Archive for Saturday, September 8, 2007
Mayor admits risque e-mail
September 8, 2007
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Tonganoxie mayor Mike Vestal
Tonganoxie mayor apologizes for e-mail
The mayor of Tonganoxie apologizes today after admitting to sending a pornographic e-mail from his computer. Enlarge video
Tonganoxie Mayor Mike Vestal
Tonganoxie — Tonganoxie Mayor Mike Vestal admitted Friday to sending an e-mail containing the picture of a naked woman and a racist joke to several individuals. He offered to resign his position as mayor, if that is what residents wish.
"Oh my God, oh my God. You've got to be kidding me. Oh, Lord have mercy," Vestal said this afternoon when a Journal-World reporter showed him a copy of the e-mail that was sent from his account.
The e-mail opened with the words, "Next Monday is National Female Breast Appreciation Day." It then showed a picture of a woman and her naked breasts. Underneath the picture were the words, "Beats the (expletive) out of Martin Luther King Day! Doesn't It?"
Vestal admitted to sending the e-mail Aug. 31 from his account to a "couple of guys." He inadvertently sent it to a 6News reporter, and that is how the Journal-World obtained the e-mail.
Vestal apologized to Tonganoxie residents for any embarrassment, and said the e-mail's content did not represent his beliefs.
"This is something I don't usually do," said Vestal, although he stopped short of saying this was the first time he had ever forwarded such an e-mail message. "I should have just deleted it.
"I apologize. I hope people will forgive me. I'm proud of what I do for the city. I don't know how I'm going to make it up to the people. It will never happen again.
"If the citizens want me to resign, I will resign. It was a bad error in judgment."
Tonganoxie Councilman Jim Truesdell said Friday that he was shocked by the e-mail.
"That's obviously wrong," Truesdell said of the e-mail's content. "But it is even worse that it mocks Martin Luther King Day and women. It is obviously distasteful."
Vestal, who was elected in April, works for an answering service that is owned by his wife. The service also has a contract with the city of Tonganoxie to function as the dispatch service for the Tonganoxie Police Department. Vestal sent the e-mail from a computer that he owns, and from an e-mail account that he pays for, he said. But it is the e-mail account that is listed as his official point of contact as the city's mayor.
Tonganoxie city employees are required to sign an agreement that prohibits employees to "knowingly communicate, download, or forward anything that might be construed as harassing, hostile or offensive based on ethnicity, race, sex, disability, age, religion or national origin."
Vestal said he never had seen the agreement before, and it was unclear whether he is subject to the agreement as either the city's mayor or an employee of a contractor that does business with the city.
Vestal said he did not know how many people he sent the e-mail to. The e-mail obtained by the Journal-World did not list the addresses of the recipients, but used a function that hid the addresses from view. Vestal also declined to say who sent him the e-mail, although he said that person was not involved in city government.
Truesdell said the community now would have to decide whether to stand behind its mayor. Truesdell said he was inclined to support Vestal, whom he called a good leader that treated council members fairly.
"I would hate to see him resign or be removed from office. I think he has done a lot of good for the community," Truesdell said. "But it probably will be up to the people. I could see a lot of people objecting on a lot of different fronts to having someone like that in office.
"But I really don't think that is Mike Vestal. I don't think that is who he is."
Councilman Tom Putthoff declined to comment on the e-mail until he had a chance to discuss it with Vestal. Attempts to reach other council members were unsuccessful.
7 September 2007
at 6:05 p.m.
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msshaden (Anonymous) says…
Wow. All I have to say is if you don't want the media to find you out, don't participate in this type of behavior.
7 September 2007
at 6:11 p.m.
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brainfreeze (Anonymous) says…
it's really been too long since something this awesome has happened.
way to go small town kansas
7 September 2007
at 6:14 p.m.
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Ragingbear (Anonymous) says…
Hmm. How do I get on this mailing list?
7 September 2007
at 6:33 p.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
I am sorry and I am sure many will be offended but it made me laugh and I am a woman. The story not the email don't even know vestal from vestual so there you go, sometimes people you just have to laugh and not be so pc.
7 September 2007
at 6:33 p.m.
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FormerCentralKansan (Anonymous) says…
This is almost as good as if he had been caught on Dateline's To Catch A Predator. Not quite…but almost….
7 September 2007
at 6:35 p.m.
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waydownsouth (Anonymous) says…
People send emails like that to friends all the time. He made a misstake and sent it to the wrong person. Oops. Its going to blow way out of hand.
7 September 2007
at 6:41 p.m.
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geekin_topekan (Anonymous) says…
“Oh my god, oh my god. You've got to be kidding me. Oh, Lord have mercy,”
“If the citizens want me to resign, I will resign.”
____________
Why to step up there Mayor.
Being Mayor and all can't you declare this day a local holiday?Maybe instead of pawning this off on your citizens you could accept this for what it is.Resign or go to work in the AM with your head held high.But don't set it on someone else's lap for crying out loud.
Now pull up your boot straps and show me what you're made of.
7 September 2007
at 6:50 p.m.
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50YearResident (Anonymous) says…
All of us at one time or another have sent this type of Email to our friends and relatives. If we can't laugh at these jokes then there is a problem of being to politically correct. Each one of us needs to search our own past transgressions. What is the old saying, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. There is another old saying which I can't recall at the moment which is more appropriate but I will need help to post, so some of you readers can fill in for me.
7 September 2007
at 6:56 p.m.
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50YearResident (Anonymous) says…
Tonganoxie mayor admits sending pornographic e-mail.
What is pornographic about a picture of a woman's breasts?
Lighten up folks and join the 20th century. We see more than this on public Television.
7 September 2007
at 7:01 p.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Do any of you realise how far we have carried Political Correctness?
The same people who are decrying this silly email will laugh their a++es off while watching any number of comidians and comidiennes who say far worse things.
This is ridiculous and a story created by the LJW for its own benefit.
Shame on the LJW.
7 September 2007
at 7:13 p.m.
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Sigmund (Anonymous) says…
This is absolutely a disaster. I missed National Breast Appreciation Day again this year and I was scheduled to be a judge at the annual Jugg Jiggling Jamboree and Wet T Shirt Contest.
7 September 2007
at 7:14 p.m.
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jumpin_catfish (Anonymous) says…
no news here folks return to your homes
7 September 2007
at 7:21 p.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
I am so sorry sigmund maybe next year:)
thanks for the laughs
7 September 2007
at 7:30 p.m.
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kansasdaughter (Anonymous) says…
At least it was breasts!
7 September 2007
at 7:38 p.m.
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waydownsouth (Anonymous) says…
Sigmund next time mark your calender. And please let LJW know so this event will not be over looked in the future.
7 September 2007
at 7:48 p.m.
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zettapixel (Anonymous) says…
A woman's body is a beautiful thing! It should always be National Female Breast Appreciation Day! For more homage to NFBAD visit my photography website (the link is in my LJWorld profile.)
7 September 2007
at 8:03 p.m.
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redmorgan (Anonymous) says…
Now this is worth posting a comment over! Hey, I'm female, and I thought it was funny! Mayor of Tonganoxie, please don't resign! You're human…we've all sent emails like this! LJW reporters-find something of significance to report about…you must be really hard up to “catch” a mayor of some dinky town sending (gasp) a funny email. And it does beat the %#&$* out MLK Day! Hey, it could be worse…he could be out prowling airport bathrooms looking for sex…
Oh, and thanks for the laugh, Sigmund-you are funny!
7 September 2007
at 8:04 p.m.
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redmorgan (Anonymous) says…
Oh, yeah, and party at my house if anyone needs a beer!
7 September 2007
at 8:08 p.m.
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matahari (Anonymous) says…
I think Tongie has a reputation that goes back years and years of being 'racist' So perhaps the town is still a bit sensitive about their past mistakes. (This statement comes from stories that some of my black friends have related to me about their being bullied as kids growing up there etc. So I've no proof thats' true)
The joke made me laugh also!
I think it's great he's doing the right thing and showing some remorse, but if he was NOT a public figure I'd say he has right to privacy, but we all know that's basically a given (up) when you become a politician.
7 September 2007
at 8:14 p.m.
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touringdriver (Anonymous) says…
holy cow not a picture of boobys! oh my gosh we better stone him. this is the real world get over it and get on. i wonder what sinful things our president has done and still does. who gives a crap. if he's good at what he does ( mayor) than let him be mayor. or we could lock him up for 82 minutes and call it even. wounder what kind of borring life the complainer lives.
7 September 2007
at 8:29 p.m.
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waydownsouth (Anonymous) says…
Sigmund a judge and party at redmorgans. Gosh darn it entertainment for Friday. Guess i don't have to sit outside Last Call for “gladiator school 101”
7 September 2007
at 8:30 p.m.
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Lynn731 (Anonymous) says…
It beats the hell out of about any holiday I can think of. Thank you, Lynn
7 September 2007
at 8:32 p.m.
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riverrat2 (Anonymous) says…
The mayor must have a Sunflower.com account.
7 September 2007
at 8:32 p.m.
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somebodynew (Anonymous) says…
I am just sorry that I am not on his mailing list. I would have laughed and then went on with the day (as should everyone)l.
Nice to step up and take the blame, but not a reason to resign. I like people who don't try to blame others/society for what they do, but this is just BS to make that big an issue of. I think this kind of thing happens a lot.
If you are offended by this type of email, then complain to him and get off his mailing list. Don't make a good mayor resign. (OK now I am out there - I am NOT pc)
7 September 2007
at 8:34 p.m.
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hawkperchedatriverfront (Anonymous) says…
So what ever came of the bar bq place in Tonganoxie? you know Marion?
7 September 2007
at 8:35 p.m.
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redmorgan (Anonymous) says…
Hey, waydownsouth, my place is nothing like Last Call…I play good music here.
7 September 2007
at 8:49 p.m.
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Ceallach (Anonymous) says…
The problem is not that the mayor sent around a joke about breast appreciation day. That is no surprise to me, and probably not to most women. When it comes to breasts, the maturity level of 99.9% of the men I know was arrested at about 13 yo. The problem is that he didn't compare it to Labor Day, President's Day, Thanksgiving Day (although that would probably have been appropriate :) noooo, he compared it to Martin Luther King Day… ay, there's the rub! HELLO!! That's what makes it a racist joke. That's why it is not acceptable for a public official to be part of passing it around.
7 September 2007
at 9:25 p.m.
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Martin_D_15 (Anonymous) says…
who gives a rat's butt? you see a whole lot worst on TNT or FX on television.
Tongy should give him a raise! you can come and run Lawrence and you will still be the only normal one in this corrupt city commish.
7 September 2007
at 9:28 p.m.
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Ceallach (Anonymous) says…
maybe the mayor didn't want the good folks at tongie.org having access to his emails . . .
7 September 2007
at 9:43 p.m.
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Unix_Admin (Anonymous) says…
Big deal. Get over it people.
7 September 2007
at 9:57 p.m.
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sourpuss (Anonymous) says…
Don't care. It was in poor taste, but so what? I find a lot of male humor to be in poor taste.
It certainly isn't worse than South Park.
7 September 2007
at 10:17 p.m.
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MichaelJ (Anonymous) says…
who here hasn't sent/forwarded an email such as this? Very damn few I'd bet.
Let's not anyone here pass judgment on this man. At least he's big enough to admit his screw up! More than many would do
7 September 2007
at 10:18 p.m.
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Baille (Anonymous) says…
BFD
7 September 2007
at 10:28 p.m.
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Uhlrick_Hetfield_III (Anonymous) says…
Uh, why is it racist to celebrate a good set of hooters over Martin Luther King? If memory serves Dr. King himself enjoy fondling a good set of dairy cannons on more than one occasion and on more than one woman, if his FBI file is to be believed.
This is pure rubbish. Get a life and get a sense of humor. There's this thing called the first amendment and it's there precisely so we don't have to apologize to some prude if we want to ogle an occasional pair of hang downers.
Thanks for the mammaries, Mr. Mayor.
7 September 2007
at 10:29 p.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
The only “privacy” that you have on the net is the privacy that you create for yourself with the appropriate security software.
One thing that you should not do is to allow your email client to auto-add email addresses to your address book, for sure!
If you goof up as did Hizzoner, everyone in your address book will get an email intended only for one or just a few of your buddies!
Also, always use proxies when surfing and if you do not have an adequete firewall and anti-virus, stay off the net until you do!
In the meantime, where are the booby pix?
7 September 2007
at 10:30 p.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Oh, by the way, I notice that this has now become a “risque” email instead of “pornorgraphic” email!
Shame on the LJW!
7 September 2007
at 10:36 p.m.
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Uhlrick_Hetfield_III (Anonymous) says…
Yeah, it's hard to judge how evil hizzoner was without seeing the picture. Maybe I'd be incensed if the JW printed the picture.
7 September 2007
at 10:40 p.m.
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waydownsouth (Anonymous) says…
redmorgan that came out wrong . i'll go to your house instead of last call. i need new entertainment.
7 September 2007
at 10:40 p.m.
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Uhlrick_Hetfield_III (Anonymous) says…
How do you use proxies when surfing?
7 September 2007
at 10:43 p.m.
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KS (Anonymous) says…
Who gives a rats as*?
7 September 2007
at 10:52 p.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Ok, Ulrick, here we go…………………………………..
Google “anonymous surfing” or “free anonymous surfing”.
You will get things like Anonymouse.org (Always use the German version, that way your IP shows as coming out of like Finland! Drives webmasters crazy!)
You then just go to the site of your choice via the cute little box into which you enter the webaddress.
You can also purchase this really slick little program called “Ghost Surf” which can do this for you automatically. Costs $30 at Best Buy.
Let me show you what I mean………………….
I am between KC and Lawrence right?
Right.
When I go to whatismyipaddressDOTcom, I get this result:
70.84.240.34
In Dallas, Texas.
And they cannot trace it back to you.
Neat, huh?
Now I know what my IP is and that ain't it but anyone looking at me will see that proxy IP.
Doubt me?
Go to any IP lookup site and run the number that I gave you!
There are any number of free proxies out there so it's easy to do.
Proxies are like an internet condom…………….never be without one!
7 September 2007
at 10:59 p.m.
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Uhlrick_Hetfield_III (Anonymous) says…
Cool, how about a JW poll? How many people here think that national Breast Appreciation Day is more fun than Martin Luther King Day? And of those who answer yes, how many of you think Dr. King is a great man?
7 September 2007
at 11:02 p.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Oh, another cute trick to drive them crazy is to use an internal proxy as I do and then surf through AOL or Netscape, both of which use proxies in their systems anyway so the whole IP thing gets all fizzlesprung.
Your IP will then show up as like 127.0.0.0 or even better, 0.0.0.0.0!
That really drives them nuts!
7 September 2007
at 11:05 p.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Oh, seething_dragon, you ignorant slut, you use proxies for security, silly girl!
7 September 2007
at 11:06 p.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
SNL reference for those of you who didn;t get it!
7 September 2007
at 11:16 p.m.
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davidnta (Anonymous) says…
So you condone and even support subtle racism 50yearoldresident?
What the mayor did was get caught doing something stupid. Now he will pay for it.
7 September 2007
at 11:21 p.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Seething_Dragon, Honey, I have no problems getting laid but surely that's not what we're her to talk about and don't start calling me “Surely'!*
I got some very bad news for you, Sweetie, there are guys out there who have server farms running which through the software can track you right down to the MAC address of your computer and they ain't doin' all this for the fun of it.
After they trace you, a different software package then can monitor your each and every move on the net and if you have poor internet security, they install a keystroke logger on your box and get all of your personal info, including passwords, credit card numbers, banking info and even the licence plate numbers on your car.
With this info they can clean you out, spoof your identity, open accounts in your name and generally have a financial field day.
You use proxies to protect yourself from malicious activity on the net.
*”Airplane” reference.
7 September 2007
at 11:39 p.m.
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Uhlrick_Hetfield_III (Anonymous) says…
Emma Goldman One of the great revolutionaries of all time said “If I can't dance I don't want to be a part of your revolution.” Much the same thought here. If I have to get off more on MLK Day than I do on National Breast Appreciation Day, I don't want to be a part of your revolution. Denouncing that email as racism, even subtle racism is just BS designed to make the unworthy feel better about themselves by looking down their snouts at others.
Get a life, there are real racists out there and whining about crap like this will only lessen your credibility when you go after the real ones.
7 September 2007
at 11:53 p.m.
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Uhlrick_Hetfield_III (Anonymous) says…
So marion, how do you know your proxy site isn't grabbing your info?
7 September 2007
at 11:55 p.m.
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Pywacket (Anonymous) says…
This poor guy! This kind of thing has circulated at every office I've ever worked at.
In the 80s, in Strong Hall, a certain very-well-placed KU official was well known for his file drawer of cartoons. He would photocopy one or another every so often and give it to whomever he happened to be visiting in our office and it would make the rounds. Sometimes, some of us women would go to his office and ask to look for a particular joke or type of joke (for instance, if it was someone's birthday), and he would oblige by letting us go through the file until we found what we wanted. Naturally, this was long before the internet.
I can imagine how long this gentleman would last in today's atmosphere—no matter how well he did his job and how much he gave of himself to KU. I'm sure we women would get kicked to the curb, too, for passing around classics like this one: http://www.unwind.com/jokes-funnies/m…
The only thing the mayor of Tongie did wrong was to consider someone a friend who was, in reality, a low-down, mean-spirited rat. That person should be ashamed for going to the media with something so harmless, knowing how much grief it would cause.
8 September 2007
at 12:01 a.m.
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bjbrown (Anonymous) says…
So if it said “Columbus Day” would it have been racist?
8 September 2007
at 12:03 a.m.
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imagainstit (Anonymous) says…
i'm fat and ugly , too,why are you discriminating against me?
8 September 2007
at 12:11 a.m.
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Godot (Anonymous) says…
Sorry, Chad. Good try at sleasy, yellow journalism, but this comes nowhere close to Larry Craig's foot-tapping and hand signals. Let it go. Really. Just back off.
8 September 2007
at 12:35 a.m.
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Uhlrick_Hetfield_III (Anonymous) says…
The “rat” is a Channel 6 reporter and he/she needs to get a sense of humor. This guy is a quadriplegic who has overcome enormous handicaps to win political office. Get off his back with the chickens*** whining already.
8 September 2007
at 12:41 a.m.
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imagainstit (Anonymous) says…
excuse me, he's skinny and handsome, is that pc?
8 September 2007
at 1:03 a.m.
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oneflewover (Anonymous) says…
Give me a break LJW and shame on the reporter who recieved the email. The email was not meant to make news. I don't forward every email I recieve. Why should you make this such big news. Jees, you guys really have been sucking lately.
8 September 2007
at 1:11 a.m.
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bjbrown (Anonymous) says…
The “rat” is a Channel 6 reporter and he/she needs to get a sense of humor.
I wonder what a 24 month check of his/her email and friend to friend jokes would reveal.
Only in Lawrence would such pc chicken crap make the news.
Or, in the alternative, let's all loathe the pastie white mayor because the media is directing a two minute hate his way. We would not want to disappoint the infogodz, now would we?
Mayor, tell the media to go rub themselves warmly against the nearest tree until relieved and go on to higher office. You owe no one an apology for such a lame joke. As one poster put up, tv comedians go so much further all of the time. The LJW should apolgize and send Chad out for common sense training.
8 September 2007
at 1:12 a.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Ulrick:
In the case of my internal proxy I use a highly rated, trojan free program installed on my boxes.
I the case of online free proxies, they do make their money with pop-ups and the like but they do not and are not really capable of grabbing you info. They want to make money from the ads so they would be killing themselves. Getting your info requires intrusion into your box and what is happening when you use a proxy is that you are going through their box basically. If anyone tried to get into your box your security programs should warn you and halt the intrusion.
Speaking of trojans, about half of the “free” programs on the net are trojaned in one way or another.
8 September 2007
at 1:17 a.m.
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bjbrown (Anonymous) says…
Here is the Mayor's ultimate sin, one for which he will find no forgiveness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xEzGI…
8 September 2007
at 3:59 a.m.
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reason (Anonymous) says…
some of you that think MLK is not a big deal, are still living the past —
the joke was stupid and racist—and some of you out there think its funny,
Thats just sad….
8 September 2007
at 5:19 a.m.
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oldgoof (Anonymous) says…
oh the horror. ……Chad, find some news.
8 September 2007
at 6:33 a.m.
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riverat (Joe Hyde) says…
This never should have been a “news” item. But since it somehow became one, let me say that if every city, county, state and federal employee who's ever spammed a raunchy joke to friends and co-workers were fired…well folks, there wouldn't be anyone left to perform necessary government services. Everybody spams e:funnies to their friends. Well, 95% do and the 5% who say they don't are damn liars.
8 September 2007
at 6:54 a.m.
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emmersonbiggones (Anonymous) says…
Knock knock
Who's there?
Emmerson
Emmerson who?
Emmerson big ol' ta-ta's
I'll remember this article when I pay per view some adult Playboy channel programming on Sunflower Cablevision.
Speaking of adult pay-per-view, I wonder if any local celebrities have pay-per-viewed some of the risque adult programming on Sunflower? There could be even a bigger story there as well.
8 September 2007
at 7:06 a.m.
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warthog (Anonymous) says…
I can only hope that the people of Tonganoxie have a better sense of humor than we give them credit for. Humor is usually based on something that is bound to offend someone.
Get a life. Move on. And add me to the mailing list, mayor.
8 September 2007
at 7:11 a.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
In newsrooms as on the net, there are tons of folks who live only to try to ruin the lives of others just because they can.
The LJW should be ashamed.
8 September 2007
at 7:25 a.m.
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redneck (Anonymous) says…
It was a JOKE. Can women and black people not take joke? Got any redneck jokes? Find some real news to report guys! Yea, I want to be on your mailing list Mayor!
8 September 2007
at 7:38 a.m.
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Reality_Check (Anonymous) says…
1. Not funny, but not news. It's only news because he sent it to a reporter, and the J-W followed up.
2. What do you expect from a small-town America? It's Tongie, for petesakes!
3. How about as punishment, he has to lose 150 lbs. and go teach people about the obesity epidemic?
8 September 2007
at 7:41 a.m.
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punkrockmom (Anonymous) says…
I don't need to comment about the “transgression” it's all been said: big deal. What I want to comment on is the part that says: “The e-mail obtained by the Journal-World did not list the addresses of the recipients, but used a function that hid the addresses from view. Vestal also declined to say who sent him the e-mail, although he said that person was not involved in city government.”
I'm impressed. I hate getting forwards with all the previous senders listed for pages and pages of the email. I'm glad he at least was smart enough to delete all that crap. AND the “function” to hide addresses. It's just BCC (blind carbon copy). If you respect your friends privacy use that it's standard on all email programs. I have gotten emails from people that I don't know because they hit reply all instead of reply and then they get my name in their address book and send me crap I don't want.
Please people, learn from him. remove headers and BCC! Oh, and for the record, I would have forwarded the joke on.
8 September 2007
at 7:42 a.m.
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KsTwister (Anonymous) says…
LJW has outdone itself on stupid biased reporting. Whoever made the decision to publish this needs to resign and take Chad with you.
8 September 2007
at 7:45 a.m.
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lunacydetector (Anonymous) says…
since only 1.2% of tonganoxie's population is black, i doubt he'll have to resign.
8 September 2007
at 7:51 a.m.
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jayhawk1234 (Anonymous) says…
If he continues to be mayor. I wonder if they will observe it as a city holiday and give the city employees there a day off??
8 September 2007
at 7:53 a.m.
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oldgoof (Anonymous) says…
I think we all ought to send Chad some emails
8 September 2007
at 8:08 a.m.
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lawrencechick (Anonymous) says…
It doesn't sound pornographic…..or racist. This is so stupid.
8 September 2007
at 8:08 a.m.
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MacHeath (Anonymous) says…
This story might be interesting, if the J-W could find one person, any gender or race, that finds this email racist or pornographic.
It could be in bad taste, but who gives a darnn.
8 September 2007
at 8:11 a.m.
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overplayedhistory (Anonymous) says…
Marion says: I have no problem getting laid.
Hey Marion no one has a problem getting laid when they pay for it. So when you meet your fictional catch, do you take her back to the shop that has the eviction notice on it? I know when you go to certain establishments and talk to the women you creep them out. Maybe they sense your closet fascination with satanic rituals and Nazi's. I call bullsh*t on you Marion. I case you did not get that.
8 September 2007
at 8:52 a.m.
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Maniac (Anonymous) says…
If this is such an “important” story, why did it take a full week to publish? (The article states the e-mail was sent Aug. 31 to a 6News reporter. Did the recipient just open the e-mail this week?)
On Sept. 2, a story by a 6News reporter was published in the LJW about the mayor and his quest to make his city more accessible to people with disabilities.
Realizing that the stories are independent of each other, I would still like to the editors to explain the thought process that went into their decision to publish the e-mail story. Furthermore, if Chad Lawhorn's name has to be associated with this story, so should the name of the reporter that received the e-mail. He or she is a source (just like the councilmen in the story) and readers should be allowed to judge his or her credibility as well. This is particularly crucial when you consider that Sunflower Broadband is owned by the same company as 6News and the LJW. That company has access to the e-mail records of thousands of citizens in this area.
The accessibility story certainly presents a more favorable image of the mayor than the e-mail story. If the same reporter who wrote the story on Sept. 2 is the one who received the e-mail, when was it opened? Was the story about the e-mail held? I think the LJW owes readers an explanation.
8 September 2007
at 8:56 a.m.
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JHAWKGURL (Anonymous) says…
Seriously?
This is ridiculous. Apparently the LJW has ran out of “good gossip”
To those of you ridiculing Tonganoxie and stating that this is racist & pornographic please look in your email boxes at all the “joke” emails your buddies, family and friends have sent to you. I am sure everyone on here including the people at LJW and people in the Lawrence government system all have emails that could be considered racist, sexist or even pornographic. Why does the personal email have to be something that has to be brought out in the open? I think that someone thought they might get a pat on the shoulder for “uncovering” this big news story!!
Seriously…..??
Please let me also say that the percentage of African Americans in Tonganoxie should not even matter as to whether or not Mr. Vestal gets to keep his position or not? The percentage of women in Tonganoxie is pretty d*mn high….I help make up the female population and I am not concerned about what Mr. Vestal has in his personal email! If I was on that distrubution list, I would have laughed and passed on the email because I dont things that seriously..I know how to take a joke..which is why I read the LJW.
I know Mr. Vestal…I think he is an upstanding individual who deserves a lot of respect. He has overcome many obstacles in his life. He always greets you with a smile and treats you like you are a very very important person. He has a lot of great plans and things that he wants to accomplish while in office for the town of Tonganoxie. It would be a great loss to loose him over this stupid ordeal.
I moved from Lawrence to Tonganoxie and would never ever move back to Lawrence. First of all…too many d*mn liberals there but I feel that Tonganoxie is a great place to live, raise a family and live out your life. WHY? Because we have people like Mr. Vestal who is here to help make things better for our every day lives and the lives of our children.
Those of you on here that are “whining and complaining,” I have two questions
1. do you live in tonganoxie?
2. IF NOT, why do you care what goes on in OUR government? Pay attention to your own. you have bigger fish to fry…get busy blogging on that.
I would like to end this by saying shame on you ljw and I do hope you find better things to write about. I also want to wish Mr. Vestal the best of luck in this ordeal. Nothing like having someone try to air your dirty laundry huh? Hang in there Mike. You are a great mayor and a great person and the evidence proves that you are well liked and respected or you probably would not have the position you have now.
You my friend, are in my thoughts and prayers and I wish you the very best in this stupid bashing!!!
OKAY…lets see what moron is going to blog back to me….bring it on…I can take your ridicule.
8 September 2007
at 9:21 a.m.
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Jean1183 (Anonymous) says…
You Go, jhawkgurl! i agree 100% with you.
I'm a woman and I get at least one “stupid” joke everyday in my e-mail. I pass some on, others I don't. I just laugh and go about my day, dealing with much more important matters than a joke.
I don't live in Tongie but I think this is a total non-issue and hope the mayor does not resign!
8 September 2007
at 9:21 a.m.
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nugget (Anonymous) says…
Coming soon: The Lawrence Journal World National Enquirer. What a disappointing waste of time and ethics on behalf of the LJW. So many important stories to be told. It's clear why this one was chosen to be on the front page. That's our home town newspaper.
8 September 2007
at 9:31 a.m.
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dirkleisure (Anonymous) says…
This is all about his disability.
The LJ World, 6News and their parent company don't believe he is fit to serve due to his physical condition.
8 September 2007
at 9:31 a.m.
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kneejerkreaction (Anonymous) says…
Why is this racist? Because reference is made to a black leader? If anything, it is at least as demeaning to women, but it is in actuality neither. The LJW decided to lead with the R-word, therefore the email became racist, BS. That's yellow journalism or at least irresponsible. And this was his personal email account, which he allows the city to use free of charge, so he should be able to send what he wants, within legal reason. And, we have ALL received and sent poor ta