I got this thing in the mail today. No, not exactly the mail, FedEx. I'll put the text up too but initially I think it speaks for itself.



I returned a phone call to the gazette on (here it comes now) Election Day!

Judy Patrick told me then that this was a problem. I couldn't see the problem because I clip from my copy and post the clippings in picture format.

Now I get this letter and do you see the three issues stated? THE PAY RAISE THAT THE MAYOR TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF TO GIVE TO HIMSELF.

This is Mayor Brian U Stratton. And I believe that he is behind this because I've been posting the gazette articles and providing a link to their website FOR YEARS! So I guess I'll just have to keep watching what he's doing.  

Does every mayor give themselves a pay raise in the budget? Hmmmm. How ironic is it that this one did just that.

Anyone remember this from the gazette back in June 2008. This is the same law firm that Blanchfield was partners with. Coincidence? I think NOT!

So now the democratic dictatorship is trying to shut down the only 'free press/speech' that the county has left(Sch'dy and Rotterdam message boards) and they will try to use the gazette to accomplish it. I don't see this as being a copyright issue at all. It looks politically motivated if ya ask me.

Quoted Text

He believed the status quo would remain when he decided to run as a Democrat in the 105th state Assembly District against Republican incumbent George Amedore Jr. He was wrong. Blanchfield said the law firm told him in May he either had to quit the race or resign his position. He resigned in June.

I'm sure mine will be in the mail soon.

And I agree with Pat. I have also been doing it for years.  (certainly  not as long as Pat has) And not only did the gazette know about these boards, they printed stories around and from it.

Justin Mason, who reports in our small towns, just emailed me in September requesting to do an article about the Rotterdam message board. And the Times Union did do an article on the Rotterdam message board back in 2006.

I don't understand the urgency now. Is it really a copyright issue?

I find it ironic that they're only asking for this one thread about Stratton's raise. You would think if they were seriously going to persue this, they'd want _all_ content down rather than single out one particular thread.

Do you feel it's particulary interesting after this post in your forum?

Quoted Text

I went to that meeting this morning to demand that I address the council and the little weasel first wants to know what about. I told him and didn't get a clear answer so I asked him again by posing it as a question.

"You mean to tell me Mark that you aren't going to let me address the council?"

And of course he comes back with - "we all know you have a political agenda Pat."

So of course I asked him again and he said yes. Thank God Kathleen heard this.

I spoke to the council three things. That it was illegal for the mayor to give himself a raise. That's what that Petition for a Permissive Referendum was all about. And that if they had no money in the budget to videotape the committees it was pretty sleazy, and that the mayors proposed budget SHOULD be released.

It certainly gives the appearances of being political.

JoAnn, I'd be interested if they target that one specifc thread on your forums also.

The issues of concern to me are the retention of articles on the Daily Gazette website and the ability of the Gazette Publisher and Editors to "rewrite" history by deleting or modifying the articles from the archives.

I have referenced the Schenectady and the Rotterdam forums to research past events pertaining to the Schenectady Metroplex, the actions of and decisions rendered by the Schenectady County Legislature (e.g., 2008 County Budget), etc.  The information that was published in articles that appeared in the Gazette and the Times Union has provided the basis for my opposition to certain issues.  I have, on occasion, attempted to access the articles on the Daily Gazette web site using the link provided in the post, only to find that they were no longer accessible.

The letter is, in my opinion, likely motivated by those presently in control of local government (perhaps Stratton, Blanchfield, Savage, etc.) who wish to silence the opposition.  It could be retribution for Pat's vocal opposition to the actions of the Schenectady City Council and to those of Mayor Brian Stratton.

Pat and JoAnn, I would suggest that you forward this information to the hosts of one or more of the nationally syndicated political radio or television talk shows.  Though I don't concur with every view that they espouse, I am certain that the likes of O'Reilly, Hannity, Limbaugh, Savage, and others would be interested in this assault on freedom of speech as they have all expressed concern about the imposition of the "Fairness" Doctrine.

I will be speaking to family members, friends, coworkers, and the owners of a few newstands with whom I have become friends to urge them to cancel their subscriptions and newspaper orders and to instead subscribe to the Albany Times Union.

I'm not as certain there is some great political conspiracy going on here as most of the Gang seems to be.  Pat Z. left a comment this morning at my website and I responded here  http://tinyurl.com/fkaGazetteCopyright/#comment-203435

The Gazette had to choose a few examples of infringement, and I’m not at all sure you can read anything into their choice — except, they chose articles of importance to the public that might have brought people to their site or caused them to buy a copy of the Gazette, if they weren’t able to read the entire article at her site or this site. Of course, Pat has long held political ideas at odds with Gazette positions that might have caused them to act against the community forums long ago, if politics were at the core of their crackdown.

Also, their editors were against Stratton’s salary increase, so I’m not at all sure why coverage of the issue at the forums would upset the Gazette. If Stratton had the clout to get them to crack down, why did he wait this long, and why couldn't he have stopped their editorial?

It should not be surprising that the Gazette used the HB Law Firm.  They probably have more first amendment and copyright experience than any other firm in this region.

Note: The desist letter does ask that they stop all infringement, not merely those three articles.  There is probably some business reason behind this copyright crackdown, or someone deciding they need to take a stance on principle.  

Brad, The Gazette sometimes changes their URL link to an article when it is updated (especially one that goes up during the day and then is in the next day's paper); there usually is a new URL for the article.  This is an annoying glitch their webmaster needs to work on, but I doubt they are rewriting their own newspaper to change history. [Try Googling words from the article to find it again at the new URL.] In addition, I think the talk show folks will be on the Gazette's side.  They do not want their own programs pirated either.  The Fairness Doctrine they protest about is the one that makes a radio or tv station put on opposing views when a politician gets airtime.  If they dislike the copyright Fair Use Doctrine, it would be because it allows people to use too much of their content, not because it limits how much you can use.  

They're looking to push 'the issue' to 'The Bench'.....for a ruling....as I'm sure all print media will be doing to recapture their market and $$
just like music/movie etc.........

this is a dog and pony show for the populace to pay attention too.....the gazette will get assist from some party legislator.....lets see who weighs in

and it will become "someone elses" decision.......this is after all THE WORLD WIDE WEB........yes, that's what I said---THE WORLD WIDE WEB......

If I have posted an e-mail someone sent to me on my own blog and it was a discussion about a newspaper article that was scanned in at the library
it is now on THE WORLD WIDE WEB.....ANYONE CAN SEE IT AND ACCESS IT....unless I lock my site and even then there are very very very smart folks
with time on their hands that can 'hack in'............

Its a profit issue not a copyright issue. Don't reference PG articles, don't link to their horrible website. The TU does not share their vision and welcomes website usage.

     The Gazetto is whistling past the graveyard. Mark is hurting from his landslide loss in both Counties, Mayor For Life (their term) is mad about not getting another unneeded pay raise, and the People's Gazetto is losing ads and subscribers daily. If you haven't called circulation to cancel yet do so immediately. Tell them Judy sent you.

The law firm is has a first amendment and media law staff, bigger than any other in the state perhaps, so I wouldn't be concerned with that, they also forced Mark Blanchfield to retire too (It wasn't his JOB it was SERVICE) so they are just hired help in this instance. I am really disgusted the Gazette would use lawyers to deal with the forum. I suspect that all free speech and open discussion will fall victim to the prevailing political winds in the future and we will all be shut up and shut down.

dodododododo -- u have entered another dimension, The Twilight Zone .... dododododododododod ...

and finally there are people with the guts to stand up to the right - wing bloggers and bullies that are paid for by the rich protestant repubs and the born agains down south there that are the racists and you people over here are the puppets shame on you. I am glad they are finally getting to get you t o pay or go to the jail for the hate you spread about the conservs and the police and the troops and the demos. The working people have had enough of the twisting truth and you all stepped into it all big time now

Quoted from 233

dodododododo -- u have entered another dimension, The Twilight Zone .... dododododododododod ...

Be careful NPR, I believe "The Twilight Zone" is copy written work.  I don't see a proper referencing in your post, crediting the creator of "The Twilight Zone" Rod Sterling.  dodododo...........

I would suggest that it's time for the Administrators of this site and the Schenectady forum to restrict access to only registered users.  The Administrators then have the option to deny access to those associated with the Daily Gazette or charging them for access.  Further, if the forum Administrators copyright the info that is posted to these sites, they can selectively prosecute the Daily Gazette reporters who obtain their leads and quotes from these sources.

Without access to these sites, the Daily Gazette reporters will not have their "finger on the pulse" of the county residents.  In such case, the publication will become even more irrelevant of a voice of/in the community than it is presently.

Any news tips re: stories in Schenectady County should be provided to the Times Union (Paul Nelson, Mike Goodwin, Marv Cermak), not the Gazette.  Editorials should be sent to the Spotlight Newspapers.

I believe that denying the Daily Gazette personnel access to this site, withholding leads, cancelling subscriptions,
and submitting Letters to the Editor to other publications will reduce the importance, the relevance, and eventually
the circulation of the DG.

Times Union

Paul Nelson: Phone:  (518 )454-5347
                  e-mail address:  pnelson@timesunion.com.

Mike Goodwin:  Phone:  (51454-5465
                      e-mail address:  mgoodwin@timesunion.com


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the reason why is that the other papaers are working for teh repubs and the gazete sticks up for the people and the right side over here