I don’t think there was anything judgmental or ignorant about your comments. In addition, I think you’re being gracious in your response.

*raises hand*

But seriously, I am a college educated, job holding, tax paying adult, so it would really be nice if you would stop acting like I am an idiot.

I didn’t realize the picture was staged.

No Jen, the photo wasn’t “staged.” That’s really us, doing our real activity in real time.

Accusing a professional news photographer of “staging” a photo is a serious charge in the industry, and not one that should be made lightly.

But as the saying goes, never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by ignorance.

Happy Nat-
I like canoeing once a year on vacation, but I am glad I don’t have to do it every day, because then something fun turns into a lot of a work. Plus I hate bugs. Thats all.

Wow! I sometimes canoe of vacation; its never seemed that fun to me. Not to mention the bugs, the possibility of falling in, and the splashing on your suit.
…And they might want to use lifevests. Admittedly, I have no idea how deep the water is, but it can never hurt to use them.

Wow Jen, what a downer. You must be fun on vacation

…And they might want to use lifevests

I (Duncan…from the photograph) always have one life preserver on board for every person in the canoe. That is the state law in New York. The law does not require you to wear your life preserver at all times and sometimes we choose not to…like when we’re being photographed in the newspaper where the work clothes make the gag.

You can see part of the blue and black life vest next to my knee in the photograph that Hemant posted. If you had clicked the link to the article that Hemant provided there are three photographs and in the second one you can clearly without out a single shred of doubt see the purple and turquoise life jacket in the picture.

It’s ironic that your post accusing people of being irresponsible is itself careless and judgmental.

Jen: perhaps they don’t have the lifevests on because the photographer thought they’d detract from the picture?

…And they might want to use lifevests. Admittedly, I have no idea how deep the water is, but it can never hurt to use them.