On Friday I wrote what I thought was a perfectly reasonable report on the events at Flinders Street where 18 people were struck by a car in what police said was a "deliberate act". In it I wrote of the fact that counter-terrorism police are working with mental health experts in an early intervention program to try and deal with at risk individuals before they become violent. I also wrote, "Regardless of his (the driver's) background it was an act of terror, designed to kill, disrupt and create mass panic." Judging by comments on The Age's Facebook page I managed to offend those of the left and the right in equal measure. It is somewhat ironic that so many Facebook posters displayed their nasty natures discussing an event where so many average citizens and emergency service workers showed such compassion and bravery.

Here I will attempt to deal with some of their concerns in a reasoned and rational way. (Actually I will respond in true social media style.) First the writing coaches typical wanna be jorno....no evidance has come out and hes smarter than everyone..he knows what went on..he needs speculation,not investigation.media scum. At least I know to put a capital letter at the start of a sentence. And it's Mr Media Scum to you Pal. Poorly-written sensationalist clickbait masquerading as serious commentary. Seriously reads like the work of a first semester journalism student.

Response from another poster: Is it ok now to start sentences with 'but', 'and' or 'or'? Initial poster: Apparently, for dramatic flair. The dramatic flair comes from the fact that so many people were mowed down in a city street in a few life-altering seconds. Oh, and by the way, according to the Oxford Dictionary it is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with a conjunction. Which shows that even as a smart arse with a tin ear you got it wrong. And to the big picture guy worried about using the word 'and' at the start of a sentence, you certainly do sweat the big stuff don't you? It would appear your other contribution to public debate is to complain of not being able to wear thongs in the Qantas Club.

"I travel in thongs all over the world and it's a comfort thing. I certainly won't be conforming to your idea of 'fashion sense' by converting to sandals," he thundered to Australia's airline. "Pointless, disjointed, misleading and self indulgent word vomit lol." LOL? In relation to such a traumatic event? Is that what they teach you at Melbourne University? The career advice You have stooped to gutter journalism by trying to tag this as terror. Horror yes, terror no. If this is the best you can do then it's time you retired.

And John with a tenure as long as yours you should know better by now to jump on the very damaging divisive wagon. Shame on you. Time to retire with Howard. The story was inclusive, not divisive, praising people at the scene and welcoming the initial response of the community. Some are getting too caught up on terms – it is the alleged criminal act that matters. The media snobs Memo to "The Age", you are going the same way as the Herald-Dum. Age continues to lose credibility with this tripe.. if I wanted drama I'd read the herald sun..

Crumby journalism. The prime minister has this morning said that political motivations of the attack are unclear. I'd expect this kind of dog whistle from news corp, but not Fairfax. This is worthy of The Herald Sun. Lift your game Sylvester. (Lift your spelling Margaret - it is Silvester.) In fact the Herald Sun has (as well as The Age) provided an outstanding running coverage of this event and a large section of the community goes there for its news. I also know some of their reporters were badly traumatised from being at the scene of the Bourke Street carnage in January. I often think those who sneer at the Herald Sun do so to gain some undeserved sense of moral and intellectual superiority. The type who declare they only ever watch the ABC and have Q&A on permanent record.

The news tipsters Why not turn your crumby journalism to the gross under resourcing of mental health services in our country, that would actually tell the real story. Why not turn your crumby computer on and do some research? I have long argued that locking up more offenders doesn't work and we have to invest in rehabilitation and mental health. And here, I'll save you the trouble. (Click here to read) The conspiracy theorists

It became clear that the media were treating the event as an opportunity to create panic and fear! Don't let facts get in the way of a good story designed to incite fear. Would expect better from you. The media are at it again. Spread the fear and reap the profits. Tell the editor that. I haven't had a pay rise in five years. And the final word belongs to a Facebook poster from the right.

One comment for this scum is a bullet to the brain!!! So many posters argued whether it is terrorism or mental health or drugs then turned on each other for not sharing the same view. One person I haven't seen on Facebook is the off duty police sergeant who grabbed the guy in seconds. Imagine, for a moment what he went through – not knowing if the motorist had already killed, whether he was armed or even wearing a bomb. And yet none of the posters even mentioned him. Now he is a true hero and he doesn't even need a computer keyboard to prove it.