Fresno will pay $60,000 to forum

Fresno Bee ^ | 01/13/2004 | Jim Davis

[Johnny_Cipher]

City to retract release calling Free Republic a 'hate group.'

Fresno will pay $60,000 to conservative online forum Free Republic and retract a news release that called the organization a "hate group," according to a settlement agreement released Monday. Free Republic founder Jim Robinson, who lives in Fresno, said he wouldn't have filed the suit if the city had acknowledged its error.

"I think it's unfortunate the city did not retract and apologize immediately after they knew they were in the wrong," Robinson said.

City Attorney Hilda Cantu Montoy said the lawsuit was settled to "avoid the expense and burden of litigation."

"It's not in any way admitting any liability by any party," Montoy said.

[floriduh voter]

Love is all around, no need to fake it, we're gonna make it after all.

[floriduh voter]

Please warn us for #30s. I became concerned.

[ken5050]

Tax free, also, I believe....

[silversky]

Yep, a scary bunch. Just the way I look. BTW, a police officer walked quickly around my house the other day and drove off before I could talk to him. I called the local police department and they said they were looking for the cable guy. Cable guy? What cable guy? There were no vehicles parked on the street, and the cable company trucks are highly visible. I have been quite active on FR lately, I write politely but I don't spare criticism for either party. I wonder if this is some intimidation attempt. Anyone had similar experiences?

PS. Call me a tin foil, but I am writing from a friend's account now.

[demlosers]

Hehehee...

[spodefly]

Wasn't that the mission statement for every single dot-bomb in the 90's? The HRC certainly needs to follw in their footsteps by declaring (moral) bankruptcy and divesting itself of all fixed assets.

[hattend]

Hell, I'd send Reyes one anyway. Rub some salt in her wounds.

[gracie1]

Hey, lookee here!

[SWake]

Dear Council President Brad Castillo: Please send my "$20" to ... .

[new cruelty]

Wasn't that the mission statement for every single dot-bomb in the 90's?

I don't know. I think I found it on the back of a cereal box. : )

[spodefly]

If you consider a city official hiding behind her taxpayer-paid position to libel FreeRepublic as a hate group to be a "frivolous" matter, then I don't think we have much to discuss. Jim suffered damage as a result of the malicious comments, and was perfectly justified in taking legal action.

My last time doing jury duty, during the Voir Dire for a civil suit, the plantiff's attorney asked the entire jury pool how many of us thought that there were too many frivolous lawsuits. All hands went up. He then asked how many of us thought there were too many meritorious lawsuits. No on raised their hands.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Paying $60,000 for acting like a bunch of lefties. Hmmmm...

[Quix]

i STRONGLY agree.

[Quix]

Thanks.

[Roarkdude]

The settlement should have included a public retraction. Anything short of that and I would have taken them to court.

[JustAmy]

Good Morning, Gracie

I hate to admit that I saw it in the Bee before coming here. Mr JA woke me with "You are on the frong page!"

Thanks for the ping.

[hoosiermama]

We could time it in January, Just in time for the ....... GO "W"!

[Ciexyz]

Way to go Jim!

[mrobison]

The article says JimRob is going to travel across the U. S. in a motorhome. When is he coming to Salt Lake City? I want to shake his hand.

[hoosiermama]

We need a "Woo Hoo" and a picture for this one!