I was just sitting here, watching the wires for mentions of a story brought up in another thread, one which might be early breaking news, when this
popped up. It addresses
exactly why so many of us ( I am speaking as a member, not a staffer here ) are literally physically sickened by the
lengths that some of our co-members will go to just to have "the scoop" apparently.
From the AP:
COLO. THEATER SHOOTING VICTIMS BEING HARASSED
DENVER (AP) -- Victims and witnesses in the Colorado theater shootings have been pestered by conspiracy theorists, impersonated in court filings and
had their addresses and phone numbers posted online, prosecutors said.
In a document made public late Wednesday, District Attorney George Brauchler said some victims are concerned for their safety because of the unwanted
attention.
Brauchler asked District Judge William Sylvester to ensure the victims' and witnesses' names are redacted from any documents released in the future,
although many were identified in previously released court filings and some have granted media interviews, called news conferences or appeared at
public events.
In a court filing dated Tuesday, Brauchler said some victims have been subjected to "relentless contacts by proponents of purported
`conspiracies.'"
He also said maps with the addresses and phone numbers of victims have been posted online, and some people allegedly impersonating victims and
witnesses have filed court motions in the case.
Full story here.
ETA: Apparently this story is hot enough that the AP pulled it. Alternative links below:
Link one
Link two
Link three
Link four
( There - that should be enough to avoid any whitewashing for now )
In a nutshell this is exactly why the Sandy Hook shooting irks so many of us. We realize that the overzealous have little to no chance of actually
uncovering anything at all of note - and only serve to further marginalize and alienate our community. Not just us, but the future bright minds who
might one day join us.
My biggest fear, on a personal level, is not ridicule or ostracism in my personal life. It's that this kind of rank and irresponsible behavior on the
part of a few might well ruin it for the entire community. How long before the government decides to throw in a rider to some bill that bans sites
like ATS? How long before even private blogs include something like "Speculation about current news stories will result in permanent closing of your
account"?
When discussing and speculating crosses the line into harassing the victims of a tragedy there is a huge problem. Hell, I've read, more times than I
can count just here on ATS, statements saying that people reject the official story about SH. Guess what people. THERE IS NO OFFICIAL STORY YET!
Most of us here are not press. Trying to behave as though we are - with no regard for decorum or professionalism - will be the death knell of what we
are all ( or at least most of us ) seeking to accomplish.
~Heff
edit on 2/7/13 by Hefficide because: (no reason given)
I thought the same thing when Alex Jones was on Piers Morgan ranting and raving about Sandy Hook and gun rights. He came across as a babbling
fool who wanted nothing more than a platform to spew his words to the nation. 
