Ooh, look, they have "blogs!" Uh..wait..that's just an empty page...

The flacks at the Newport Daily News just sent out a breathless e-mail piece announcing the relaunch of their interactive community site, NewportRI.com.

We've just relaunched NewportRI.com, and it's more interactive than ever! Log in, add events and business listings, and post comments.

ZOMG, it's an ad-dominated trainwreck, with a wheedling, desperate "thow it all at the wall and see what sticks" esthetic and an incomprehensible information architecture. The home and section landing pages are just a tangle of subheads, eyebrows, and boxes lacking any apparent grid or breathing room. Story pages are no better: content is pushed more than 600 pixels down the page by a barrage of craptastic banners and widgets.

Come to think of it, this site is an insult to train wrecks. At least those can be a source of scrap metal. The folks at Newport Now and Newport Patch have nothing to fear.

Mr. Lucey, fire your clueless web strategists. You're welcome.

Full disclosure: I was critical of the hapless digital efforts of the Daily News long before they chose not to endorse me in last year's election. Nothing personal.