re: It works for me...
When I click your link directly I get "Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage" immediately.
When I copy the URL ("http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8688797?nclick_check=1";) from the properties from your link, and paste it in the address bar of IE, I get a redirect to "https://secure.passport.mnginteractive.com/mngi/servletDispatch/ErightsPassportServlet.dyn?url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8688797?nclick_check=1&forced=true";, which displays as a blank white screen.
I found the piece going through the root, as you suggested. I will read that now. Thanks!