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Wednesday, December 31, 2008 , Updated

Pegasus News’ top 10 most commented-upon stories of 2008

by Alex Bentley

As we grow here at Pegasus News, we've come to realize that there are certain types of stories that will always draw a decent number of comments. Politics and religion are always a good standby, but this year also saw a couple of stories that struck a nerve with our readers for different reasons.

Most of the good back-and-forths between Pegasus readers (and occasionally staff) tended to top out at around 40-50 posts. However, the following 10 stories were at another level. The discussion on most of them was often short-lived (a week or less) but fierce. The stories not only show what our readers were most passionate about, but give a good glimpse back at the important issues in the DFW area in 2008. Without further ado, the top 10 most-commented-upon stories of 2008:

10) Dallas homeowner must clean up SWAT team mess – June 24 (85 comments)

As befits all good discussions on PegNews, this one covered a broad range of topics, from the correct pronunciation of the name of one of the subjects of the story to some not-so-subtle cyber-flirting between Scott Doyle, jtmbls, and Kay. Oh, and a few people decided to actually discuss the story before the whole thing evolved into posts on war, drugs, and cancer treatment before boss man Mike Orren piped in. If he hadn't, this one might've challenged for the lead.

9) Texas will kill Honduran citizen for Arlington murder – August 6 (90 comments)

A one-paragraph Metro story erupted into a knock-down, drag-out debate over the merits of capital punishment for a foreign citizen based on the laws of a country that they're not from. This one miraculously stayed mostly on-topic all the way through (well, except for the name-calling).

8) Martini Park at Shops at Legacy in Plano is closed down – November 24 (100 comments)

What at first appeared to be yet another story about a restaurant/bar shutting down turned into a battle of the zip codes, with many a Dallasite putting in their two cents against the suburbanites. It also gave Tracy Yost the opportunity to drum up business for her non-discriminating bar. Oh, and something about cougars, but I chose to skim by those parts for fear of being scarred for life.

7) McKinney Tavern reacts early to smoking ban – February 16 (106 comments)

Ah, smoking bans – almost nothing gets people riled up like they do. Spurred on by a couple of first-time and/or one topic commenters, hardly any of the comments talked about the story itself and instead went straight to eternal debate of whether governments should be in the business of banning smoking in businesses in the first place. It was inevitable that this one eventually turned to talk of Nazis and was finally shut down.

6) Sarah Palin Dallas visit to be the focus of protest – September 29 (109 comments)

Everybody's favorite beauty pageant Vice Presidential candidate was sure to inspire chatter, and this one didn't disappoint. The occasional conservative voice popped up now and again, but the liberals (and regular user jokesters) dominated this one. There was also a mini-debate about how many people were actually at the protest, though the protest over the protest made about as much of an impact as the protest itself. Despite being longer than the smoking story, this one wound itself down naturally, save for a couple of superfluous comments the day before the election.

5) Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense – August 7 (130 comments)

One of two virtually-identical stories (see #2) about the possible renaming of Ross Avenue, this one went on for over 60 comments after Mike suggested that people move on. The majority of that was a tete-a-tete between Bill Betzen and Robert Kelly (early) and Todd Stein (late). The only reason this one was not shut down was because both sides stayed relatively cordial throughout.

4) Draft of revised Texas science standards further undermines teaching of evolution – November 19 (131 comments)

Evolution makes the first of two appearances on the list, this time with the extra bugaboo of being entwined with education. This one would have been under 100 comments had it not been for the presence of the loquacious scienceguy, who joined just for this story, contributed 38 comments, and has not been heard from since. About half of the comments came after Mike put up his famous “Beating a dead horse” illustration.

3) Movie review: Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed – April 18 (147 comments)

A companion piece to #4, though this one came seven months earlier. This one took all of two comments to bring up the Nazis (though, to be fair, John brought it up in his review, too). It really got going when javascript joined the party, who proceeded to put up 29 comments over the course of 13 days, mostly taking John to task for his “liberal” review. javascript said he/she would move on at comment #38 ... and then kept on popping up when he/she disagreed with another commenter. This one surprisingly stayed on topic for the vast majority of comments, though, as John said in his review, neither side of the argument ever settled the debate.

2) Dallas should rename Ross Avenue for Cesar Chavez – August 1 (177 comments)

The second (and last) story to have comments closed, this one was basically the same story as #5. Since this one came first, it garnered the most comments, dominated again by Bill Betzen (though with a stronger-than-usual presence from Mike). On this one, content partner Andrew Laska debated off-and-on with Betzen before Todd Stein chimed in, too. Mike closed the thread so that those interested wouldn't have to bounce back and forth between the two similar stories.

1) UPDATED: Dallas City Council bans smoking in bars and pool halls – December 9 (193 comments)

Only the second smoking story to make the list (though four others were among stories with the most comments), this one actually started out as “beating a dead horse.” It didn't bring up many new points that hadn't been made in previous threads on the same topic, though it had the unique nature of people taking time out in the middle of the day to watch a 3+ hour city council debate in order to find out if Dallas would actually ban smoking in bars. The thread got 120 comments after the report of the ban, which shouldn't come as a surprise since two of the people who commented most, Tracy and Rick Yost, will be directly affected by the ban.

In the end, the comments on these stories (and countless others) have given all of us here at Pegasus News the feeling that you appreciate what we're doing. We'll do our best to keep giving you interesting topics to debate and, as always, a forum in which to freely debate them.

Staff
Verified User
Anonymous

Jason Rice, says:

Ce...

Nah.

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11 months ago
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Jason Rice, says:

Ok, dang you Alex. I should have been dreaming of sugar plums and instead relived the past very fun and viciously thought provoking year here at Peg by skimming the carnage above. The one thing I can conclusively say is that some of us spend wa-a-y too much time online. (hope that's reflected in your ad revenues)

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11 months ago
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TLS, says:

My New Year's resolution is to be involved in a melee on the Pegasus boards. Topic to be determined.

Anonymous

11 months ago
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Russ Vandeveerdonk, says:

Thanks Pegasus News for a good year, glad I found you last summer! All will be fine in 2009!!

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11 months ago
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Teresa Gubbins, says:

TLS, that's an admirable resolution. much better than the standard "quit smoking" or "lose 10 pounds" which is sooooooooo pedestrian

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11 months ago
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Lisa Lawrence Merritt, says:

What, nothing about the Cherry Pit?

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11 months ago
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jtmbls, says:

Oh no...I'm afraid to look...

Anonymous

11 months ago
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Alex Bentley, says:

Not even close, Lisa -- the most comments any of those stories got was 14. Though if you add up the cumulative comments on all the stories involving the infamous sex club, it does get closer.

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11 months ago
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chasd00, says:

lets make this story the most commented for 2008, come on internet don't let me down.

Anonymous

11 months ago
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Scott Doyle, says:

I'm vaguely interested in an article outlining the *staff's* favorite stories from 2008...if, for no other reason, to see how many double-dip (I'd put money on Erin Rice's being void of a Doyle comment).

Anything of the like being kicked around?

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11 months ago
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Alex Bentley, says:

Probably not this year, Scott -- but that's a good suggestion for next year.

Staff

11 months ago
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Jason Rice, says:

Lisa, thank heaven no Cherry Pit. Those are nearly impossible to comment on without rushing for repeated showers. Icky! EEEWWW! Man I think I need protective gear even to diss it! Yuck!

I know, to each his/her own... or each other's own or .... oh yuck I feel filthy already!!

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11 months ago
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xdavidwattsx, says:

I just wanted to comment on comments.

Anonymous

11 months ago
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Jason Rice, says:

And I just wanted to argue with x*x about his comment. Man what a fun year bickering with you.

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11 months ago
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jtmbls, says:

Thanks for doing this Alex. Even though at times it was a little like looking in the mirror the morning after a few too many cocktails, it made me lol.

My vote for quote of the year goes to Jason. Something about being a Texan...

"Hey. We're terrible people. Accept it."

Happy New Year to you all!

Anonymous

11 months ago
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Travis Bush, says:

"Hey. jtmbls is terrible people. Accept it."

Fixed!

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11 months ago
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Clay213, says:

'Pegasus News’ top 10 most derailed off-topic stories of 2008'

This one has 13 hours left to make it on it's own list. Go!

Anonymous

11 months ago
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jtmbls, says:

Tahts so funny Trav! Glad to see you have found your way back to your keyboard through that thick cloud of bong fog. Thought we lost you for good.

Would you mind taking Clay with you next time?

Anonymous

11 months ago
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xdavidwattsx, says:

I hate you all. Especially Rice and AT

Anonymous

11 months ago
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Jason Rice, says:

Aww. x*x -- you're making me blush.... er I mean um... uhh... Flushed with Rage... yeah that's it. Grrr!

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11 months ago
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Travis Bush, says:

Eh..I just got through having the holiday w/my chillerins. In my infinite wisdom, I decided it would be cheaper to drive them to and fro for Xmas. 1700 miles later I am one tired Santa. Clay would have probably jumped off one of the many bridges I passed. Two pre-teen mischief makers will do that to even the clinically insane.

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11 months ago
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alexander troup, says:

Good to see your back in four peices Travis, while what is the Top Ten Story of 2008, I am just waiting to realize, when I came on around July, and lets wait and see what the top story in 2009 will be....ok,... Travis your cue, now that you are back from the Big Ride...until then Happy New Year and a safe night for all...A/T...

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11 months ago
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Jason Rice, says:

Clay - I don't think you're setting your sites high enough. Sure we can run up the tally, easy, just keep me and AT online for another half hour. But to rea----lly make it worth our time, I think we ought to shoot for getting Mike to shut it down. By Alex's estimation, I think it takes at least three of us claiming the other two to be card carrying Nazis and bringing up painful playground memories for as many members as possible.

I'll fire first "Clay, you're nothing but a pigheaded Nazi Atheist Smoker with no respect for (hmmm... women? Jews? Catholics? US Car Manufacturers? Gay rights? - so many hot buttons to choose from.... dang!... Got it!!) - with no respect for Free Speech! And I hope you lose your hair before you're 25!"

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11 months ago
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Clay213, says:

You had everything right except for smoker.

Anonymous

11 months ago
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Jason Rice, says:

I know that. It was supposed to be your jumping off point for attacking my lack of attention to well trod points of debate from numerous other arenas of contention bringing up my tendency to over-generalize and misinterpretations based on my immediate focus on self-aggrandizement and need to be seen as witty and pop-reference attuned and hopefully we can rope Pavel in by leaving out important by pretending to have typos.

I call "do-overs" so try again.

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11 months ago
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alexander troup, says:

I am not a Nazi, I come from a Itilian facist background of Benadto Mussolini, SE, SENORA And CHOW.....BOW WOW//.....A/T.

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11 months ago
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alexander troup, says:

We already know that David, now shut up and go back to work you on the time clock...A/T.

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11 months ago
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jtmbls, says:

I'm game Jason. I am only 88 comments away from an even 1000.

Hitler!!

Anonymous

11 months ago
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alexander troup, says:

VAS is GOOD.... HERR Meinster....Happy New Years from the Sons Of Hermann...A/T, B.M..Follower.

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11 months ago
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alexander troup, says:

I have 15 to go chimp...............and the race goes on.......for a 1000 also.....

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11 months ago
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jtmbls, says:

No fair! I will never catch up with you AT!

Anonymous

11 months ago
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Jason Rice, says:

1046 and counting - oh wait 1047.

And not a lick o' valid sense in even one of 'em!

Tumbles, you're just an Eva Braun with hairier primate legs. yep

And

it ain't a Jason ridicule post without a photoshop session

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11 months ago
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jtmbls, says:

OMG!! Doyle is going to be so jealous!!

Anonymous

11 months ago
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alexander troup, says:

Ya vas is good herr Meinster, vas Eva Bran and little Adolph at the winter house in Saslberg, undeva..

Say Chimp, I am only trying to wrap up the new year with a punch....have a Happy New Year Monkey Bean...A/T, You cute little Evolution beast...999.

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11 months ago
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Scott Doyle, says:

Jealous of what? Can't see the image from work.

And if you're just talking about comment count, Pavel and I <a href="http://www.pegasusnews.com/users/?o=c">have that on lock</a> (next to Miko). No worries for at least 6 mos unless someone REALLY ups their game. =p

If only y'all had the wherewithal to make your 1,000th post as memorable as mine...

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11 months ago
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jtmbls, says:

You too AT. Say...I look a little like Lucille Ball in that second pic...

Anonymous

11 months ago
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jtmbls, says:

No Doyle...They are pictures of sexy me with my other baby's daddy....Adolf Hitler.

Anonymous

11 months ago
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alexander troup, says:

Well Doyle,.. has a good point, I have some rock gut comments and then again some very swave stuff...having to chipendale out some style on the peg...It takes awhile, and being in the dark it takes longer.........say chimp you better not monkey around with my stuff now, we got a peace agreement...and the best to you all, B.B.Q And beer for the homless, tonight...A/T. Gosh,that was an awful year...

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11 months ago
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Clay213, says:

The picture on this story is perfect.

I've been a member longer than any of the people talking about 1k comments-- jtmbls, jason, at.. and have half as many comments.

Less comments- more content!

Anonymous

11 months ago
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Scott Doyle, says:

But is the content quality?

meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow

Oh wait, forgot you're dead to me. Dead!

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11 months ago
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alexander troup, says:

Clay your cool,... a valdictorian and a Harvard Scholar, then again a wise merchant of the use of words and so..yes your doing very good at this man thing, we all are..then again..I am a word freak, and like Picasso, will write all over everthing, now that dosent make me a writer, but it is neurotic writing that makes a Newspaper talk....A/T, Left Hand Writing.

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11 months ago
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Jason Rice, says:

So any hopes of being half as cool as Clay are gone for me. Why go on.

I must go on.
I can’t go on.
I’ll go on.

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11 months ago
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Jason Rice, says:

And Tumbles - Don't stress about a pithy 1000th. 1000? 10 cubed. Whoopity-freakin-do!

Your 917th (this next one) is much more interesting, 917 being the only positive number known whose 9th power can be written as the sum of ten 9th powers.

And if you squander that one, 918 is a number that does not have any digits in common with its cube.

So celebrate now!

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11 months ago
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ch0, says:

I'm smokin one for Cesar!

Anonymous

11 months ago
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Jason Rice, says:

Ok, Doyle. On the topic of "catty", Ya gotta help me celebrate my being dissed by Clay

yep, ya can't make this stuff up

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11 months ago
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momzilla, says:

Something Cuban or Mexican, cho? (Technically, either would be illegal, I guess.)

Anonymous

11 months ago
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Rawlins Gilliland, says:

Time to start a new thread , one each on the following topics crafted to generate combox hysteria:

Proposed headlines include:

1)Dallas city hall announces new Spanish language outreach.

2) Sarah Palin to speak at Dallas First Baptist Church after Clay Aiken cancellation.

3) Are lesbians really gay?

4) Mayor Tom Leppert to support ban on Dallas tanning booths.

5) Massage parlors are seeing their profits massaged as economy hits below the belt.

6) Should Cedars Springs be renamed 'Harvey Milk Way'?

7) Ross Perot jr asks Dallas for bailout.

8) The Dallas Morning News to double home delivery fees.

9) Builder asks city council for zoning change and tax abatements to build "Assasination Water Park" in the West End.

10) Breast enhancement and penal enlargement added to suggested medicaid coverage in new congressional caucus.

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11 months ago
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Lisa Lawrence Merritt, says:

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO MY BEAUTIFUL PEGS FAMILY!!!

I love you, Man!!!

Yeah, I got the party started early. ;)

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11 months ago
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Travis Bush, says:

Someone call the cops..Lisa's drunk and you know dam well she's got that gun..

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11 months ago
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Lisa Lawrence Merritt, says:

Not to worry! I'm not headed to the Gas Pipe because I'm already stocked up.

4:20am

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11 months ago
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alexander troup, says:

One more left and I am 1000 on the Peg and a New Year soon, what does that mean..I was a Internet bug, 7 months ago, now I can feed back, oh well 10 best stories....where are they, and take the gun away from lisa.....A/T, Somethings dont go well with coke, try Sprite..H.N.Y