Looks Like we made the

I noticed that publisher was kind enough to print an excerpt from our forum in his paper. The piece was from page one of this thread. He likened us to the party-line telephone system of old.
Ironic, in a way, as he is the one that appeared to have hung up in the middle of a conversation he initiated. Don't be fooled by his seeming disinterest. He, like a nosy neighbor, is quite interested in what we say. Interested enough to check in on us from day to day. Picking up the reciever, and carefully cupping his hand over the mouthpiece lest we hear him breathing.



Yet, he was trying to portray us as insignificant gossippers. I find it interesting that he did print one important question about his (and his strong staffs') investigative abilities. He did not however post his answer to that question, here or there. I have to assume that there is no answer to that question that would shine a favorable light on him or his cronies.

Had we stroked his ego and told him what a wonderful rag he had, he might still be here - sharing a morning cup of joe.Link to said editorial.

I wonder what's the legal issues behind copy and pasting our converstations from a private forum into a news paper?

No kidding, and besides I'm sure we all enjoy a good cup of coffee just not with "sour" cream in it .

HDN again. Under the Opinion section Mr. Lowry has printed the whole conversation everyone had with him on the board.

cool, I'm sure it was nothing but good things since we were all so nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I didn't look very good before I posted this. I should have known J2 already posted something about it. He is such an early bird lol

what a hoot

lol,

Anyway, here is the link, justoo had orgionally posted this under the "Open invitation to Steinem2" thread.

(/puts on his flak jacket and takes cover cause the shit fixing to hit the fan)

HDN Editorial

firemanswife wrote:

Sorry, I didn't look very good before I posted this. I should have known J2 already posted something about it. He is such an early bird lol

it is cool, we will probably need a new thread for this one

They will do anything to sell a paper!

Yeah!!!!! Or you can just tell them to "Shut The (expletive deleted) Up"

At least they got class enuff to cover up "f ck"!

RomadBuff wrote:

I wonder what's the legal issues behind copy and pasting our converstations from a private forum into a news paper?

Not to mention writing his editorial in such a way that the people that participated in that conversation look less than.................Im not sure what the word would be.

*digs foxhole/dons helmet*

He is attempting to make us seem insignificant, that we are no more than a bunch of gossips. I consider it a compliment that the head of the local paper feels that we are such a threat to him that he needs to attempt to belittle us in such a way.

My grandmother had a party line and it was the most efficient way to get news out, you picked the phone and everyone on the line learned what was going on, fire, flood, tornado watch's, Mary Sue's having a baby etc, etc

I'll look into the legal issues, this is not a public forum, it is a private domain, NB and I own the rights to it and he published exerts from our site in his newspaper without asking permission.

I at least had the decency to ask if I could link his paper, oh well, guess he feels like I am beneath him.

I know who I am, and I can promise you one thing, while Mr. Lowry might think I'm insignificant, My service to my country speaks for itself

Moved everything to this thread

He appears to be an ass

What I find annoying are the references he makes that posters here dont use their real names when posters on his own board at the HDN dont either.

firemanswife wrote:

HDN again. Under the Opinion section Mr. Lowry has printed the whole conversation everyone had with him on the board.

He didn't do the whole conversation. I know I had some comments I had made that didn't appear in the editorial. Is that what they would call "freedom of the press"?
Just use what suits you.... now we need Paul Harvey to finish up with "The rest of the story"....

What gives? I had to register with a valid e-mail address to post and view on this forum. Why is he allowed to print for the whole world to see and read what is said on this board? I assume Admin. he received permission from you to copy and distribute those posts in the HDN?

plowboy wrote:

What gives? I had to register with a valid e-mail address to post and view on this forum. Why is he allowed to print for the whole world to see and read what is said on this board? I assume Admin. he received permission from you to copy and distribute those posts in the HDN?

He did not ask for permision.

luv2cook wrote:

What I find annoying are the references he makes that posters here dont use their real names when posters on his own board at the HDN dont either.

And occasionally, some of us use our real pictues as avatars. (No, I'm not Stevie Wonder, I'm the other one.) And while he may not know who everyone is, those who participated in the bake sale for Alana Rocha know each other, as well as those who attended the various get-togethers from the old site. Hell, there's even rumors that some people here are married.

So Patrick Lowry (not Lowery, as he so tactfully pointed out - one would have to assume that there's never a misspelling or typo in his newspaper) reads this forum. Other than his comment that reveals his true feelings about the subscribers and potential subscribers to his paper ("I was crushed. Well, not really."), who cares? The opinions that he expresses in his editorials are laughably predictable on almost every subject. His attempt at trivializing this forum could be an indication that he fears the opinions expressed on this forum about his newspaper are shared by many more members of the Hays community. At least he'd be right about that.

He did hurt us bad with that editorial. Five new members today. So far. Not even noon yet. Wait till church lets out. See if the numbers change again.

Thats great! Maybe enough new members and some might just decide to cancel their subscription to the HDN and get their "up to the date" information here.

A Guide to U.S. Newspapers

1. The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country.

2. The New York Times is read by people who think they run the country.

3. The Washington Post is read by people who think they should run the country.

4. USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country but don't really understand the Washington Post. They do, however like the smog statistics shown in pie charts.

5. The Los Angeles Times is read by people who wouldn't mind running the country, if they could spare the time, and if they didn't have to leave L.A. to do it.

6. The Boston Globe is read by people whose parents used to run the country.

7. The New York Daily News is read by people who aren't too sure who's running the country, and don't really care as long as they can get a seat on the train.

8. The New York Post is read by people who don't care who's running the country either, as long as they do something really scandalous, preferably while intoxicated.

9. The San Francisco Chronicle is read by people who aren't sure there is a country, or that anyone is running it; but whoever it is, they oppose all that they stand for. There are occasional exceptions if the leaders are handicapped minority, feministic atheist dwarfs, who also happen to be illegal aliens from ANY country or galaxy as long as they are Democrats.

10. The Miami Herald is read by people who are running another country, but need the baseball scores.

11. The Hays Daily News is read by people who are running from the truth.

I notice that he didn't post my reply after he answered my question about whether he, or others at HDN wanted the former site closed. Instead he skipped my reply and posted my joke about throwing unwanted papers in the neighbors yard.

This was his reply to my question.

publisher wrote:

To Ratzilla: Check with Michael at the old site. Neither the paper nor I had anything to do with its demise. No past issues are lingering; every request I made at that site was taken care of promptly. I have no answer as to why 67601.com shut down. But I'll gladly "calmly" discuss any topic anybody wants to throw my way.

And this was my reply he omitted. I musta sounded too nice in my reply.

Ratzilla wrote:

Thanks, but Michael has enough emails and calls coming in now. I don't wish to add to it. I was just curious if you or anyone you knew had any stake in things that took place on the old site, and if so I would gladly discuss the matter to try to alleviate any problems. Most of us here are basically pretty decent. I'll think on whether I have other questions.

You know there were alot of nice things posted in that old forum. Alot of talk of community service and helping others went on in there. I don't have any personal grudge against anyone at HDN or otherwise, but It's a real shame that only the negative things got noticed.

RomadBuff wrote:

plowboy wrote:

What gives? I had to register with a valid e-mail address to post and view on this forum. Why is he allowed to print for the whole world to see and read what is said on this board? I assume Admin. he received permission from you to copy and distribute those posts in the HDN?

He did not ask for permision.

Are you going to send him a 'cease and desist' letter?

SlumberGirl wrote:

RomadBuff wrote:

plowboy wrote:

What gives? I had to register with a valid e-mail address to post and view on this forum. Why is he allowed to print for the whole world to see and read what is said on this board? I assume Admin. he received permission from you to copy and distribute those posts in the HDN?

He did not ask for permision.

Are you going to send him a 'cease and desist' letter?

Looking into it, meanwhile, enjoy the free advertisement, we have gotten 8 new members since he ran this lol

There were hundreds of nice things done for others, and said about others thanks to the old forum, and that has been completely forgotten. Nobody wants to focus on all the positive things like fundraisers, good comments about local businesses, or offers to help others that happened thanks to that site. All we see are negatives.

And he wonders why no one in internet forums uses their real name. Mr Lowry, has it occurred to you that there's alot of crazy individuals in this world? How come about the only person I see using their real name on the HDN forum is one from the former 67601? Probably for the same reason I just stated.

I didn't get involved very much in the local political arguments like zoning and windfarm on the old forum, but I did notice that those who were there with opposing views to steinem, justoo, etc., were not using their real names either. And now some of those same "nameless" posters are on the new HDN forums. Like I say, I'm not really a part of the local government arguments, nor do I want to be. But the fact that both sides of the story are not always being heard is interesting to say the least.

I think Mr. Lowry did a very fine job of editing to prove his bias.

I really want to know why Mr Lowry has not mentioned that this site, and the old forum that they refer to as just a gossip site did, and still do promote things that benefit the community like fund raisers, volunteer projects, and a wide variety of school and social events. Not to mention all the advice on how to care for sick kids, deal with a family death and much more. I really want to know Mr. Lowry. Why don't you mention all the good things these forum users have done?

Pointing out the good someone does doesn't fit well into the picture he is trying to portray. In his mind there is one side of the story. Bias may well be his middle name.

Ratzilla wrote:

I really want to know why Mr Lowry has not mentioned that this site, and the old forum that they refer to as just a gossip site did, and still do promote things that benefit the community like fund raisers, volunteer projects, and a wide variety of school and social events. Not to mention all the advice on how to care for sick kids, deal with a family death and much more. I really want to know Mr. Lowry. Why don't you mention all the good things these forum users have done?

Possibly because that might portray this forum and the former in a good light, which would acknowledge competition for the paper as the only source for local news and public events?

I don't want to pick a fight with Lowry or anyone else, but after reading the HDN description of these sites as being like party line gossip forums without pointing out the use of these sites to promote good things for the community, I have to say I'm disappointed. I thought he came here to "fairly" discuss issues.

Ratzilla wrote:

I have to say I'm disappointed. I thought he came here to "fairly" discuss issues.

I believe that was his "claim", but not his "intent".

"Just wanted to share some of their thoughts with the rest of you. In the meantime, I'll be out protecting my buddies and littering. "-Pat Lowry

hey.....you just printed the truth......right there.... in the HDN! Congratulations!


By the way.....whoever you think I am, guess again....sorry I couldn't satiate your curiosity. I'm just another citizen of Ellis County. Everyone you talk to, at the grocery store, the woman at the playground with kids, the checker, your neighbors wife, the retired clerk, the college instructor........might be me. I'm no one special ...just an average citizen. Just pick someone.

I'm here because I have very little tolerance of the abuse of city and county government by a few elected and hired individuals.... and if you have a tendancy to run with those few, then we need a place to voice an opposing opinion. You've seen em....those bullys who take over a small town.....

I expressed that you can't have an objective view if your cronnies are running the city. The point of the paper is that it should position itself to investigate abuses of power. And if you align yourself with them, then your reporting is compromised. Not a big leap in logic there.

I support city or county workers and the rights of the citizens of Hays, often against your pals. You have the right to oppose my views....but really, Mr Lowry, you're showing your true colors now, when you use your paper as a vehicle to discredit the folks here. Kind of and insecure thing to do. Isn't this a half assed attempt to suppress free speech?

Yes there is gossip here. Folks can pick and choose what they read. It's had a history of getting out of hand but that's the internet for you. No one really knows how to deal with rogue posters yet.

Well congratulations.....you've supplied this forum with new readers. In your attempt to expose us as lunatics, you have opened yourself up on the credibilty issue. You fell on your own sword.

Justoo wrote:

et tu

and so it goes......

Once again, I am not going to assume Lowry has any connections to wrongdoings, nor am I going to accuse others of things I'm not sure of. I want no part of this fued. But from what I've been reading I am starting to think that HDN does not want anyone to think this site has a positive side at all.

Yes, Mr Lowry, you've gotten slammed by some posters here, and I can see why you might be annoyed. And I thought the complaints about the papers thrown in yards of non-subscribers got kinda silly after awhile. But it really isn't fair to just report the bad things. I think that only serves to intensify the issues. Please try to remember there's a good many posters both here and on the old site that never said anything bad about you. There really have been a ton of good things said and done because of these sites.

SlumberGirl wrote:

Are you going to send him a 'cease and desist' letter?

I was thinking the same thing.

Really...again, what was the point of his editorial? Looking for a little bit of sympathy? Slow news day? Couldn't think of anything else to say? Is he trying to solicit new memberships for this forum?

Oz wrote:

SlumberGirl wrote:

Are you going to send him a 'cease and desist' letter?

I was thinking the same thing.

Really...again, what was the point of his editorial? Looking for a little bit of sympathy? Slow news day? Couldn't think of anything else to say? Is he trying to solicit new memberships for this forum?

And ruin our free advertising?

He has made us relavent by treating us as though we were irrelavent. He has validated us by trying to make us seem insignificant.

Cease and Desist? Hell no, Keep up the good work Mr. LowEry

I only asked in jest. Mr Lowrey was famous for sending the former site owner a cease and desist letter if their paper was even quoted as saying something or linked to their site. I wonder how many letters he received in the past few years!? He just feels free to reprint "certain" comments in his newspaper to his favor. hhhmmmm It just kind of pisses me off. Rant off now.

SlumberGirl wrote:

I only asked in jest. Mr Lowrey was famous for sending the former site owner a cease and desist letter if their paper was even quoted as saying something or linked to their site. I wonder how many letters he received in the past few years!? He just feels free to reprint "certain" comments in his newspaper to his favor. hhhmmmm It just kind of pisses me off. Rant off now.

someone has a PM from publisher and an Email from the website admin giving me permision to link the HDN here. I did not say what I would link.

RomadBuff wrote:

Oz wrote:

SlumberGirl wrote:

Are you going to send him a 'cease and desist' letter?

I was thinking the same thing.

Really...again, what was the point of his editorial? Looking for a little bit of sympathy? Slow news day? Couldn't think of anything else to say? Is he trying to solicit new memberships for this forum?

And ruin our free advertising?

He has made us relavent by treating us as though we were irrelavent. He has validated us by trying to make us seem insignificant.

Cease and Desist? Hell no, Keep up the good work Mr. LowEry

And yes Mr Lowry, you can continue to deliver the "Extra", you are doing a great service to the community by supplying them with free toilet paper. Rock On!!!!

For what its worth, I am not here to praise or defame the Hays Daily News I have been a subscriber for over 20 years. Like anything it has its good points and its bad points.
If God himself came down here and posted to this site what wonderful people you were and what a horrible newspaper the Hays Daily was, at this point less than 150 people (registered users) would be able to read it. Anyone who picks up or borrows a copy of the paper or looks at their website can read that article and I would be willing to bet they have quite a bit of circulation around here. Good publicity or bad , the doors here a locked down to registered users only, a lot of people do not want to give out their email address just to read. I wonder how many people came here to see nothing but the front page. Hays Daily thew a little advertising this way , it looks to me like it was rejected.
If I really wanted to promote something I do not think the thing to do would be to make fun of the local paper and its editor. You could probably get more accomplished trying to work with the paper than trying to tear each other apart.

Roadstar wrote:

I do not think the thing to do would be to make fun of the local paper and its editor.

trust me...we're not making fun.

I find no humor in certain folks being in bed with energy and political thugs.

I agree with roadstar on one thing. I hated it when we started having to sign in just to read on the old forum and I don't think it looks good here. If I only wanted to read this forum I sure as hell would not give personal info out to do it. That's a personal pet peeve of mine with online newspapers. They tease you, but to see the whole thing you have to subscribe.

But on the other hand roadstar, nobody has to give their address, phone number, or real name here, and it costs nothing. But I fully agree that a first time visitor is going to wonder why the hell we need passwords to get in if looking is all you want to do.

Roadstar wrote:

Good publicity or bad , the doors here a locked down to registered users only, a lot of people do not want to give out their email address just to read. I wonder how many people came here to see nothing but the front page. Hays Daily thew a little advertising this way , it looks to me like it was rejected.

Ratzilla wrote:

I agree with roadstar on one thing. I hated it when we started having to sign in just to read on the old forum and I don't think it looks good here. If I only wanted to read this forum I sure as hell would not give personal info out to do it. That's a personal pet peeve of mine with online newspapers. They tease you, but to see the whole thing you have to subscribe.

But on the other hand roadstar, nobody has to give their address, phone number, or real name here, and it costs nothing. But I fully agree that a first time visitor is going to wonder why the hell we need passwords to get in if looking is all you want to do.

Yep, after giving it some thought, I am the one that origionally turned off Guests being able to read the forums, I have reversed that decision and opened the forums back up to everyone.

I count on you guys to keep us honest, poke us in the eye if we do something that seems out of line.

I fully understand why you turned off the read without registering, and at first I agreed with it. But I have always considered requiring registration just to read kind of like a private club instead of a public forum. Personally, I have never registered for a chatroom or message board that I couldn't read first, and that includes both this one, and the former 67601. And there's a good many boards that I've read that I would never join after reading them. I think it only fair to allow potential new members a preview before asking them to sign up.

register before posting is ok tho.

I think registering to post is pretty common among message boards now. Any serious board I have ever used required it.

It is. I know on alot of message boards that deal with movie and tv spoilers ( mine included ) they are closed off because people will come in and rip-off the spoilers, go post them on another board and then take credit for them.