Fresno will pay $60,000 to forum

The Fresno Bee ^ | January 13, 2004 | Jim Davis

[OldCorps]

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.

[Texas_Dawg]

I supported impeachment and wish the Senate had pursued it more strongly. Trent Lott was a weak leader. But FR had nothing to do with any of this stuff happening. The overinflated sense of importance of FR that some FReepers have is really funny.

[kristinn]

Free Republic's pro-impeachment rally in Washington, D.C. on October 31, 1998 had a great impact by virtue of it being broadcast live on C-SPAN. Over the years, I've spoken with many people who remember channel surfing that Saturday and being mesmerized by what they were seeing and hearing.

Also, FR used to be a great place for authors from many political perspectives to gather research for their books. With the stifling of debate by self-appointed bullies who try to intimidate and marginalize those who don't follow in lockstep behind the administration, FR has become a less informative place for them and us.

[Lazamataz]

Bravo, kristinn. This guy you are talking to is a real ass. I've encountered him before, and our exchanges have been so heated that JimRob has asked us not to post to one another.

Mostly, he's a troll. He's just trolling for reactions.

[the invisib1e hand]

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.

useless lawyers who should have been housepainters.

[Congressman Billybob]

Not only is the quick settlement from Fresno a fine result, there's another bonus in this article. What a terrific use of the settlement to get JimRob on the road, visiting Freepers across the country and winding up in D.C. Perfect use for a well-deserved settlement.

Congressman Billybob

Click here, then click the blue CFR button, to join the anti-CFR effort (or visit the "Hugh & Series, Critical & Pulled by JimRob" thread).

[conservative_2001]

I'm happy to see Free Republic get $60,000 for being libeled by an ignorant liberal bigot.

Though frankly, I think better things could be done with the money than a motor trip across the country. That's a real expensive trip.

[jim35]

"...So sue and then settle for the apology as well as the money for your time and legal expenses..."

Read the article again: "Free Republic founder Jim Robinson, who lives in Fresno, said he wouldn't have filed the suit if the city had acknowledged its error." Also: They didn't call JR "a name," they called US a hate group, and publicly warned minorities that we would physically attack them. That's defamation. It would be like me calling you a dumb a**, and publicly warning people to ignore your opinions, and doing so as a public entity, under the umbrella of officialdom. Then I'd refuse to retract it, also officially. Are you dense?

[smith288]

It's the MoveOn.org of the Right at many times and the reason conservatism and the GOP

Hardly. We have our crazies and people who are taken too seriously (by you) but we don't have a Soros giving us millions for ads or any other type of activities. Freeper chapters all over the country raise the cash themselves which is a helluva lot different and more satisfying than us having a sugar daddy.

[Texas_Dawg]

A lot of excuse-making here for a very left-like tactic.

Suing for a public apology and legal expenses would have been perfectly conservative and justifiable. Suing just to win a free vacation and a settlement (and NO apology) is completely different.

[XBob]

1 - Thanks for posting this OC. Somehow I missed it.

congrats JR - good work

ping gang

[cyborg]

GOOD... thumbs in their eyes

[Paul Ross]

As a conservative, I just like keeping this place in line.

B.S.

You have never been anything resembling a conservative. You are a communist pretending-to-be-an anarchist troll. LONG overdue for the ZOT!

[Paul Ross]

Congratulations on extracting the retraction! I look forward to visiting with you when you get up to Minnesota!