Well, That's One Way To Deal With Reporters

[exploited]

This isn't victim blaming. The reporter did nothing to deserve being assaulted. She did, however, go about her job in a way that is incredibly insensitive to the situation, something she should know better not to do, given that she is a professional.

I am reminded of a grade school incident. This one kid, James, kept on teasing one of our friends, Ethan. Nothing wrong with teasing, right? Especially since we were all friends. Then one day Ethan came to a school in a truly terrible mood, because he saw his mom get slapped around by his dad the night before. He was angry, sullen, clearly stressed right out, quiet, etc. Kept on avoiding all of us. So James decided it was a good time to tease him. He kept on getting in his space, talking at him, trying to get a response. And consequently he got punched.

Simply pointing out that what James did was wrong and contributed to the situation does not excuse Ethan punching him. It does not say "he deserved it." It is pointing out that his lack of tact and social intelligence made things worse.

Like this reporter. She ambushes a mother in front of her home, cameras on, right after her daughter got shot. Getting a microphone thrust into your face, and having a perfect stranger ask you stupid shit like how you feel about a very personal issue, would be a frustrating experience, no?

Just because I can relate with the mother's frustration, and just because I would never do something so stupid and indecent myself (and I'm speaking about both mother and reporter here) does not mean I condone her actions, or place the blame squarely on the reporters shoulders. James didn't deserve to get punched, this reporter didn't deserve to get attacked, but to hell if there isn't a lesson they both should learn from this.

Trying to compare this to rape apologists is absurd. There is no logical connection between a person wearing revealing clothing and wanting to have sex with you. Wearing revealing clothing is not wrong. Doing what this reporter did is wrong, at least from my perspective: I would never in a thousand years approach somebody whose daughter just got shot like that. Never. It is rude, tactless, insensitive and altogether stupid.

[Darkhorse]

[eric]

[exploited]

[Darkhorse]

[exploited]

[eric]

[exploited]

Of course she wasn't. I always walk up to people I don't know and ask very personal questions without asking permission or introducing myself. Especially people I know are worried as hell.

[eric]

[uebermann]