Town of Atherton Buys Almanac's Silence Atherton, posted by Watch Dog, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Mar 17, 2010 at 11:01 am
In this week's (March 17) Almanac the Town of Atherton in the single largest advertiser with ads on page 3 (quarter page), 14 (half page) and 16 (half page).
After a scathing editorial by publisher Tom Gibboney about Atherton police misconduct and the police commission, Atherton figured by taking out ads in the Almanac, it could in efect buy its silence.
Posted by True Blue, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Mar 17, 2010 at 12:56 pm
It's true-I just checked- and not a single mention of anything about Atherton except the paid Ads.
Is it POSSIBLE that the Almanac is feeling the pressure because of what happened to Atherton resident and Daily News editor Brian Bothun for daring to publish investigative reporting on town affairs? Or is it LIKELY?
Should we be UNDERSTANDING that the Almanac's hands are tied? - Or should we be FURIOUS?
Posted by A clue, please, a resident of the Atherton: West of Alameda neighborhood, on Mar 17, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Watch Dog and True Blue, could you please elaborate on your comments for the sake of simpletons like me who can't figure out what the dickens you're talking about? The Almanac's "silence"? What, please, should the paper have reported about this week that wasn't in the paper?
If I may borrow your rhetorical model: Is it POSSIBLE that the posters are trying to create a scandal where none exists? Or is it LIKELY?
Posted by Hmmm, a resident of the Atherton: West Atherton neighborhood, on Mar 17, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Thanks for the lesson. Does the law specify that the size of the ads have to be quarter and half page? I think not (based on the Menlo Park ads in the same paper).
Posted by tom gibboney, a resident of the Menlo Park: University Heights neighborhood, on Mar 17, 2010 at 5:59 pm
The idea that Atherton's legal advertising has anything to do with The Almanac's editorial coverage is preposterous. Editors and reporters usually have no idea what ads are appearing in the paper until it is in final production, and even if they did, it would make no difference in what is covered.
Posted by Almanac Protecting Marsala, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Mar 21, 2010 at 10:30 am
First, the Almanac doesn't report on the $500K Marsala shakedown. They get scooped by the San Mateo Daily News and write a second-rate article with no fact checking after getting scooped.
Next, they lock the message thread about Marsala on this board after four posts.
Are the comments in this thread really that paranoid given these FACTS?
Editor's note: The Marsala thread is restricted to those who register, and anyone can: Web Link . You can send relevant information to editor@AlmanacNews.com and the authorities. We are concerned about posts that presume guilt in a situation where there have been no charges filed, trial held, or conviction rendered.
Posted by Almanac Protecting Marsala, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Mar 21, 2010 at 11:07 am
I'm not John Johns.
Was this standard of concern applied when Marsala himself was leveling charges against John Johns in these very forums? The answer is NO IT WAS NOT.
If you want to apply standards of conduct they MUST BE APPLIED UNIFORMLY otherwise you will get accused of cronyism and some people may believe it (I DO).
There are OTHER FORUMS available for discussion of these topics right here on the Peninsula and if the Almanac continues this pattern of SUBJECTIVE ENFORCEMENT I will work my hardest to advertise these and move people over.
Posted by Retaliation, a resident of the Atherton: West Atherton neighborhood, on Mar 21, 2010 at 11:41 am
Almanac, don't you get it? Marsala and the cops are joined at the hip and -- even though it shouldn't be this way -- residents are afraid of retaliation by the cops for speaking out. Unlock the thread. Your terms of use allow for anonymous postings. "Almanac Protecting Marsala", let us know about the other forums. This is ridiculous.
Posted by Peter Carpenter, a resident of the Atherton: Lindenwood neighborhood, on Mar 21, 2010 at 9:34 pm Peter Carpenter is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online
The Town Square Forum is intended to be a place for respectful and truthful thoughtful gathering place, not a place for fictional postings or vicious personal attacks. I believe that it is fundamentally wrong for individuals who are not even willing to use their real names to use the Town Square Forum to attack another individual either with fictional accounts or undocumented allegations.
Please, let's preserve the Town Square Forum for serious and respectful dialogue.