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.

[Johnny_Cipher]

Maybe that former council member was trying to make her charge seem plausible?

Wouldn't put it past 'em.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Best Use of Fresno Tax Dollars EVER!

[xzins]

Jim said: "They need to get some adults over there."

Rotflol!!

[eddie willers]

"It was a collaboration of a lot of things," Reyes said.

I think the word she was looking for was "combination".

[Just another Joe]

Any amount of money is better than a sharp stick in the eye.

[eddie willers]

LOL!

[hellinahandcart]

It probably has a lot to do with a lot of threads.

There were a couple just yesterday by mysterious newbies, one proposing the violent overthrow of the government if the Democrats win, another making unsubstantiated charges against Howard Dean...I think someone, or someones, want the settlement money to be eaten up by legal fees in other lawsuits.

[Seeking the truth]

Yippee, a win for the good guys!

[doodad]

HAHA serves them right. New car Jim!

[Quilla]

I believe this is a picture of the infamous "hate group" mentioned.

I'd love to hug each and every one of them. :-)

[Johnny_Cipher]

Agree. Not only was it defamation, it was defamation under color of official authority. If Jim had really wanted to be litigious about this, he probably could have squeezed a lot more blood out of that particular turnip.

[hellinahandcart]

Hey, Didn't some doofus council member on another thread, imply the city settled it for $20 bucks and an apology?

Yes, that's why I said "thatsa lotta twenty-dollar bills". LOL

[ValerieUSA]

Human Relations Commission.
What a pretentious concept!
Cities and big newsppaers and other entities used to hire an ombudsman to mediate community relations (or individual complaints). Where did they get the idea that a commission was needed? Who will be the ombudsman between the commission and the public?
Oh. I see. The lawyers!
That's progress.

[nina0113]

Was there really such a thread? If so, can AM run a "who is" on the IP of the poster and see if there's anything interesting?

[Johnny_Cipher]

Pleasure yourself with this at TOS.

Poor Todd. Wonder how long its going to take him to stroke out at this rate?

[optimistically_conservative]

When in doubt, check it out: http://209.157.64.200/focus/f-news/707390/posts

[new cruelty]

	Q1 FReepathon. Target: $60,000	Receipts, Pledges & Settlements to-date: $121,748
	202%
	Over the top!! Way to go FReepers, Lurkers, and Human Relations Commission! ! Thank you all VERY much!!

[SouthernFreebird]

Wonder how many other "20 buck" settlements the city has forked over...

[ValerieUSA]

Oh Quilla. They look so scary!
You be careful.

[Semper Paratus]

Robinson said he plans to use the settlement money to travel across the country in a motor home visiting Free Republic chapters.

Don't think the media will cover this road trip like 'Granny's' caravan for campaign finance reform.