Monday, April 27, 2009

Monday | April 27 | Your News & Comments

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91 comments:

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  2. Elmira ME and GM gives the Elmira Spin on things in Sunday's last paper laid out in Elmira, the last day at the first gannett paper is made in Elimra:

    It's transition time for the Star-Gazette
    Our mission remains local news, despite changes and staff cuts
    Lois Wilson • April 26, 2009

    Read Comments(9)Recommend Print this page E-mail this article Share Del.icio.us
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    Chinese proverb: Insanity is doing the same thing in the same way and expecting a different outcome.



    That's why many businesses are trying new tactics these days and the Star-Gazette is no exception. In the coming days, starting with Monday's print edition, you will notice changes to your newspaper as we begin to do some things in a new way.

    Here is what you can expect:

    * The front page will have a slightly different look as we move the left-side column of story teases and the index to the bottom of the page.

    * The five-day weather forecast from WENY-TV will appear on Page 2A instead of the back page of the Sports or Twin Tiers Life sections.

    * The "What's Going On" calendar will move to different pages on different days. Look for it with the puzzles on Monday and Tuesday and in the Life section on Wednesday and Friday through Sunday. The calendar of events will reside in the Time Out section on Thursday.

    * The Local & State page will move from Page 2A to Page 3A. You'll find the lottery numbers on Page 3A.

    * The Opinion page will have a new name, Viewpoints; the Mallard Fillmore comic will no longer appear.

    * New columnists will begin to appear on the Viewpoints page, including Bill O'Reilly, Chuck Norris and Ellen Goodman.

    * Starting Sunday, May 3, look for an antiques appraisal and advice column by Terry Kovel, publisher of many guides on the topic of collectibles.

    You'll notice other small changes as the week goes along, and we'll do our best to direct you to your favorite features using the front-page index.

    Now as to why this is all happening:

    The pages of the Star-Gazette along with our sister papers, The Ithaca Journal and The Press & Sun-Bulletin of Binghamton, will be produced in one central location.

    Star-Gazette reporters and photographers will report, write and supply the local news and images that appear in this paper and you'll also see some stories of regional interest - such as news about natural gas drilling or the shooting at the American Civic Association - that were produced by journalists at the Ithaca and Binghamton papers.

    (2 of 2)


    The centralized page design operation means the Star-Gazette is losing jobs once more. The edition you now hold in your hands will be the last one designed in the Elmira newsroom. It is an incredibly sad moment for me personally and the newsroom as a whole as we say goodbye to a team of journalists who have served this community so faithfully.



    In the end, however, the streamlining of how we produce the pages of the newspaper will allow us to concentrate on bringing you more local news and sports stories.

    The Star-Gazette is not going away. We are regrouping, like many businesses, and trying new tactics.

    I know how hard it is to see something you're familiar with change. But one thing hasn't changed: This newspaper is still the No. 1 source for local news and advertising for the Twin Tiers. More than seven out of 10 adults in the region will read this printed newspaper or access stargazette.com this week. We're still the best way to get your message out from letters to the editor to news items about everything from a school budget vote to a chicken and biscuit dinner.

    Our mission doesn't change, but the way we look will change. And that's what newspapers have been doing from the beginning, changing to find the best ways to give readers the information they want and need.

    We'll keep on in that tradition as we create some new ones.

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  3. Just asking Jim,
    Have you been in contact with a First Ammendment Attorney yet? Are you planning to see one tomorrow?

    Your supporters are behind you.

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  4. Thank you! I've got calls out, but it's a Sunday. I suspect I'll find someone by Tuesday morning.

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  5. Keep us posted to your progress on this. I look forward to the story that is on the horizon with this.

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  6. Chuck Norris is a columnist?? WtF??

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  7. My thoughts, too! Norris must be trading off his celebrity from endorsing Mike Huckabee for the GOP nomination.

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  8. All those years as a reporter and editor and you do not know ONE "First Amendment attorney"?

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  10. "Ooooooh Jim is in Danger, checking in under assumed name....But he's posted his photo so many times anyone looking for him wuld know him....Stay tuned, while Jim posts pictures of himself in disguises...."

    We should offer a reward for anyone who can spot Jim and identify his alter ego.

    We'll do this like Fahrenheit 451, only this time it'll be used for good. Everyone in the Washington area should watch for Jim. Then post the relevant info.

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  12. Has anyone even commented on Kates's memo?? If so I missed it.

    Hard slugging through all the childishness here lately (on both sides).

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  13. Nice straw man, 12:42.

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  14. I'm sorry, 12:50, I can make no sense of your post.

    I'm speaking of the memo distributed in reaction to the wisc situation (without specifically mentioning it)

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  15. Chuck Norris has been writing for a while for one of those right-wing sites, either Townhall.com or WorldNetDaily.com. He comes off as a tool, mainly.

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  16. Probably, but c'mon it 's still chuck norris. You don't actually read the text that comes with the picture; you just look at the picture nad imagine him kicking ass.

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  17. @12:55, @12:42,

    Sorry. There were two 12:42 posts. The one before yours constructed a straw man.

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  18. Ah, yes, I see. Thanks for the clarification.

    Still, back to my question, since this was so obviously in direct response to Jim, I was expecting some intelligent discussion of her points and the issues. Not to mention just how obvious it is that what is said here is taken seriously. OK, at least what is said by those with emotional ages over 3.

    It goes to the serious service Jim can provide as the watchdog of the watchdogs.

    But sadly, he has slipped into paranoia and becoming a charicature (where is spellcheck when you need it?) of himself in the past week or so.

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  19. Jim's helpful "How to" posts aren't condescending or insulting at all. I plan to put his innovative tips in my reporting toolbelt and use them as needed. Perhaps Jim should consider collecting the how-to series and publish them under his newly assumed identity.

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  20. 1:19 am ... yeah, maybe 20 years ago. Now he's just an old man pitching an exercise machine and starring in reruns of that horrible television show.

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  21. You can tell Jim's having an affect in Va. by the rampup in the number of abusive posts. What a bunch of losers.

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  23. Notice that there have been unfair and unrealistic 'write-ups' for no reason at the various community papers?

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  24. Wow. A 7.4 percent drop in circulation at USAT. Another wonderful result of the creative planning of the leadership of this company today.

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  26. Jim, enjoy your stay in DC!

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  27. Arizona Rep. circ. off 6 percent.

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  28. The Arizona Republic's much anticipated "We Have Big News Check Out The Arizona Republic This Monday" is a joke!! The paper is 20 pages in total and makes no mention of anything special. After pages of house ads promoting the"Big News" there's literally nothing in today's paper. Am I missing something?

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  29. Anonymous said...
    Wow. A 7.4 percent drop in circulation at USAT. Another wonderful result of the creative planning of the leadership of this company today.

    4/27/2009 9:16 AM

    By comparison:
    USA TODAY -- 2,113,725 – (-7.46%)

    NEW YOK DAILY NEWS -- 602,857 -- (-14.26%) NEW YORK POST -- 558,140 -- (-20.55%) CHICAGO TRIBUNE -- 501,202 -- (-7.47%) HOUSTON CHRONICLE -- 425,138 -- (-13.96%) ARIZONA REPUBLIC -- 389,701 -- (-5.72%)

    DENVER POST (02/28/2009 to 03/31/2009) -- 371,728 -- N/A NEWSDAY -- 368,194 -- (-3.01%) DALLAS MORNING NEWS -- 331,907 -- (-9.88%)
    SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE -- 312,118 -- (-15.72%) BOSTON GLOBE -- 302,638 -- (-13.68%) CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER -- 291,630 -- (-11.70%) DETROIT FREE PRESS -- 290,730 -- (-5.90%) PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER -- 288,298 -- (-13.72%)

    NEWARK STAR-LEDGER -- 287,082 -- (-16.82%) ST. PETERSBURG TIMES -- 283,093 -- (-10.42%) OREGONION -- 268,512 -- (-11.76%) ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION -- 261,828 -- (-19.91%) SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE -- 261,253 -- (-9.53%)

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  30. 9:16 Now, compare true paid circulation (subscription and single copy). Those other papers don't have the benefit of the majority of their distribution being dropped at hotel doorsteps and other similar (free) circ. National hotel occupancy is off well in excess of 10-15%, 50% of USAT is in hotels, I think a 7.4% decline is extremely good if not questionable.

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  31. thanks Jim,
    You must be pushing someone's buttons from all the ugliness on here lately.
    Just keep it up and do your best. There are tons of us who appreciate it.
    If I didn't find you helpful I would just not come here anymore.

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  33. My boss said
    Swine flu actually started at CGI headquarters

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  34. If anyone has the new circulation numbers for The Journal News in Westchester please post.

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  35. "My boss said
    Swine flu actually started at CGI headquarters"

    Nice try, but not funny.

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  36. Does anyone have access to the full FAS-FAX list? Curious to see where smaller papers ended up.

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  37. 12:55 a.m. I wondered about that, too. I wouldn't have known what it was all about were it not for this blog. The Wausau angle was not mentioned in the memo.

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  38. Anyone have newest circulation numbers for the NJ newspapers? Can't wait to see the Courier post and Asbury Park press along with the other ones up in the northern part of the state.

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  39. I agree 9:55. The Arizona Republic ran a lot of ads on the front pages promoting something big today and I can't find anything out of the ordinary.

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  40. Later today, Jim will post an e-mail he sent to Gannett corporate, demanding they release their circulation numbers.

    He's become that predictable.

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  41. The circulation numbers are updated quarterly and they are always dwindling--however, Gannett likes to try to hide them.

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  42. Wrong, 11:21. It's actually funny.

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  43. "It's actually funny."

    Only among the undeveloped minds of the non-achievers here.

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  44. 12:53
    Your an imbecile! Women and children are dying!

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  45. ClarkKentGannett@aol.com4/27/2009 1:48 PM

    Jim,

    Keep the faith, bro. Looks like you are rattling the Gannetters.

    Thank you for keeping us posted, in cases where Gannett does not.

    And I look forward to the latest newspaper circulation figures.

    ClarkKentGannett@aol.com

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  46. Lighten up, people. It was a joke.

    My vote is for "funny."

    You corporate types are so uptight. For a group that hates this blog so much, you sure do spend a lot of time here.

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  47. Jim,
    I know you are busy right now with the annual meeting and then it sound like you might be off to Wisconsin, but when you have time, I'd like to know what an average day is like in the world of Gannett Blog. And, yes, I have poked around on this site to see if I could figure it out for myself, but if you have told the readers what you do day-to-day, I can't find it.
    Thanks.

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  48. @4/27/2009 2:03 PM You corporate types are so uptight. For a group that hates this blog so much, you sure do spend a lot of time here.

    Isn't THAT the truth. Obviously blogging here and harrassing Jim is more important to the management corporate fringe than is trying to find an innovative means to bail out the sinking ship that is Gannett Co. Inc.

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  49. 1:07, if you're going to call someone an imbecile, you need to go back to grade school first to learn the difference between your and you're.

    The concept isn't difficult to learn. Really. Go read something.

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  50. Anonymous said...
    Lighten up, people. It was a joke.

    My vote is for "funny."

    You corporate types are so uptight. For a group that hates this blog so much, you sure do spend a lot of time here.

    4/27/2009 2:03 PM

    Why do assume that someone hates the blog because they have a difference of opinion?

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  51. Our nearest competitor, whose home is 60 +/- miles away, just raised their daily price form 75 cents to a dollar. We just went up to 75 near the end of last year. Hope we don't follow suit or for sure we might as well close the doors.

    I still don't understand cutting content AND raising prices at the same time. They do stupid crap like this and still blame it on the internet or the economy.

    I hate seeing something wither away when there still are many who WANT the paper....a REAL newspaper...like we used to be.

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  52. Hortense von Beaverbottom4/27/2009 5:01 PM

    Many of you wonderful Ganneteers have lowered yourselves at every chance to vilify and stab Jim in the back!

    Jim has used this blog to inform and defend us at the very time we are unable to do it ourselves.

    He has also used the video clips to provide a humorous and very human touch to many people who are laid-off and discouraged and in need of some light moment.

    Why you hide behind your screens to make vulgar and homophobic remarks is very sad.

    I thank Jim for all he has done, and I hope his detractors find a much hotter place in hell than even Craig and Gracia and the entire "rat pack"!

    H

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  53. I heard the Swine Flu started @ a MetroMix function

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  54. Anonymous said...
    1:07, if you're going to call someone an imbecile, you need to go back to grade school first to learn the difference between your and you're.

    The concept isn't difficult to learn. Really. Go read something.

    4/27/2009 4:13 PM

    I've always been a bad speller.I spend very little time writing. Sorry you had to take so much of your precious time to point that out. What I do have are two children who are doctors, a house that is paid for and when I retire at 58 a planned 3 month trip to Europe. I guess spelling never set me back all that much.

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  55. Hmmm, just wondering if corporate has some gumshoe dogging Jim's visit to his old stumping grounds. Someone on the 11th floor might believe they could find out the disloyal traitors who have been leaking GCI secrets. Might be a bad time to be seen in Jim's company. As paranoid as these jokesters are, I really would not put it past them.

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  56. Well, 5:13, if wealth and prosperity are measures of intellectual might, then you must believe that George W. Bush is a genius.

    In that case, I encourage you to call people imbeciles even if you have no command of the English language.

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  57. Thanks Hortense for saying what I have been wanting to say for awhile. If only that homophobia could be redirected towards something useful if would be nice.

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  58. Maybe I've seen one too many conspiracy movies, but none of these disgusting, homophobic, non-stop attacks on Jim feel like the work of regular old Gannetteers. They feel more much vicious, much more deliberate and much more frequent than even a month ago.

    No, I have no evidence to support this theory. But the fact that these comments have quickly gone to DEFCON-1 makes me wonder if the company hasn't just hired a bunch of internet thugs to stir the pot. This feels like Don Segretti and his rat-fuckers.

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  59. Jim,
    Did you show up today at Gannett? Or did you chicken out like last years shareholder meeting?

    I have not seen anything from you regarding the Gannett Foundation "audit"!!!!

    You are such a pussy!!! I can't wait to see your second act tomorrow at the shareholder meeting.

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  61. "You are such a pussy!!! I can't wait to see your second act tomorrow at the shareholder meeting."

    Fabulous. We should take odds on what Jim will do at the meeting.

    I put my money on "stick thumb up ass." I'd say the odds are about 3-1 for that one.

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  62. The "something big" today at the Arizona Republic: it published. Ha, Ha, readers. We pulled another one over on you.
    BTW, anyone note the huge circulation increase -- 10 percent -- at the Arizona Star. Looks like a challenger rising to the north.

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  63. Jim is usually challenged by a rising object to the south -- of his anus.

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  64. Yeah, so what happened at headquarters????

    Come on report, damn it!!

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  65. Zenger Miller robots to the rescue. Tough talk from a crew that's driven the stock to have less value than a 4 pack of Charmin. Way to go guys. Rah Rah. Keep posting.

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  66. Can't even trade a share of stock for 6 pack of beer to drown our sorrows...

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  67. I echo the questions others have asked: what is the news from the foundation visit? It was such a big deal for days. Now that the day has come and gone, well? And don't tell me to look at twitter - only twits twitter.

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  68. I looked there.....all Jim was reveal himself a twit:

    OMG! Howie's on Twitter.....OMG, Here's Howie Kurtz wearing a GB hat...taking a cab....where to drink?

    NOTHING of substance......

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  69. Nothing happened. Jim probably pussed out again, just as he will on Tuesday.

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  70. Hortense von Beaverbottom4/27/2009 8:37 PM

    5:54 P.M.-- Thanks for the supportive comment. Both racism and homophobia are evils which our schools are trying to eradicate, and it's a tough job. What is said on this blog is an outrage. How much more rotten would these people be if Jim were not caucasian??

    5:56 P.M.-- THIS IS A VERY VALID OBSERVATION AND IS PROBABLY MORE TRUE THAN WE WILL EVER KNOW. THE CONSISTENT AND OUTRAGEOUS ATTACKS HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT AND TIMELY AS THE STOCKHOLDERS' MEETING APPROACHES. IS THERE ANYTHING WE WOULD BE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO THINK THAT CORPORATE WOULD NOT STOOP TO DO?

    6:30 P.M. My beneficent Roman Catholic friend-- I said hell and not purgatory. Most of our priests don't think purgatory exists in the old sense. If it does, it's temporary and not what I meant. As for your good wishes for me. "And also with you"!!

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  71. You know, today I found myself reading to the bottom of this thread and thinking: "This blog is a waste of my time. These people commenting are immature idiots. So stupid. No news. Nothing of value. I don't think I'll come back."

    Then I realized: Wait a minute, isn't that EXACTLY what the corporate bosses want mainstream employees like me to think? They WANT me to be turned off by the stupid ranting and never come back.

    I don't remember all this idiocy in the past. I think trolls are populating the blog comments for the purpose of turning off regular people.

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  74. Damn, the anti-Jim/blog group has been vocal lately. Must be something in the air.

    I've said it before, 50% of the crap you read on here is BS. However, the 50% that isn't is 100% more than corporate tells us.

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  75. Why all the personal attacks on Jim? You can voice legitimate criticisms without having to be nasty about it. Personally, I appreciate everything he's done to try to keep us informed about what's going on, especially with the furloughs and the page design hubs (something that I would be totally in the dark about if not for this blog). My suspicion is that the majority of the people who read this site feel the same way.

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  76. Well said 9:16 and 9:20......One of the issues that must be facing Jim is that likely many of his inside sources are no longer with the company.....Hence, a lot easier to plan without anyone really knowing......But still, so much of the 50% of the BS is hateful anti-anything (or anyone who is not calling for bricks through leadership's windows or whining about how tough they have it or how their boss is a _______) that people get tired of it and fire back.

    Someone said it earlier, Jim needs to decide if this is a GAnnett blog and run it as such or if he wants it to be a personal ego-fufilling (not that there's anything wrong with that in the right forum) place...........I think people would be less vociferous if there was more balance......

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  77. 9 pm: I worded thst wuestion very carefully: I said I was going to McLean. But I did not say I was going today. You made an incorrect assumption.

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  78. 9 pm here: Sorry Jim.....There is REAL interest in that visit......Good Luck.

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  79. Jim- Thanks for all you do!
    I have no doubt that the homophobic
    remarks are primarily coming from the kook aid drinkers at corporate.

    Good Luck at the meeting tomorrow and watch your back!! That building is full of people who will stoop to anything to further lining their pockets

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  80. Jim @ 9:36,

    So, your post from Sunday that Tara sent you a note telling you the offices were open at 9 a.m. Monday was what, just to play with your loyal readers?

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  81. Oh, and your post from Saturday telling Tara you planned to visit and asking what time offices opened Monday?

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  82. ClarkKentGannett@aol.com4/27/2009 10:49 PM

    Hortense, you go, girl!

    Jimmy, you go, boy!

    Looks like the Gannetters are in a tizzle.

    -- ClarkKentGannett@aol.ccom

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  83. Go get 'em, Jim! Speak for those of us who can't speak for ourselves.

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  85. Hortense, I think you and I need to get naked

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  87. the amazing thing about the Arizona Republic's circulation plunge is that the Republic's main competitor, the Pulitzer Prize winning East Valley Tribune went to four day a week publication in Jan (and three day a week last month). So the Republic should have picked a huge number of subscribers.

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  88. Anon@9:53: I don't know if "kook aid" was a typo or intentional, but it made me laugh.

    At the annual meeting, do they report the actual vote totals? Not that I expect any of the board's recommendations to lose, but I would be curious to know if the opposition has increased since last year. I certainly did my part.

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  89. Hortense von Beaverbottom4/28/2009 12:34 AM

    11:15 P.M. Get naked with you? I think not. You just stay naked and play with yourself as you've been doing all along! And remember, even if I were of the cheating persuasion, I would be looking for a meal and not a snack!

    H

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  91. Personal attacks grow the loudest when the attackers feel most threatened. Been there, lived that. It isn't pretty. And when it involves threats to your safety, it's even worse.

    The people doing that will have a major karma debt to settle, and if you don't believe in karma, you're not paying attention.

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Jim says: "Proceed with caution; this is a free-for-all comment zone. I try to correct or clarify incorrect information. But I can't catch everything. Please keep your posts focused on Gannett and media-related subjects. Note that I occasionally review comments in advance, to reject inappropriate ones. And I ignore hostile posters, and recommend you do, too."

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