Part of my daily routine is to read over the CBC, the Calgary Herald and the Edmonton Journal websites. I lived in Calgary for two years during school, and still have friends and family there. I like to keep up with what’s going on in the city.

As for Edmonton, it’s the closest big city to us, and many Jasperites use it as a shopping and business destination. CBC is a great source for national news, as well as stories from my native B.C., I also like to read the differences between how two news providers report the same story. 

One thing all those sites have in common, and what the Fitzhugh does not have, is the ability to comment on stories. I have to say I’m glad we don’t offer this, and that letters to the editor we receive come complete with a name on the opinion being expressed. 

Everyday I am shocked at the malicious comments I read from fellow Canadian citizens who are emboldened by the anonymity of the internet on news site comment boards.

From Monday, here are a few samples I came across;

In response to a story titled “Calgary homicide rate drops” on CBC, a poster wrote this: 

“Calgarians are getting lazy. Let’s see if they set a new record, for most homicides, this year.”

From the Edmonton Journal, a light-hearted story about a young woman who doesn’t wear shoes: “Good show. Just having fun I guess. As long as you don’t loose your toes due to frostbite. Then it won’t be funny. Happy New Year.”

Reading over these, I wonder if any of these people would ever speak to another human being like this without their identities and locations hidden. 

I appreciate that CBC has started limiting commentable stories. Stories involving crimes against children and animals are generally closed to comments. I’ve kept up with CBC the longest out of my reading choices, and I understand why they have chosen to limit comments on some issues.

Often when the story involves an accident or crime against a child – especially a teenager – commenters lambast the parents, blaming them for not knowing where their children are 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

If the story is about politics, that’s when things really go wild and tempers flair. It doesn’t matter what side of the fence the politician sits on, or whether the story is heart-warming or negative, both conservative and liberal-leaners come out and attack each other.

Just because you’re anonymous, is it really right to tear people down? Why does being hidden embolden people so much, and would you be embarrassed if someone discovered your online temper tantrum?

As Thumper from Bambi once famously said, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.”

As a journalist I disagree with the bunny. I say, if you have something not-so-nice to say, speak up. But be prepared to back up your opinion. An opinion without an identity really isn’t worth anything. 

If you’re not willing to stand behind your own ideas, then do listen to Thumper and stay quiet. Also eat your vegetables even though it’s awful stuff to eat. That little rabbit was wise beyond his ears.     

DISCLAIMER: The Last Word is an opinion column, it is meant to provoke thought and debate. As such, any opinions written here are the writers own and do not reflect the viewpoint of any other Fitzhugh staff member or the directors of the Jasper Media Group Inc.