"GET LOST"

This article appeared on the front page of today's Advertiser. When I studied journalism, they told us when writing for newspapers to aim your copy at the average 12 year-old. The 'tiser has taken this one step further and its editors obviously tell the writers to compose their articles with the attitude of a spoilt, petulant, immature 12 year old. This is vintage Advertiser. It's a muckraking parochial rag. It's the wet blanket that keeps Adelaide in the list of second-rate state capitals. It's the tall poppy mower. It's the loudspeaker of Adelaide's chronic and severe inferiority complex. The headline is the most annoying part. The article itself, while one-sided, can only really tell one side of the story right now. But "Get Lost"? Who said that? It's not in quotes. It doesn't appear anywhere in the text of the story. The pair of explorers in question hasn't even spoken to the paper, so whose words are these? Who is telling whom to "get lost"? This is just the editorial powers of this "news" paper raking muck on an easy target. And the thing is, that if they did agree to be rescued, the story would have been about how these two irresponsible larrikins, who set out on a foolish trek, had wasted x-amount of taypayers' money and resources by having to be rescued. But they're not about to die; they have water with them; they're experienced adventurers; and they've said 'thanks but no thanks' to the nosey 'we know better' locals and they're going to battle it out and meet their support crew. This support crew is obviously made up of willing participants, so what exactly is the problem here? They're fine and they'll get out on their own. The only real issue is that of trespass, given that they've travelled over privately-owned land. So if the owner/s of that land can prove damage/loss and choose to sue, then there's an inkling of a story. As it is, the line taken in this story is a load of shit (I know that's not very eloquent but hey, when your inspiration is used toilet paper...). A while ago I was out with friends and chose to walk home, at 1am, from the city. I was offered a lift but I turned it down saying I preferred to walk. I think it should make about page six.