This morning we were wondering why no one at The Stranger could access the Weekly’s main website . Why would they do this to us? What had we ever done to them?

A Stranger reader sent this short note to the Weekly…

Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 12:24 PM

To: sw web

Subject: Why no access for The Stranger?

A little bizarre folks? No? Another reason I won’t be reading your paper.

…and soon thereafter got this response:

From: Gary Love [mailto:glove@seattleweekly.com]

Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 12:00 PM

Subject: RE: Why no access for The Stranger?

Erin,

I'm sorry that you feel that way. However, the blocking of the Stranger's offices were [sic] a necessary step to stop them from spamming our classifieds advertisers. It's a drastic measure, however we had to do something after the Stranger continued sending unsolicited messages to advertisers who had explicitly stated that they did not want to receive those messages.
We have not blocked anyone outside of the Stranger offices, and would consider removing the block if the Stranger discontinues their practice of spamming advertisers.

Gary Love

New Media Development

So is it true? Were Stranger staffers spamming the Weekly's classifieds? Both of them? Spamming, of course, is an illegal act. No one in editorial was doing it, I can assure you. Editorial folks are only interested in the Weekly's collection of tits, not their classified ads. You know, the wall between editorial and advertising yadda yadda yadda.

So what the hell happened?

A full report is forthcoming... I can't share all I know now... this room is bugged... but I can reveal that the scandal involves, Rosebud-like, this mysterious pair of skis...

What does it all mean? Stay tuned...