http://nvidia99999.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] nvidia99999.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] davis_square2008-09-15 08:26 pm

Bob Trane suing The Somerville Journal

A friend e-mailed me this. It seems rather odd and childish. Bob Trane is suing the Somerville Journal over a cartoon? In my opinion, it does not send a good message about Trane, frankly. Comments?

Bob Trane suing The Somerville Journal

[identity profile] tt02144.livejournal.com 2008-09-16 01:24 pm (UTC)(link)
To repeat a comment from above, this is the type of 'mistake' which cannot be repaired. The Journal can offer an apology, or a refund, however, because of the timing, neither can really repair the possible damage. Regardless, it is an error that is inexcusable for a newspaper to make, I don't care how it happened. And it further erodes the credibility that the Somerville Journal should have, but doesn't.
It is funny, though, that many comments are referring to the fact that Trane seems a little paranoid because he thinks it was done on purpose. It gives me pause, because when Sciortino lost his nomination papers he just about outright stated that Trane, or someone working on his behalf, had stolen them. Paranoid??? I think that some of the statments made at that time by Sciortino constituted slander, and Trane may have had a case, but did not pursue it. Perhaps an underlying reason for his alleged 'thin skin'?

[identity profile] somertricky.livejournal.com 2008-09-16 01:49 pm (UTC)(link)
But it sounds like Trane's beef is with the parent company, and not the Journal though (at least on the advertising issue).

As far as paranoia? I think trying to combine the missing advertisement with a political cartoon into a Grand Unified Theory that people are out to get you, yeah, that qualifies.

If you don't think so, perhaps you'll validate my Grand Unified Theory that says that missing papers from Carl's office, plus a $300 contribution to Trane from a mail clerk in the State House equals, well, you do the math.

[personal profile] ron_newman 2008-09-16 04:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't think the Somerville Journal exists as an independent company, so if you're "suing the Journal", you're really suing Community Newspaper Company aka GateHouse Media.

[identity profile] wallacestreet.livejournal.com 2008-09-16 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Legally, of course, that's correct. But in terms of whom Trane's beef is with, there are two different targets. The problem with the ad is almost certainly due to the ad or production staff in Framingham or Needham or wherever they are. The cartoon, or at least the decision to run it, is a product of the editorial staff in Somerville. I hope that they don't talk to each other too much.

[identity profile] marylu.livejournal.com 2008-09-16 02:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"when Sciortino lost his nomination papers he just about outright stated that Trane, or someone working on his behalf, had stolen them"

I would really like to see the statements you're talking about. I have searched and not found any quote from Sciortino attributing the theft to anyone.

That's why the cartoon is funny, in my opinion. Some people obviously think that Trane had something to do with it, but I have never heard anyone say it - least of all Sciortino.
Edited 2008-09-16 14:48 (UTC)

[identity profile] chaiya.livejournal.com 2008-09-16 03:02 pm (UTC)(link)
I've never seen anyone from Sciortino's campaign, much less Sciortino himself, suggest that the missing papers were due to Trane. If anything, I've seen Carl Sciortino step up to the plate and say he should have kept better track of them, and he'll never make this mistake again. The truth is that we can't know what happened to the paperwork, and Sciortino has never said anything else. For all we know, the night cleaning staff could have put them in the recycling by mistake.

[identity profile] icecreamempress.livejournal.com 2008-09-17 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
The Journal can offer an apology, or a refund, however, because of the timing, neither can really repair the possible damage

So how would suing help?

Seriously, how would it help?