Human Relations Panel in New Fray (Fresno Panel calls Free Republic "Hate Group")

Fresno Bee ^ | 9/14/2003 | Matt Leedy

[wardaddy]

Ironically...this was posted on Liberty Post first and even the anti-FReeper brigade over there were quite upset.

[MississippiMan]

The Commission ought to be cited (perhaps in a class action suit) for inflcting emotional distress on FR Americans and for attempting to impede FR citizens' ability to demonstrate their love of their country as they wish within First Amendment guarantees.

Maybe some lawyers will weigh in, but I have to think something this blatantly slanderous and libelous may be actionable.

MM

[Calvin Locke]

Ms. Reyes? Or Diana Moon Glompers?

[Liz]

....I have to think something this blatantly slanderous and libelous may be actionable. ....

Slander and libel most assuredly -- in addition to other actions mentioned.

[Liz]

The threat of hate-crimes laws may hurt SOME conservatives, but in actuality the use of the laws only affects those who deserve it. Disagreeing with someone is one thing - using physical violence to show that hate is totally different.

You're on the wrong track. There are, and have always been, laws on the books that deal with violence in every form.

Recently instituted Hate Crime laws have nothing to do with violence. They are Orwellian in scope b/c they focus on one's supposed "thoughts."

Hate Crime Thought Police are Orwell's "1984's" version of Big Brother hovering over us forbidding individuals to think certain thoughts then pouncing on "offenders" when the Thought Police believe a Hate Crime has been committed.

Hate Crime laws are completely subjective -- the so-called hate is solely in the eye of the beholder. They also place individuals in the position of being charged as guilty then having to prove one's innocence (instead of the other way around as the Constitution guarantees).

Hate Crime laws must be repealed as soon as possible.

[mdittmar]

I believe I've just been branded a member of a "Hate Group",apology? sorry,resignation? naw.

Class action lawsuit? hey there's an idea!

[Criminal Number 18F]

he read messages on the Web site that stated Free Republic members were armed and "extremely violent."

Ya think this girly-man is referring to the number of vets on this board?

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Criminal Number 18F]

under the control of owner Jim Robinson

LOL. Yes master JimRob, awaiting your orders...

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Helix]

LOL! We've been called a hate group by the "Godfather".

But of course that's just my opinion. It is not to be construed as the official position of Free Republic. No squirrels were harmed in the formation of this opinion. Opinion void where prohibited and not valid in all 50 states. Some restrictions may apply.

[Drango]

"I sure hope some of you in Fresno are looking at attorneys.."

Is it really Jim's fight? After all the innuendo is that all FReepers are whack jobs. I guess he has to fight it for us, but he shouldn't have to pay for it. I'll click the donate button for $25 if there is a move to take this to court.

[sal002a]

Actually, all kinds of crimes deal with the state of mind of the criminal - witness the different classifications of "murder."

The passage of hate crimes legislation is to put a fuirther spin on that - premeditated murder is wrong, but premeditated murder based on some ill-held hatred towards an individual based on an individual choice is deemed to be even worse.

Real conservatives are not harmed at all by these.

[Eala]

According to the commission's release, "This group has also planned a 'Free Republic Hate Rally Picnic' " Saturday at Woodward Park.

Looks like libel to me, especially with the quote marks. (But then I'm not an attorney.)

[VOA]

Five thousand of them, and they have to wear masks so we won't recognize them when
they rushed us on the steps of city hall in SF.

I don't know all the nuances of the law (or if it's still on the books),
but adults going around in public in Oklahoma wearing masks could be subjected to
arrest.

(my understanding is that such a statute was enacted following the virtual
takeover of Oklahoma by the KKK for a short while in the 1920s)

[sal002a]

Heh...and in parts of Tennessee (or is it Kentucky) if you don't have a guy on your hood with a rifle when a female is driving, you are in violation of a statute.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

The one on the left or the one on the other side?

[Becki]

He was reacting to a news release Chairwoman Debbie Reyes sent Friday that warned, "a rally is being organized by a hate group called 'The Free Republic.' "

We are just ** SO ** bad!!!

Becki

[Becki]

"We didn't want people getting hurt. Period. That was it," Reyes said. "If the city didn't get any kind of alert we could have been held responsible." Really??

What do they have to say about ELF?? Earth First? Move On??

I thought not.

Becki

[gracie1]

He could be on Indymedia. I know for a fact that a member of peace Fresno was posting on IMC regarding the rally, so I know for a fact that the HRC must have known about it and the plans to disrupt it.

[Chad Fairbanks]

MOst of these groups are one and the same half the time - "Peace Fresno" is probably one of several groups in Fresno with different names, same members etc...

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

I think this has to be taken VERY seriously.

People hear this kind of thing and it "sticks". Then they hear the name "FreeRepublic" and they think "HATE GROUP".

I don't know about any of you but this bothers me. We donate to FreeRepublic "FREELY" because we believe in what Jim has done here and we get the TRUTH here.

That's why we first came here. We were frustrated with newspapers and the media. We were tired of the brainwashing and we KNEW they weren't telling the truth, because we "worked" in some of the industries they were reporting on.

We are both Veterans of this countries military. We are honest, decent people. I worked in medicine for 25 years. I've volunteered for Hospice and for Special Olympics. My husband still works for our Government in an important capacity. So this is extremely insulting. In fact, if we hadn't had an earlier engagement, we would have been at this years picnic. We are the grandparent of 18 beautiful children (one will be here by Oct. the 6th).

I hope Jim Robinson will make sure something MAJOR is done about this. (Use this letter.. feel free to! Call me too).

Violence INDEED!!!

The only thing VIOLENT,.. would have been seeing a 50'ish something man hitting the ground trying to play football with a younger 20-30ish something man.

(I call that FOOLISH, same number of letters :o) LOL!!