8/12/12 - Olympic Thoughts - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Another Olympic games has come to a close. And while we should all be filled with pride for our American team's performance, we may not remember these games for the medalists' achievements. Instead, the London games may live on in our memory for how spectators participated around the world, and specifically on the web.

NBC did a good job bringing us the games. More coverage than ever on more outlets than ever. Yet, for many it simply wasn't good enough. Many took to the internet at the start of the games and stayed there, criticizing NBC's coverage plans and time delay, demanding real time coverage and instant results.

Many media outlets, KFVS12 included, received complaints when legitimate news coverage of the Olympics preceded the prime time delayed coverage. Many consumers demanded instant gratification and were not afraid to share their complaints with the world. But perhaps the most outrageous comments came after the gold medal winning performance of gymnast Gabby Douglas. Look at [the video]. Now how do you watch a performance like she gave, a gold medal winning performance, and complain about how she wears her hair?

To her credit Douglas shrugged it off. To paraphrase her coach:"it's not a beauty pageant. Leave it alone." This young woman did amazing things representing our country on the world stage, and all that a lot of folks could do was make fun of her hair. Ridiculous.

The instant delivery of information that we want and need to know is the greatest attribute of the internet. But the snarky, snide comments and complaints that exist in social media, the anonymous bullying that goes on some sites, reduce us as a nation at a time when we should be lifted up.

Mine is just one of many viewpoints. If you'd like to comment I want to hear from you. Click here to e-mail your response on-line right now, or write me at the address below. Either way, be sure to include your name and hometown in case we use your comment on the air.