[notahacker]

> is there anything sadder than a political agenda that can be expressed in 140 characters?

Formerly respected news outlets reproducing others' 140 character comments as a substitute for actually asking subject experts specific questions.

I understand the rationale for reproducing Twitter comments when they come from someone directly connected with the story. I can even see how comments from people claiming to be involved or particularly pithy statements might make it into a "breaking news" feed. What I don't understand is why news outlets with loftier ambitions than Buzzfeed think tweets like these: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-33656579 is substantial enough to constitute a commentary piece.

(Or worse still, the obituary complete with "@randomdave said 'RIP U were a legend'")