Vanity Question: What's the deal with all the (parenthesis)?

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[jra]

Who's adding the parenthesis to all the headers? Mods?

Has some decision been made to start doing this?

I assume it's being done to help, but they are VERY distracting.

I'd like to think that most--if not all--FR readers are knowlegeable and don't need to be told that Sarah Palin is a governor.

In some cases, I can see where the help might be needed, but if opinions count here, my opinion is that it's being overdone.

[cripplecreek]

((((((THAILAND?!?!?!?)))))

[Repeal The 17th]

I (really) don’t know.

[frankenMonkey]

I do it to add clarity or relevance to the headline without altering the source headline, which is used for search purposes (so others won’t post the same article).

[Drango]

This is (sirius)

[clamper1797]

I don’t know what you’re talking about (does anyone?)

[2ndDivisionVet]

I add titles as a sign of respect when the drive-by media omits them (which is 99.99% of the time). I started it mostly with articles about President Bush, but continue with it for President Obama, assorted governors, and others. One thing I've always liked about The Wall Street Journal is their policy of using titles before the names of individuals in their articles. I oppose almost EVERYTHING that President Obama is for and his agenda, but he is the President of the United States, our chief magistrate, and the office should be respected.

[Enterprise]

It signifies an secret elite corps of members in (Free Republic).

[sportutegrl]

Maybe they are Lost In Stupid Parentheses. Or they speak with a LISP.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

I like things to be flagged that way. Drive-bys like to hide the truth with deceptive headlines. Or writers come up with cute headlines that don’t flag what their piece is about. Anything to help cut to the chase, I’d encourage.

[neodad]

((((((Are you logged in?))))))

[jra]

Meaning when you post an article yourself?

Fair enough, but it seems that in the last few days, almost half of the posts have something that looks like it has been added, presumably by the moderators.

[Flycatcher]

I agree. [Brackets are cooler.]

[TheWasteLand]

I think it’s more of a Scheme than a LISP.

[jra]

Sure, when the title is disingenuous, but at some point, it becomes too much IMO.

[calex59]

Parenthesis are added by they poster when they want to make a change in the title, but don’t want to change the original, or simply want to make a comment and separate it from the title.

[ken in texas]

It’s done to help with searches, so we can be (VERY (distracting)) to you.

[SIDENET]

(This is HUGH)

[jra]

Comments don’t belong there, IMO.

Thanks for the response.

[frankenMonkey]

Meaning when you post an article yourself?

Yes.
My last post had the original headline:
Waddoups wants scanners, database in restaurants

I changed it to:
Waddoups wants scanners, database in restaurants (state database of drinkers)

Much clearer and shows the relevancy.