Freeper History - weren't they once cited as a "Hate Group"?

[NewJeffCT]

Wasn't Free Republic's website once designated as a hate group, but it was overturned on appeal, or something like that?

I'm asking because I had posted a link to a poll yesterday where the host had asked who was the 2nd worst president in the last 60 years (meaning #2 after Bush). After a bit of DUing, Reagan vaulted to the top of the list.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1334056&mesg_id=1334056

However, as evidenced here, the host of the morning show on WTIC, Ray Dunaway posted on Free Republic and asked for help Freeping the poll:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1334056&mesg_id=1334348

Now, WTIC-AM portrays itself as a very family oriented station - they had a morning host named Bob Steele on the air for about 50 years from the late 30s to the late 80s! I'm guessing most natives of Connecticut over 30 grew up listening to Steele. However, Ray Dunaway has been on the morning show for the last several years and is an outspoken Republican. However, posting a known hate site like FR is probably a no-no for a place like WTIC.

Just curious.

Thanks

[robbedvoter]

1. Poll needs more work

http://www.wtic.com/index.php?
As for FR, wasn't there an Arkansas governor proud to be in FR? You have to accept the fact - hate is 'in" - these are the people cheering the massacre of innocents in Haditha.

[Poppyseedman]

2. Free Republic's website once designated as a hate group

but it was overturned on appeal......................By whom?

I'm not saying their members are not some of the most hateful slugs on the WWW today, but this site is considered hateful by RW er's. Perception is everything

My point is by using the term "designated" you imply some "power" with authority has giving them that official label

As for "content" broadcast on WTIC, I'm sure there are internal policies on what the host has permission to speak about.

Call the station manger and log a complaint

[NewJeffCT]

3. I did find something

The City of Fresno had designated them as a hate group:

http://www.originaldissent.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9769

[Minnesota_Lib]

5. Oops, NewJeffCT already found the doc I posted...sorry of the dupe

[NewJeffCT]

6. Thanks for posting it however

I guess my memory isn't all bad in my old age

[newblewtoo]

17. with links to Freeperville....

My but his is some telling stuff.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/981675/posts?page=8#8

Did you realize it linked there??

Damn, just damn. The freeks got cash out of this?

[Minnesota_Lib]

4. Posts calling for the deaths of liberals and such used to be commonplace..

..over at Freeperville, but lately the admins have been Johnny-on-the-spot deleting those types of posts and occationally supending posting rights for the offending members. I suspect it is not because they disagree, but rather they want to jetteson the "hate-group" image.

[TahitiNut]

7. Fresno, no less. RimJob must be proud.

Fresno is hardly a bastion of liberalism and civil rights.

[Minnesota_Lib]

8. Yes, and there is a strong Neo-Nazi presence there....

http://www.tolerance.org/maps/hate/state.jsp?S=CA&m=4



Fresno: National Socialist Movement, Neo-Nazi and SS Enterprises, Neo-Nazi.

The Free Republic is based in Fresno and must feel right at home there (this is not a slam at the population of Fresno, most of whom I am sure are good citizens).

[newblewtoo]

14. um wow,

Thank you for posting the link along with the graphic. I had no idea how, ahem, "DIVERSE" California was. Just wow.

[Ian David]

9. Bush issued an Executive Order for FR to receive a settlement in the case

[NewJeffCT]

11. you're kidding? an executive order

for Free Republic?

[Ian David]

12. Yes, he did....

Some public official called Free Republic a hate group, and then FR sued the county or something that she worked for... and Bush ordered the municipality to pay a settlement to FR.

[NewJeffCT]

13. that is ridiculous

but, it goes to show you how important a hate site like FR is to the Republican cause if Bush can take time to issue an executive order about them, but can't be bothered about Hurricane Katrina.

[Posteritatis]

15. Got a ref on that?

I'm definately not challenging the validity; that's something I just want to know more about. Gah.

[stevedeshazer]

10. Tony Snow is a freeper

They scrubbed all his posts once he took the White House job.

[Innocent Smith]

16. it happened in Fresno

The local Human Rights Commision put out a statement along with councilwomen Cyntha Stearling (spelling?). The HRC was almost universally denounced by everyone including the local paper (Frenso Bee). The city paid Free Republic a settlement of something between $10,000 to $100,000 - don't remember the exact amount. It was a local issue settled locally.

[Ian David]

18. Free Republic's free Ride from Bush

Bush orders settlement to conservative GOP website by City of Fresno
by Troy Montague Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004 at 11:03 PM

Settlement funnels money to local conservative website on orders of president George Bush. Rightwing website "FreeRepublic" to recieve large settlement from City of Fresno.

This is urgent-read and call the attorney general's office as soon as you can. We must stop this criminal give-away to GOP activists at taxpayer expense.


The City of Fresno has announced it is paying a large settlement to the "FreeRepublic", a right wing conservative website/forum to settle a lawsuit filed by Freerepublic alledging defamation and damage of reputation. Some background on the case:

The case FreeRepublic vs. City of Fresno stems from a bulletin sent to Fresno Police by Fresno Human Relations Commissioner Debbie Reyes regarding an event planned on sept. 13th by the Fresno chapter of FreeRepublic Network. This event, billed by Freerepublic as a picnic/rally was a subject of concern to Reyes as she had been made aware of possible counter-protests to the picnic/rally by activists critical of FreeRepublic Network's harrassment of anti-war activists and general right-wing extremist nature. Ms. Reyes faxed a notice to police that there might be possible conflicts at the event and notified them that FreeRepublic was well known as an organized hate group disguising themselves as patriotic americans. This notice and resulting publicity resulted in the lawsuit naming City of Fresno, Debbie Reyes, and Mayor Alan Autry as defendants. They alledged Reyes fax resulted in defamation and filed suit seeking $1,000,000 compensation.

The very very strange thing in all this is George Bush met with Fresno Mayor Alan Autry on 10/15/2003 and there is good reason to believe this lawsuit by the FreeRepublic Network was the main topic of conversation between the two. The FreeRepublic online forum is a darling centerpiece of the GOP party, the largest and most highly trafficked GOP oriented website in existence. Progressive activists have long suspected FreeRepublic receives under the table covert funding directly or indirectly from the GOP party. So it is quite likely and plausible that when Autry met with Bush and discussed this with him Bush told him to pay off these good old-boy conservatives and get some funds into their hands so they can continue their fight against the left and all things progressive.

It is clear that before any settlement is paid to FreeRepublic an investigation into ties between Mayor Alan Autry and FreeRepublic should be undertaken. He has been supportive of their activitys to a suspicious degree and it is apparent he was very interested in arranging for the city to settle out of court on the lawsuit and quickly get some money into the hands of his fellow patriots at FreeRepublic.


Did Fresno Mayor Alan Autry work at the suggestion of George Bush to supply a large cash settlement to FreeRepublic at taxpayer's expense? Demand an investigation.

Contact:
California State Attoney General
[phone]

More:
http://www.indybay.org/news/2004/01/1667532_comment.php






Also:

Press release from the Freak Republic website

Free Republic LLC filed a Notice of Claim with the City of Fresno
Press Release Charles L. Doerksen, Attorney at Law | 09/22/03 | Jim Robinson

Posted on 09/22/2003 5:52:05 PM PDT by Jim Robinson

CHARLES L. DOERKSEN
ATTORNEY AT LAW
________________

ROWELL BUILDING
2100 Tulare Street, Suite 410
Fresno, California 93721
Telephone [phone]
Facsimile 559 233 3939
E-mail [e-mail]



September 22, 2003



PRESS RELEASE

At 9:10 a.m. today, Free Republic LLC filed a Notice of Claim with the City of Fresno, arising from the Human Relations Commission’s news release of September 12, 2003, labeling it a "hate group." A copy of the Notice of Claim, without exhibits, is attached hereto.

The Notice of Claim, which is a legally required first step in filing a lawsuit against a public entity, puts the City of Fresno on notice that Free Republic LLC intends to file a lawsuit for defamation against (1) the City of Fresno, (2) the Human Relations Commission, and (3) Debbie Reyes, Chair of the Human Relations Commission.

Questions regarding this matter may be directed to this office, and additionally, Mr. Doerksen, as well as representatives of Free Republic LLC, can be made available in front of City Hall at 4:00 p.m., today, September 22, 2003, to answer questions if interest in this is expressed.

More:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/987378/posts


Also:

JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY FREE REPUBLIC LLC & CITY OF FRESNO

On September 12, 2003, the City of Fresno’s Human Relations Commission issued a news release describing Free Republic LLC as a “hate group” and accusing it of threatening violence towards minority groups. As a result of this, on September 22, 2003, Free Republic LLC filed a claim with the City of Fresno, which was a procedural first step in filing a lawsuit for defamation. Free Republic LLC and the City of Fresno announce that this dispute has been fully resolved.

The City of Fresno officially retracts the press release and acknowledges that the City had no basis for referring to the Free Republic as a hate group or accusing them of making threats against minorities. The City of Fresno also wishes to announce that Debbie Reyes, the Chair of its Human Relations Commission has resigned from her position, effective January 2, 2004.

Questions regarding this matter may be directed to either of the contacts set forth below.


Free Republic Charles L. Doerksen - 559 233 3434
City of Fresno Michael Slater, Assistant City Attorney – 559 621 7500

More:
http://www.fresno.gov/news&info/01162004_a.asp



Also:
Holy crap! BUSH ORDERED Fresno to settle the Freeper Lawsuit!! IanDB1 Mar-07-05 07:19 AM #31
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1642033#1644183