I'll ask our producers to keep an eye out for that.
Submitted by Claxton from Charlotte, NC
Q:Rick, thank you for the adding the ability to shut off reader comments. As both a reader and a writer, I enjoy spirited, timely and considerate debate on any issue. But let's face it, you've got some folks who post on here who just don't get it. I'm a firm believer that freedom of speech also means responsible speech--regardless of who is saying it.
A: Certainly, you should be free not to view someone else's speech. I like it that it's your choice.
Submitted by Todd Isaacs from Mooresville,NC
Q:Rick, If you give the ill-informed amongst us(dems & libs), the ability to shut off the comment's space following most article's, then how in the world do you expect for them to be exposed, even if subliminally, to my conservative geniusry? They don't have to read the comment's.They do so because deep down they know they should.
A: You know Todd, I hadn't thought of it that way. I guess you'll have to work that magnetic magic before they manage to click the button!
Submitted by ron everhart from charlotte, nc
Q:no question - just thank you. the temptation to wallow in the mud of angry, ignorant, hateful & racist comments that seem to follow EVERY story is just too much for me (i'm a person who'll read ingredient labels if it's in front of me). thank you thank you thank you! ron
A: I agree that it's very disappointing when commenters sink to the level of hateful or obscene rants. It's a small crowd that does this, but such users can make a mess of an intelligent conversation in a hurry. You can help us discourage such behavior by promptly hitting the "abuse" button by offensive comments. That flags our producers to check on a particular comment.
Submitted by Brian from Charlotte
Q:I LOVE the comments area. It's always interesting to see what others think and feel about many of the stories you cover. I worked for Yahoo! for many years and I can tell you with certainty that comments help keep your readers engaged and returning to your site. The print medium is dying (dead in my book) but the online, more interactive version of the news is the future of local news. I suspect more than 90% of people will keep the comments turned on. Brian in Uptown
A: I am a big fan of the interactive aspect of the comments. For so much of my career, all that newspaper readers could do was read and giggle, groan or mumble to themselves. Sure, they could write the proverbial letter to the editor if they hoped to be heard. But it was never possible to publish all such letters. Comments allow readers/users to weigh in on the news instantly. Often, they even contribute additional context for the story.
Submitted by Dana reynolds from Charlotte NC
Q:Not a question but a "thank you" for allowing people to turn off those inane comments that readers leave after articles. They cheapen you publication.
A: You are quite welcome. Personally, I like to see what users have to say. At the same time, I recognize the comments for what they are. Anybody can post a comment. It's free. It's accessible. And it can even be anonymous. Some will use the feature to present a thoughtful address to the world. Others will comment as if they were scrawling graffiti on a bathroom wall. I try to approach the comments as if they were an open mike or a public billboard. This helps prepare me for the wild range of surprises, both delightful and disappointing.
Submitted by rthames from Charlotte
Q:Editor's turn. Here is a commonly asked question. "Must I be exposed to those user comments at the end of your stories?"
A: Until now, yes (though you were free not to read them). But now, if you will scroll to the bottom of any story, you will see a button that lets you "hide" the comments. That button hides comments on ALL stories until you hit it again, and then they return. You can also log into your account at CharlotteObserver.com and make the same adjustment. Our thanks to our Observer Interactive Division for providing this feature, which is an innovation you won't find on many other sites. My guess is that most people won't hide comments, but we are happy to accommodate those who would just like them out of sight, out of mind.
