The Observation Deck

As Ken had written the Town Planner uses the same photos for each of the calendars. The program provided by the company includes photos of the Chamber board and a letter. The calendar is not designed by the Chamber.
I'm glad to see that the discussion has turned to a solution for improvement rather than what is becoming expected on this site, simply throwing rotten fruit at someone in the stocks. It's fascinating the way that "blogging" gives us permission to essentially commit libel and we're allowed to call it humor or justify it with "they deserve it". The liability exposure is as real here and the case is even easier to make if someone choses to pursue it.
I hope that anything that I have posted has been clear that I am looking for facts or voicing an opinion. I also hope that if this Deck hopes to maintain any sort of credibility or be seen as better than those sites that allow anonymous posters, that an effort is made to be responsible and accurate. It will be hard to make the next step and have a real discussion if it's considered common and accepted to bash without consideration of the truth.
Sorry to be preachy, but this has really been bothering me lately.

How about a 2008 LO calendar with images of Lakewood taken by readers, picked as part of a contest?

It's fascinating the way that "blogging" gives us permission to essentially commit libel and we're allowed to call it humor or justify it with "they deserve it". The liability exposure is as real here and the case is even easier to make if someone choses to pursue it.
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I have re-read this thread. I am not Madame Cleo, but I am trying to figure out what triggered your post. Do you deny the pictures in question are from outside of Lakewood? Do you deny that Lakewood State of the City functions have been conducted in Rocky River? Do you deny that one of the pictures in question shows bird excrement? Do you find nothing unusual about the LAKEWOOD Chamber of Commerce distributing in one way or another a calendar with pictures, none of which appear to be from LAKEWOOD? (I am not bashing the Chamber. They may do an excellent job overall for all I know.)

Where is the libel? OR Are you committing libel by falsely accusing others of libel?

Doug

Shawn-

I admit that I am cranky from a lack of sleep. With regards to the calendar, I guess I'm spoiled because the were pictures of Lakewood, I like them and I got used to them. Then it changed, I didn't like it and I reacted in a visceral manner.

DL,
I thought your response was one of the more even keeled. Good luck with the puppy.

Doug,
What triggered the post is this sense of us against them. This was just another example of it and not the worst that I've seen. We all discuss problems that we see yet instead of trying to build alliances to gain strength in numbers we fight with others that are working at the same thing, namely the chamber.
Libel from what I understand is tough to prosecute. But making false claims to damage another's reputation gets things started. Prove it was malicious and from what I understand you have a case. Now most reasonable people don't take these boards seriously so again it would be tough to prove that a reputation was actually damaged. I guess the real trigger was sitting through an insurance seminar that discussed the real risks of libel suits on an online forum then seeing what could be an example of it in front of me.

Sorry to get off topic. Good luck with the '08 Calendar. We started talking about possible photos and I think if it's started now there could be a timely photo for each month.

Mr.Juris,

after studying about libel and slander and other things that journalists/writers or posters are in danger to, I don't find anything on here that could be identified as libel. You'd have to prove that someone is out to damage the reputation of the person they are criticizing. People actually make a living off of criticizing others' works, beliefs, lifestyles, religions, occupations, whatever it may be. The point of an editorial/criticizing blog is to point out what the writer doesn't like, and then state ways to fix it or improve what they don't like. That's the legally correct way of doing things.

I think everyone that has posted here has stated ways to improve this calendar. Some have even offered ideas.

I really hope people don't take my posts too seriously on this forum.
I just joined in because when I looked at this calendar after getting into the house, and I thought the same thing everyone else did. Same with everyone in my household- what a coincidence.

I'm just trying to get my "posts per day" percentage up to at least half a post a day.

Shawn,

Since I'm the one that started the post......

My intent was to convey my disappointment in the content choice of photography in the calendar.

I did not wish to criticize the Chamber of Commerce.

And I was also looking to give an alternative to anyone who was looking for a calendar that depicts the City of Lakewood.

It is as simple as that.

Rhonda

c. dawson wrote:How about a 2008 LO calendar with images of Lakewood taken by readers, picked as part of a contest?

C Dawson

If you want to help or head the project, I am all for it.

My personal choice for the charity to benefit would be The Library, Lakewood Christian Services, and/or H20. If you work on the proejct feel free to add any favorite Lakewood Charity you care about. Then let's go.

We are aleady giving away Ipods for photos, so that should be a start. In January we are looking at more ways to give back to those that share or add to the documenting Lakewood process.

Drop me an email and I will be glad to help you set this up.

Jim

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