The King Absolves Editor Ray Hackett

Just who was that masked journalist?

Article Update: The King has received the word and honor of  Norwich Bulletin Editor Ray Hackett that he was not aware of The King's View, or has ever read this blog until this morning.  Regarding similiarties between our two articles - evidently, in this case, great minds think alike.  The King's men will be keeping a close eye on Ray Hackett going forward due to general mistrust of the paid media.

Furthermore, additional information has been learned about the Daria Novak plagiarism issue which has given The King pause.  We will research the matter fully before before updating this piece of the article.  To be determined at a later date.

Original Article: (SNIPS indicate removal of paragraphs no longer applicable):

You might be surprised to read that unlike some of my good friends, I do not stay tuned to the political world 24/7.  Fact is, most of my time is either spent working, slaving on the castle grounds, or playing servant to those around me (although I might get a stern look from some on that final point).

By yesterday afternoon, I had no fewer than nine emails directing me to a column by Ray Hackett, a big-time editor of the Norwich Bulletin.  When I glanced at the title: "On Politics: Delegates still 'for sale' after rule rejection." I didn't think much of it except that I was happy that the story of Linda McMahon's disgraceful antics and the corruption within the CTGOP was being published by yet another regional Connecticut newspaper.  It's interesting how slow the Connecticut media is, as its taken about a week since my article, CTGOP Referendum on Integrity Fails, Linda McMahon Resumes Convention Buy, opened a few eyes within the social-media blogosphere when it was published on Friday, March 16 (and my follow up on March 23, 2012).

I was grocery shopping at Whole Foods yesterday, when my phone rang.  "Hey King, this guy Ray Hackett took your article and splashed in a few extra facts and published it as his own without giving you credit. And Rick Green tweeted it and he didn't give you credit either." 

I laughed. And dismissed the conversation as someone just trying to bust my horns.

Then he said, "No really, go home and print down both articles and put them side by side and look for yourself."  He then read a few paragraphs, and indeed I was taken aback.

So I went home, checked twitter, and read, and reread both articles, and I have to agree that the similarities between my piece and Hackett's are striking. 

Obviously, the elevation of the CTGOP Corruption story had much to do with Niel Vidgor's article which made a huge splash on Friday and caught the attention of voters outside of the Connecticut political establishment.  You can't question the reach of ctpoliticalreport's impact as an online hub for Connecticut news.  And, as well read as The King's View is, I'm happy that its readership is limited to only those who are political junkies, and know where to look for it.  I'm also happy that this is an unpaid gig because it alleviates the pressure of being obligated to any candidate or political alliance  - one of the the main reasons the CTGOP is in this mess in the first place. (wink, wink).

-SNIP-

It's funny because on Sunday morning, I tweeted high praise of both Rick Green and Ray Hackett for their insightful comments about the Shays-McMahon race.    Rick Green didn't retweet my initial column, but Daniella Altimari did when it first came out.  I should carefully point out that Ms. Altimari's tweet does not signify agreement with my column, as she always retweets opinions of conflicting viewpoints.

-SNIP-

I probably would not have cared about this had I not been egged on by a few of my friends who've been adamant that I set the record straight.  But they also brought to my attention that there is one additional element of this story that needs to be discussed.  Ray Hackett went out of his way to pick on CT02 Congressional Candidate Daria Novak in his piece: Novak Banned on Blogging because she didn't footnote or properly cite a few sources on her blog (oh please, the travesty!).

If you want to hear Daria's show,
you'll need a special receiver

And I have to say, that Daria Novak is a nice lady, and she's extremely passionate about her beliefs, but the poor lady is dangling by a thread in a race that has her challenger Chris Coutu beating her by a wide margin - and the guy isn't even in Connecticut to campaign.  -SNIP-  Leave the poor woman alone.  Let her blog and talk into her Fisher-Price Microphone.  In a month or so, it will all be over.  Let her have her moment in the sun, and just get off her back. For God-sakes, please!

-SNIP-


Readers - you pull down the articles, and you decide.  Whatever.

I AM

THE KING

This original blog entry can be found at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com
Disclaimer: This entry and others will be modified/updated at a future date. All entries are for the sole purpose of entertainment. This article does not imply endorsement of the candidate mentioned above, nor has this article been solicited for publication by any political candidate, campaign, or PAC.

Christopher Coutu: The incredible shrinking candidate

Someone sent me this tidbit and it was all too entertaining to not post it. 

It appears that State Representative Christopher Coutu is back in the press again.  A few weeks ago, Coutu was warned by The King that by putting up his Congressional signs all over the 2nd Congressional District that he was trampling on local races, and pissing off local candidates who are working day and night trying to keep their voters focused on their upcoming municipal contests set for November 8th of this year.

"But I'm telling ya... the snow is murder on dem dar signs."

So I wasn't surprised to see this letter to the editor by a voter who seems to have had it with Mr. Selfish.  The piece is almost funny because you can almost hear the angry tone of the writer who is clearly furious with Coutu's mojo.

But here's the kicker - the part that made me laugh out loud, and really has everyone wondering how this guy's little mind works - Coutu apparently acknowledges that he's upset several Republican Town Committees by putting up his signs too early, and when interviewed by the Norwich Bulletin on October 19th, they wrote:

Coutu said he will pull the signs after the municipal election season — to save wear and tear on them and to make sure the public gets a break. 

Gets a break? Are you kidding me?  So help me out - he's still driving all around the Second District this week plastering his name up all over place  - to do what?  To simply muck with local elections, confuse voters, and then AFTER elections are over, and the damage has been done - he'll drive around and take them down?  That doesn't make a bit of sense to anyone with a rational mind.  Of course, being Mr. Selfish - his only concern is with saving his precious signs from the bad weather. 

Is this guy for real?  It's one thing to think something this idiotic, but its another to actually say it! And say it to the Press!

Well, at least local candidates know where they stand with Mr. Coutu.  Simply amazing!

I know it seems like I'm coming down harshly on this guy - alleged to be one of our own, but since he obviously only cares about Numero Uno, he deserves a good arse-kicking.

And Coutu - if you can stop chewing gum, and stop shadow-boxing in the Legislative Chamber for a moment, I have a bit more advice for you.  If you are going to run on the big stage - please try to get your story straight.  I mean, really.

In the article above you told the Norwich Bulletin that you've "had [your] eye on the U.S. House and the seat held by Democrat Joe Courtney since 2006.  But then in your blog article in the Haddam-East Haddam Patch, you say you planned on running just under a year ago after your daughter was born.

Now I don't mean to minimize the incredibly wonderful way that you're caring for your daughter (and she is beautiful and a walking miracle to behold) but if you are going to use her as a prop, and as your inspiration for your run for Congress - then for Godsakes - stick to that one story.  If on the other hand, you want to run because the sight of Joe Courtney representing Eastern Connecticut makes you sick to your stomach - then say that.  But please - get your story straight, and don't deviate from the script.

The people over in the Second District will have to make their own decision on who to vote for in the primary next year - whether it's this Coutu Character or Daria Novak, or some other candidate waiting in the wings to announce.  Whatever you do, look at the total package - and remember that decency and courtesy do matter because it's a sign on how this person will actually represent you in Washington.  And least not forget - the ability to articulate a position beyond three staggered sentences is going to be very important when going up against a professional liar like Joe Courtney. 

As far as I'm concerned, Joe Courney and his corrupt UConn-Mansfield Acorn crack-squad stole the Second Congressionial Seat illegally from Rob Simmons. It's high time that the Second Congressional seat came back home to the GOP where it belongs.  It would be nice to see at least some Connecticut residents represented properly in Washington in 2013.

Stop the selfish antics. Let's get it together.

I AM

THE KING

This original blog post can be read at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com