Former News-Press Editor Spills Bias Beans to Mayor

Matt - hope you keep in contact with Guiliano so that when Wendy's lawyers serve him papers concerning her suit to stop him from divulging internal discussions at the News-Press, we can all know. In the meantime, I'm off to write another check to the Journalist's fund... hope they're helping Bob Guiliano.

Along those lines, did the Independent see the latest NP editorial, and the coming of editorial as investigative reporting?

In the Feb 27th Editorial, "Our Opinion: County housing fraud is a scandal" includes the line
"We'll detail in future editorials the abuses throughout the program."

Would someone from the Independent, or LA Times, just force the NP hand by writing up an article about what TA is talking about. I can't imagine much investigation NP is going on... we're talking old information.

Bob- I salute your courage as we all know you WILL be served by the Red Queen. You have chosen a difficult path but hopefully have consulted with legal types before going this route. You have lots of supporters out here.

Welcome to the Cabal, Bob G.

I am sure at least another dozen stories like yours can be told about the true interference with the news content.

Indeed, give the Newspress the COLD SHOULDER!

An incredible but very plausible scene.

If true, Bob’s first-hand observation of McCaw’s personal if ham-handed interference with the news goes straight to the heart of what the editors and reporters have been saying since July.

Here, McCaw personally rebukes an editor because a reporter did not reflect McCaw's own charged emotions (in this story, McCaw's well documented dislike for the Mayor) and bias (in this story, McCaw's well documented love of trees) in what was supposed to be objective reporting. The crazy and sad part is that the reporter is then fired for "bias."

Ordering an editor not to quote the Mayor of the City? The disheveled hair and eyes darting from side to side? Is the owner losing her grip?

Had McCaw waited to talk to Steepleton, the intimidation would not have seen the light of day.

The scene gives lie to the thrust of McCaw's recent full page ads where she implies she doesn't interfere.

Good job, Bob. Hang tough, because we know Wendy's goon squad of lawyers will be all over you.

Still, it's great to get a first-hand account of the lunacy that passes for Wendy's "journalism.";

It's already hit the big city blogs:

Link

"McCaw(ful)"

Will she sue Bob for $25,000,000 like she did Jerry, just to keep everyone else in line?

One thing I've observed, for what it's worth: When one tries to contact Marty Blum or Wendy McCaw, I've always found Marty Blum to be up front and accesable, even though we don't always agree. (And I would say the Mayor has much more day to day things to deal with) Wendy McCaw on the other hand, generally hides behind her lawyers.

Part of the underlying story here is that Davison was on the McCaw/Von W/Steepleton "hit list" because of her union activity. Without that obvious and outspoken support, this episode might have angered La Wendy, but would not have resulted in Davison's firing, or in Guiliano's termination for his refusal to aid Wendy in doing the dirty discharge deed.

How easy it is for these people to now point out all of the flaws of their "former" employer?

Come on - you all financed your lives here in SB thanks to her - you weren't complaining then. Now that she makes ethical business decisions and you want to try to turn the tables on her.

I look forward to attending one of your rallies and letting you know what I think. Trust me, it won't be in support of you and I am sure there are others who certainly feel the same way.

I moved here over 5 years ago. I hope your story goes no farther than this town and eventually you all drive your microbuses north and help SB become a better town as result.

Let the woman run her business (into the ground or otherwise) and find something more constructive to do with the rest of your lives. This story is over and done.

Actually, Living in SB, I financed my life in Santa Barbara in spite of McCaw. Deciding to leave the News-Press was made easier by the prospect of a better salary at a better paper. Nobody is turning the tables on her. She won't even come to the table, remember?

A few facts for you, Living in SB, to clear the fog from your view:

--Complaints have been coming from Storke tower since Wendy took over the paper in 2001. Dozens of people have left/quit/or were fired prior to July, 2006. What you see now is not new, merely has reached a sort of critical mass.

--Additionally, one of the first management decisions Ms. McCaw made when taking over from the NYT corp. was to cut an in place profit sharing program and implement a merit based bonus system which was, by most accounts, parsimonious.

--This story, in spite of your hopes, has legs way beyond our burg, appearing in each of its evolving forms since last July in the NYT, LAT, Business Week, Forbes, International Herald Tribune, numerous trade publications, even the Druge Report, and over many of the wire services.

--Now perhaps you can get up from the keyboard and organize a rally of the recently arrived, such as yourself, in support of Ms. McCaw and her out of touch management style. Let's see how big it is!

It would be a Parvenu Retinue Without A Clue!

--virtual Welcome Wagon

SNAAAP!!!

Living in SB,

It is easy to point out McCaw's flaws indeed! They are so numerous and egregious.

On the other hand, being at the end of her pointy money wand is not easy. But I think, somewhere in your feeble minded logic, you were trying to insinuate the illegally fired employees are taking the easy way out or are otherwise taking the low road.

This is not a new sentiment among the handful of anonymous McCaw supporters. Nor is it an honorable one. It is offensive, however, and it is with great cowardice you criticize these good people in the public square anonymously. That is very easy to do.

So, at the next rally, I guess we'll have to just guess who you are. Perhaps you'll be the one dressed the part of the Cowardly Lion in McCaw's production of the Wizard of SB. (You'll be standing next to McCaw's full page ads, which will be dressed as the Straw Man).

Wow, Living in SB, you're a real local. More than five years here makes you the seasoned voice of reason. Go back to LA.

On Wednesday's "Marketplace" broadcast at 6:50 AM on KCLU-FM, commentator and former Labor Secretary, Robert Reich, talked about the need for the NLRB to eliminate secret ballots, in favor of a simple up and down vote for unionization. He said the current process is so slow and cumbersome that it gives an employer too much leeway to intimidate, harass, and fire employees trying to unionize a workplace. By the time he got to the part about wealthy employers and their "luxury yachts," it was very clear that he was painting a verbal portrait of Wendy McCaw and her management of the News-Press.

You can listen to the "Marketplace" broadcast on the Web, but the site requires RealPlayer, which is perhaps one of the few things as evil as The Wendy. There is also an iTunes feed.

I stand by bob guiliano, camilla cohee, and all the other newsroom workers who have been ground up like so much hamburger meat over at the SBNP. when all is said and done, they will be remembered for acting on principle during these dark times in the newspaper's history.

When the SBNP took over the Goleta Valley Voice (dear Jim, why did you sell?) outrages were perpetrated, i hear. some of those employees quit their jobs as they could see things weren't going to get better.

Over at the news-press radio station, some people lost their jobs due to budget cuts. craig smith: do you have any inside info about that place? is there anyone out there who can share about the workings at KZSB? i can make this observation: for programming that offers so much 'news,' i don't hear anything about the SBNP labor dispute or incidents of editorial bias. sadly, their news readers repeat the meager coverage in the newspaper!

Just a reminder: the SBNP printing plant has customers other than the daily rag and the three publications Goleta Valley Voice, El Mexicano, and Blue Edge. Does anyone out there know who their other printing customers are? if you know them, please let them know that the SBNP octopus tentacles reach far into the community and that it's time for everyone to Just Say No.

Today, i'm thinking about Bob G., but also those two guys who were fired from the printing press plant, and the graphic designer who quit recently, and melinda burns, one of our best story-tellers who has been silenced for months.

We'll be in De la Guerra plaza today at noon, sad and tired of this situation, but not ready to act like it doesn't matter. The event today is a picket line. For the next five Wednesdays, we are organizing picket lines from 12 noon to 1p.m. Today's will be noisy as the organized workers are hosting. The remainder will be quieter, but we'll be a presence there reminding wendy et al that the community cares about its daily paper.

Join us today or for one of the other dates in March. March 7, March 14, March 21, and March 28. These are not rallies; there will be no speeches. we just need a few people to keep up the pressure. we'll also have the petition to macy's, urging them to stop advertizing; and you can sign up for our email action alerts. Sixty-five people signed up last Wednesday, so we've made a good start.

Inquiries to:
operationcoldshoulder@gmail.com

Shaggy, I heard former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich's commentary as I was shaving this morning, and also got the distinct impression that he was speaking about Wingnut Wendy, without actually mentioning her by name. As always, Mr. Reich made some very interesting and valid points. Those who didn't have the pleasure off hearing his commentary should check it out on the marketplace.org website.

I use to work at the newsuppress years ago and my father, Gill "The Gardener" Johnston worked in classified and was forcibily retired before he was due when the newsuppress was owned by the new york times...This wendy mccraw sounds like she has delusions of grandeur and reminds me of a tv star gone crazy on drugs and the delusion she's more important than the little people. Keep fighting the good fight against her and her kind!

What was the mayor's response to Bob's letter? He made a specific request/suggestion & I'd like to know her reaction.

Anybody familiar with "Rope," the Alfred Hitchcock classic from 1948?

Two friends murder a third and hide his body in a trunk, which is then used as the buffet table at a dinner party that includes the dead man's relatives and fiancee.

The murderers, whose characters were patterned after the real-life Leopold and Loeb, believe themselves intellectually superior, and enjoy psychologically tormenting their guests who become concerned that the dead man hasn't arrived or contacted anyone.

The dead man, all the while, is inside the trunk on which the food and drink are being served.

Some of us might find even further parallels to the NewsPressMess, but you'll have to watch the film and draw your own conclusions.

Wanna play doctor?

Check out the criteria for diagnosing Narcissistic Personality Disorder (from the DSM IV, which is used by doctors).

See if these symptoms remind you of anyone (5 or more and diagnosis is confirmed):

1. has a grandiose sense of self-importance (i.e.., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)

2. is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

3. believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)

4. requires excessive admiration

5. has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations

6. is interpersonally exploitative, i.e. takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends

7. lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others

8. is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her

9. shows arrogant, hauty behaviors or attitudes

Yeah, the Personality Disorder diagonosis is funny and all, and the Rope is somewhat interesting but a stretch -- but this fractured tale of hubris, belligerence, and paranoia is fantastic enough by simply reciting the facts:

--40 out of 45 newsroom people gone since July.

--Lawsuits against reporters, rival newspapers, and even threatened legal action against advertisers.

--numerous and repeated community demonstrations against the community's daily paper

--a newspaper that communicates, if ever, with its readers through PR firms and attorneys.

--a virtual blackout in their own pages of any contrary opinions regarding their own story.

--creation of straw man villians in response to the issues effecting their paper (such as Jerry Roberts and the Teamsters), coupled with and out and out lies,

I could go on, but you get the picture.

--virtual timeline

P.S. Referring to the DSM is quite old school, as it was covered here, on September 10, 2006 12:04 PM by Just The Facts, and for the first time, on August 5, 2006 10:50 PM in the comments by Pugh Litzer, here.

I have an idea...why don't all of you mis-gruntled Red Queen Haters pool your cash and the Union's Cash and Your Jars full of loose change and buy The Red Queen's Company and make it your own little tree hugging "Real Journalist" paper you claim to have produced all of these years.

Living in SB is right! There are new employees at the NP and there will continue to be new employees until all of the fromer (whiners) are drowned out by the sound of new innovative and educated excited and motivated employees flooding the streets without fear of the Former Whining Peeps.

BTW why aren't you all out looking for new work or getting jobs from your Union Connections. I hear that there are Highway Construction Jobs available.

I'm tired of the negativity...

Let there be peace in the beautiful City of Santa Barbara with or without The Red Queen...

In light of Bob Guiliano's claims, it's interesting to see what will happen now that Scott Steepleton said one thing in an article on Tuesday that is the exact opposite of what Travis Armstrong said in an editorial today. Could they throw Steepleton under the bus, too?

Ooh, lookie, Meeks has changed his handle - Hey "Just An Idea", I think your new handle should be "Just An Ass..."

Biff Arden, you note that quoting the DSM is old school because it's been mentioned before, yet you rehash a bunch of stuff we all know. How is your post so utterly fascinating and mine so redundant? If anything has been posted here once, shall we all avoid repeating those facts in the future (except for you)?

Sorry, Been There, for making my post so baroque as to glitz over the message:

Sideline second guessing is not necessary in accessing the damage Ms. McCaw has done to her paper and this community. The mere facts as they have unfolded since July, 2006 are damning and substantial in and of themselves. And I believe restating the facts every once and a while keeps the focus where it should be: on the actual events rather than any deep motivations or any inner sociopathy to which we will never be privy.

Support of the newsroom staff is aided by facts, not guesses.

And I apologize for my failed attempt to humorously point out that two others have reached the same conclusion as you in earlier postings: a well supported claim that Ms. McCaw may suffer from a fractured personality. It still seems to me to be a relatively unimportant point, however true.

Any by all means, don't let my ramblings interfere with any opinions: I'm happy to be here, and welcome company.

--virtual hail fellow well met

OK, Biff, I get it now. Sorry to be so touchy. What was I thinking?

Love your posts, by the way

Just an Idea, think you can get the Red Queen to agree to sell? If so, it would be purchased pretty damn quick. So far, however, she consistently and adamantly refuses to consider a sale, even thought it would be win win.

She won't sell. Like a 3-year-old, she'll break her toys before she has to share and/or give them to someone else.

To all, especially Living in SB:
I am not a resident of your wonderful town, but I have been in the newspaper business for more than four decades and have been reading with interest the farce of a newspaper your harridan publisher has created. You have my sympathies. The stunning details provided by the assistant city editor about the story on the mayor (I know neither the author nor the mayor) left me aghast. You all would be better served if the Newspress goes down in flames. Wendy and her news rag can no longer be trusted. At all.

Yes..the News-Press is dead..god save the queee..er, queen! Now, let us come up with another name for the present paper: hows about "De Santa Barbara Queen Bee" or the "Daily Boomerang"

Darn, I couldn't fool anyone could I? LOL that's some funny stuff I wrote.
Especially the loose change jars adding up to enought to plant a tree (to hug) let alone a Newspaper...
The tree hugger reference, and the story in the article and The Red Queen loving trees...I'm ytoo funny...
This whole thing is (by the way) a big joke.
If I read correctly somewhere...the SBNP revenues are up and the local business' are tiring of the rag tag protests...hmmm when will it all fade to a dull roar?
Soon I'm sure.

I cannot tell a fib...it wasn't me

Juat an idea has the right idea though

I totally agree with Excalibur: this rag is going down.

So, it would be great if other ex-reporters would spill the beans on what went on inside that nut house. The more these stories are told (thank you Bob Guiliano!), the more this becomes a case study for what can go wrong in American journalism.

It's sad to see such fine communicators as Melinda Burns, Don Murphy and others silenced like this.

Tell your Wendy stories!

A video show of the Wake Up Wendy rally is now showing on cable channel 17 under this schedule below. This show is the first 2/3 of the Wake Up Wendy rally held last week, per this schedule for SBChannels-TV17 (cable channel 17)

Thursday, 3/1 at 10 pm
Friday, 3/2 at 2 pm
Saturday, 3/3 at 11 am
Sunday. 3/4 at 9 pm
Tuesday, March 6 at 5 pm
Wednesday, March 7 at 10 am
Thursday, March 8 at 3 pm
Friday, March 9 at 8 am
Saturday, March 10 at 10 pm
Sunday, March 11 at 9 pm

I am an employee of the company who brings you the paper everyday.

I work hard to make sure my link in the chain
stays secure with my collegues’ so that xx,xxx people see the paper every day. (You fill in the xx,xxx...you will anyway).

These "x" amount of people pay to have the paper delivered to their door every, single, day.

Some of them read the entire paper. Some read the editorial or business section. Some people read only the Sunday funnies and finish the crossword. Others browse sports and check movie times. Some scour the ads for the weekend bargains or the classifieds for the big estate sale. Elementary classrooms devote time to their curriculum to work on reading skills and discuss current events from our paper. Current events that happen in Santa Barbara and the world alike. We all hand pick what we want to see...

....and as is the case with any media...if we do not want to read, listen, or watch something, we simply do not. No one forces these people to pay for their subscription, they do so with their own free will.

They read what I help create every day over morning coffee and then again on their lunch break. They do so for their own reasons. This is their choice. We have a mutual interest, our subscribers and me. We both choose to keep investing ourselves into our paper, the Santa Barbara News-Press.

Dare I say the name!?! “The controversy!” “The bias!” “That owner of theirs!”

No one forces/coerces me to perform my job everyday. I also do so with my own free will. This is my choice.

Folks, Wendy may own the paper but I help make it...whether you and I like it or not. Me and my friends in accounting and advertising, copy and composing, systems and production. We all work together to produce the paper that you love to hate.

I am an employee of the paper that has family to look after and current co-workers I love too much to let down and leave... if I were to let my link in this chain weaken and give way.

I sympathize with the plight of my friends who are gone and have remorse for the abrupt ending of careers that were decades long. I am equipped with the same emotions that makes me feel like all this all such a shame. I wish everyone could just get along...

Yet, I endure. I keep working.
I stay because people depend on me. Without me others have to work harder when its already difficult enough.

Yes, the whole situation is a mess...and there is an entire building full of people who didn't ask for this... we are merely trying to make a living.

Beyond the neon protest signs and cold shoulders, inside the walls of the News-Press are the beating hearts of the newspaper... I am just one.

Remaining News...I applaude you.
You don't need to respond to me as the weak whiny bloggers here don't like my straight forward comments.
They ARE echoed in your very nicely put words of compassion and heart felt phrasing.

I have asked that they just move on in life and let it be what nature will guide it to, whether and end or a new beginning.

The noise and the clatter and references to "The Glory Days When" are falling on deaf ears (as I see it).

The presses keep on rolling, as will heads as The Red Queen is doing what she does best (like it or not), run HER business and keep those on the team and kick the rest to the curb...she knows who has to go...

Adam,

Nice try, but we don't see you words echoed by those of "Remaining News" at all.

RN writes that "I sympathize with the plight of my friends who are gone and have remorse for the abrupt ending of careers that were decades long."

You write that "The Red Queen is doing what she does best (like it or not), run HER business and keep those on the team and kick the rest to the curb...she knows who has to go..."

These are not the same sentiments at all. In succession, your words comes off like a rebuke of the words of RN.

Anyone still working at the Newspress, anyone still buying ads, anyone accepting the McCaw donations, anyone still subscribing, and anyone giving news interviews and sending announcements to Newspress are ALL enabling the Tyrant, the Red Queen, The Wendy.

People who need to work there to earn a living (and literally feed and shelter their families) understandably are stuck and have no choice, and no one is advocating that they quit their jobs.

However, everyone else participating in the abomination that has become the Newspress is enabling, supporting, and justifying the Tyrant.

The house just passed a bill that makes this story interesting on firing union activists.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/la...

dummy!@! I really think it is too late for the union to gain enought signing support inside the castle walls at this point. All / most of the rabble rousers are on the pavement and wouldn't have signing power and those inside won't want to be unionized after all the noise they've made on the front lawn of the castle.

I alos think the strength of the union is only on the front lawn at this point.

Keep thinking, Adam Meeks. But realize this: What you "think" does not necessarily equate to what is real.

Signing power? The tipping point you speak of has long, long since passed. Months ago. The newsroom union has breached the castle gates, doubled back and stands ready for another charge (to more or less rob your vernacular).

Just waitin' for that "I" dot and that "T" cross. Any day now, Adam, as you certainly must know.

hmm... why are the Teamsters' opposing the `Kendray Payne' law...

http://www.dailynexus.com/article.php?a=...

That's the law that Pedro Nava introduced after bicyclis Kendra Payne was killed by a truck on Gibraltar Road.

It's not clear that the "Teamsters Association" mentioned in that article is the union. No one is quoted, so we don't know what that "association" is.

Adam, after the union has won its election, firing everyone isn't going to get rid of it. Not only is that illegal (and it will be prosecuted by the NLRB), but the NLRB will rely on that September 33-6 vote to determine whether the union gets to collectively bargain, not a head count after Wendy has tried to decimate the ranks. Indeed, that attempt to bulldoze the union out should, if there is any justice and the NLRB is willing to use its available legal arsenal, result in her belligerent butt hauled before a federal judge to answer for her labor crimes.

Haven't they been over this again and again ad nauseum...no laws have been broken...didn't the NY Times (in its ownership term) get the union out of the Castle?
I don't really think they have a thread of substance or reality in this issue. I see it as a smoke screen (and brilliant marketing ploy) for the union to roar at the city.
Kind of a whimpy roar at that.
I see Santa Barbara citizens and business' tiring of this whole thing as it is a bunch of wind bags howling and going nowhere.

Did you see the full page in the NP today?

Thanks for buying one to see it...LOL

"I look forward to attending one of your rallies and letting you know what I think. "

Please do; I'm fascinated by profoundly stupid people like you and Adam Meeks.

truth machine...your IQ gets lower with every name calling episode...
You know I'm right and you (as I've noticed all along) cannot stand to be opposed. Do you work for the Union? An Ex, or are you just a rabble rouser for the purpose of making that weak roar with the rest of them (getting weaker)..

I laugh at your emptiness...see you at the whining rally...wear a poodle skirt so I know who you are...LOL

Freedom of Speech
n. A civil right guaranteed by the 1st amendment to the U.S. constitution.
WordNet, Princeton University

The Facts: Our freedom of speech has been compromised since the beginning of the SBNP transition. Former reporters and their colleagues in other media have censored the truth about the events that have transpired since last summer. There have been numerous inaccuracies, half truths and outright lies. When efforts to correct these mistakes have been made by the NP management, they have been completely ignored, or worse, censored. These groups are willingly and shamelessly supporting the Teamsters' baseless claims against the NP. We think Santa Barbar deserves at least one news reporting company that supports free speech. Don't you?

"Free Speech is the roadmap in the search for truth" Anon

Locally Yours,

Santa Barbara News Press

Full PAge in this morninig's News Press

So now the whiners cannot say the News Press is silent...

Boo Yah! Cry Baby's

"why are the Teamsters' opposing the `Kendra Payne' law"

Presumably because the Teamsters are the truckers' union, and they see this as a hardship on truckers. As a cyclist I disagree with the Teamsters stance on this, but it doesn't change my support for the unionization of NP workers -- they really aren't related.

Even in my brilliance I fail to see how this affects truckers. If this affected truckers wouldn't they want the paper to flourish with or without the Ex's.
I forgot what humanitarians the Teamster's are...right!

Yah, your all a bunsh of cry baby's

I am so convinced now with that stunning full-page house ad in the Newspress today. It had so many examples to illustrate all the bias and censorship. Now I understand. "Thanks, Newspress!"

"Facts talk, bullshit walks." -Anon.

-------

So sorry, in my attempt to comment on a post requesting banishment of Adam Meeks, I inadvertantly deleted most of the poster's comments. None-the-less, the following applies:

Boorish behavior, most aspects of trolling, and bone-headedness are NOT grounds for banishment from our blogs. Although the price of freedom is external vigilence, we believe an open debate is preferable to the alternative.

So no, Adam Meeks (and any other names he may go under), as least based on his past behavior, will still have a place in our blogs. As someone has said recently, in an entirely difference context, democracy is untidy.

--Administrator. (not Matt K.)

Another full pager! Wendy’s management Team-sters are wanking about bias and now free speech. You know why? The NP is close to death.. that’s why. Security cameras, guards at the front door, projecting disowned impulses onto others, inability to accept blame, trying to buy credibility. These are symptoms of an impending crash.
The News-Press managers are on the run. They are in a perilous emergency and are thinking with their legs, like cowards do. The NLRB rulings and hearings will cause further decline..a sale of the paper will be next... and Meeks will continue to chase his tail.

Interesting news from Lompoc:

http://www.laweekly.com/general/features...

living in sb,

5 years means your a newcomer to those of us who have lived & worked (btw,not in journalism in my case) in this community for decades

your attitude is the antithesis of everything that is good about this town

Oh spare me the one sidedness of your bulliness to MY opinion. It is proper of you to uphold the (my) freedom of speech.
I am not calling names...lying or saying there is a right or wrong. I am merely pointing out that the way the angry Trolls on that side of this is as unreal as what they say about why The Red Queen is wrong. Which is the worse of 2 evils ignorance or "Offing With Their Heads". Few want to take the Red Queen's perspective. So you can deal with me.
Or Not...
But I haven't spoken any mistruths...
Like it was stated in another blogger's writings...

Ignore me...you'll read it and be angered, but I don't mind if you don't reply to me...

It's sometimes lonely when you're right...

I insult ignorance and the same un-nice comments from my side of this is all.

Why this bashing of Meeks?

Boorish behavior, most aspects of trolling, and bone-headedness are NOT grounds for banishment from our blogs.

Does the term "Wolf Packing" strike a familiarity in this situation?

I see a resemblance in the way the protesters stand outside of the Castle and make a bunch of noise...

We'll Huff and We'll Puff and We'll Blow You Castle Down...

Or pass out and need oxygen...LOL

Dear Mr. Meeks:

Your ideas intrigue me, and I am interested in subscribing to your newsletter.

C'mon, guys, just ignore Meeks. He's obviously just a guy who REALLY needs attention. Most of you have been baited by better. If you want to flame an idiot, Nelville Flynn over at Blogabarbara is always good for a rant. This guy isn't worth your time.

End of thread.

It's amazing how much video is now on the web -- and forever more -- showing the red queen strapping dynamite around herself and around the baron -- and then walking into the newsroom and pushing the button:

http://video.google.com/videosearch?num=...

Isn't there another NLRB hearing coming up this month -- where McCaw is being prosecuted?

When do we hear from the court in the last hearing?

"Her facial expression was tense, her hair disheveled, her lips pursed together tightly, her eyes were dark and her head and eyes kept darting from side to side, never making contact with mine. She only stopped berating me and my reporters to field a phone call and snap to the caller, "Yes, that's egregious!""

Sounds like a scene from a bad movie, eh?

Based on Bob's story about Wendy's insistence that he bend the news to fit her views, are we to assume that any reporter left in the NP building is similarly bending news? Otherwise, how would they keep their jobs? And if they are bending the news to fit the publisher's views, wouldn't that then call into question their journalistic integrity? I think this is fine of one plans on spending one's entire career at the News-Press, but the cloud of suspicion being in Wendy's employ would, I think, make any future employment in journalism unlikely. Of course, there are lesser publications that have low standards, and will take anyone. But it's my educated opinion, based on 25 years writing for newspapers, that any reporter who works for any length of time under McCaw's direction will never move on to a more prestigious publication.So even current journalists, in addition to those fired or forced out, have had their careers damaged. If I was a young reporter, I would get out of there ASAP and continue my career elsewhere where I will be assumed to have integrity. Under the current regime, I'm afraid, it will be assumed that any remaining reporters. or those to come, are not reporting the truth except as the owner of the paper deems it so. That's a disastrous reputation for a serious journalist to carry into their next job.

Actually Adam Meeks, you have indeed posted several of what you describe as "mis-truths".

You and I both know what they are so I don't need to point them out.

I find your word choice "mis-truth" rather interesting and probably enlightening.

You did not use the word "un-truth" which is simply something not true.

Rather you used "mis-truth" which could either be a "mistaken truth" which one might deem unintentional, or a "mis-statement" of the truth which one could infer was quite intentional.

Wonder which one it might be.

Hmmmmm???

Are intentional statements of things known to be untrue sufficient grounds for excluding posts to this blog?

Dear Ms. McCaw,

I moved to town this past June and as an avid news reader I was looking forward to subscribing to the local paper. Before I even managed to get a permanent address, the melt-down at the NP started. I delayed my decision and it seems now that I made the right choice. I am not a union activist, though I once belonged to a union and understand their short-comings. I also have considerable experience as a writer, including newspaper and magazines articles. From my position as an "outsider", this is my perspective:

What is happening at the NP is a tragedy for the entire community, not just the editors and reporters who have left or been fired. We have found out that "our" local newspaper cannot be trusted to tell us the truth.

Yes, there are people who try to pretend that this is not a problem ...those who continue to work at the paper and those in the community who depend on it for many other reasons. However as the noted and highly important "fourth estate" in our democracy, this situation is intolerable.

Yes, as the owner you have every legal right to run your business the way you feel, but in the process you have destroyed the paper's journalistic integrity and therefore its effective role in the community. It is truly a shame to see this happen, but it is not too late to change the outcome.

Please, Ms. McCaw, sell your newspaper ...our community newspaper to someone who really knows and cares about running it properly. This is so much more than simply a business operation. If you like playing in the publishing field and expressing your opinion, start a magazine, but don't destroy this community. I care too much about my newly adopted home.

Sincerely,

TR

Anyone see this?
Looks like Barney got rehired by the N-P. But nope, it's just another odd screw-up caused by lack of qualified N-P staffers.

http://www.newspress.com/Top/Subsection/...

Wow! I had no idea Ellsworth Toohey still lived! You bunch sound like you actually owned this rag and had somehow earned the right to manage it.
You dont...and you wont. If McCaw runs a lousy paper, then the market will seal her fate. I've been listening to yahoos spouting off about the SBNP for almost a year now. If any of you were so "sure" in your self righteousness, then put out a competing paper and bury the SBNP; or shut up already!

"viw," look, as the quality of the News-Press sinks day-by-day, and the blogs, the Daily Sound, and the fattening weeklies surround and press harder and harder against it, shovel-full by shovel-full the News-Press IS being buried alive by competing media.

Even though she doesn't appear to be the sharpest knife in the drawer, even Wendy McCaw has to understand from her locked stateroom that the Titanic is starting to list to port from severe damage below the waterline.

Viw,

Ah, The Fountainhead. Yes! Why don't we all just shut up already about everything! Nothing is worth fighting for! The individual is King! The market is God! Forget truth! Forget decency! Screw the law!

So, in spite of your distaste, you've been "listening" to all the horrible "spouting" about McCaw for a whole year? (Even though this all started much less than a year ago). If you're so "sure" yahoos fighting for what they believe in is such a big waste of time, why don't you spend your time "fucking yourself" instead of "listening" to them.

These are real people concerned about things greatly influencing their lives, viw. Please organize your thoughts more carefully before you attack them.

...my thoughts are organized well enough that I need not result to vulgarity to express myself.
what is it, viw askew, that you believe in? This is a small town newspaper we're speaking of, otherwise, the literary anology is spot on. Have you actually read The Fountainhead or did you just google it like so many of the illiterati?

clueless, if what you say about competing papers closing in on the sbnp is true, then why all the fuss? If it isnt true, and simply wishful thinking on your part, thats fine too!
I just dont understand why so many are willing to expend so much capital railing against a small newspaper like the sbnp.
Unless this is all somehow about ideology? We had that debate in Russia, where I am from. I am old enough to remember that tyranny usually starts out this way.

viw, very appropriate you should mention "tyranny" and that you're from Russia ... Don't know if you've read the First Amendment to our Constitution, but combatting tyranny and forced groupthink is exactly why "so many are willing to expend so much capital railing against a small newspaper." You make the point against your own position perfectly, except that, in our tiny town, the News-Press isn't so "small."

The latest from the Daily Nexus, where Jerry Roberts is now a business advisor:

"News-Press Drama Increases Readership of Other Sources

By Matthew Weisner / Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Issue 88 / Volume 87

As the Santa Barbara News-Press controversy continues, many county residents are choosing to get their news through alternative media sources, including Internet blogs.

The combination of resignations and firings at the News-Press since July has left the newspaper with less than five news reporters to cover local issues and events. With only a skeleton of a local news section in the News-Press each day, Matt Kettmann - senior editor at the Independent - said his publication, online blogs and other print media have seen a steady increase in readership.”

More at http://www.dailynexus.com/article.php?a=...

Choice quote from Craig Smith:

"Smith said the issue at the News-Press is censorship, as exemplified by the fact that the News-Press will not cover its own actions with news articles, but will only mention the various lawsuits and protests in editorials or open letters to its readers."

Viw,

Your thoughts are not well organized and in fact much more vulgar than the F-word, which I reserve almost exclusively for he who belittles those with enough courage to stand up for the right thing in the face of a tremendous oposition.

McCaw is illegally firing her employees. If we don't stand up to that, what say you of the society that will result?

And seriously, about swearing, I'm not trying to be vulgar. Viw, I sincerely think fucking ones self is the best thing one eager to defend a tyrant should go do. You are defending a tyrant. So, if you need us to reserve you a hotel for the special night, or lend you a few bucks to take yourself out to dinner before you consecrate your relationship with McCaw, by all means...