I find the comments within stories, that have nothing more to add than "This is Offtopic" way more distracting than the stories themselves, even if they are offtopic.

So I see this story, it seems offtopic but intriguing nonetheless. I see there are comments, I click on comments. And what do I get? A gang of self righteous internet citizens informing me that I am not interested in this story and/or debate.

Thank you very much, may I be in charge for a while?

If you have a problem with story, go and flag it. Preferably just ignore it - it will go away on its own. But don't go around pointing it out. Else you might be caught off guard by the shitstorm of down votes that is going to hit you.

Attitudes like this also belong on /r/whatever.