In case you missed it, Stephen LaRose wrote a fantastically dickish quip in his Six In The Morning post today. Item number four reads in part:
The Regina Pats encourage fans to sign a book of condolences at the Brandt Centre today in memorial to Rick Rypien, who died by his own hand earlier this week (Rob Pedersen). And the widow of Dave Batters chines in, because, as you all know,only Conservatives get depressed. (Leader-Post).
A few things. First, I haven’t read anything confirming Rypien’s death was a suicide, though all the coverage implies that. Second, it doesn’t help anyone when our writer shoehorns a sarcastic cheap shot at the Leader-Post — in this case at a legitimate interview with Dave Batters’ widow in an article about Rypien — into his news quip. There’s nothing wrong with the Leader-Post interviewing her. It’s relevant to the news. Besides, Batter’s death was tragic and his family deserves credit for using that tragedy to try to help people.
In short, Stephen LaRose is being kind of an asshole. But that’s okay. Every newspaper needs one or the shit backs up. It’s apparently Rosie’s turn to wear the hat today. Maybe tomorrow it’ll be me.
Third, I actually get what LaRose is worked up about in his insensitive blog post. He’s attacking the fact that it sometimes seems like it takes the death of an “acceptable” person — like a pro athlete or a successful politician — to draw attention to serious issues like depression, which a lot of people who aren’t successful public figures suffer from. He probably thinks that’s despicable. Well, fair enough. It kind of is.
But can we save that conversation for another time when people aren’t mourning, and maybe not take shots at widows who are trying to help?
Fourth, and unrelated to Stephen “high on Ativan” LaRose, I read a great story on Mark Rick Rypien and hockey fighting in the Columbus Dispatch this morning. It’s interesting, sensitive and probably worth your time. Check it out.
Finally, the Six In The Morning logo is in the media library, where it always is, Rosie. Harumph!