Reader: Search for body of Sharrieckia Page's baby definitely not "amazing"

As well all know, words have a great deal of power -- and if one strikes someone as wrong, it can have an outsized impact on those that follow. This truism is exemplified by a post affixed to the story of a 53-day landfill search for the body of Sharrieckia...

By Michael Roberts

June 12, 2012

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As well all know, words have a great deal of power -- and if one strikes someone as wrong, it can have an outsized impact on those that follow. This truism is exemplified by a post affixed to the story of a 53-day landfill search for the body of Sharrieckia Page's baby -- one we characterized in a headline as "amazing." Not so, feels the reader.

Sarah writes:

The choice of adjective in the headline here is disrespectful.

Circus trains are "amazing."

Skiers outrunning impending avalanches are "amazing."

53-day searches for the corpse of an infant are "exhaustive," or "meticulous," or "painstaking." They are not "amazing." There is nothing "amazing" about this story. Everything about this is painful and sad.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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