I've just been sitting here chuckling away at the comments left on the Scabby Wood dog kicking story. It really makes me laugh out loud when I peruse readers' efforts to contribute to an online newspaper.

As I said in a couple of my comments on the story, the trouble with News Shopper readers is the simple fact that they are lazy.

They are not interested or intelligent enough to take the time to leave comments on stories that affect us all, like hospital closures, carjacking and/or issues such as the dire state of Dartford High Street.

These topics are not worthy of the typical News Shopper reader. 'Oh, no. Not worth bothering with'. 'Boring'. 'Doesn't affect me'. 'Who cares?'.

But just you wait until a story turns up about an allegedly abused animal. The lazy ones soon awaken and start their vigil at the computer in order to police and protect the feelings of animal lovers everywhere.

The motto of the lazy ones is, 'Preparation, preparation, preparation!' A flask of coffee is made, as are some cheese sandwiches wrapped in clingfilm, along with a Penguin or two (the chocolate biscuits, not the birds in the tuxedos) and Radio 2 put on quietly in the background.

After leaving a sincere and heartfelt comment on the story, the lazy ones then sit back and wait for someone to disagree with them.

That's usually when I turn up.

Not only me, of course. There are some other 'clever ones' who frequent News Shopper. Porkpie is often around to inject some much needed common sense into the comment section. There are also some idiot trolls who try to be funny but they always fail, so I won't go into detail about them.

You see, I read News Shopper every day. Why? Because I think it is an excellent local online newspaper.

But I get disappointed.

Would you like to know exactly why I get disappointed? You would? Oh, good!

I get disappointed when I witness excellently researched and brilliantly written stories about important local issues slip through the net without a single comment from readers. I mean, surely SOMEONE out there has an opinion and would like it heard.

When News Shopper does an excellent job reporting on the demise of Queen Mary's Hospital, why the hell isn't the comment section of the story absolutely bursting with opinions, anger and conflicting views?

Surely, if you live in the Bexley area, you will have been treated at Queen Mary's at some time in your life (or or will be, hopefully), so why not voice your opinion and make a stand?

Well, I'm sure you think the local authorities know best, eh? 'Let them sort it out, there's nothing I can do about it'.

But when it comes to a pooch, moggy, squirrel, tortoise, horse, donkey, python or hedgehog abuse story, the lazy ones are in their element.

It's almost like they scan the stories every day in the hope of reading about some poor critter that has had a bad day.

Get real, readers! For God's sake, what IS the matter with you? If you put as much effort into leaving comments on serious stories that involve real human beings, perhaps the powers-that-be might sit up and actually listen!

Why do you think the politicians like writing blogs on News Shopper? Because they bloody well know that the lazy ones won't challenge them, that's why!

For everyone's sake, please wake up, News Shopper readers. Instead of having a pop at me all the time, why not do something worthwhile for a change and voice your opinions on serious, perhaps even life threatening, issues?

All members of my family and I have signed the editor's open letter concerning the 'temporary' closure of Queen Mary's A&E department. Please everyone, take 30 seconds to do the same and let's save our hospital!

Anyone who has been treated at - or knows someone who has been treated at - Queen Mary's in the past, should feel obligated to sign.

Queen Mary's is a real local treasure, so let's fight to save it and give the property developers a bad day.

Still, never mind the hospital A&E closure. At least, that is, until you have to travel to Greenwich for treatment, instead of a journey to Queen Mary's that would take up just five minutes of your very valuable time.

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Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here