People deciding to end their lives by jumping into the path of an oncoming subway train happens a lot more than some might think. While understandably it makes perfect sense not to continually publicize the fact every time this happens, you would think that the data would be readily available. Apparently not according to this bit in today's issue of the Toronto Sun...
http://torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2009/11/27/11946726-sun.html
... It is no surprise that I see the humour in every story; in this case one which reminds me of that episode of All in the Family where Archie Bunker arrives home late because someone decided to end their life by jumping in front of a New York subway train. (This was not the plot of the episode.)
Archie signs off on the whole subject by adding: "Why couldn't he have waited? Why did he have to pick the rush hour?"
2 comments:
What bullshit "journalism" this was. While I'm not unsympathetic to people in depression, this headline made it seem as if these were 150 murders, and implied that the TTC was somehow responsible. Most of these 150 people, sad as it is, CHOSE to take their own lives.
Typical SUN hyperbole. Get the dolts who read it all riled up with a few out of context stats.
I agree.
Unfortunately, it is very fashionable to attack the TTC. As soon as the 'Commission' decides they must raise the fares, the media -- in the name of sensational headlines -- always prints the "single adult" fare figure. No one in their right mind, who is a regular user of the transit, buys individual fares. The bulk ticket or token fares are lower. "3 dollars per ride" sounds more sensational than $2.50, which is what the fare goes up to next round.
The SUN is junk journalism, to be sure. The media watch-dog in me has to check that paper out, for obvious reasons.
My favourite SUN thing from the last few years?... when in the 'comments' section they started (and dropped I think) an alernative-view column: Reprints rom the New York Post. (!) Makes me smile every time.
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