I was disappointed to see that Gerald Largen's column was not published in the Friday Roane County News so they could check with their lawyers. Since Gerald had been accused of a possible malfeasance by a candid piece in the Reader, which a wisp of journalistic capability could verify was false, I was looking forward to seeing what the old curmudgeon had to say.

(Updated after the jump)

Looks like the RCN chickened out or something. They say they'll have Gerald's column back next Friday but I say they owe us one and ought to put in two next week. Particularly if they contain words like "libel suit" and things like that.

Update: Ok...The word on the street is that due to the possibly litigious implications of the Reader piece and the implications inherent in Gerald Largen's reply, his column got sent upstairs to the legal review booth. I guess that's prudent instead of chicken, and fits with the statement in the RCN.

I also suppose that everyone all over Landmark Communications Inc. is adjusting to the news they might be sold and businesses get real careful during times like that. I need to watch the Weather Channel to see if those folks look more nervous than usual.

Anyway, It certainly doesn't seem like any form of censorship because of who the piece was about...Duncan is a large advertiser. I guess we'll see if Duncan pulls his car ads because of the scrutiny involved in his real estate development dealings with the City of Harriman and the pointed conclusions of the State Audit that Prestige Development owes Harriman a fair amount of money. It would seem silly to hurt one business out of spite over revelations involving another, but you never know.

Anyway...Stay tuned folks...I think we'll be finding out more one all this soon.