I have received an e-mail from the Toronto Star Ombudsman. Attaching a
full copy of it (no Hello/Regards), including my reply. I do not
actually expect a further response, so this may be the last chapter of
my complaint :-)
--------------
Ombudsman, The Toronto Star wrote:
>
> Don't take the word "haters" so literally. I'm sure Theobald chose it with
> exaggeration in mind.
I do not it has been chosen with exaggeration in mind. The tone of the
sentences does not support it. I am afraid the author was repeating with
no thinking a phrase used by other media. And that is not good
journalism in my opinion.
In (normal, civilized) modern English, the word "hater" has quite strong
negative meaning. One does not use it lightly, perhaps with the
exception of some colloquial phrases like "I hate spinach". Why should
it be permissible, acceptable and even defended in this situation?
Would it be a problem to forward a copy of this discussion to Mr. Steven
Theobald? A brief note/correction of the article would be appropriate,
in my opinion.
Sincerely,
Milan Zimmermann
----------------
Kendall G. Clark wrote:
>
> Milan,
>
> I don't know how long you've been reading this list, but at the very
> beginning and up to the time of the Appraising Microsoft conference, there
> was a lot of, well, for lack of a better word, `debate' about this very issue
> on this very list.
I have been sunscribed for about 2 month now, but did not realize that
has been a debate about this already.
>
> It seems to be a trend, though we were more often called Microsoft 'bashers'
> but it's the same problem. Of course you understand what is involved here:
> if supporters of Microsoft can frame the issue as one of jealousy or
> malcontention, then they will have won the opening round of the battle, that
> of perception.
>
> My rant all along has been more pointed: so what if I hate Microsoft or if
> I am bashing them. The critical case to be made against Microsoft---one
> which I've argued all along ought to be a \\cumulative\\ and not simply
> legal case---is basically impervious to human emotion. Whether I love or
> hate MS is really beside the point: whether they are legally monopolistic
> and morally bankrupt are the real questions.
>
> Journalists, who are not \\overtly\\ functioning as propagandists, ought to
> know better than to cast one side or another in pejorative terms, but few
> seem to heed this basic principle of their profession.
>
> As Orwell put it, the revolution won't be complete until the \\language\\
> is perfected.
>
> Best,
>
> Kendall Clark
>
> PS---I liked your letter to the editor; I should write more of them when I
> see this kind of nonsense.
>
> On Mon, Dec 15, 1997 at 11:04:43PM -0500, Milan Zimmermann wrote:
> > There seems to be a new sport of labeling people concerned about
> > Microsoft monopoly by the phrase "Microsoft haters".
> >
> > I live in the Toronto area and just last week there has been two (out of
> > two I have seen) comments referring to "Microsoft haters". [CBC NBN
> > evening edition last week and the Dec 13 Toronto Star newspaper Business
> > section]. Essentially, anybody who thinks 1) Microsoft practices are
> > close to monopolistic/ 2) Netscape browser is better than Microsoft's/
> > 3)many others/ are being labeled as "haters".
> >
> > Obviously this is highly unfair/derogatory to people on this list and
> > many, many others. I am wondering whether some PR efforts should be
> > done to address this.
> >
> > In any case, I am attaching a copy of my e-mail to the Toronto Star
> > newspaper.
> >
> >
> > -------------
> > Dear Editor:
> >
> > The Saturday, Dec 13 "Business Today" article "Microsoft could hurdle
> > judge's ruling on browser" by Steven Theobald contains on two occasions
> > the phrase "Microsoft haters".
> >
> > I would like to discuss the author's language here. Yes, there are
> > people genuinely concerned with the Microsoft de-facto monopoly in the
> > Operating Systems markets (about 90% world-wide). This has nothing to do
> > with hate! The phrase "Microsoft haters" has been created by Microsoft
> > Public Relations and it is VERY DISTURBING to read this phrase repeated
> > without thinking by some journalists.
> >
> > I would welcome that the author of your articles did not offend readers
> > and create an image that everybody who is not using Microsoft product is
> > a hater of a sort as documented by this quote from the article!
> >
> > "But even die-hard Microsoft haters will be hard pressed to fork over an
> > extra $100 or so to buy Netscape"
> >
> > .. I for one, will. And I am no hater.
> >
> > I trust that correction to this article or apology will be mentioned.
> >
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> >
> > Milan Zimmermann
> > -------------------
> >
> > Milan Zimmermann
>
> --
> Linux is free. Life is good.
>
> --
> There's a place in hell for me and my friends
>
> Even the losers get lucky sometimes
--
Unite for Java! - http://www.javalobby.org