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]

I simply find it interesting that the anti-lawyer / complaints about "frivoulous" lawsuits / "we need tort reform" sentiment that pervades this forum are absent from this thread.

Once again, you completely miss the point of why truly frivolous lawsuits and tort reform have absolutely NOTHING to do with this case. The reason that Freepers aren't whining, as you would apparently have them do, about this case being an example of why tort reform is needed is because they know as I do that the case wasn't frivolous in nature. Jim had every right to bring the case before a court and seek relief in accordance with California law. Further, since this case was settled out of court, your shibboleth of "tort reform" just doesn't hold water.

What I think this shows is that some Freepers believe in "justice for me", but not "justice for thee".

Well, I think your logic is in abeyance in this case and also think that your goal is simply to start a flamewar. If you really want a red herring that much, then grab a fishing pole and some bait and start casting.

[tame]

I simply find it interesting that the anti-lawyer / complaints about "frivoulous" lawsuits / "we need tort reform" sentiment that pervades this forum are absent from this thread.

There is a difference between frivolous lawsuits and non-frivolous (should I even have to point this out?!?). It is not inconsistent to fight for tort reform and to sue the pants off leftists in a legitimate grievance. I believe in tort reform, and I support Jim's lawsuit as legitimate.

I also believe there are times when we need to fight fire with fire--turn leftist weapons against the leftists.

[Diver Dave]

Good Job, Boss!
And to the rest of you FResno FReepers as well.
I'm proud to be associated with y'all. Keep me posted for the next event and we'll do our best to make the trip down the ol' highway.

[JustAmy]

You will soon have mail

[HiTech RedNeck]

In the end, we saved them hundreds of thousands by settling for a pittance and an apology and a retraction printed in the local papers. They reneged on the latter part.

Didn't the settlement have to go before the court where the suit was brought, or did you just drop the suit on getting the check and the promise they didn't keep?

[Jim Robinson]

We agreed to drop the suit. It never got to court.

[Jim Robinson]

By the way, the "pittance" was in relation to what it would have cost them had they forced us to take it all the way.

[Badray]

Great news, Bill. Couldn't happen to a better guy.

[imintrouble]

Fox news reported this morning that a poll in California still had George Bush leading the top democrat candidates.

California State would be a great win for electoral votes, perhaps your Fresno "folly" funds would be best spent winning the votes in your home state. Cover less ground, and make a significant gain in party switch.

[Catspaw]

That was becasue when Dubya was flying over your house, he fired up his transporter and "abducted" it.

Well, I think Dubya should give Jim Rob a transporter, or at least lend him one for a few years. Or endow him with the power Samantha Stevens had--all Jim Rob would have to do is wiggle his nose (dinka-dinka-dink) and all the Dems would be gone.

[Philo1962]

It is a pittance. But I would hesitate to take any more of the taxpayers' money than that. Good move. I think the 3rd District councilwoman who appointed a loose cannon like Barbara Reyes to the Human Relations Commission may be in a bit of well-deserved trouble in the next election.

I don't post here much any more ... I just lurk. But I wanted to congratulate you for another victory for freedom of expression. Best regards.

[Philo1962]

... Or endow him with the power Samantha Stevens had--all Jim Rob would have to do is wiggle his nose (dinka-dinka-dink) and all the Dems would be gone.

Oh, come on. All that self-righteous indignation can give us a lot of laughs. Every village needs an idiot, if you know what I mean.

[Catspaw]

Every village needs an idiot, if you know what I mean.

Well, we could keep a few Dems around for comic relief < Paul Begala >

[TexasCowboy]

"Aren't you sorry you didn't show up to this?"

I was sorry at the time, but y'all didn't tell me that HE was going to be there!
I'll be there for the rally on the 24th, though.
Can y'all invite him down?
Maybe chadsey can meet the First Doggie!

[BOBTHENAILER]

Debbie Reyes, who sent out the news release in September and who resigned this month, said the city should have "stuck it out and fought it."

Hateful words from Ms. Reyes. I'm shocked and deeply saddened.

[Doctor Raoul]

I'm sure the City of Frenso has an Animal Control Officer to take rabid dogs off the streets. They need a Liberal Control Officer to take rabid liberals like Debbie Reyes off the streets before she bites somebody. The only way to explain the actions of Reyes is to understand that she had an uncontrolled hate of others is what made her think that fax was a good idea. Old Debbie was blinded by her hate.

[GOPJ]

Jim's always welcome in Florida - the weather's great here.

Looking forward to seeing you again soon, Jim! You may want to wait until it gets a little warmer before you head up here to the northeast U.S., though. :-)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

[uglybiker]

Every village needs an idiot, if you know what I mean.

Too bad so many of them are living off the taxpayers dime.

They need to be cleaned out so they can go back to living in dumpeters and under bridges where village idiots belong.

[chadsworth]

what it would have cost them had they forced us to take it all the way.

City of Fresno - may be putting its taxpayers in danger of more litigation- AGAIN.

It appears the retraction statement from the City of Fresno has not been sent to the specified news media as was agreed to in the mediation settlement. The settlement called for a retraction to be published jointly and it has been signed by both parties. The retraction was to be delivered to the specified media 8:00 a.m., Monday 1/12/04. To date it has not been published or announced BY ANY OF THE LOCAL MEDIA.

After the news story came out on Monday about the amount the City of Fresno was to pay, none of the other local media made mention of it in their broadcasts. There was no mention about a retraction from the City of Fresno in the Fresno Bee this morning. It is appears that the City of Fresno has not issued their retraction statement as was agreed to. So, is it the media or the City of Fresno?

If it is the City's lack of response, it is very irresponsible on the City's part. This would place the City in violation and it could result in a breech of contract lawsuit.

[gracie1]

I simply find it interesting that the anti-lawyer / complaints about "frivoulous" lawsuits / "we need tort reform" sentiment that pervades this forum are absent from this thread.

Mini, There's a world of difference between sueing a company for millions because you spilled hot coffee on your lap, and a public official using their office for political character assassinations.