Comments on: VentureBeat, The Standard: Idiocy at its best

By: Eric Eldon

Eric Eldon — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:10:33 +0000

@RT We took the original article down shortly after was published. We won’t be republishing it because it was inappropriate for our site to begin with. The viewpoint expressed doesn’t represent our editorial perspective, and generally VentureBeat doesn’t cover politics nor political opinion except as it relates to tech. Personally — and I’m not speaking for other VentureBeat editors here, although I assume they’d agree — I think your assessment, above, is correct.

The Standard has just now taken the version of the article down that they’d syndicated from us. To be clear, I didn’t even know that The Standard had syndicated that article until I received a Google Alert today for stories with the keyword “VentureBeat,” that included a link to this article.

The article never should have been published, and I don’t expect to ever see similar articles come out of VentureBeat again.

By: RT

RT — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:48:50 +0000

@Eric Will VB post the original article?

By: Eric Eldon

Eric Eldon — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:42:23 +0000

@RT The article was edited and published while the VentureBeat editorial staff was at an event and busy. The fact that the article was written with this tone then published was an error in our editorial process that I’m still upset about. I’m making sure it doesn’t happen again.

FWIW, here’s what I was saying about the Grant shooting before most people even heard about it:

http://twitter.com/eldon/status/1096138609

I’ve also told The Standard to pull their copy of the article and I expect them to, shortly.

By: RT

RT — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:27:55 +0000

@Eric – > Thanks for your response, but I must ask: Is there not a first edit, second edit, final look by author system @ VB? Or, at least a first edit, final look system?

By: Eric Eldon

Eric Eldon — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:23:36 +0000

We took it down because a freelancer had extensively edited the original author’s story, changing the author’s tone and argument. We took the article down as soon as we were able to. I strongly disagree with the article, as all of you do. Apologies, but please give VentureBeat the benefit of the doubt on this one.

By: RT

RT — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:05:50 +0000

@Matt: I’m going to close my eyes and forget I saw that Tweet. Lord, lord, lord.

Adding: But please remember to show your outrage by donating to Witness.org.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:00:32 +0000

VentureBeat needs to stick to reporting the “Beat” about “Venture” and leave the real news to the professionals! The entire event is a shock, and outrage, and we as citizens have every right to demand the head of Johannes Mehserle on a stick!! He’s a ruthless, racist, murderous, thug cop and if justice is served he will receive the death-penalty.

I was also disgusted by this Tweet: http://twitter.com/wayneco/statuses/1117943478 What the hell is wrong with people? Did he not see the EVIDENCE caught on video?!!?!?!? God some people’s ignorance amazes me.

By: RT

RT — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:54:43 +0000

“I understand the point that they’re trying to make, which is true, but this incident was the wrong damn example to use.”

@Corvida: Thanks. I wanted to say that but totally forgot. I was blinded by the foolishness.

By: Corvida

Corvida — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:40:22 +0000

Whomever wrote that article has lost their damn mind. I understand the point that they’re trying to make, which is true, but this incident was the wrong damn example to use. It’s clear what the hell happened. You don’t have to hear any words that were exchanged between the officer and Oscar. He needed handcuffs, not a damn bullet to his back!