Premature Congratulation: Capellini's Paper Gets Scoop on His Innocence

The Deerfield Beach Dispatch is a thinly veiled propaganda rag allegedly "published as a public service," assuming that what's good for ex-mayor Al Capellini is good for the public. It is not to be confused with another thinly veiled propaganda rag called the Deerfield Beach Observer, which last week presided...

By Thomas Francis

March 2, 2009

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The Deerfield Beach Dispatch is a thinly veiled propaganda rag allegedly "published as a public service," assuming that what's good for ex-mayor Al Capellini is good for the public. It is not to be confused with another thinly veiled propaganda rag called the Deerfield Beach Observer, which last week presided over a candidates forum so biased that it was deemed a "disgrace" even by the prevailing community standards in a city where crooked politics is an enduring tradition. Nor should the Deerfield Beach Dispatch be confused with the Deerfield Beach Advocate, a thinly veiled political hit-blog that eviscerates the enemies of Capellini and friends.

Above, the front page of this month's Dispatch. At a glance -- especially from eyes clouded by cataracts, like some of those elderly residents who occupy the enormous, vote-rich condo complex Century Village -- it looks like "Al Capellini Cleared." A subliminal message that might come in handy for a guy facing a felony corruption charge.

Look closely, though, and you'll see an even subtler subliminal message: "Voters are sheep." Or at least that appears to be the bet Capellini's making. Truly the most cynical campaign ploy of 2009. But it's still early.

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