IN NEED OF REPAIRS

Two stories brought out the frustration felt about the subjects. A look at the extra burden that school redistricting is placing on parents making choices about where to send their children [News, "Urban Studies," Samantha Melamed, Jan. 5, 2012] received this citypaper.net comment from Tyrone Biggums: "The [school district] is a mess. Only the wealthy can move to a neighborhood to get their pups in a good elementary school. Shame." Meanwhile, a story about the devastating effects of federal-funding cuts on low-income homeowners [News, "Cut to the Bone," Daniel Denvir, Dec. 29, 2011] caused commenter Ritaf to declare, "The system is broken. The city is beyond repair. And the leaders only care about re-election."

OCCUPY BELLIGERENCE

In the Naked City blog post "Hundreds Show Up to Picket Winter Classic" [Samantha Melamed, Jan. 3, 2012], Melamed wrote that Occupy Philly "appeared to be missing" and jokingly wondered if they were hung over. This did not go over well. Commenter Pnsayko thanked Melamed for covering the topic of workplace justice but then wrote, "I don't respect your shallow comment toward Occupy Philly. ... The comment demonstrated both your poor taste as well as lack of journalistic skill. There were many OP participants in attendance. I think it only be right if a formal correction be made as well as an apology for your birth on this planet." Well, um, wow.

MAJORS AND MINORS

Our chronicle of Philly's worst media moments of 2011 [News, "Department of Corrections," Daniel Denvir, Jan. 5, 2112] included an entry on Daily News columnist Stu Bykofsky's musings about his trip to Thailand and the young girls in the sex industry there. Not surprisingly, we heard from Bykofsky: "It was good of Daniel Denvir to drop the flag on one of his own mistakes last year. Here's a couple for next year's list: He writes I have 'antipathy' for immigrants. Flagrant foul. If he can find one word I've written against LEGAL immigrants, I will donate $1,000 to his favorite charity. I have written many times about ILLEGAL immigration, which I oppose (as does a vast majority of the American public). A minor foul : His statement that I also have antipathy toward those 'who don't celebrate Christmas.' Odd. As a non-Christian, I don't celebrate Christmas. My antipathy was toward those who would ban the word 'Christmas.'"