Friday, February 15, 2008

There's Been Another Gas Leak, So Let's Talk About...Checkpoints and Pizza Joints?

I probably don't have to tell you about today's natural gas leak in downtown Westbrook. Nevertheless, it's interesting to read some of the comments accompanying the Portland Press Herald story about the event:

Mikey of Portland: "Looks like I'll have to wait until tonight to eat my hot, delicious Angelone's pizza."

Mainechick of Westbrook: "This should give the westbrook (sic) pd (sic) something to do other than set up random checkpoints and generally harass people. And, drats, I wanted some Angelone's too!"

Mikey of Richmond, VA: "Mikey, this is Mikey. Where is Angelone's? I won't be up there on a motorcycle until June."

John Citizen of Portland: "I hope this doesn't mean that I can't get to Profenno's! They have the best pepperoni pizza around! Speaking of gas leaks............:)"

Daniml97 of Westbrook: "It's nice to finally be back home. What a scene it was around here about 4 hours ago. And the gas smell was very strong, not something I wanted to stick around and see."

Bill Gamble of Westbrook: "Time for a reality check Mainechick. 'Random checkpoints'?! What 'random checkpoints' has the Westbrook pd (sic) ever run? Simple answer = none! As far as 'generally harassing' people, it sounds like you're just whining about the cops enforcing some law that you made the choice to break! Thanks Westbrook PD for a great job today and for standing between the rest of us and the 'Mainechicks' of the world."

This is yet another example of a section designated for reader comments taking on a life on their own, often at the expense of the actual news story to which they're attached.

- John C.L. Morgan

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