The Skunks Skunked
You know your blog is a success when politicians sue you.
A website called “The Foothill Cities Blog,” which covers politics and other important matters for Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Arcadia, and other towns in the San Gabriels, really annoyed Pomona city officials. The site features thoughtful, provocative posts by two savvy bloggers who write under the names Publius and Centinel. And some of their reportings and speculations (yes, it’s easy to tell them apart) kicked up quite a bit of interest.
First, Pomona city officials merely bad-mouthed the bloggers. Then they got Arnold Alvarez-Glassman, the city’s attorney, to send the bloggers a threatening cease-and-desist letter.
The bloggers took down the offending blog entries. But then they hired a free speech lawyer. Smart move.
What followed? A lot of support. From other bloggers, local and national. From newspapers. From everyday citizens.
And, once again, a few local pols come out smelling like a conclave of frightened skunks.
Sometimes I wonder about what it is that so easily turns normal people into unreasoning bullies. I guess it’s political power. But still, how much power can there be in Pomona?
Yes, a few local politicians set their lawyer on some bloggers. But the bloggers defended themselves, and this attempt to suppress political opinion will go no further.
I like our nation’s laws so much better than our nation’s politicians.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
