Hackett's comments are ridiculous on several levels. Two in particular...

[maelfan]

1) Nothing on social media from random fans should ever be given attention other than what the police may need to do just to be sure someone is safe.

2) I've posted so many times over the years, including earlier this week when headlines about the Magic Johnson statue stated opinion, not fact that UM fans vandalized the Magic statue. It could have been anyone, even random high school kids from the area regardless of which team they prefer. Regarding the death threats, same thing. Even if it was 100% UM fans, they are a handful of idiots in a group of 1 million UM football fans. And they certainly could be people posing as UM fans to make our fans look bad.

So stupid to always jump to conclusions about these things like vandalism and now some dumbasses on social media.

 

[detroitjohn]

1) Nothing on social media from random fans should ever be given attention other than what the police may need to do just to be sure someone is safe.

2) I've posted so many times over the years, including earlier this week when headlines about the Magic Johnson statue stated opinion, not fact that UM fans vandalized the Magic statue. It could have been anyone, even random high school kids from the area regardless of which team they prefer. Regarding the death threats, same thing. Even if it was 100% UM fans, they are a handful of idiots in a group of 1 million UM football fans. And they certainly could be people posing as UM fans to make our fans look bad.

So stupid to always jump to conclusions about these things like vandalism and now some dumbasses on social media.

Older guys often don't understand social media's opinion first, facts later nature. Plus he's probably doing a bit of anti-Brandon by rake acting (too) quickly. You don't apologize for vandalism unless someone's in cuffs

 

[Reality Man]

I had heard about some of the threats although what can someone actually do about free speech if not death specific. I support the right of people to be critical of anyone...right or wrong.

I tend to agree with maelfan. Social media is just some human outlet and if you are smart just ignore it. It's twitter fer godsake . Half these people are probably drunk. I think Hackett just brings credibility and attention to these unfortunate comments.

This is basically the problem I have with certain people. It's like they believe that they can control everything that is said in life. You can't. Just let me people blow off steam. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and is long as no particular death threat is made...then so be it. Let the authorities deal with some death related threat and teach the person a lesson.

 

[blue-boy]

I had heard about some of the threats although what can someone actually do about free speech if not death specific. I support the right of people to be critical of anyone...right or wrong.

I tend to agree with maelfan. Social media is just some human outlet and if you are smart just ignore it. It's twitter fer godsake . Half these people are probably drunk. I think Hackett just brings credibility and attention to these unfortunate comments.

This is basically the problem I have with certain people. It's like they believe that they can control everything that is said in life. You can't. Just let me people blow off steam. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and is long as no particular death threat is made...then so be it. Let the authorities deal with some death related threat and teach the person a lesson.

I'm sure the good folks in Oregon, Colorado and Conn. won't agree w/ you people...kind of remember a number of Social Media "posts" that had been posted by the "killers" and it sure looks as if a number of people just blew those off too. What's a person to do...of course, I totally dislike the "social media" way of doing things today and I know I'm in the huge minority. It's scary some of the things that people say and the info they give out...just one man's opinion!

 

[Reality Man]

This is going to come across as disrespectful to human nature...but I believe this.

Human beings are like dogs. Dogs bark to communicate. They bark when they are afraid or nervous. Humans are similar in the respect that they need to verbalize when they are angry. It's what we do. Look...I am on this board venting over this difficult loss. People need to express themselves. You take that away and people bottle up their emotions.

Social media is just human barking. This site is for human barking (myself).

 

[24to12]

1) Nothing on social media from random fans should ever be given attention other than what the police may need to do just to be sure someone is safe.

2) I've posted so many times over the years, including earlier this week when headlines about the Magic Johnson statue stated opinion, not fact that UM fans vandalized the Magic statue. It could have been anyone, even random high school kids from the area regardless of which team they prefer. Regarding the death threats, same thing. Even if it was 100% UM fans, they are a handful of idiots in a group of 1 million UM football fans. And they certainly could be people posing as UM fans to make our fans look bad.

So stupid to always jump to conclusions about these things like vandalism and now some dumbasses on social media.

Hackett had to say something to support the team and particular players at a difficult moment; might have said it differently, but he had to respond.

 

[Reality Man]

I think Hackett could have addressed the team and coaches directly. Now...the media outlets pick it up.

This is a mistake in my opinion acknowledging every twitter/social media comment. You would be busy 24/7 responding to every insensitive comment regarding the program. This stuff should have been dealt with behind closed door.

Hackett was trying to make a public statement to reign in public criticism but does that really stop some people from posting an insensitive comment. Not really. Is this going prevent some fans to post insensitive comments going forward? Probably not.

I think Hackett is a decent guy but doesn't quite understand that you can't control crazy comments. Nobody thinks the AD or the university condones piling on O'Neil. I agree with maelfan...Hackett indirectly brings credibility to those who make obscene comments.

It's beneath UM to respond to some twitter comments. Hackett needs to spend some time on message boards to truly understand the depth of insensitivity and that you can't control it no matter how hard you condemn it.


RM

 

[michigangoblue999]

Yeah, no need to bring attention to idiots. I hardly ever use Twitter, but this story almost made me go check out the comments. That's the opposite of what Hackett wants.

 

[blue-boy]

Some of the comments were pretty offensive...some crazy stuff!

Yeah, no need to bring attention to idiots. I hardly ever use Twitter, but this story almost made me go check out the comments. That's the opposite of what Hackett wants.

 

[maelfan]

Some of the comments were pretty offensive...some crazy stuff!

I called this 5 minutes after Hackett's comments were released. Big mistake. Maybe his first big mistake like Harbaugh's coaching blunder on the punt. Stories like this go away in a minutes. Instead, Hackett makes an official release which was immediately plastered all over ESPN, CNN, Good Morning America, BTN, other websites, etc., rather than ignored as they should have been. Especially considering the erratic and completely unsubstantiated world of social media. Really?? Does it take a Mensa member to understand a) anyone could have posted that garbage. A stupid teenager from Mio, a State fan, an OSU fan...just for kicks or to make UM look bad. And b) anyone moronic enough to tweet/post something like that is really going to read Hackett's comments in the first place, let alone say "okay, I guess I won't be a moron today"... All Hackett's comments did was give validity to the idiots and follow presumptions of other idiot journalists that the comments must have all come from real UM students or fans.