We came across a number of stories this week about neighbors helping neighbors during the weekend snow storm.

While the internet jerks were attacking the weather forecasters for not hitting the bulls-eye with predictions of when, where and how much snow would come to our area, there were some more conscientious people out there taking pictures and lending a hand.

Our favorite, though, was the Bethel Park High School Coach who chose to alter his team’s practice schedule and not have the players or their families have to be on the roads. Instead, he issued the instructions that each of his student athletes was to go out and find a neighbor in need of the help of a strong healthy young person to clear away the dangerous snow from the steps, sidewalks and porches of the neighbors.

Further, he instructed them not to accept any payment or gratuity for their efforts. There were pictures posted of these young people accepting the challenge from their coach. We viewed this story as almost New Testament biblical in the lessons to be learned.

If everyone who was trying to spread gossip and rumors about the shootings at the Clearview Mall on Tuesday night had instead grabbed a shovel, all of our sidewalks would be clear. If everyone who lied and added false accusations to this story about illegal aliens and drug gangs being involved had instead walked next door to check on elderly neighbors, we would have a much better community.

The evils of the internet and social media aren’t going away any time soon, but you can lessen their impact by ignoring the stories if they aren’t coming from a real journalist, and also by remembering they are simply repeating the gossip they just heard or read from some other low life trying to impress people with their amazing ability to spread false reports.

This den of vipers, playing fake crime reporters by night and political pundits by day, want nothing more than to make people think worse about your community. Crime is everywhere. A true reporter can find it without needing to make a fool of himself with lies and exaggerations.

Better yet, a real reporter would be looking for a balance of good and “not so good” in the community, so as to build up Butler. If what you seek is embellished and tainted news, go ahead and waste your time on Facebook with the keyboard warriors. After that, try to find some “Three Stooges” reruns to watch. The Stooges will help bring your mind back up to the intelligence level you were at before you logged onto Facebook.

— RV