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Monday, February 6, 2012
Political campaign fliers NOT from The Sacramento Press
by Colleen Belcher, published on June 4, 2010 at 4:17 PM
Storyline: Journalism Support
It was brought to our attention that mailers were sent out by the Sacramento Building Trades Political Action Committee with our name and logo.
The Sacramento Press had no part in it. We did not print the mailers. We did not write those words. The quote " We're being hoodwinked, bamboozeled, led astray, run amok as it appears District One candidate, Angelique Ashby, goes with the Hustle and Flow of dirty politics," came from an opinion piece, written by a community contributor on our site. We did not write or solicit the article.
Our site is a mixture of professional and community reporting. We have a small staff of paid reporters, but the majority of our content comes from the community without any censoring.
We want to make it very clear that we have NO part in this flier.
If you receive these fliers in the mail, they did NOT come from The Sacramento Press.
Thank you to those who called and came to our office to bring this to our attention.
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I think that that Mr. Tretheway could show a lot of class by publicly admonishing those responsible for this insult to our collective intelligence and sensibilities...and hope that supporters of Ashby don't lower themselves to react in-kind.
I LOVE THESE THINGYS!!!
Local politics hasn't been this entertaining since all those Pete Wilson depictions as a sad Mickey Mouse were plastered on every flat surface in Midtown.... almost as fun as a night out at the Bolt...
BRAVO!!!!
If a flier quoted a community contributor's news piece, would Sacramento Press still say "We did not write those words"?
I'm not saying I agree with the fliers. Just thinking out loud.
And the ads' sentiments are TRUE -- KJ has behaved in the manner depicted in these ads, AND his support for the snarls and snorts of right wing teabagger darling (I'd use the term 'pig', but the SP seems to equate or conflate that image with pornography) Ashby is just part of his strategy to move the SMI forward...
Though I don't think it's going to work, frankly, for the votes just aren't there either now or after the election...
And if these silly ads help to stop a suckup like Ashby from incumbency, ALL THE BETTER!!!!
Hell, given the depictions, one might think Ashby would be FLATTERED for they show her much thinner than she really is.....
I have never ever prioritized page views by sacrificing integrity. If there is anyone in this organization who lacks integrity feel free to contact me.
I agree that comments have been devolving and we are ill equipped to handle the situation, but we are working on solutions.
Finally, I am not delighted in the least. Please email me at support@sacramentopress.com and I will address any and all concerns.
I believe, despite past skirmishes, that the SP is a unique form of community expression, and I would bet it's going to be around for a long long time, and I thank GOD for that...
I learn more here about the community than any other media outlet, save the SNR.
The Bee is a moribund press arm with vested corporate interests, partners, and other relationships, and their news reporting and ed board are far too cozy with those they should be scrutinizing...
This little media experiment that is the SP is at least lively, terribly entertaining (at times, in a masochistic sort of way), and I think it's fabulous that thems' that make this little thingy possible have dedicated time and effort and cash in doing so, and I think, despite my own pissiness at some of the excisions made of some of the more peppery of my own little blurbs, they deserve a flood of community applause...
I agree that the fliers should have listed the author or somehow made clear it was an opinion column, but I think Sacramento Press has some kind of association with every story on its website, no matter who wrote it. I think the basic principles of Sacramento Press call for contributors' stories to be treated equally with those written by staffers.
Again, just thinking out loud . . .
This kind of misleading tactic could be used for anyone who supports anything to simply write an opinion piece on the site and then produce a flier that implies we stand behind words we never wrote or solicited.
I know the graphic design of the site makes it look like a newspaper - and that is the easiest way to describe us, but we are new media and we act as a service provider when we allow community contribution through self publishing tools.
This may be the first time this has happened but it won't be the last and the solution needs to come from the Sacramento Press as the way the material was used was not inherently inappropriate. You might need some kind of header that appears in all articles that states whether the content is generated by staff or not. But I think it's unreasonable, or at least unrealistic, to expect others to determine which content is which if it's not immediately clear on the site.
Someone thinks you have a reputation worth stealing. Many publications are still not considered worthy
Now, lots of folks have something to say about the fliers that went out. But I'm curoius when a community member writes a blog everyday for over 3 weeks , does a count down making up stories, situations, circumstances of Tretheway WHY aren't people complaining? Why the double standard? What's the difference of sending out these type of literature in the mail or posting/ sending it out on the internet. Heck, the Tretheway stories written daily are fiction, imaginary... At least the fliers regarding Ashby has some truth to it.
Again, I don't agree with the fliers but I do see lots of double standards. No one has asked Ashby to apologize for the daily countdown stories making Tretheway appear ignorant (to say the least) It's sad how some only feel wounded if their choice for a candidate is wounded. Well, that's my 2 cents.; I had nothing to do with the fliers and Sac Press had nothing to do with me writing those words in a story .
YOU KNOW, EFREN GUTTIERREZ HAS BEEN CONSISTENT FOR 30 YRS AS THAT... HMMM HE'S RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL DIST 1... WWW.EFRENGCITYCOUNCIL.ORG
I'VE WORKED WITH HIM FOR 5 YEARS - ALWAYZ STANDS UP FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED, MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES. KNOWS WHAT IT IS TO FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE AND HAS NO SPECIAL INTERESTS ONLY THE PEOPLE'S NEEDS. REAL TALK.
The fact is that KJ is endorsing certain folks that he feels will vote his way. Furthermore,it illustrates the power hunger by this mayor and points out the true motive of his supporters - the developers.
As you wouldn't expect Tretheway to apologize for your hyperbolic portrayal of Ashby as someone deserving of Malcolm X's famous words [".. hoodwinked, bamboozeled, led astray, run amok], I wouldn't expect Ashby to apologize for my hyperbolic portrayal of Tretheway as one the three stooges. The most either of us is guilty of is flamboyance, and I don't think we owe anyone apologies--nor does the Sac Press for that matter, in my opinion.
And in keeping with that spirit, I would like to add: If in the course of my silly Tretheway conversations I have portrayed Mr, Tretheway (whose district I lived in for nine years) as anything less than unqualified, overrated, outdated, and painfully out of touch, I submit my sincerest apologies. :)
mj
I have said she should apologize for the actions of her endorsers….
I agree, neither of us owes anyone an apology. I also don't think SacPress owes an apology. But they should and did set the record straight. It is what it is—misleading and they had a right to correct it.
There’s no need for your sincere apologies since you portrayed him as unqualified…. You're entitled to your opinion and can portray him as you like.
.
What I can say about Tretheway he’s not a liar, (as some of Ashby's supporters attempted to make him out to be) He wasn’t falsely labeled a liar until this campaign with Ashby. Tretheway wasn't willing to stay in office by any means necessary- hook or crook—He turned down support because he wouldn’t support the SMI just to get in office. (support offered to him by those who apparently didn't initially offer Ashby support until Tretheway declined the unethical behavior). Tretheway is not a manipulator.....He’s not a wolf in sheep’s clothing....
Heck; with Tretheway the good outweighs the bad. If I had to choose the lesser of two evils it sure as heck wouldn’t be Ashby. If I portrayed Ashby as anything less than a potential puppet for Johnson; turning a blind eye and deaf ear to the deceitful games of her endorsers before getting in office (scared what she’d do once in office to repay her debts)…. I won’t submit an insincere apology. I called it like I see it.
Of course, the Jefferson's were eventually cancelled. And Weezie died...
The main issue is to take a look at the race and really check facts. Is Ashby really a lawyer? Was she the force that actually got the funds for the library and firehouse? Is she using the mayor's political machine to bolster her campaign? It is the journalist that checks these facts and reports on them. The public doesn't need the opinions of media, but the reporting of facts so that we all can make informed decisions. What I see is speculation, innuendo and short cuts. We need journalism.
I enjoy Sacramento Press, but encourage you to seek the facts and not piggyback off of the spin of others. You've got a great chance at making journalism valuable again. Don't miss that chance.
We got into the business to do something radically open and different - but also better. We have improved significantly and we have a long way to go. In fact, I t think you ever "get there."
It's sad that Tretheway is given so little credit when the man worked from his heart.... It's sad that some in efforts to make Ashby look good they do it by makiing Tretheway look bad, ignoring or dismissing any good he's done. That’s not right. Heck even Ashby during a campaign debate continuously took shots at Tretheway in what appears to be an attempt to make herself look good by making him look bad. I’d love to see campaigns where candidates just focused on their strengths and what they can do and leave all the messy -- I’m –scared-I might-loose-time-for dirty games out of it.
“But Ashby continued to take shots at Tretheway when responding to nearly every question.” http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/26434/A_Divided_Natomas
So you think it would show class if Ashby apologized for my Tretheway Conversation articles? Then I assume in the spirit of consistency you also believe it would show class for Ray to apologize for your "hustle and flow" piece on Ashby, right? If that is indeed your position, I respectfully disagree because I do not think public officials should have to apologize for remarks made by private citizens. Free speech. Free country. Thank God.
Conversely, if you think it would be respectful for Ashby to apologize for my stuff, but not for Ray to apologize for yours, I wonder why the inconsistency? After all you've satirized Ashby as a street urchin getting hustled by a seedy character. That's just as metaphorical as what I'm doing, isn't it? Only difference is that your article is explicit (i.e. it states Ashby is deceiving people); whereas as mine are implicit. But we're both clearly taking sides and clearly painting our subjects as either deceptive (in your case), or out of touch with reality (in my case).
Addressing a few of your other points:
"Tretheway ... turned down support because he wouldn’t support the SMI just to get in office."
Is that a KNOWN FACT? Has this been proven, or is this an allegation made by Tretheway that you believe to be true, simply on the grounds that it SOUNDS like something Kevin Johnson would do? I ask because I was not aware this had been proven
"Tretheway is not a manipulator.....He’s not a wolf in sheep’s clothing...."
I don't think he's a manipulative at all. I've always maintained Ray seems like a decent guy to me. I think the city has outgrown him, but that's another discussion.
" If I portrayed Ashby as anything less than a potential puppet for Johnson; turning a blind eye and deaf ear to the deceitful games of her endorsers before getting in office"
You said it --- a "POTENTIAL" puppet. POTENTIAL is the key word here. No one knows for sure if she actually WILL be a puppet for Johnson except Angelique. It's all speculative at this point. In fact it wasn't even a question until she got Johnson's endorsement. Then all of a sudden the conspiracy theories started, now the propaganda. BUT DON'T GET ME WRONG: I understand WHY people got heated. Because whatever Kevin Johnson touches becomes a hotbed of controversy--including Angelique Ashby.
Personally, I am not happy he endorsed her... or anyone for that matter. I personally think he brought her a whole mountain of drama she didn't need or want. I also think his endorsement of her was disrespectful towards the incumbent. He recklessly tossed Tretheway under the boss like roadkill and left him scrambling to defend himself. Another extremely ill advised move by Johnson.
I digress. The point here is that no one knows for sure if Ashby is going to be his puppet. The big conspiracy theory is just that.. a theory. Personally I think it's far fetched. Ashby succumbing to Johnson's puppet strings doesn't sound any more plausible to me than you succumbing to his puppet strings. Both you and Angelique actually have more in common than not. You both love your communities dearly and are willing to fight for them come hell or high water. I have nothing but respect for both of you.
" I won’t submit an insincere apology. I called it like I see it. "
Well yes and that is your greatest quality I have observed so far. :)
"I digress. ".....
2) Someone else mentioned it would show class. I merely agreed with their reasons and in the spirit of consistency is why I wrote what I wrote-- What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Mark, of course if I felt it was good for Ashby to comment then it would be good for Tretheway. I didn't say they should apologize or even comment for that matter. I agreed with someone else regarding it showing class. Why didn't you comment to him since the class comment was his? Was it because he may supports Ashby?
3) I believe in free speech. I previously wrote they (both Ashby and Tretheway) should comment towards their endorsers misconduct.... .
4) No need to wonder why the inconsistencies I think you might be finding what you're looking for and not necessarily what I mean
5) You are taking sides on a candidate. I'm not. I am taking sides on truth vs deceit. I wouldn't care which candidate it was.
6) Of course I said "potential" I wouldn't have made the statement without it. it wasn't a slip it was the key word I purposely put in there since she is not in office. And heck, where their is smoke their is fire.....
7) that's it I'm finished
Ashby was a single mother, who struggled to make it through law school. I have much more respect for someone who has struggled, and maybe even has been evicted beceause they were finacially strapped, than someone who has not struggled.
I think the main problem we have in America is that we dont have elected officials that have struggled, survived and excelled. What we have is entitled silver spooned liars and thieves who have no idea what it is like in the real world.
As it currently stands she's too easily influenced and birds of a feather are flocking together pulling away from truth and transparency.
Unfortunately all the good qualities you list that you say she possess that I do admire, goes to h-e double hockey sticks in a basket when they allow entitled silver spooned liars and thieves who have no idea what it's like to be in the real world-- without NBA stardom/ star struck --stroke, influence and groom her. She may have once walked in the light but heck, she's taken a detour to a walk on the dark side but that's not to say she can't one day find her way back. But I don't think she's ready now. She's proven she's not ready to stand against the wolves with this campaign.
I don’t know her position on Section 8, check with her campaign staff.
I am not in Ashby's camp. I have met her a few times at community meetings. In fact we have had big disagreements - her Integrity also has yet to be tested - but I know for a fact that Ray has none.
I have lived in South Natomas on and off for 25 years.... S. Natomas was once fantastic neighborhood that WAS safe. I have seen firsthand the destruction he has done and the effects on my property value. (BTW lower property values = fewer tax dollars collected, regardless of the economic downturn.)
In the last year there have been gang related murders, most of my neighbors have been burglarized, and I have had TWO HOME INVASION ROBBERY ATTEMPTS - the first two got away, the second two weren't so lucky, they got my gun in their face and a nice long prison sentence.
Having worked in law enforcment and having a BS in Criminal Justice, I know that there is no question that the policies Mr. Tretheway has promoted and/or passed while on the Council, have dramatically increased crime in our district.
The condition of District 1 is EXACTLY why Tretheway MUST GO.
This bossmayor posse is apparently a pack of desperate kooks with no ethics.
Call us when your shuttle lands...
bbbbmer: I agree with you the gang of 60 aren't angels. And I don't see halos over the heads of Johnson, Maviglio, SPOA or even Ashby for that matter. lol
I don't agree with messy campaigns but some of us are drowning with the games played by our mayor and his strategists and heck, it appears it's sink or swim in the games. Would things have gotten this messy if Johnson, Maviglio.... and others were not at the helm I doubt it but it is what it is a city threading on world class deceit under King Johnson and his loyal subjects.
Try this on for size: (News Release published last week)
"Congresswoman Matsui Announces Flood Insurance Relief for Natomas
FEMA to Allow Homeowners to Purchase Preferred Risk Policies
SACRAMENTO, CA - In cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-Sacramento) announced today that Natomas residents will be able to purchase Preferred Risk Flood (PRP) Insurance Policies in 2011 and 2012. Over the course of the last year Congresswoman Matsui has continually worked with the Administration to ensure that homeowners in recently remapped areas have access to affordable flood insurance. Under this new policy, homeowners across the country that live in areas that have been remapped since 2008 will be eligible to renew their flood insurance at the Preferred Risk Policy price, rather than at the Standard X Zone cost - often four times at costly - for the next two years."
FEMA didn't act on this unilaterally. Believe it or not, SOME politicians are actually effective in making positive change!
I could write a book on The Greek Developer Mob, Phil Angelides, and the Tsakopoulos' They should be indicted under federal RICO statutes - instead, they are protected - thats what billions of dollars can do in America.
In this country, bribery and extortion are legal if you have enough money. We call it campaign financing and Party politics. I prefer Mexico or China's version of corruption - up front and out in the open, eveyone knows what the game is.
But everything else against Ashby is fair game....
Let's see Ashby apologize for her surrogates' references to Tretheway's speech impediment, among other lies....
I still believe she's an effective representative of the interests of most citizens of this congressional district... She's also a neighbor whom, with her late husband, we have known for decades, and I respect her very very much...despite her CSR's....
A 'B.S. in criminal justice'.... yowsa...
Again, I'd have been honored to serve Tretheway's camp, or that of Mr. Gutierrez... Alas, they couldn't afford me....
But one thing is for sure: the flood zone politics has got to end. Nobody will let the Airport flood. The home insurance lobby has pulled an okie doke on Natomas residents with their lobby. Kaiser has purchased a plot of land in Natomas that could bring over a thousands jobs.I bet lifting the flood restrictions would create an urgency for them to build to service their 133,000 members in Natomas.
As it stands, anyone could post something on SP - possibly even using some else's identity.
BTW, one of your commenters complains that Kevin Johnson backs candidates who he thinks will vote his way. Well, DUH! Who should he support...people who hate him?