Perhaps it is a glitch in the system...
or perhaps Old Fred decided to call it quits(?)...
But my guess is that threats have again surfaced towards Old Fred (whichever one is (was?) running The Peabody Patriot most recently) and he has turned out the lights and gone into hiding.
Recently, his blog told about a RUMOR from City Hall that would involve some Major Players and that would be sure to please many of his readers.
That rumor was eventually discussed in the Salem News... and was quickly followed by the resignation of Director of Public Services, Richard Carnevale. The Mayor says that the two incidents are not linked and that Carnevale had been discussing a move back into the military for some time.
(Note: The Salem News has 'updated' the original story to include the resignation. It was NOT like that in the printed version I received on that day. HERE is the original as published.)
Perhaps. Perhaps not.
If I needed to guess, I would say that the comments posted by readers was probably what got Old Fred into a situation where he was being threatened... probably from people who were threatening legal actions rather than physical violence, but you never know.
Trust me... I have had both types of threats... as well as the constant one of "I will tell everyone who you really are!" that NEVER has actually happened, by the way. Blogging is not for the faint of heart.
I will actually NOT miss the Peabody Patriot of the past few months. It had turned into simply a place for people to scream and yell and blather on about how unfair the whole world is to them and EVERYONE in public service is terrible and should be arrested or worse. No discussion. No thoughtful commentary. No facts EVER to back up outrageous accusations.
That is... with a few selected persons who have a long track record of intelligently argued and well stated opinions... and who were willing to DISCUSS the issues in an open manner... even respecting those who might disagree with them.
Now... I DO MISS the Peabody Patriot of 5-6 months back. Things were lively and interesting and people were expressing viewpoints and were willing to have some give-and-take... even modifying their positions based on solid evidence and good information. I would like to think that I also learned quite a bit from others and many of my original ideas have been widened or even changed due to some other insightful readers.
I am making this post for two reasons: 1) I want to have a place where people can discuss the current situation concerning the loss of the Patriot and 2) I wanted to say good-bye in a public way (if indeed it really is gone for good.)
Peabody Fire Fighter James Rice Dies in House Fire. Fund for Rice family
and displaced residents established.
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*Veteran Peabody fire fighter James Rice died tragically when he was
overcome by toxic fumes fighting a house fire on Hancock Street Friday. I
join my fe...
22 comments:
I agree that the Patriot had become a place for angry people with a rabid desire to tear into anything and anyone.
Are you planning to continue on the discussion process?
Also, a past journalist, will continue on with informing the public about things going on in Peabody?
While I don't agree with a lot that the Patriot did, I do know that Peabody is known for keeping secrets...not just from the news, but from its people. And while I no longer care about the news, I am a Peabody citizen, and I do care about this city.
Whith questionable changes made and actions done, I do think the public needs to be kept informed of things that can affect us.
Unfortunately, I feel like city hall is full of liars, and I don't trust any of them.
My little spot in the blog world was never meant as a primary place for people to "talk Peabody." Not because such a place isn't important... it IS important.
I simply do not have the time needed to do a fair (or even reasonable) job with such an endeavor. Running a website, especially one like this which requires attention at least 3-5 times a day, is an HUGE undertaking.
That is one of the reasons we have had so many folks come and go in this role. It could very easily consume all your waking hours... and that can't be me I'm afraid.
However... I am not going anywhere. And I will be happy to let people post here. I could occasionally make new posts on subjects of interest to Peabody folks... but then again, the Salem News and the Lynn Item have a comments area after each story and I have been seeing the same things posted on the news sites as on Fred's blog. So, perhaps, there is no need for a 'current events' blog at the moment.
What bothers me the most is that (and I am guessing here) Fred succumbed to pressure from others to close his site. Unless someone reported the site to blogger as being in violation of the TOS? So maybe the site was simply stopped out from under him?
It would be good to here the story from Old Fred himself.
I just read through the blogger TOS (terms of service) and Content Restriction agreement and I DO NOT see how the postings at Old Fred's were in violation.
Terms of Service
Content Restrictions
Now, someone could have "flagged" the site and blogger then decided to "close" it to limit their liability... and they might (or might not) let it reopen if there is no violation. But that still doesn't seem like the real story.
I am still betting that someone threatened Old Fred with something and he closed up the shop.
Hey Fred sorry to see you go man but understand. As much as the site had changed over the past couple of months you always kept it fresh. You will be missed my friend. This time staying gone might be the way to go. At least until next Sept.
FOF:
Do you have any info on this you can share? Do you know what happened?
I do not have anything. I am as surprised as anyone else. I am sure the heat was turned up when all this started. He broke this story so I am sure the haters came out in force. Whatever he decides to do is fine with me. I am greatful for what he gave us over this past year.
PI Bury this and talk about the election. Fred is gone why do we need a big drawn out good bye. See ya Fred now lets get back regular programming.
Tomorrow could be a very busy day on the Inside.
OG says...
like a bad penny OG keeps turning up!! welcome to the fray PI---OG and you are alive and well!! Lots to discuss these days...let's keep it going...
Freds email bounces back so he looks to be gone for good. Or until he gets pissed off enough.
Fredster, if you read this please contact me
Fredster,
contact me.
minuteman
I got the same Minuteman... returned email.
If you have any news to share concerning this... I am sure many would be eager to hear it.
I can only say Fred was correct.
There is much more to it than the papers printed. They don't know, except for what is given to them.
I'm sorry I can't say anymore at this time.
minuteman
I was actually referring to Fred's status, not the issue at hand.
But I appreciate your comments and I to hope Old Fred is well.
Fred if you are no longer blogging then attach the Patriot domain to Inside Peabody so peaple will find it.
5 People asked me today at the school what happened. I have told them all to google inside peabody.
Fred ran away and the mayor won. BaaaaaHAAAAAhaaa.
The Mayor Won???????????????????
Please explain, Freds gone but so is DC. What is still around is an investigation that I am sure will drag out the scum at city hall.
The mayor won because he no longer has to deal with the Patriot. I just feel sad about that. Did U see what was posted? That's why Fred shut it down. Fake posters sent by the mayor and his goons wrote scary comments about having Fred arrested. I just think it's a shame that they were able to chase Fred away that easily.
I'm sorry, but I lost a little respect for the guy. If this is all it takes then maybe he wasn't a very good champion of the people to begin with. That's what I mean by the "mayor won." When it comes to keeping people quiet, the mayor won by shutting down Peabody Patriot.
I mean, how can people get the truth out there now? The Salem News is in his pocket. So is Peabody access television.
There's no longer a place regular people can go to put the truth out there.
Am I right or am I right? The MAN has won.
OG says...
Old Fred may be on the sidelines right now but OG goes on and on and on...whether we go back to the PCBG days or up to the present Peabody Patriot OG has been there and commented freely in a civil, sometimes critical, sometimes not critical but always consistent way...it will always be rare that we agree on every issue but every issue can and should be discussed in a civil manner. Despite the cloak of anonymity you won't find OG posting things on here that are childish, threatening or just plain rude....but you know what...nice guys like me don't get elected...nice guys like me don't make waves or enemies....nice guys like me just raise valid points and offer opinions based on fact and not rumor or hearsay...you need more OG's on here and less of the other crap you get...OG has criticized the Emperor and Mayor Mike but not all of the time...that is the difference between me and others on here...I can take a step back from the hatred and the vitriol and decide what is right or good and some of you cannot or choose not to do so...in the end there will be no progress unless we work together...more of you need to get off the couch and show your face at a meeting, write a letter to your editor and let the elected officials know that you are watching them and as importantly that you are informed with facts and not armed with hearsay. Rest in peace Old Fred if you are indeed gone...OG will find the light at the edge of the forest and continue to chat with whoever wants to listen.
I posted this in a different thread... but perhaps it works better here...
=======================
Folks...
A few points.
1) It is an amazing amount of work to run a blog... at least one worth reading and commenting at. Add to this Old Fred's self appointed task of 'undercover' research and it is more like a non-paying full-time job. Few, if anyone, has both the time and resources for such an endeavor.
I have locked heads with many of OFs posts and tactics, and I have called him on those points. I also applauded him when he deserved it... and even defended him when he was attacked unjustly (or childishly).
2) I can only imagine that OF was threatened with either exposure or a lawsuit or both. Again, few , if any of us, would be willing to let that happen to us either.
Remember, EVERYONE here is ANONYMOUS... until the police department feels like investigating and then they can easily find out who you are. It is that simple. In fact, this Boston Globe article (and the comments) seem to indicate it is actually not so difficult for ANYONE to do it.
So... simply understand this.
3) I am pretty mystified at this point as to WHAT actually happened at the DPW that is supposed to (according to the many who claim to know) end up with Mr. Carnevale, Mayor Bonfanti and Chief Champagne all in jail.
So far what I have read and understand...
Fred says that some scrap metal was stolen from City stores and sold illegally.
Next we read a rumor is going to be investigated.
Then we read Carnevale has resigned to pursue his military career.
Then a big dust-up because he was driven home - I still don't understand the point of that... I mean if he resigned on the spot then he would need to turn over his car... thus would need a ride home? Is that the big brou-haha?
And now... nothing new.
So, if you all know, what is the reason everyone is going to jail???
4) And finally...
I do not think Fred is a coward or a jerk... or a hero either. He is someone who liked to rattle the cages of his 'nut-house' called Peabody... especially when it might get the goat of an elected official... not my style, but his postings did allow many others to express their opinions... and that was not so bad.
military career, family situation, both in print. Which one is it, not that I give a hoot cept to say, will there be another? Enough weaving and dodging.
So, you say that Fred was right "minuteman"?? Who says??
Why does it seem as though Fred was sent out on a limb on this one?
You all claim to want to come to his rescue now that he's gone...
The "Peabody Patriot" will soon be back, as soon as some credible dirt/residuals reveal themselves!
There are 4 people with the passwords, just wait!
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