I've sat on this long enough. I have this character named Chris Brennan, who claims to be a reporter for the Daily News, sending me Private Messages attempting to coerce me into giving personal information about myself. I've posted just one of the Private Messages (there are others). Check out the heading!
"Are your postings being investigated?"
In this PM from Chris Brennen, he uses a first name which he seems to believe is mine, in a lame attempt to intimidate me by demanding :"..are you willing to comment for a story using your real name, instead of some semi-anonymous posting nickname?". I informed Brennen about cyberstalking (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberstalking) but he persists in trying to pressure me into giving my personal information.
Is anyone else being harassed by Chris Brennen? Is Chris Brennen leaning on me because I oppose Mike McGeehan?
I don't see Chris Brennen demanding that the editorial writers in the Daily News disclose their name.

My point is: The blog is meant to be a venue for the open and free exchange of ideas without concern of investigation by those who have a different agenda. It appears Chris Brennen, a reporter for the Daily News, has no respect or understanding for the sanctity of free expression in which the blog offers.

If anyone who posts here has been harassed by Chris Brennen, don't be intimidated to speak out.



Are your postings being investigated?
Originally Posted by Chris Brennan
Thanks for responding. Obviously, since McGeehan's residency is called into question here, that is a significant part of this story. So the "right thing" here, according to your viewpoint, is being covered.

My question for you remains -- are you willing to comment for a story using your real name, instead of some semi-anonymous posting nickname? Put more simply -- are you willing to stand up in public and make these allegations?

Think about it, Kenn.

Chris Brennan
The Daily News

I know nothing about this issue. I just want to say hello to Chris Brennan because he's a swell guy and he did a good story about a Cambodian immigrant getting screwed out of a commercial building he thought he had legally bought and was in the middle of rehabbing in my neighborhood. Its a sad story in that Chris digging up the details has not really changed any results but kudos to Chris for reporting it, nonetheless.

That said, I think Chris is a very reputable guy and he's only asking you if you want to go on the record with some of your accusations. Nothing wrong with that. If you do, you will reach a wider audience with your story and he gets a good juicy article. Nothing wrong with that. Thats what responsible journalism is all about and why what they do is different form what we do here on the blog. He just needs to have reputable sources who are not afraid to speak as themselves if he is going to publish it in the paper.

The article he wrote about the incident in my neighborhood.
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/new...t/14903108.htm

And a thread about the whole issue.
http://www.phillyblog.com/philly/showthread.php?t=20339

There's a Chris Brennan who works for the Daily News. From what I've read he does loaded human interest pieces desperately trying to be the next John Stossel. I hate John Stossel. His meandering and ill informed babblings are spiced with poorly applied dry wit and a chronic tinge of sarcasm. Quite obnoxious. I remember one story where he said that overpopulation was a myth and that we have plenty of space in America that's unused, and with today's mega-crops and super-science we could easily expand indefinitely. I hate that guy.



-- mr c

Chris Brennan's main gig I believe is the "Urban Warrior" column which was started originally by another writer but who eventually handed the job off to Chris. The "Urban Warrior" is a special column organized around the theme of regular folks caught up wrestling with City Hall or other big local beauracracies and its been a long time staple at the Daily News. Kind of one the columns that cements the whole "People Paper" editorial approach they take over at the Daily News in terms journalism with a mission. He also writes straight articles as a regular reporter and those are simply striaght ahead journalism - i.e. less "columny". I'm assuming the article he asked for you to make a comment in would have been one of those "straight journalism" pieces.

I love it!!! Mr. California has quickly adopted Philly's attitude!!
Welcome to the hood, Mr. C!!

__________________
United we stand. Divided we fall.

This would have required Oystermick to reveal his identity as a Mike McGeehan bashing resident of the 173rd district. Something he is not willing to do. Why would he? Especially with the recent poll numbers having McGeehan so far ahead of Baldwin, it seems a shoo-in for McGeehan in November. Big suprise there?

__________________
United we stand. Divided we fall.

So much for what living in a neighborhood is all about. The issue at hand has been instantly lost. Calling of names and making assumptions are easy to do when your identity is concealed. Oystermick is bringing to attention the fact that there are people in the media watching and reading. If someone does not want to reveal their identity then so be it.

I have no problem using my real name and backing up my statements with facts.

Oystermick, I would not pay attention to rude word-twisting Mr. C uses. He apparently has not acclimated himself to the city "that loves you back."

I'm not sure that there's necessarily a problem with a (legitimate) reporter asking for a quote for a story... if I were a reporter, I wouldn't want to print an article that read "oystermick of Phillyblog says... "

If you're worried about how you'd be quoted in the story, why don't you ask him what kind of quote he wants and whether you can see the context, within the story, of where you're quote would go. If you feel comfortable being quoted after that, go for it. If not, don't.

OTOH, if you don't feel comfortable regardless of where and what the quote would be, don't give a quote. Personally, I'm not sure that I would want to make an allegation about a pol's residency unless I felt comfortable having my quote appear next to my real name.

__________________
Welcome to Philadelphia. Here's how you can help us make our great city even better:

• Write to your state and local elected officials
• Report suspicious activity to the police department

Anyone that trusts the media not to misrepresent them is a fool. Credible journalism is an oxymoron. Sensationalism and a good story sells! Media corporations are a business like any other business, they make their money from advertisers and selling papers/magazines, not as an objective source of information and certainly not in insuring the integrity of rabble-rousers like oystermick. They only need to uphold a modicum of respectability to stay out of the ink themselves, otherwise anything's fair game.

Remember: Reporters are corporate tools, the good ones realize that before long and get into farming alpacas or something.

-- mr c

Interesting, cyainthehood. I look forward to you revealing yourself.