When Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine were publishers, the newspapers they printed were nothing more than political propaganda. No attempt was made to report news objectively or accurately. Newspapers have come a long way. Now, according to an article in the San Jose alternative weekly Metro, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office has filed a complaint against West Valley-Mission College Trustee Chris Stampolis (pictured), contending that a newspaper the Democrat politician has published twice in three years is nothing more than a political tract designed to help a slate of candidates in the city of Santa Clara, and that the publication should have been labeled as a political mailer as required under state election laws. Stampolis, a resident of Santa Clara, told Metro he will file a response to the DA’s complaint. It’s due Jan. 30. (Photo from the West Valley-Mission Community College Web site.)