Comment of the Month: Applause, Applause … and a Bell of Shame

Every month, we dig through the chaos of our comment section to find the best gems—and the most face-palm-worthy flops. The winner gets a $100 gift certificate to Happy Maids (because thoughtful words deserve a clean house), and the worst? Well, let’s just say… Shame. Shame. Shame. 

This month’s best comment goes to the voice of reason who calmly reminded the crowd that a Letter to the Editor is just that—a letter. Not a manifesto of Muddy River News’ values, not a secret coded agenda, just one person’s opinion. Simple. Accurate. Refreshing. We wish more people got it. Jeff Oenning commented under the Letter to the Editor post titled: Miller’s ‘conservative policies’ have very little to do with district she represents.

Jeff wrote, “For everyone complaining on one side or the other. It clearly says letter to the editor. Maybe you all should write a letter to the editor, and it will get posted for people to argue about as well.”

The concept of letter to the editor is that readers send in letters with opinions (not the place that publishes the opinion). 

Thanks, Jeff. 

And the worst comment? That award goes to the dramatic declaration from a subscriber canceling over content that they didn’t agree with. We get it—news isn’t always comfortable. But whether it’s a letter, a story on Governor Pritzker, or court coverage that hits a nerve, it’s still news. Our job isn’t to tailor the truth to your taste buds—it’s to report it. Don’t like it? Scroll on. Because while your opinion matters, it’s not the only one that does. 

Roger Peters wrote, “Already flushed WGEM & WTAD, your next.”

But Roger…where will you get your news?

And it’s “you’re” not “your”. Shame. Shame.

Until next month… keep it classy, Quincy. Or at least keep it interesting.