My Thoughts on Comments

The article "U. California students remove offensive American flag from 'inclusive' space", which I addressed in the My Controversy post, comes from a blog called Campus Reform, which is owned by a non-profit conservative party organization called the Leadership Institute. This particular article currently has 809 comments, and was posted on March 6, 2015. The majority of the commenters are outraged by the students actions at the college. It was very difficult to find credible comments.

Credible







 1. This commenter is expressing fear of the implications of a group of students who believe that the American flag is offensive because it is not inclusive enough. The commenter attempts to interpret what sort of upbringing and academic environment would have led them to come to that conclusion.

2. It is clear by his assumption that the students voted for Obama and his condemnation of them that this commenter is a conservative citizen who believes that the flag's presence is justified.

3a. Although the commenter makes numerous assumptions about the students based on their political views, the train of thought that led to the assumptions is traceable. Threaded into the assumptions are several astute points including the importance of free speech and tolerance. Surrounded by a sea of simplistic, hateful, and vulgar comments, this comment seems almost scholarly, as it is at least somewhat coherent and organized.



 1. This commenter is expressing anxiety about the ignorance of students who fail to understand the value of free speech, and have ironically excluded the American flag and all national flags, because they were attempting to be more 'inclusive'.

2. This commenter is simply a supporter of the ideals that our nation stands for, and the symbol of those ideals, the American flag. She states her views in a straightforward manner.

3a. This comment includes competent analysis of the situation, and points out flaws in the students' reasoning. The commenter presents her opinion in a logical way, without being overbearing, or spreading blame. The fact that this article only represents a small number of students at the University of California is something seldom brought up by other commenters who seem to be blinded by rage.

Lacking Credibility

 1. This commenter is expressing fear of people studying in America who seem to oppose American ideals. They instinctively retaliate in the form of a comment.

2. This commenter is an anti-communist who is certainly intolerant of people with opposing views.

3b. This is a classic vulgar attack comment. Rather than presenting a valid view or analysis of the situation, the commenter presented an argumentum ad hominem, attacking the students and their ideologies, and making an assumption-based argument.

1. This commenter is expressing his wish that education be separated from what he calls the 'war mongering imperialist tit of the US government. To accept this as a possibility, one must buy into the idea that modern America is an imperialist nation, as well as the idea that the American educational system would survive without federal support.

2. This commenter holds the belief that America is an imperialist country and that all colleges could function privately.

3b. Grammatical errors immediately hurt the credibility of this comment. Additionally, the commenter's radical views alienate him from most readers.

I read Morgan and Jessicas' posts on comments. I noticed that all of the comments that are not credible lack cognitive analysis of the controversy. They typically make baseless accusations or assumptions. Unlike the credible comments that I chose, the comments that Morgan and Jessica chose were short, proving that you do not have to be long-winded to be relevant and credible.