Editor’s note: Letters to the Editor and open letters reflect the opinions, concerns and views of University of Wisconsin-Madison students and community, may or may not be accurate and do not reflect the editorial views or opinions of The Daily Cardinal
Reading the recent piece on UW student and Madison Common Council candidate Bobby Gronert left me puzzled as to why The Daily Cardinal decided to publish this story at all, particularly on the eve of a contested election. (“Alder candidate Bobby Gronert apologizes for ‘overbearing and unintentionally creepy’ messages to women,” April 6).
As the article mentions, the Madison chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America reviewed the complaint surrounding Gronert’s messages and concluded that no action was warranted. That should have been the first clue that this was a non-story.
While I believe that the private actions of candidates for political office can become news when they display a profound lack of judgment or traits unbecoming of public servants — misogyny, racism, homophobia, for example — that just isn’t the case here.
Instead, The Daily Cardinal published some embarrassing and unflattering messages that had already made the rounds on YikYak, SnapChat, and other platforms. What journalistic purpose did publishing this messages story serve? Did voters learn any critical information about Gronert or his outlook on the world before heading to the polling booth?
No. Instead, this publication further embarrassed a young man who has already apologized for his “overbearing” messages, which were pretty tame in the context of the many vile things that transpire on the internet every day.
Of course, the stalking claims against Gronert are serious, but they are also anonymous and lacking evidentiary support.
Ultimately, The Daily Cardinal poured fuel onto an already ridiculous story, scrutinizing some regrettable messages from a dating app instead of focusing on the many real issues facing Madison.
