The City of Troy, New York, "Where Henry Hudson Turned Around."

Saturday, September 19, 2015

SIDE BAR

We recently received a comment about a candidate. We won't name the candidate (Jim Gordon). That comment arguably went 'too far.' It was funny, but we chose not to publish the comment. Later, that same person admitted they went too far and understood why we chose not to publish said comment.

We'd like to thank him/her for the admission that there are lines that one should not cross. It showed a maturity that is not always found on comment threads.

Our policy of not posting potentially defamatory statements is designed to protect the person making the comment as well as ensuring this publication doesn't devolve into nothing more than a juvenile pissing contest. Juvenile pissing contests are fine but we would like substance as well.

Unfortunately, we've had to block otherwise worthy comments due to one word or sentence that we believe steps over the line. We acknowledge that the line is not always clear. Lets see if we can come up with a few rules:

1) Racial, religious, ethnic, sexual preference slurs - out (once again, Belgians and United Methodists excepted);

2) Stay away from candidates spouses, children etc. unless they have joined the fray, which means more than being by the spouse's side;

3) Rumors of any the candidate's (all 73 of them) marital problems, infidelities or out-of-wedlock children, drug use, participation in Dungeons and Dragons games, Zamfir CD collection... won't be published. Now, if they are funny, clever, subtle and not directed to a specific candidate, we'll think about it. We're only human;

4) Obviously, allegations of political machine corruption, dirty tricks etc. are fair game. As is a candidate's temperament for the job.

5) We reserve the right to be arbitrary and capricious.

6) Comments about the Tutunjian Administration are now (wink, wink) strictly prohibited (wink, wink) and any such commentators will be blocked (wink, wink) from posting anything (nudge, nudge) so don't even try it! We dare you!

The white elephant in the room, or in the post, is the infamous 911 call made from a certain house, to a certain Police Department. What appeared in the press is fair game. The spouse of a candidate felt the need to utilize city resources to intervene in a domestic dispute. That is all we know. It's fair to comment but going beyond what is reported would be mere speculation and at this juncture unfair to all involved. We do think it would be good to clear the air and reassure voters. To that end, perhaps the participants involved in the police visit could consent to the release of the 911 tape. Voters can see that the events reported in the press match the actual events recorded and we can put this all to rest. That benefits not only the Gordon campaign but all the campaigns. We don't know why the Gordon camp wouldn't want to take that step.

56 comments:

Anonymous said...

911 call? What 911 call?

Unknown said...

Genious :-)

Phana24JG said...

I hope derogatory comments about the #24 car are not allowed.

Anonymous said...

Maybe the Gordon camp doesn't want to take that step because the 911 call is too incriminating.

Anonymous said...

What about Madden violating the Hatch Act? Shouldn't resign?

Anonymous said...

You need to educate yourself regarding the hatch act. Ms top taking the word of a moron.

Anonymous said...

Clearly you aren't familiar with the Hatch Act. Try again.

Anonymous said...

Uh, YA THINK!!!????

Bob Loblaw Esq. said...

The Hatch Act covers Federal employees and state and local employees in positions that are funded by federal monies. TRIP is not a government agency and Madden is not a public employee.

Nice try though.

Anonymous said...

Bob Loblaw Esq, don't want to argue but your next job will be representing the dem. city council. The majority of TRIP funding comes from the federal government. The Act is clear if any or even partial federal funds are used to subsidize the programs and salaries that would violate the Hatch Act.
Johnny Cochran Esq.

Anonymous said...

Concerning the violence, all the activists and elected officials in this city are constantly telling us these poor young men need help. Where are their parents? No guidance or father figures? And if they're lucky to have fathers around they're drugged out scam artists? We need a leader in troy and that is Rodney.

Anonymous said...

I thought th Hatch act is why Robert Cox makes anti-Jewish threats and fall threw a Hatch never to be on Facebook again.

Anonymous said...

Lol. Wrong

Anonymous said...

Rodney wants to hug them all and sing kumbaya. Remember hes running with cop hater Anastasia and the rest of the anti-police crew. Don't forget Kokepellis! Vote for Rodney if you want the criminals to win.

Rob LaFlamm Esq. said...

Bob is correct. The Hatch Act applies to public employees: Federal employees or state or local employees in positions funded by federal money. It does not apply to the private sector. It is very clear. Madden is not a public employee.

Can't be clearer, unless you don't like facts. Even Spargo knows this.

Anonymous said...

Imagine what the GOP slime machine would do if a Dem candidate wife called 911 in a domestic incedent. But when the shoe's on the other foot it's suddenly no big deal? No hypocrite like a Republican hypocrite. Crist and the Troy GOP get scummier every year and the voters know it.

Anonymous said...

Last I checked Mayor Gordon still lives with his wife and is raising a child both emotionally and financially.

Anonymous said...

Hallelujah

Anonymous said...

I seem to remember a democratic council member had a dust up with his wife. He also head butted a troy resident. Rodgers that. But his brother is a good boy.

Anonymous said...

He only head butted Wayne Foy. That does not count.

Anonymous said...

Ha ha. Just ask his Co workers

Anonymous said...

Oh, like good dad's do?? Let's see if they stay together after Gordon loses, rumour has it, no way

Helen Vaughn said...

Glad the Polloi has returned. I used to read you when I was at Sage. Terrific local political commentary.

Ron Burgandy said...

Way to stay classy Polloi. You are so much smarter and funnier than all the Twitter crap flying around. With all the shenanigans in the Troy political scene we knew you couldn't stay away!

Lucille Bluth said...

Thanks for clearing that up Bob.

Phana24JG said...

Weren't there some changes to the Hatch Act a while ago that relaxed some of the older restrictions? Memory is kind of hazy, but I recall that a while back, the rules and regs were more onerous.

Buster said...

I don't know how to post a comment.

Rob LaFlamm Esq. said...

The Hatch Act has been amended a few times since the 1930's. You are correct, the rules are not quite as tight anymore but the main point is, it applies, if at all, to public employees. That is the key factor. If you don't collect a paycheck from the Federal govt, or a state or local govt, it does not apply.

Rod the Clod said...

Democratus: Me thinks it time for a Sunday post. Comments here are getting stale & increasingly lame... plus nobody's talking about the really important stuff, namely ME! The only real WTF party candidate.

Bat Shea said...

Defamation Per Se

Bat Shea said...

Leader who has skipped two budget votes and exacerbated racial tensions for political gain. Vote for Rodney if you want Jim Gordon as your next Mayor.

Anonymous said...

Nobody wants Jim Gordon as the next mayor. Not even the Republicans.

Anonymous said...

Hey Kenny Z.,

I see you "liking" Coop's support of Rodney, but where are you guys in his dislike of same sex marriage?

Anonymous said...

Jim Gordon is the worst mayoral candidate imaginable. He screwed up Lansingburgh and now he wants to take his incompetence city wide.

Unknown said...

Just because you support Rodney doesn't mean.You support the cop hating race baited Anastasia

Anonymous said...

No dumbass. the point is that RODNEY supports the cop hating race baiter Anastasia. Which says nothing good about him.

Rodney's Ego said...

I am the World.

Anonymous said...

Separate issues, they respect each other's stances. Do they have to share the same view on all controversial issues? Abortion for instance. Stop trying to stir up trouble, stop trolling this blog and the TROY NY page and just enjoy them. They are the two funniest reads in town.

Anonymous said...

Rodney supports her, though. Explain that please.

Unknown said...

Blow me!

HTut said...

Talk about me! Please! I'm still here!

Dr. Lovejoy said...

I leave for a few hours and all hell broke loose.

Anonymous said...

you like that so no dirt can be brought up about you!!

Larry Johnson said...

The Dems as Slave Traders was the best I heard in a long time !~~!

Anonymous said...

8:03, how old are you?? 12?? You sound like a tattle tale, and tattle tails get spit on! Oh, wait, you already got spat on

Anonymous said...

you may not be asking for votes but your track record speaks volumes. People in glass houses should not throw stones!

Anonymous said...

Harrys not running for anything but you seem to run your mouth there, when in reality your no better.

Unknown said...

I throw big stones, that what I do, throw every rock you got at me, why would I care, I am what I am unlike you phoney blowhards. I'm human, far from perfect, But i don't NEED votes like politicians do so why would my personal issues concern anyone, those who know me, know me. I've been the same person my entire life, unlike you phoney pukes. Blow me!!

Anonymous said...

why does Harrys personal issues concern you then?

Anonymous said...

when you have nothing intelligent to say you resort to rude and ignorant comments.

Unknown said...

Oh, " dumbass" is mature and intelligent ? Blow me!

Unknown said...

I don't know ONE personal issue about Harry, NOT ONE!! And don't care to. I know what he did PROFESSIONALLY, and he's a scumbag for how he treated people, some of them friends of mine. If you treat people like dirt and run my hometown like Hitler, then you deserve every word of criticism you get!

Anonymous said...

If Harry went away and stopped posting his pathetic rants, no one would even talk about him. Just go away and stop the pathetic tattle tale rants, they are starting to sound like Mr. Coxs rants

Anonymous said...

harrys personal issues...like his tax issue you kept posting last time i checked that personal.

Anonymous said...

Harry's a public servant since he and his wife took those tit jobs that Jimino created for them. So yes, the fact that they didn't pay their taxes and had a lien filed against them is relevant. Grow up. If Harry wants to be left alone, he should get off his fat ass and get a job in the private sector. But then he couldn't whine and piss and moan and post anonymous comments in blogs all day. So we know that won't happen.

Anonymous said...

A former mayor who doesn't think he needs to pay his taxes? Personal or professional? That's a tough call. But it did make all the papers so it's common knowledge. I'd say it's professional, but I could be wrong. But you know what, if Harry paid his taxes like non criminals do, this wouldn't be an issue.