Gallucci's thoughts on political blogs

The comparison came in the middle of a discussion about a cyberbullying policy at Tuesday's Pinellas School Board meeting.

Outgoing board member Jane Gallucci said the type of insults students are experiencing at the hands of bullies who post hurtful messages online are similar to the ones political candidates endure from readers who post "horrendous" comments on blogs like the St. Petersburg Times' Bay Buzz.

"Some of the atrocious things that have been written on that blog during this campaign cycle about some of the candidates (are) untrue and journalistically are things that would not be put in the hard copy of the St. Petersburg Times, but are being allowed," Gallucci said. "We need to say, 'Stop!' "

She suggested that the public cease patronizing advertisers on sites like Bay Buzz that "breed all kinds of ugliness in this community and give a venue for people who are not willing to show their faces."

Gallucci said after the meeting she was referring to comments made during her recent unsuccessful bid for County Commission about her makeup and the way she dresses, as well as accusations that she had lied on her financial disclosure form. She also cited slurs against other candidates, including County Commission candidate Nancy Bostock and Pam Dubov, who ran for property appraiser.

"The Gradebook seems to stay more on point," Gallucci allowed.

Donna Winchester, higher education reporter

*

Comments

[toobad]

What these elected officials forget is that by virtue of the PUBLICLY held and ELECTED position, they are targets of criticism by voters of all kinds.

Sorry, but don't ever tread on my first amendment right to free speech, as long as it is criticism, and not libel then it is covered....

IF she didn't want to be part of the blog then she should be a private citizen....and now she is.

good thing this old gasbag has been put out to pasture.

It was all good so long as Goonlucci was taking anonymous pot shots at Hinesley, Bowen, Robinson, Benjamin, Gessner, Janssen through the press.

The only reason the Gooch doesn't blog is because she can't write a coherent sentence.

She thinks it's far more sly to call up a reporter or an editor and gossip about people and worse, tell outright lies.

ps School children and cyberbullying is a bit different than political debate by and among adults about politicians.

E. Jane Gallucci, that's the Ellen blogging tonight.

anonymity! Ellen who?
get over it!!!!

Ellen,

Too bad the words are so empty. Like everything else in Jane's world, cyberbullying was never important until it impacted her. Jane does not want to help someone else, she just does not want to be the target. As long as bloggers are attacking her enemies (and there are many) Jane thinks they are doing good work. Jane and her queen bee friend Susan will sick the Times on people by lying to the reporters and remaining unnamed protected sources.

Don't think you read the whole story in the paper. One way you can pick out an "unnamed official source" is by how often the same reporters quote certain "officials" as "experts" and "leaders in their field."

The reporters have to quote these "experts" to blow smoke/compliment their good work so they're willing to feed the "beast" more gossip about their colleagues. It's an interesting human interaction to watch.

Research the archives of your favorite expert local politician then look what happens to the colleagues of those most often quoted.

Jane has done her share of cowardly anonymous damage to others. So have her buddies Bostock, Latvala and Dubov.

Blogs just take the control away from some and put it in the hands of all.

Good bye queen bee gallucci. The queen label was never a compliment.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Queen-Bees-Wannabes/Rosalind-Wiseman/e/9781400047925

[Ellen]

I think the first two comments prove the point. I agree 100 percent with Ms. Gallucci. These types of comments serve no useful purpose and they're posted by cowards who feel empowered by their anonymity.

We did say STOP! We voted Goonlucci into retirement. Now we say SHUT UP and GO AWAY!

[Mr. Concerned]

This is a place for people to vent by expressing their opinions and concerns so please do get over it!! our better yet don't read it!!

people like Mrs.Gallucci had their way you would have no rights at all to invoke your rights for free speech!