I know for a fact that the family was very appreciative of the coverage that the Janesville Gazette provided in honor of Hammy. The family printed a thank you in the Saturday, July 26, edition of the paper.

Has anyone else noticed that Queeg is getting sarcastic lately? What have the voices been telling you?

Why would anyone advocate an end to the "blogging" on GazetteXtra?
No one is forcing anyone to read anything. Yes, some commenters are rude unfair and thoughtless. Let them make their comments all the same. The GazetteXtra staff does a good job at removing vile comments. The poor commenters still can add something to discussions even if what they add is not what they intend to add.

avid,
Let me guess, 4 hours TV per day for you, You read the Gazette cover to cover, you have multiple magazine subscriptions, if you don't have the money for something, you buy it anyway because you're ENTITLED to it and you'll pay $12 for popcorn at the movie theatre..... I know, it's a tough pill to swallow.

kleej, apparently outside sources influence you quite a bit judging by your posts. What influenced you to make such posts, or even made you read the article in the first place?
What influences you to even read this so-called garbage media as you stated? And what is influencing you to pray for so many of the bloggers here that you disagree with?

Maybe someday when your not so influenced by all this, you will be able to sit back and laugh at your posts, and say, sheesh, I sure sounded foolish back then.

sfcm,
I have nothing to get over. I don't allow outside sources to influence me. I do see the "truth" has been way too hard for many people to handle though. Including yourself. It's okay, life goes on.

Kleej, didn't you have a "last take" on the Gazette's coverage of Hammy's memorial ride two days ago? Get over it.

hannah, don't give up hope!
Just make arrangements with the Gazette before you die. Have them come to your funeral service and snap photos. Make sure they get that one that has your spouse or loved one weeping so they can plaster it in the papers. You see, it's the Gazette's duty to inform people that their spouses actually did love their fallen mate. Nobody really knew that regarding Mrs. Hamilton until the Gazette came to the rescue. Two birds with one stone get killed here. People find out that your mate actually did love you and the Gazette gets the story!!! Win Win or no deal, right?

MKA1164 Ok thanks for the info.curtaincall and others can you please for the family stop saying negative comments this is a tragic death that happen and your rude behaviors are just_____!R.I.P Hammy

Curtaincall, let me tell you a little about these Harley Riders. These are the people who love the Hamiltons. Who will be there for them in their time of need. And these are the people who do benefits and raise money for people in need, who do toy runs at Christmas for those who can't afford to buy their children presents. If you don't like it, to bad. These people do more in a month for charity then you have probably done in your entire life. Danias, we are doing a benefit ride for the family, this weekend as a matter of fact.

What is insenstive and distasteful is all the people in this blog who don't even know the grieving widow, and what she would or wouldn't want, thinking they should have a say in the matter. Some people just aren't happy unless they are complaining about things that don't pertain to them.

I don't care if you flagged my comment its the truth. So keep complaining I don't care if I hurt your feelings your arrogant *******. And if you don't like me to bad I'm not flagging your tasteless comments. I hope they do a bennifet run and be loud to show are pride be ready....I hope to see you there

Actually, 95% America is clueless. Mainstream America is so brainwashed by the media today that they don't know how to function without a TV, Radio, Video games, People magazines etc. and newspapers. Danias is actually in the "norm" from a "new age" point of view. (Not from my point of view)

I think danias's comments alone show why they should moderate or not allow comments at all . What a xxxxx. A foriegn car? You truly are clueless.

danias get a life. You are shameful.

I agree end the blogging or at least moderate it.

What is the deal with harley davidson riders being so xxxx obnoxious and attention seekers. Calling the gazette asking for attention. That was not in the best interest of your friend or his family. That was all about you;. The gazette never should have covered this anymore than they would have any other death. They really should not cover funerals at all, what are they people magazine, the national enquirer. Not O.K. at all.

Shame on you danias Harley Riders wanted the attention you them, you(someone) called the gazette to bring attention to themselves. Is that how you honor your friend? I pity your friends then. Great honor your friend anyway you like, but don't continue to embarrass your self by bringing attention to your selfs and those monsters you ride.

I feel the Janesville Gazette did a wonderful job covering this very tragic story! We've been with Hammy and his wonderful family for a few years now and they made us feel like the part of the family that we knew forever!! I would like to add though, I feel the Janesville Police Department needs to be thanked too! They were there to make everything go very smooth and I believe they all did it out of there hearts. They did an awesome job!! Hammy, this is for you "Have I told you lately I luv ya!!!!

(Yes, this is the same comment posted on the above referenced article)

Keep up the good work gazette staff. You do your best and at the end of the day that is all anyone can ask for.

The one thing Suzanne and her family needs right now is support and not negative comments. I know Suzanne better than I know make and when I heard Friday morning that he passed it was hard. The suddenness of it, i think, is was makes it the hardest. With in 2 hours of that call I got yet another call to tell me that another good friend of mine passed. To read the blogs of the negative makes me sick. I will say it again, families in these situations need support not negative comments, IF YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING NICE DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL!!!!!!!!

Just end the blogging.

curtaincall shame on you this was a tradegy and all of his friends are like family, bikers weren't trying to get any attention they were mourning a friend!! So if you don't like what you read don't read it and if you don't like the sound of bikes close your ears and go back into your bubble, cause this is how we honor are friend who was loved by so many! It makes me sick to think how people bash on such a tragic event. Hammy was very caring and would do anything to help others, I wish others would be like him!

It is hard to believe all the negative comments associated with this article. The Gazette was asked to cover this event. I don't think that it matters that it was because HD riders asked them to. It was a group of people who felt strongly about the person who was unfortunately killed in an accident. I am sure that if something like the ride was put together for Mr. Bryant and someone called the Gazette and asked them to cover it, they would have. The articles posted on the website and the article in the paper for Dale Bryant were well written and, in my opinion, put forth the same courtesy given to Mark.

I would think that the family of Mark would not really have an opinion on the picture of Suzanne with her brother because their thoughts are probably somewhere else. After a few days this will hopefully be forgotten and the focus for everyone posting will be for the family and their great loss.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

We met Hammy only a couple of times but to know him was to never forget him. He spoke with you as if you were his best friend and had known you forever.The coverage of this horrible loss has nothing to do with priorities -the gazette was asked to be present and that is what they did and did a very professional and straight to the heart job of it. They did not just show up to get a story! I feel they did their job in a very professional manner and truly showed how much this man was loved, admired and respected by all. The gazette does not just show up at these times of sorrow and loss. Every loss of life is tragic but, again, they were asked to be there. I'm sure that if the loved ones of the County employee or anyone else requested their presence they would have obliged. But can you imagine the outcry if they would have just showed up to "get a story". This is nonsense. We thank you for your wonderful and tasteful coverage of this sad and tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Scott,
I would like to commend you and the Gazette for a wonderful job of covering Hammy's Memorial. I have to say that I thought it was touching and appropriate. I also want to extend to you my gratitude to you for highlighting a very popular and very giving individual that put a his money where his mouth was. He would always give, and give when not even asked. This community will forever have an empty spot where Hammy once was. A void that no one will be able to fill. It was nice to see the paper get behind such great person.

Seeing this photo made me tear up, since i am friends with andrew. we as a community need to join together and not assume how suzanne feels. i have mixed opinions on the photo

Not to take anything away from this family's loss. I did not know him but it is clear he was very loved. We should all be so lucky.

But how sad is it, that because he owns a bar and and has friends who drive noisy monsters that they cover this and not of someone who served his country and was a county employee.. Once again priorities. Very sad the gazette could be so easily influenced.

If there is one thing I’ve learned from my various web sites over the last twelve years, it’s that you’ll never make everyone happy, especially on the WWW. Unfortunately, being anonymous online makes some people even bigger jerks. Moreover, people tend to look for controversy or to stir the pot. The best advice I could give to Gazette staff regarding online affairs is to ignore the criticism when you know you are doing the right thing. Constructive criticism can help make everyone who writes for the Gazette better journalist. However, writing for the web in terms of journalistic quality is no different than print. The Gazette staff is schooled and experienced in journalism and you are receiving criticism from overly emotional, overly opinionated, and non journalistic online readers. This is not to degrade people’s opinions or intellect, including my own, but to simply state the difference. For example, a construction supervisor couldn’t expect Gazette staff to show up and build a house, because it’s not your area of expertise. At this point in its history and with its current staffing the Gazette can stand on its own experience and journalistic integrity, it doesn’t need conformation online other than page views. When people stop visiting this site for a long stretch of time, then you know you are doing something wrong.

I agree with Mr. Angus. They gave this story more attention than they had to and should be thanked for it, not criticized. That particular picture is an important link to the story. Grow up people and just worry about what the true meaning of this event was held for.

Then again it was the Harley Rider's who wanted the attention. Like they don't get enough attention with all the xxxx they make.

Does anyone not think that the Gazette had to get permission to post the photos?
As someone already said, Suzanne thought it was a wonderful memorial piece.
Stop picking at healing wounds!

So its that all it takes. Call the news room and ask you to cover something important to me, or to any of us???? There is a guy picking his nose at... I mean come on. I would ask why did as well why you did not cover the funeral of Dale Bryant with as much attention as you did this. He was a county employee, served with the National Guard for years. But yet where were you? I guess its just priorities.

Really, I highly doubt that the newsroom put these photos on to sensationalize anything. The newsroom does not have to worry about selling papers- that is the job of circulation. And I can guarantee you that the circulation department has NO say whatsoever about what is presented as news.

Scott, I think the article was a fitting tribute to a well loved local man and his family. Great job.

When the paper first was updated this morning, the photo on the front of the paper was the one of Suzanne being comforted by her brother. That is what the critical comments were originally for.

AFTER the critical comments started, the Gazette changed the front page photo to the one of the group of bikes that is there now.

The photo of Suzanne is now off on the left hand side with the others, where it seems more appropriate to be. Not as the large front page picture.

I'm curious as to why the Gazette followed this funeral so closely, but not that of the Correctional Officer that died and was given Millitary and Law Enforcement honors?

I thought this was a moving tribute story well within the bounds of journalistic propriety. The widow was captured in a moment of emotion that took place in public in full view of anyone in attendance; that is hardly private.
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The friends and family of Hammy are obviously entitled to their feelings, but not to pre-approval of the Gazette's coverage. The only other option for the Gazette would be not covering this funeral and parade at all.

No rational person would view this as inappropriate.

In this town, it seems you're damned if you do, damned if you don't! I thought the piece brought emotion to the situation and was a fitting tribute.

Ha! Mr. Angus, ever feel like you can't win for losing?

The changes being made by Scott are nice to see. You will not satisfy everyone all of the time, but at least you tried to shed some light on how many people this man touched. I did not know him, but could see from the pictures and article that he must have been a special person. Some may say a picture of a grieving person is insensitive, but that is what photo-journalism does. It captures a moment in time in an attempt to tell a story without words. Time and National Geographic have made a name for themselves doing this. We hold them up as iconic samples of history. It takes a special talent to "get the shot" and shows either mastery or luck in taking a picture with the extras in the background adding to the story. The Gazette is lucky to have a photographer that has an eye for this.

I say great work Scott and other's who covered this tragedy with professionalism like usual. And like I always say, if you do not want to see the picture, turn the page, or if you do not want to watch a tv program, turn the channel. It is that simple. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Hammy!!

rstricker,
I agree with you about Matthew's military article. In a different sense, they are both the same-- one died for our country doing what he loved, another died having helped his community and doing something he loved.

Oh, and by the way, I learned something about Hammy's positive impact on our community.

I would have to say that his impact can be compared to that of Kenny Hendricks' positive impact on Beloit.

Both these guys were trying to help their communities, but were taken from those that loved them dearly by a terrible tragedy!

Why are people fighting over some photos? It isn't like the Gazette wanted to make anyone mad or upset.

Maybe they should also quit taking pictures of the flooding, GM closing or presidential candidates in the city.

My impression is that it was in a discreet fashion, done in a way that those reporting would want it to be done if it were them grieving.

To: Scott & Dan(Great photos btw) aka The Janesville Gazette;
Unfortuntely you can never please everyone all at the same time. And as you have picked the job you have, you realize it is totally impossible. Mourning the lose of someone close is a very hard thing to do and somethings make it harder rather than easier. Maybe Hammy's wife will read all of our comments and get a good laugh out of how we are responding for her and her family.

One of the intents of the Janesville Gazette (and of other local newspapers) is to chronicle the lives of the members of its community and the times in which they live, whether they be happy, sad, good, or bad. I applaud the Gazette and its staff for its efforts to chronicle the life and passing of a beloved member of the community that they all serve.

Thekid-you made me lol.

Well done Scott, Cathy and Dan. A touching tribute.

Well Mr. Angus I will be one of the few that will agree with you, there was nothing insensitive about that picture in fact just the opposite, I felt Love and Warmth coming from that picture it shows just how much love one person has for another. Keep up the good work and remember you cant please all of the people all of the time. The ones complaining are the same ones that will complain about anything that (they)dont understand and try and change there mind Forget about it.

Unbelievable that people complaining about the Gazette are so insensitive. The Gazette did a wonderful tribute to Mark and in doing so also honored his family. If I was in Suzanne's shoes, I would be going through a very difficult time but would feel so blessed that people cared enough to give tribute to Mark in this way. The picture in question was not intrusive; I wouldn't have minded having it taken if I was in Suzanne's shoes. Thank you, Scott A, Catherine I, and Dan L for doing a nice job on this story.

I am actually a little upset that you folks are criticizing such a nice tribute to Mr. Hamilton. So the picture shows her grief - it's a natural part of life, and the picture captures the moment and the LOVE for this man so nicely. It's obvious she's in pain. It's comforting to see that she's got support to help her through that pain.

Sadly, this is the world we live in. Express an opinion, or cover a story, and before long someone will write that you are arrogant or ignorant, usually both with aspersions cast that you’re not smart enough to tie your own shoes and that you should be ashamed to hold such an opinion. Unfairness and disrespect is the order of the day. For proof, all one needs to do is observe the political climate or the global warming debate.

Zoom
I'll pray for you as well.

The Gazette may have made a judgment on the first photo that upset some sensibilities, but for Kleej to call the Gazette and Mr. Lassiter immoral, souless, and garbage media is absolutely, positively insane. Those comments are the most judgmental of any I have ever had the misfortune of reading.

Kleej continually rails against the media, yet takes advantage of their services, which is paid for by Kleej's so-called evil advertising. How hypocritical.

/done feeding the troll

scott: is that a mini-mullet yer sportin?? nice. to many people go thru life never really appreciating the value of a good mullet. when it gets full grown submit it to www.mulletjunkie.com!! good luck hombre

SCOTT I would pay NO attention to the negatives,i've known the Hamiltons for 50 years or so,and that was real class showing the love for another person,by Suzanne,or anyone. When i go to a military funeral,i'm alright untill they fold the flag and give it to a loved one,then i cry like a baby,if my picture was taken at that moment,i would be proud to let someone see the love i had for them. So Scott don't worry about it,by some one attacking you,that is just their way of greaving. You did an EXCELENT JOB.

As posted on other blog, thanks Gazette. Most if not all involved in the ride, funeral, and @ Hammys Thank you for your coverage. Another part of the healing process was your memorial to a good man today. It's crazy how this blog has turned into constitution talk.

WOW!!!! Seems most of you dont have anything better to do with your time. Suzanne and her family have enough to worry about and let me tell you they certainly dont need to hear your comments on how she or her family feels about anything. Their lives are none of your business. But, there are some who think their opinion matters. Leave them alone and keep your unimportant comments to your self. To the gazette what a great tribute that was to Hammy I thought it was wonderful.I am proud to say I am a friend of the family and that I was able to be a part of such a tribute to a wonderful man.

I didn't know Hammy or his family. This story and the photos--all of them--were touching. There seem to be a lot of bloggers on this page that have contact with Suzanne. Do any of you think she was offended by the photo? It's her opinion that counts in this situation.
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That being said, I'd like to thank the Gazette for a touching story. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Hamilton family and everyone else who was touched by this tragedy.

Kleej,
So anti-media, what you doing on Gazettextra.com anyways?

I'll pray for you spunk.

spunk--you beat me to the punch, man. Now...back on topic...

Oh...my...god. Are you serious? I didn't say I felt like I knew him. I said I WISHED I would have known him. Watch out for the Gazette and their "evil agenda." Yikes! Shame on you Gazette. Shame on you for showing the community how loved Hammy was. I don't know how Kleej could make the jump from showing a compassionately beautiful tribute for a man who was obviously loved to sexual predators preying on children in cyberspace. Takes all kinds I guess.

"The Janesville Gazette and gazettextra.com made a special effort to provide coverage of the funeral of bar owner Mark “Hammy” Hamilton. We sent a reporter and photographer,.."

This sounds a bit arrogant to me. You were asked to attend Mark's funeral. You did. Was it a "special effort"? Was there something else you would have rather covered?

I've known Suzanne for many years. She is a loving, generous woman, always has a smile on her face. To see her in pain, it hurts. For you to plaster her private pain on your front page was wrong. Thank you for changing out the photo to the group of bikes. More appropriate to what you were asked to cover ["Before the commemoration Monday, we received many calls from people asking us to cover the parade of motorcycles and other events to remember this longtime Harley rider."]

spunk,
You just made my point for me. That's sensationalism at it's finest right there. Because of the influence of a media publication, you're saying: "And now I wish I had known the man myself"........That's what I'm talking about. The media has influence over it's audience that pay mind to it. What happens if that media is put forth by people or groups who have an evil agenda??? Remember, our generations of kids are being subject to mass media every day of their lives! Parents and good role models should be the one's influencing them. Problem is, like you, people read an article and look at some pictures and feel like they know someone now they never met. You ever heard of sexual predators that lure innocent children away from their homes and do bodily harm or worse to them? These kids think they can get to know a person's heart in cyberspace! It's called being disconnected from the real world! Wake up.

maresyann--thank you for making my point. It's NOT our business. People are defending Suzanne's privacy and attacking the Gazette for being inappropriate/insensitive,etc., but perhaps they need to take their own advice and respect Suzanne--and not just assume that she's taken an issue with the Gazette's pictures! If "newsreader" is a friend of Suzanne as he/she states he/she is, then we can trust that Suzanne is not upset with the pictures and move on. But I doubt that will happen anytime soon...

Kleej. Your long posting has just proven some thing to me, your all pissed because your big loud annoying harley did not make the front page of the paper. One thing to remember you all called the Gazette for this coverage and I think it turned out pretty good

People die and it's unfortunate, yet it's a fact of life. It's just distasteful for a company to exploit the widow of a fallen man to appeal to the viewing audience. Bad taste is bad taste.

My heart goes out to the Hamilton family and may God give you the peace you need and power to help heal.
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To the Gazette...You guys did a wonderful job on the story. Even though the story was probably not a regular thing for the Gazette I feel you guys done it with alot of class.
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To everyone else that wants to beat down the Gazette...We the People created this country and freedom of speech...Get off your HIGH horses and step to the ground level and show the support to this unfortunate family on the blogs so they have something awesome to read instead of the negitivity that you people created!!!
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I am sure I will now get lashed like Mr. Angus but so be it...Good Job Scott!

Oh and Kleej -
Of course he was doing it for the "effect". Because of that photo, I felt compassion for Suzanne. I felt her pain. I felt her loss. And I'm sure many others did as well. And now I wish I had known the man myself.

I don't understand how taking a picture of someone grieving means the photographer has no soul. Life is sometimes painful. Should they only show pictures of people happy and smiling? Then they could change their name to the Stepford Gazette!

I know both Suzanne and Mark and thought it was a wonderful tribute. Thank you.

My question to your question sfcm is...why is it our business how Suzanne is handling it? I am sure if she has a problem, she'll contact the Gazette herself, privately. Or have a member of her family do it. And I am sure she has so many other things to worry about at this point. This is petty compared to her loss. Mind your own business people.

Here we go again! What works for the gazette is always going to be seen as the moral thing to do in their eyes! Here's a question. If you wanted to show the depths of emotion and how touched people were that day, why not show one of the 150 people that were there to pay their respects weeping? Was Mr. Hamilton's wife the only person who shed a tear that day?? Don't you think if Mrs. Hamilton picks up the gazette the next day and see's a picture of one of her friends grieving it would have a more positive affect on her rather than having some glory hungry photographer/reporter posting a picture of her crying?? Don't you people have souls?? Don't give the public your agenda driven version of what you think is right or wrong! Mr. Lassiter showed no compassion for the grieving family, he was doing it for the "effect", plain and simple. The one who really should be ashamed of themselves is you Mr. Angus! It happened on your watch! It's times like this that continue to prove that this this country is going to hell in a handbasket because of the self serving, garbage media available for everyone. It's too convenient for the misguided people in corporate America to reach the masses with their twisted versions of what they feel is right for the citizens of this country. What you did makes you part of the problems we face, and not part of the solution.

Wow, I have to admit it was a nice gesture to remember Hammy this way. Scott - don't pay much attention to the people who don't get it, the rest of us thought it was very nice. At least the article and photos were not 'speculation' and 'indications', but it was real life with a touch of honor......Almost a small town effect. I thought it was appropriate.

Does anyone know how Suzanne is doing and if she has taken issue with the photo in question? Is everyone assuming that she felt that having her photo printed is invasive, disrespectful, and insensitive?

I don't understand the criticism here. The Gazette photographer didn't hunt Hammy's widow down as she was crying privately. He didn't get up in her face to get this picture. He took a picture (a moving one, I might add) of Hammy's widow being comforted by her brother. The picture showed grief and loss, aspects of life we've all been through at one time or another. I didn't know Hammy. After reading this article and seeing the pictures, I wish I would have. I thought it was a beautiful tribute to a man who was so obviously loved by many. Way to go Gazette.

I will just have to say...Good Job Gazette...I feel you paid Hammy a great deal of respect and you showed you had sympathy. Some of the people in town need to sit on the computer less and open their minds more.

I feel it odd that these harley riders felt the need to be recognized. Trying to make it a bit to much of about themselves. It would be different had they not called 'asking' for the attention. But they did. It was suppose to be a day about Hammy, and they wanted a piece of the attention. They have no business complaining.

sfcm -

Yes, there was a different picture. It's included in the article. The initial photo was of Mr. Hamilton's wife crying and being comforted.

Quick work, Mr. Angus. And, I would agree that the photographer took some strong photos of the ride. I would again agree that you covered this tragedy in much more depth than other residents are afforded: heck, I don't remember ANY photos of Ken Hendricks' family at his memorial.
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I still have 2 remaining questions:
1--You had the compassion to send out staff, a reporter and photographer, to Hammy's and Tremors. In addition to sending them equipped with a camera, film, a pad of paper and pencil, did you also send them with a sympathy card? Wouldn't that have been a wonderful topper to a wonderful coverage package?
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2--If that were YOU being embraced by your brother at YOUR WIFE's memorial, would you want the rest of Rock County and the limitless visitors to gazetteextra.com to see the strength and bond in such a photo in YOUR time of despair?
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I understand if you do not want to answer my questions in a public forum such as this. My inbox is always open.

I think Intern Matthew explained the photographer's point of view brilliantly.

http://gazettextra.com/weblogs/interns/2...

Would you have posted the same photo along with the initial article about the accident?

Regardless - if you personally feel the photo was appropriate, it speaks volumes about your character.

Correction: Nobody is held accountable for what they write except the journalists and reporters.

Irish--was there a different picture on the site than what there is right now? I may not have seen that picture.

I would like to say that the article and pictures brought me to tears and I never even met "Hammy". My two cents are that the Gazette did a wonderful job of commemorating this man's life. I think some people are always looking to criticize--especially on this website. The blogs are easy entertainment, and nobody is held accountable for what they write. I'm curious about how many telephone calls you received from people with the same concerns and critiques as the bloggers?

Unfair?

A woman and a community lose a friend and husband and you think it's fair to link the story with her grief-stricken tear-stained face?

The photo up now is a better choice. This isn't the National Enquirer, Mr. Angus. Yes, the story was good. Yes, the photos captured the emotion and ceremony. Just put yourself in the shoes of the widow for a moment. Would you want everyone with access to the internet and the Gazette to see you crying and mourning? A powerful image it may be, but private and personal all the same.