The fact that a local blogger filed a lawsuit because of something on the Internet that he doesn’t like is pretty ironic.
But I’m hearing from a lot of people who are taking some measure of delight in the story. Yesterday the C-J reported that Jake Payne, operator of Page One Kentucky and The ‘Ville Voice, had filed a suit in Jefferson Circuit Court “asking a judge to order an anonymous blogger critical of Payne to reveal himself and remove “false and defamatory” comments.”
My advice to Jake would have been to ignore the unflattering attention and wait for it to go away. But that’s not his style.
So now more and more people are aware that there’s a web site devoted to tearing down his reputation. After being taken down briefly yesterday, I see it’s back up now.
As for his legal case, it’s laughable that a judge would take the lawsuit seriously, but we will see. So now it’s up to the gossipy blog people, like us, to figure out who’s doing the site. There’s been plenty of speculation, and plenty of candidates with unfavorable views on Payne’s work. And there are plenty of politicos out there experienced in putting up web sites damming politicians. And none of them ever get sued.
I have been in touch with “Not Jacob Payne” but I have no idea who it is. NJP wrote to me this morning. “Am in a bit of a holding pattern until I’ve finalized counsel,” was the response. And my impression of NJP, based on emails I’ve gotten, is that he/she has been thorough in assuring that his/her identity won’t be compromised. And that he’s “lawyered up” and ready for the public fight.
Disclaimer: I am the founder of The ‘Ville Voice and was Jake’s business partner from 2007-2009. But I am not involved in that enterprise in any way.
If you’ve got a guess as to the identity of the blogger, leave it here in the comments.
I’m not a big fan of Jake Payne but I get his email to see what all is going on in Lou/KY that I would miss. I don’t care much for his style or the fact he continously breaks his arm patting himself on the back. I have to assume that maybe he once worked for Leo from the language he uses since Leo sets the standard for FoulMouth journalism. I do support Jake on his efforts to find out which jealous peers, or persons called out by him with what appears to be the truth since they haven’t sued him, are. Why would a journalist type want to hide when reporting what they contend is the truth?
Also, explain to me why journalist types can’t take constructive criticism. I was a friend on FaceBook with a CJ reporter until I suggested he was biased and explained why I thought so and after he privately emailed me he dropped me as a friend. Also, I asked a blogger that I read to be a friend on FaceBook and he said no because he didn’t personally know me. Are all journalistic types so one sided?
I see you Disclaim any involvement with the “Ville Voice” but do not disclaim involvement with “Jake Payne Watch”….so does that still leave you in the running for the “Unknown Blogger”?
It’s NOT me, I assure you. I have no complaint with Jake. As a media critic i certainly agree with you that the journalism community is overly thin-skinned. I like to think I can take it as well as dishing it out, but no one has yet created a site just to discredit me.
I have now registered RickReddingReeks.com
What you may not understand is those taking “delight” are partisans, rather Democratic or Republican.
Of course, they’re going to be upset with Payne. He has shown no mercy when members of both parties screw up … which makes him a damn good reporter.
If only the main stream media would be as vigilant as Payne. The guy is doing a great job.
InsiderLouisville has some good guesses as to whom it may be … Someone at CJ; Democratic smear artist Kathy Groob; Jonathan Miller.
http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2011/04/07/jake-payne-watch-creator-revealed-and-the-candidates-are/
I’m going with Groob, given she is the “go to” person for the state party for this kind of thing. She has done this before to others.
If this Democrat Groob has been doing sites against other people, then it has to be her.
She seems to be pompous, but from what I’m reading Groob can’t win elections for herself or others, so why the ego? Or a reversal here, perhaps she’s the one who is thinned-skin.
I’ve been trying to post this comment (several times) at the Jake Payne Watch site and it continues to be deleted:
“They are not private citizens … if they have run for office, are preparing to run for office, stay involved in politics without actually running for office … that makes them public people.
It is wrong for elected and public persons to retaliate against a person in such a manner … to “reveal” personal information not relevant as this site has done.
Clearly, this page is malicious. The fact that the cowardly-owner of this has stopped posting is a strong admission that it is slanderous.
PS I make copies of all postings here, just in case Mr./Ms. Coward deletes them.
Reveal yourself, tell us who you are. ”
– Posted and deleted at Payne Watch site