Should the Observer Print City Hall Propaganda?

[Michael Deneen]

I realize that the Observer project is supposed to present alternative views.
However, I fail to see the wisdom of printing propaganda from the people that are actively working to destroy the Observer.

The previous version had a piece from Bullock, and this issue has a laughable submission from Jim Kenny (Mr. Essi will address the specifics of that item on a separate thread).
Kenny and Bullock are part of the machine that is trying to shut down the Observer via lawsuits.
They are part of the machine that mocked the Observer by producing a fake newspaper last fall.
They are part of the group that badmouths the Observer and the Deck at every opportunity.
So why is the Observer giving them free print space?
What is the sense of feeding the mouth that bites you?

City Hall already has multiple media avenues to push its agenda:
*Lakewood CItizen
*Lakewood Patch
*The fake "Lakewood Community" Facebook page
*the water bill
*"Lakewood Neighborhood News"...everyone's favorite fake newspaper

So why does the Observer need to give them another megaphone to spread their lies?

[Lori Allen _]

Mike,

We will soon be seeing Summer's buddies back on the Deck to try to de-thread the subject, start fights, etc. We all know who they are! In fact some are already back! I am still waiting for Mr. Kenny's documented proof of the bogus statements made on last years Build Lakewood Post Card. Our Fire Chief, Scott Gilman came on the Deck a few weeks ago and called posters on the Deck liars. I asked him to list specific posts and posters and to show documented proof that they were lying. Still waiting! I asked for documentation showing the persons at the Urgi-Care with a life threatening illness who were treated and released. Still waiting.

Summers and Company appear to have taken over our water bills with his BS. He also uses CCF to spew more lies. I would NOT allow him to print anything in the Observer. Sadly, I believe he may already have some control over the Observer already! It appears Lord Lakewood likes to use threats intimidation and fear to get his way!

[cmager]

I realize that the Observer project is supposed to present alternative views. However, I fail to see the wisdom of printing propaganda from the people that are actively working to destroy the Observer.

The previous version had a piece from Bullock, and this issue has a laughable submission from Jim Kenny (Mr. Essi will address the specifics of that item on a separate thread). Kenny and Bullock are part of the machine that is trying to shut down the Observer via lawsuits. They are part of the machine that mocked the Observer by producing a fake newspaper last fall. They are part of the group that badmouths the Observer and the Deck at every opportunity. So why is the Observer giving them free print space? What is the sense of feeding the mouth that bites you?

City Hall already has multiple media avenues to push its agenda:
*Lakewood CItizen
*Lakewood Patch
*The fake "Lakewood Community" Facebook page
*The water bill
*"Lakewood Neighborhood News"...everyone's favorite fake newspaper
So why does the Observer need to give them another megaphone to spread their lies?

Let's write the text for an insert to the next water bill, and demand that it get inserted into the envelope alongside their nonsense.

[Bridget Conant]

The powers that be would like to shut down and silence the Observer - the bogus lawsuit is clear evidence of that - initiated by a former city employee assisted by the Treasurer and deputy Treasurer of the Build Lakewood PAC and a political ally of Mayor Summers. Can't hide from that one, guys.

They want to silence ALL critics - you, me, the posters here and on any forum that they do not control. We should all be outraged and spread the news of their nefarious plan.

That said, the ONLY person showing any integrity in this sordid mess is Jim O'Bryan.

He believes in your FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT OF FREE SPEECH. The paper and the Deck are open to all - all viewpoints, all political parties. Anyone can argue and persuade.

That's why, as much as it is annoying the amount of space they get in the paper, it is Jim being true to principle and allowing them to say whatever they want.

You won't find that on the city FB pages, on Build Lakewood, or any ofthe other "news sources" out there

[Brian Essi]

I realize that the Observer project is supposed to present alternative views.
However, I fail to see the wisdom of printing propaganda from the people that are actively working to destroy the Observer.

The previous version had a piece from Bullock, and this issue has a laughable submission from Jim Kenny (Mr. Essi will address the specifics of that item on a separate thread).
Kenny and Bullock are part of the machine that is trying to shut down the Observer via lawsuits.
They are part of the machine that mocked the Observer by producing a fake newspaper last fall.
They are part of the group that badmouths the Observer and the Deck at every opportunity.
So why is the Observer giving them free print space?
What is the sense of feeding the mouth that bites you?

City Hall already has multiple media avenues to push its agenda:
*Lakewood CItizen
*Lakewood Patch
*The fake "Lakewood Community" Facebook page
*the water bill
*"Lakewood Neighborhood News"...everyone's favorite fake newspaper

So why does the Observer need to give them another megaphone to spread their lies?

Mike,

The answer is because the Observer and the people who work for it and support it are better than the liars and cheaters at city hall and the Insiders club.

Free Speech is Free Speech.

Jim Kenny's headline is truly funny when combined with the first paragraph of his editorial.

Essential Jim told his neighbor a yarn, the neighbor bought the PAC of lies, and Kenny turns it into a headline.

Kenny's headline sounds like Al Gore: "I invented the internet"

Kenny: "I saved healthcare."

Kenny last year: The CCF referral center is a "hospital"

Kenny & Co. have helped to destroy healthcare and divide the city.

Brilliant marketing Jim Kenny!! Keep them coming.

More later.

[Dan Alaimo]

From the perspective of those who have a viewpoint contrary to City Hall, the Observer is of greatest benefit as a media outlet because it regularly presents all sides, hence it gets readership from all sides, and the middle.

When it comes to the hospital controversy, one side posts online in one place, while the other group posts someplace else. The only time they interact online is when one reacts to the other on their digital home turf.

Right now the only place they come together is in the pages of the Observer. This is a great benefit to the city.

[Lori Allen _]

Evidently, Summers doesn't have the guts to post on the Observer. He appears to prefer to read it while lurking in the shadows! I suspect he will keep on sending his BS in the water bills because it's not like we can refuse it. Besides, can you imagine him getting off his seemingly lazy butt to actually walk the city and deliver his own BS? Apparently, Lakewood being healthy is for everyone else except the mayor!

Jim would never silence anyone, unlike Summers, whose tactics appear to be, intimidation, bullying, etc.