Ginny Haters

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 152142

Ginger:
> Are you saying the Zach had the "right" to his opinion (agreed 
there)
and to express that opinion in a public forum where he was,
theoretically, supposed to be commentating in an unbiased manner?
Sure, he as as much right as anyone to wander the halls pontificating
loudly on proper management techniques, but is he in the right to
harp on that point in his position as commentator?  Had he brought up
negative points about Ginny's play, he would have been just doing his
job, but we've seen that Ginny is a good player who has earned her
place on the team.  Note that he shut up on that after she scored 4
of the team's 6 goals.

Ceridwen:
I went a bit off the deep end, I think.  But, since I did open mouth 
and insert foot:

Smith was just trying out for the commentator's position, if I recall 
right.  Wouldn't it be better to see that he is incapable of being 
unbiased at his try-outs?  Not that the WW seems to care about bias.

But, point taken.  He didn't have any business spouting his personal 
opinion in that venue.  His job was to describe the game for the 
benefit of spectators.  I still don't agree with Ginny's over the top 
performance, even if it was funny and even though I do think Smith 
was a jerk.  Ginny reacted in anger, not in considered thought.  I 
stop short of my mother's teaching that if he's wrong, someone else 
should do the defending or it looks like everyone agrees with him if 
you have to do it.  But, calling him out, making a date to duel, 
perhaps, to show she isn't just reacting (perhaps with a guilty 
conscience? as the Slytherins might think) to his being a jerk, in my 
opinion, would have been better.

Ginger:
> The part that I am questioning whether or not I understand correctly
is where you said, "Zacharias Smith has every right to question her
inclusion.  No one has the duty to give it a second thought."  Did
you mean that Zach has a right to his opinion and no one has the
right to express disagreement?  

Ceridwen:
Absolutely not!  Sorry if I wasn't clear.  He has the right to his 
opinion (outside of the job, of course).  No one has to listen to 
him.  If they do listen, or if they find him too annoying to ignore 
any longer, sure, tell him off.  If Smith has the right to his 
opinon, then he has to expect differences of opinion.  He shouldn't 
be the only one able to express himself.

But, when he does, he has no right to expect anyone to agree, or to 
even listen.  My own baggage may be showing here.  I know people who 
think their opinion is the only valid opinion, and they insist that 
everyone agree.  Some can become extremely obnoxious about it, too.  
I was *assuming* Smith may be this sort of person, and stating that, 
despite this attitude among people of strong opinion, no - no one has 
any duty to listen to nonsense if that's how they see it, and no one 
has to agree just because Smith is bad-mouthing Harry, Ginny and the 
Gryffindor team.

Ginger:
> I would think that Zach has every right to say what he wants in
everyday life, and that others have every right to disagree, but that
in a public forum where an unbiased commentation is called for, his
opinion needs to have a real base rather than just snide remarks.  He
can certainly make negative comments, but he had best have facts to
back them up.  That's just good reporting.

Ceridwen:
As I mentioned, I think I just went over the top myself in my reply.  
He shouldn't spout opinion during commentary.  Hopefully, he put 
himself out of the running for that slot.  But I will bet that Smith 
expressed the same opinions out of the booth as well.

Slightly off-topic: I only recall two contenders for the commentator 
spot.  Luna's commentary was as biased, but pro Ginny/Gryffindor.  I 
*think* Luna is the sort to be trying to redress the Smith 
commentary.  Either way, no one had any objectivity that I noticed in 
the commentator try-outs.

> Ginger, who likes Ginny because Ginny has the guts to do and say the
things I *wish* I had the guts to do and say.  Probably why I like
Snape.

Ceridwen:
Heh-heh, same for Snape, really.  I could tell you tales...  But I 
won't.  I'm starting to pay a lot more attention to Ginny's character 
now that we're seeing more of it.  I think there's something going 
on, as I mentioned probably too many times already.  I wish JKR would 
at least give us a book 7 title to pick apart!

Ceridwen.