What a coincidence, I just now saw CJ publisher Jon Ham’s column on subtle bias in newspapers on the same day as this article appears on the front page of today’s N&R:
It’s one of the great but depressing truths of public life: Build something really nice and then count the days before the morons arrive with spray paint.
One or more imbeciles showed up to deface the tunnel on the newest section of the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway — formerly known as Battleground Rail Trail — before the new pathway for biking and hiking is even officially open.
“We don’t know if somebody did it because they don’t like the trail or what,” said Peggy Holland, manager of the city transportation department’s bike and pedestrian program.
The article also goes on to say that “city staff members had no inkling someone might hold a grudge.” Never mind for a minute the conspiratorial overtones, although I admit that I’ve cracked on the tunnel’s $2 million cost. But I realize that a crime has been committed here, and whoever did this should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
But I have a question. I’ve read about all kinds of crazy crimes in the N&R committed for a variety of reasons by people who obviously are imbeciles and morons. Yet I don’t see perps described as such in N&R stories (or in editorials for that matter.) I just have to wonder what makes the defacing the greenway somehow different?
