Comments on: Journalism pointers: How to get information from city hall without FOI

By: The Blackbird

The Blackbird — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:02:30 +0000

spartikus: I’m not sure I get you. Replace it with what? CityCaucus replaced it with a photo of the single for The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” thinking it appropriately illustrated a story on Judy Rogers’ firing. I disagree. She had no say in the matter, so the question doesn’t fit the context. After I saw that, I haven’t wasted time with CityCaucus. Not one visit to their site.

I definitely don’t get AGT. It’s like he’s writing in another language sometimes. No offense intended. Maybe it’s me. Anyway, I just don’t get him.

By: A. G. Tsakumis

A. G. Tsakumis — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 06:51:55 +0000

It cannot be emphasized enough…a failed former Chief of Gaffe and a charlatan pretender, who held up Planning Commission meetings so that he could learn basics on-the-fly, hardly constitute being “learned”.

These are just two Sam dittoheads, who want to keep their names in self-propped lights. Mike Klassen wandered aimlessly for the entire lead up to the election lunching with anyone who didn’t have a root canal scheduled for that day, asking if they thought Mikey should run for public office.

Danny, long separated from Annie, had such a stellar run as head lickspittle that he has naturally landed a job in Victoria?…er…Ottawa?

Right? I mean where else would such a successful crew land???

Right back where they all started from. The vast majority of them went back to their old firms and jobs because the were radioactive, having willfully juggled the Kryptonite for three years.

Now tommi tells us they provide context. but you are surprised they are infused by fantasy?

Ever heard the local story of Banquo?

You don’t drink Kool-Aid on the rocks do you?

Defeats the whole purpose…

By: spartikus

spartikus — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:11:00 +0000

CityCaucus.com does provide a good counterpoint to the many other blogs who are pro-Vision and anti-NPA

Er…define “many”.

I don’t have “data”, but I suspect the NPA isn’t grossly outnumbered in what is, let’s face it, a tiny local blogging scene. But even if true, the retort would be the NPA more than adequately gets it’s message out in the pages of the Sun, Province, and on the screens of the CBC, Global Newshour and CTV.

If the NPA is unpopular right now, maybe it’s not because they don’t have enough blogs or Twitter accounts…maybe it’s because they hold positions and have conducted themselves in a way that makes them unpopular.

And Blackbird…you really should have replaced the photo with…something else

By: tommi

tommi — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:03:48 +0000

CityCaucus.com does provide a good counterpoint to the many other blogs who are pro-Vision and anti-NPA. So, I think their contribution to the local news is needed.

However, I wish they’d drop all the stuff about “CityCaucus Tower,” “20 floors of researchers,” and posting fake news about their pretend billboards. It’s hard to take them seriously when they incorporate fantasy with fact in nearly every story.

By: The Blackbird

The Blackbird — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:29:46 +0000

Thanks, WEB.

By: West End Bob

West End Bob — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:58:16 +0000

Frances: Sorry ’bout the double-comment above. I think I was having Shaw intertubes problems!

Blackbird: Checked out your photos on Flickr. GREAT stuff . . . .

By: The Blackbird

The Blackbird — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:16:41 +0000

Citycaucus used one of my copyrighted photos without asking for permission even though it is marked “all rights reserved” on the originating page and a warning not to steal my shots appears on my profile. Even after I messaged them, they wouldn’t remove the shot until I threatened legal action.

Sounds to me like they’re asking when they don’t have to and not asking when they are legally bound to. Lost in the spin cycle.

*whrrrrrrrrrrr*

By: RossK

RossK — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:55:11 +0000

Bob–

Chess?

They play chess in Spamalot?

Well, then again, I guess the oh-so friendly denizens are, as Frances said, ‘learned’.

By: West End Bob

West End Bob — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:08:45 +0000

“The first rule of FOI is to pick up the phone and ask the right person if you can get the information without having to FOI it.”
_____

“But staff usually are pretty forthcoming with anyone who qualifies as public-serving news media.”

“Check” and “Mate,” CityCaucus boys . . . .

By: West End Bob

West End Bob — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:07:30 +0000

The first rule of FOI is to pick up the phone and ask the right person if you can get the information without having to FOI it.
_____

But staff usually are pretty forthcoming with anyone who qualifies as public-serving news media.

“Check” and “Mate,” CityCaucus boys . . . .