Dude, Seriously
Many small town newspapers (and even some big ones) run public records like the General Session and Sheriff’s Report. Personally= I hate it, but even we do it. It’s been part of the local print news scene as long as I can remember.
So when I read this, I was like, puh-lease:
St. Mary’s Today editor Ken Rossignol was never shy about a journalistic style some say borders on the sensational. For years, he has posted the names of local people arrested on DWI charges in every weekly edition. “So the message is, don’t drink and drive.” He says people aren’t listening.
Now, he’s offering a free coffin to the first person who kills him or herself in a drunk driving accident in the Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s County region. “You wanna die? We’re gonna make it cheaper for you.“
First of all, I realize this guy’s brother was killed in a drunk driving accident 32 years ago. But, this is just about getting attention. (Wait, it worked.)
This really doesn’t appear to be a message at all, because lots of papers do it and quite frankly, it sells papers. But the whole coffin thing?
My publishers would shoot me if I pulled a stunt like this (which I wouldn’t) with guns and bullets and everything.
Yup, I’d die.
Many moons ago, the AIP picture The Screaming Skull offered anyone who died of fright a free coffin in their advertisements. I bet it worked then, and I bet the prospect of someone getting a free coffin from the newspaper will work now (even if no one ever gets a free coffin either place). Different reasoning (our movie is scary vs drunk driving is bad) but same motivation (butts in seats/papers in hand).
I got a mask when I saw “Basket Case.”
To keep the blood off of my face, think was the reasoning. But a movie is one thing, don’t you think.
I should appreciate it, as I’m such a fan of WWN (may it rest in peace.)
Yeah, I do, but… at the same time, there’s no such thing as bad publicity. Especially in this case, because it’s not like it’s people care all that much about the opinions of drunk drivers. It’s trashy, yes, but you can make the argument it’s for a good enough cause if it makes at least one person reconsider drink driving.