Although I often disagree with the political views expressed on The Huffington Post that does not mean I do not enjoy reading many of the posts there. It gives me a challenge to my own opinions and often provides me with interesting information. Sometimes they even cause me to change my mind.
More importantly, the HP has, for the most part, refrained from the nastier aspects of the partisan sites like Kos on the left or Red State on the right. There is some venom from the readers, but a web site can hardly be blamed for what the readers say. With regard to the main bloggers though the tendency has been to try to show a little class and tact.
This is especially true when someone passes away. They might not like the person or his/her politics but they have always been respectful, at least on the day of death. Certainly afterwards they might reflect and comment on the flaws of the dearly departed, but that is part of politics and debate and we don’t need to enshrine the dead. Just show a little tact while the body is still warm.
That is why today I was disturbed to see this posting right next to the report of the death of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.
Just as a comparison, when Robert Byrd died I was struck by the fact that while the reports on his death focused on his career, many reports on the death of Strom Thurmond remained focused on his past views regarding race. I could have posted on it at the time but felt to do so would have been in poor taste.
Now I obviously understand that the death of a wealthy man would prompt commentary on the relative fairness of the estate tax and the lack thereof during a limited period. But to put the two posts together on the day the man passes away is beneath the usual dignity of the HP.
I hope the authors would consider making an adjustment to this kind of posting.