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People were afraid that blogging would change journalism. Instead, we believe journalism can change blogging. Twenty-first century journalism may look and feel different, and yes Erica isn't afraid to get cranky, but we're committed to making sure online news still delivers independent, reliable, even-keeled coverage. And most of all, we're committed to making sure the coverage sparks honest civic debate.

Bringing you cola for the people, PubliCola is named after Publius Valerius PubliCola, the alias for the authors of the Federalist Papers—the original bloggers.

The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Police Investigating Myspace Bullying At Mercer Middle School

Seattle police are investigating a case of internet bullying at a Beacon Hill middle school after a student was brutally attacked by a classmate last week.

A police report says a school emphasis officer working at Asa Mercer Middle School on Beacon Hill was called into the principal’s office last Friday to take a report about a fight.

The victim told the officer that he had been targeted by a bully, who had picked on him at school and posted about him on Myspace. After a shoving match at school on Friday, the victim “got tired of the bullying and decided to fight” the bully.

The boys arranged to meet and fight after school, but the victim apparently had a change of heart. The boy showed up to the fight, the report says, but simply walked away from the bully.

However,the report say, the bully walked up behind the boy, sucker punched him, knocked him to the ground, and hit him in the face “approximately 35 times.” The incident was filmed by another student and uploaded to Youtube.

The school emphasis officer watched the video and spoke with the bully, who admitted to attacking the other boy.

Police did not arrest the bully, but the victim’s father has asked that charges be filed.




  • marty

    Sounds like the bully’s dad has more sense than the police and school officials.

  • kym

    The police and school aren’t gonna do anything either. I am surprised the school even called the police. My daughter went to that schol and the same thing happened to her. The school would send her home and tell us it was best for her the “victim” rather then deal with all the other students involved and their parents. My daughter finally started fighting back and by the end of the second year she ended up being labeled a trouble maker and has no trust or respect in adults that work in the schools.

  • JS

    Is it still on Youtube?

  • LIL TREMENDO !

    And no it’s not on youTUBE No more !
    And he Pussy out he didnt change his HEART he was SCARED ! WTF
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAH fuck That
    I’m the one who Jump this foo !