It appears that employees of the City of Eureka will have to get their Humboldt Herald fix after hours. The North Coast’s premier local blog is now forbidden fruit on the city’s computers.
City workers first began noticing the block earlier this week, according to sources.
All other local blogs are accessible — except for one: the now-defunct Above the Law blog. But back when baseless rants were being posted daily to that blog all city workers had access — including the “small group of employees” at EPD who made false accusations against Chief Garr Nielsen. Apparently bashing the Chief was a-ok with the City Manager.
Humboldt Herald readers who wish to defy the ban can subscribe by email. And if you use an RSS reader, you can subscribe to posts, comments or both.
Unfortunately, however, such measures will not allow you to leave comments. That will have to wait until after work when you leave the dictatorial confines implemented by Eureka’s Supreme Leader.
And until Mr. Bossypants takes away your email privileges, you can always contact the Humboldt Herald with inside info on the power plays at City Hall.
RSS - Posts
July 3, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Outlaw.
July 3, 2009 at 3:05 pm
City employees should not be reading ANY blog on company time.
Don’t get me wrong, I read this blog several times daily…when I am on my home computer on my own time.
Employers have a right to limit access to internet sites regardless of the content…regardless of the employer.
I take issue with any employee using company time or a company computer to peruse the internet in non work related endeavors.
July 3, 2009 at 3:05 pm
The “Abovethelaw” sight was also blocked in 2008.
July 3, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Congratulations, Heraldos. This is another token of a job well done.
July 3, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I think the manager did the right thing. I don’t want my taxes going to someone spending their time looking at blog sites.
July 3, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Apparently the manager is only concerned about some sites.
July 3, 2009 at 4:17 pm
They have computers at Eureka City Hall?!
July 3, 2009 at 4:22 pm
The Supreme Leader has spoken.
July 3, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Excuse the rudeness, but ALL city employees should be off the internet at all times. Unless they are looking for something that directly pertains to their task at hand.
July 3, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Lunch breaks too?
July 3, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Heraldo,
If you begin being more critical of the Chief of Police I am sure Tyson will unblock access to your blog at City Hall
July 3, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Especially if the criticsm is reminiscent of something you would hear in a sophmore locker room.
July 3, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I bet there is some uneasiness at city hall. I would imagine more than a few are questioning their loyalty to Mr. T.
July 3, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I vote we put the city manager under surveillance. It’s disgusting that it took him several months to block the abovethelaw blog, but the minute this one talks about him he is on it. Obviously he was part of the problem all along. I hope the city council is paying attention.
July 3, 2009 at 5:56 pm
This is not a bright move by whoever at the city decided to do this. To block just one blog — the one blog that has been most critical of the city administration — looks bad to the public, and that’s just for starters.
The Humboldt Herald has become a legitimate local news source. Can you imagine the city blocking the Times-Standard if the T-S ran a few editorials critical of city leaders? Why didn’t the city block the Buhne Tribune, which was authored by a city employee on the sly for several years?
July 3, 2009 at 6:08 pm
; and while on the taxpayers’ watch, they also get certain benefits, health insurance, etc…
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
July 3, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Well, mr. Bossypants (love that moniker, Heraldo!) can get the TS to take comments offensive to him and his pals off their site, and has done so before, but he obviously can’t do it here. Does he think no one will go home and read it or that they won’t read it at work on their iphones and blackberries? Talk about closing the barn door after the horses escaped…
July 3, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Heraldo, what a breath of fresh air this Blog is. Real news and commentary too. I think I see the haze lifting over city hall. We are starting to see what the place really looks like.
Just a question, does the ban include Tyson’s computer?
July 3, 2009 at 6:39 pm
This rag is just a left wing piece of shit
anyhow..
July 3, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Refreshing commentary here. I agree that the lack of investigative reporting in the TS makes this blog more relevant.
July 3, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Then why, whenever I open that paper, do I see some rightwing wingnut given column space on the opinion page? I’m not referring to the ER wingnuts, but the wingnut columnists the TS pays for the right to print.
July 3, 2009 at 7:13 pm
The Supreme Leader should never be questioned. Don’t question him about the the budget. Don’t take a different position than him. Whatever you do DON”T embarrass him in front of Rob. Just trust him, let him know your secrets, and he’ll use them against you. That’s how it works at city hall follow him your protected, cross him and your gone. His assistant knows where all the skeletons are, I think that’s why her sister hasn’t been fired.
July 3, 2009 at 7:36 pm
I can access this blog while at work, but not my own.
This one is better anyway.
July 3, 2009 at 7:50 pm
His assistant probably IS one of the skeletons
July 3, 2009 at 8:25 pm
What is it about power that corrupts so completely?
Fear of loosing it.
July 3, 2009 at 8:38 pm
This is the Republican version of “freedom.” The city employees are now “free” of the filthy vilifications here recently. Truth is secondary.
You see how that works in the authoritarian mind?
have a peaceful day,
Bill
July 3, 2009 at 9:01 pm
“The North Coast’s premier local blog ”
HAHA HA HAHAH!!!!!!!
ROTFLOLing!!!!!!
oh my that was a good one!!!!
July 3, 2009 at 10:38 pm
I must have missed something! What did Tyson do to get this type of attention?
July 3, 2009 at 11:27 pm
And the North’s coast premier blog is…
July 3, 2009 at 11:53 pm
You should be flattered Heraldo. You’re doing something right if they’ve gone out of their way for you.
July 4, 2009 at 7:08 am
Eric:
I agree. It’s a validation. If it was done because the administration felt city employees were spending too much time reading Heraldo, then what does that say about Heraldo’s blog?
H, I suggest you work it into your trademark: “Banned at City Hall” in bold across your masthead. Make it part of your marketing campaign: “The only blog banned a City Hall.”
July 4, 2009 at 7:32 am
Who has time to blog anymore? Many of us are too busy playing FarmVille on Facebook to read the blogs!
July 4, 2009 at 7:52 am
I look forward to the beta version of HeraldoVille.
July 4, 2009 at 8:07 am
Happy independence day Heraldo. Glad you’re here in the land of the free with the home page of the brave.
July 4, 2009 at 8:39 am
Believe me, I’m taking it the right way. This is better than the time Fred found a handmade sign posted to a pole in Eureka that said “Heraldo sucks.”
July 4, 2009 at 9:08 am
Heraldo doesn’t suck. He blows.
(Sorry)
July 4, 2009 at 9:12 am
I love it… I love that you’re banned! I started grinning the moment I read the headline.
Sounds like NoHum’s city hall is ripe with story material.
Is it just me, or does it all seem a little like Junior High drama there?
July 4, 2009 at 9:13 am
Heraldas Y Heraldos You should be very proud. You clearly upset city hall. Keep shining a light on Tyson’s loyal crew. I bet Kathleen is glad to have escaped from this soap opera.
So keep it up, Tyson’s contract is just about up. I say ten years is enough! No more 4/5 vote contracts no matter who it is.
July 4, 2009 at 9:15 am
Hoo Rah!
nothing better than being banned!
what an honor, I am so happy for you!
the next big news will be when you become unblocked!
hey you city guys, get back to work!!!
July 4, 2009 at 9:15 am
You’re exactly right, SoHumBorn. There’s some embedded adolescence at the reins in Eureka.
July 4, 2009 at 9:23 am
first off, have some of you never worked in an office before? of course employees, including those for the city of eureka, browse the internet while at work. it’s one of those things that helps you stay sane while slogging through a 40-hour (or more) work week. to the city of eureka employees i say use the internet as much as you can while still finishing your officially assigned work.
second, humboldt herald is the best local blog, hands down.
third, yes the t-s is a piece of garbage with zero investigative reporting. also, it is a total mouthpiece for the establishment.
yup.
July 4, 2009 at 9:27 am
Tell me there’s no Thought Police in Humbug County?
July 4, 2009 at 9:36 am
this is entertaining if nothing else. factual ??? accurate ???
July 4, 2009 at 10:02 am
If my source is correct (sister in law), the IT folks recently installed new software that allows them to block access to wordpress and blogger as well as other sites deemed to be be non-work related.
They have done the same thing at the city of fortuna as well.
I dont believe its pointed directly at the Humboldt Herald, but of course it makes a better conspiracy to pretend otherwise.
July 4, 2009 at 10:04 am
They = IT. I believe Fortuna uses an outside firm to do their IT, and I think the same firm works at the City of Eureka.
July 4, 2009 at 10:06 am
Probably can’t get the needed 4 votes anyway. Depending on who gets elected next time – maybe.
July 4, 2009 at 10:24 am
My sources say other wordpress and blogger blogs are still accessible. The Humboldt Herald is in fact being singled out.
July 4, 2009 at 10:44 am
As long as they don’t ban Rose’s blog, I need my fair and balanced perspective.
July 4, 2009 at 11:08 am
The attempt to squash peaceful non-violent dissent by restricting internet access has been implemented in Communist China, militarist Myanmar, and Islamist Iran. Good company, Eureka.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
July 4, 2009 at 11:15 am
Eureka has it’s own IT staff Veronica Lynn and Eric. No other blogs are excommunicated only Heraldo. That’s becuase this blog is a threat to the city manager. Why staff my learn the truth about our imperious leader. In politics they always say the cover up is worst than the crime. What the manager trying to cover up? What happen back in Washington DC?
July 4, 2009 at 11:37 am
“# fly on the wall Says:
July 4, 2009 at 11:15 am
Eureka has it’s own IT staff Veronica Lynn and Eric. No other blogs are excommunicated only Heraldo. That’s becuase this blog is a threat to the city manager. Why staff my learn the truth about our imperious leader. In politics they always say the cover up is worst than the crime. What the manager trying to cover up? What happen back in Washington DC?”
What??? Don’t you have spell check?
July 4, 2009 at 11:39 am
Happy Fourth of July, go out and celebrate your independence…
July 4, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I remember when “banned in Boston” was a a successful marketing strategy for a controversial book or movie.
July 4, 2009 at 1:19 pm
“Censored in City Hall! Scroll down for illustrations”
Yup, that’d work for me.
July 4, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Wasting time on social networks, blogs and online shopping is a huge problem for employers everywhere. Moreover, sites like YouTube are sucking the bandwidth out of networks.
The city has a right to ban all such sites or selected sites. I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that stats showed too much time visiting the exalted H and decided to block it. If another non-business-related site pops up in the most-visited category, that should be blocked, too.
July 4, 2009 at 1:39 pm
I would guess it is a bit of a stretch to think following a blog could take up as much employee time as Amazon, Gamespot or Facebook.
July 4, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Chris:
If city employees are indeed spending too much time reading Heraldo, why do you think that is?
July 4, 2009 at 3:00 pm
I agree with Mr. Crawford. There’s no need for blogs in the workplace.
July 4, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Right, because blogs don’t dispense any useful information whatsoever. There aren’t any blogs about parks and rec or redevelopment or any kind of work that takes place in a city government.
You wear your ignorance on your sleeve.
July 4, 2009 at 4:03 pm
City workers unite. Over throw the oppressor man. rise up demand the truth. I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any more. We Want Heraldo!!!!
July 4, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Let’s ban radios in the workplace too. And digital music players. And books. We can’t have employees reading books during their break time.
Please, people, stop thinking!
July 4, 2009 at 5:00 pm
City workers spent a lot of time reading the vicious, libelous abovethelaw blog. It took bossypants a disgustingly long time to shut it down. The money the city has spent on complaints and litigation can be laid at his door. I think this blog is being singled out now because he doesn’t like it when he is in the spotlight. EPD’s been cleaning house, wonder what department should be next.
July 4, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Perhaps Mr. T needs to block this site too:
Greensboro city manager ousted
July 4, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Link:
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/03/03/article/city_manager_will_face_debate_about_his_job_tonight
July 4, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Hey if they put Mr. t on the cover of the NCJ will they block that then, too ?
July 4, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Ya Mr. T on the cover. with the headline “SUPREME LEADER ousted in bloodless coup”
EUREKA: Late today Armed members of the POP team from EPD took back 531 k street and restored access to the Humboldt Herald.
(hey Mr. T I can dream, can’t I, or are you gonna shut that down too?)
We want our Heraldo!
July 4, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Who needs the Humboldt Herald. The city employees can listen to Old Glory Radio. Fair and balanced.
July 4, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Without Heraldo at city hall the adolescent clique will have to send a runner to the other clique at EPD to get the latest skinny. Now, how much lost work time is that? It should make recess more interesting, however, news being passed person to person. I can just see the huddles of eager listeners awaiting Heraldo’s latest scoop.
As far as the T.S. goes their corporate office has slashed their staff to the bone. Pretty hard to do investigative reporting under those conditions. Anyone want to do some volunteer work?
Wait a minute, Heraldo has been doing it!!!
July 4, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Chris Crawford emotes:
> I’m willing to give them
> the benefit of the doubt
> that stats showed too much time
> visiting the exalted H
> and decided to block it.
Of course you are, Chris. And by the way, you’re very brave to use your name when expressing such dangerous thoughts.
July 4, 2009 at 7:24 pm
EPD works for the city so it would also be on the blocked server.
July 4, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Then they can censor me too
http://oldgloryradio.com/wordpress/?p=1011
July 5, 2009 at 10:31 am
Chris Crawford is not brave but he is stupid to post under his name. He totally does not understand what is going on here, and so is “willing to give them the benefit of the doubt”. As someone earlier put it, it is not the crime, but the coverup that will sink you. This is a pathetic attempt at the coverup.
July 5, 2009 at 11:15 am
“Chris Crawford is not brave but he is stupid to post under his name.”
I’d wager that Mr. Crawford is smarter than brave Anonymous.
July 5, 2009 at 11:28 am
I posted this at Erik’s, but I thought I would share it with my favorite Ghost.
After a long night of bustin’ heads.
Of homeless, of hippies,
And anyone with dreads.
I finally get a brake,
The paperwork’s done.
Now for some Heraldo,
And a little bit of fun.
But wait, what’s this,
The Humboldt Herald is banned?
Now I can’t get the vengeance
I had so carefully planned.
But wait! I know what to do,
I’ll sue the city, and Heraldo too.
Who cares if they go bankrupt,
And suffer to infinity.
I’d sacrifice us all
To uncover that Bastard’s identity.
July 5, 2009 at 2:05 pm
“Right, because blogs don’t dispense any useful information whatsoever.”
Anonymous 3:13’s facetiousness is nutty and misplaced. I find it highly unlikely that any time spent by on-the-clock city employees on any blog — even this one — would be productive.
July 5, 2009 at 2:29 pm
But that is not a reason to single out a specific site.
July 5, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Either block everything not work specific or don’t block at all.
July 5, 2009 at 3:28 pm
or block the ones that are wasting time. they blocked facebook or myspace where i work.
July 5, 2009 at 4:13 pm
“But that is not a reason to single out a specific site.”
Why not? Should they block my blog, or Fred’s, even though employees are not spending time there?
“Either block everything not work specific or don’t block at all.”
Youngphart sure thinks like an oldphart.
July 5, 2009 at 4:24 pm
That assumes the decision to block was based on a review of web traffic logs. I wouldn’t be so quick with that assumption.
July 5, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Heraldo shouldn’t be so modest. Surely he’s a victim of his own success.
July 5, 2009 at 4:42 pm
The chance to learn the real story has been blown, meaning the chance to talk to someone who might be caught off-guard. When the Times-Standard gets around to calling the city now, the city will have a prepared response.
That’s a strange position to take. Site A becomes popular, so you block Site A. So then Site B becomes popular, then Site C, etc.
Earth to censor-happy people… the Internet is filled with billions of fun and interesting non-work related material to read and interact with. You can’t censor it all. You can’t stop employees from wasting time.
You have two options: #1 Eliminate computers from your workplace. #2 Treat your employees like adults.
Option #3 Censor-everything-that-moves only creates an unhappy workplace.
Wise companies, primarily large corporations, have already tackled this issue. They understand a percentage of employee time is spent not doing work (not just the Internet, but personal telephone calls, etc.) and they permit such wasting of time so long as it doesn’t get out-of-hand. When enforcement is needed, they deal with an individual layabout, not censor and annoy and piss off their entire workforce.
July 5, 2009 at 4:46 pm
funny the people criticizing the chief for taking the car out of town may have been using city computers for personal business.
July 5, 2009 at 4:51 pm
well, where i work it is a happy workplace but the boss says if you are getting paid, you need to work. otherwise you need to go home. they call that flex-time.
July 5, 2009 at 5:23 pm
If there’s one thing I cannot tolerate from my employees it’s daydreaming. When you work for me you better focus focus focus! I must insist there be no extemporaneous input from the internet or any other external influences. Now, who wants a job?
July 5, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I’m sorry Ed, but apparently Anonymous 4:42 is not interested in a job. He stays busy with “…billions of fun and interesting non-work related material to read and interact with.”
July 5, 2009 at 5:33 pm
C’mon, telemarketing is fun!
July 5, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I’m glad you understand Ranger, what with the constant pressure of deadlines for whippin’ out those posts. Thanks for the new one by the way, I look forward to commenting as soon as I’m off the clock.
July 5, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I agree with Anon 4:42 and just because you sign your name CPR does not mean your comments are any less sarcastic than those you chastise for the same behavior.
July 5, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I notice once again CPR is criticizing Anonymous bloggers.
As has been pointed out ad nauseum on these blogs signing your name to a post does not make you smarter nor does it make your comment necessarily more insightful.
I am always surprised at how some people will say something profoundly stupid, and willingly sign there name to it, as someone earlier pointed out about someone else.
July 5, 2009 at 5:58 pm
hey 442 and 543, most people just go to work and work. usually if you are screwing around on the internet or making personal calls, somebody else is doing your job and they don’t appreciate it. if you truly have that much extra time, you ought to tell management so they can change you to part-time and save some bucks. maybe your co-workers who have been doing your job and not wasting time could get a raise?
July 5, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Sorry CPR… I was just explaining that many employers have already figured out how to deal with employee idle time, and they don’t deal with it by censoring their communication systems. But thanks for the insult. Have a nice day.
July 5, 2009 at 7:46 pm
I once worked construction locally and my boss didn’t allow sexist jokes. We had to say “that’s what she said ” jokes in whispers. It made them funnier.
July 6, 2009 at 10:13 am
Listen Heraldo – you putz, get this through your head: you are not supposed to use the city or county computers for reading the blogs or posting on them. You are not supposed to use email for personal use. All blogs should be off limits for all city and county employees as should the email system. They should be working and not blogging.
You can’t do this if you work for other city/county and state government jobs. In fact, it is a firing offense for doing so. So I say, Right On. All blogs are off and no personal emails (including yours H.) These folks need to get back to work!
July 6, 2009 at 4:16 pm
1 of Heraldo’s points was that as soon as this blog had stuff critical of Mr T-Bossypants he had it blocked from city computers. But apparently it was ok for employees to read the blog that slammed the chief because it took Mr T months to block that one. Wonder if it is cuz he learned a lesson or cuz he just started getting reallllllly uncomfortable in the spotlight.
July 6, 2009 at 9:42 pm
“I notice once again CPR is criticizing Anonymous bloggers.”
Poor, suffering Anonymous. But his vicarious humiliation here is balanced by the vicarious victories that he imagines on other threads, on distant blogs.
July 7, 2009 at 9:12 am
censorship…damn, that sucks, hell, thats unamerican.
July 7, 2009 at 10:52 am
And this blog is “news” because . . . . . ? Read the last couple of posts. That is what the city employees are not only reading, but replying to? Pensions, paid holidays, paid vacations – I don’t mind those perks, but blogging – why not internet porn? What in actuality is the difference? The mental mastubation on this blog is made of of the same stuff.