Today’s late-in-the-show introduction of the important national story from Ferguson, Mo., revolving around murder, ethnic strife and police brutality is a shameful episode in TNT history. Elgum’s insistence on bringing race politics into Tech News Today is inappropriate and should lead to sanctioning by Leo Laporte. Typically stories of such importance are not saved until the end of the show, but rather presented early, as befits their ranking in the mind of the news director. So it’s nice to know that not only hasn’t Elgum ever had an African-American woman on his show, but he holds racial stories in such low regard that he won’t slot the story earlier. Nice try, though, trying to shoehorn this into your crap show just for the SEO and click bait.

I wonder what the advertisers are thinking about the show losing focus and entering murky racial territory in such a flippant manner. Watch yourself there, Mr. News Director, you might just find yourself routinely alienating half your audience just by opening your mouth about matters you know nothing about. What’s next? A TNT discussion about abortion and gay rights?

Here’s a partial transcript from the Twitlive chatroom:

<~Leo> It’s a difficult editorial decision for us – i don’t think it’s a tech story
13:46:22]  <~Leo> but I just don’t think it’s a tech story
<~Leo> on the other hand my heart says we should talk about it all the time
[13:47:11]  <~Leo> it’s a horrific story
[13:47:22]  <~Leo> and obviously I care about it and am following it
[13:47:28]  <~Leo> but we have to understand our beat

The master has spoke, Elgum.