Email Interactive Groups

The Jacksonville Times Union has had one of these Email Interactive Groups for ten years and I have only just discovered this (I've stayed out of chat rooms too…wait, is that what this is?). It is an on line discussion place where you can express your opinions and leave your comments on current events. I have already noticed and enjoyed reading comments (sometimes as much or more than the articles themselves) that follow things on MSN and other on line news sources I've perused, especially when I think the story is outrageous to begin with. Some of the best comments revolved around celebrity news or sports figures in the news for something other than sports. For example, Chad (Ochocinco) Johnson’s situation garnered a bunch of comments in response to a judge throwing out his plea deal for community service and counseling because he playfully swatted his attorney on his bottom (something football players do) and the courtroom erupted in laughter. Some commenters sided with the judge while others decided it’s time for her to step down. Many comments centered on Chad and the string of bad decisions that led up to the courtroom drama.

Strange and unusual news will sometimes garnish quite a few strange and unusual comments too and those are always interesting.

Then there are sometimes comments on this blog or that or in response to the blog link I put on Face Book. These are not always anonymous like the ones that follow news stories are to me, but they rank among my most favorite comments of all.