Link from Residents for Truth In Rockaway - The "All Opinions are Welcome, but Sorry no Instigators" Board

Date: Tue May 4 6:59 PM, 2004

Link from Residents for Truth In Rockaway

Date: Wed May 5 9:00 AM, 2004

OK, here's the reply from their Webmaster:

"VORT’s posts are given priority on that forum. Our link is labeled based on what the board appears to be. There is no reason to change our link at this time. Webmaster"

Thanks, Matt.

Date: Wed May 5 9:14 AM, 2004

perhaps to remove any possible appearance of bias...the sticky post should be removed...although VORT did not ask that it be posted at the top...and it does represent the views of many of us on the board - b/c it came from a VORT member some can SPIN it to be a show of bias...

the webmasters response is completely unacceptable...it is NOT a VORT board...and they should respect the wishes of the person that started the board and owns it...they are misrepresenting this board on their site...so much for being about TRUTH!!!

Date: Wed May 5 9:31 AM, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Maria
"perhaps to remove any possible appearance of bias...the sticky post should be removed...although VORT did not ask that it be posted at the top...

I think the colon : is causing it to stay at the top. Perhaps the admin can change the heading. Same will happen with post.

Date: Wed May 5 9:32 AM, 2004

The following quotes are taken from the Rockaway "Truth" (cough cough) webpage:

At the top of the page:

The purpose of this page is to present a balanced perspective on issues.

You be the judge. Balanced or not?

Truth or fiction? Has the planning board chair shut people up when they ask inappropriate questions?

Having attended the last meeting of the Rockaway Township Planning Board meeting regarding the Christ Church application, it was incredible how slow everything was moving. It seems that one of the strategies to stop Christ Church is to slow down and stall the proceedings whenever possible. One of the ways is for citizens to ask the same questions to Pastor Ireland over and over again. Neither the planning board chairman or the planning board attorney bother to let the questioner know that theirs had been already asked about ten times.

Personal attacks:

For the next hour, VORT’s lawyer performed like a cross between Inspector Clouseau and Detective Colombo. Many felt he was incompetent but if stall and delay is the goal, then he was very effective. His questions rambled so much that he even forgot what he was trying to ask. He shuffled all kinds of papers while moving his glasses from the top of his head, down to his eyes, and then completely off his head. While asking a question, he would go from slow to slower to stop, and then start over again.

Mistruths - also known as lies (the propert is zoned OBRL. There is no such thing as 'zoned for conditional use):

Years ago, Rockaway Township zoned the Agilent property for ‘conditional use’.

More personal attacks - this one on the planning board attorney:

Of course, the tone was set by the way some planning board members questioned the Pastor as well as the ongoing arrogance and condescension of our planning board attorney.

And, of course their lie on their link page - with regard the link to this forum (Although the founders of this forum may support VORT, this is clearly not a board founded nor run by VORT):

Voices of Rockaway Forum

Date: Wed May 5 9:46 AM, 2004

Look guys, I'd be ok with removing the sticky if you think it's a better idea.

I thought it a good idea to keep focus on the REAL issues related to the project, so we didn't get sidetracked on religion, and unrelated issues.

Obviously, from the media publicity it's generated, that's not a priority for some. In fact it's better for them if we DO get sidetracked, so they can cause some sensationalism in the papers.

So the sticky turned out to be just another source of ammunition from these dickheads.

If I take it down, we'll just have to make sure we remind each other on a regular basis not to get too far off track.

Let me know what you think--

Date: Wed May 5 9:50 AM, 2004

Karen,

Pull it off. Then demand that the link name be changed.

JMHO

Date: Wed May 5 9:55 AM, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Karen
"OK, here's the reply from their Webmaster: "VORT’s posts are given priority on that forum. Our link is labeled based on what the board appears to be. There is no reason to change our link at this time. Webmaster" Thanks, Matt."

Is Matt the "truth" site webmaster?

Date: Wed May 5 9:56 AM, 2004

i agree...take the sticky down...DEMAND they change their link...

and we should make sure we FOCUS on the FACTS!!!

Date: Wed May 5 10:13 AM, 2004

OK, I've got scripts disabled here at work, will do when I get home.

Sorry it caused a problem, I thought it was a good idea on all sides.

I honestly thought the church supporters would WANT things to stay on topic...but I guess it benefits them more for us to get all fired up and lose our minds so they can publish it.

Date: Wed May 5 10:14 AM, 2004

In general, I do not like the idea of caving into these folks. Ignore them and their requests. They are a deceitful bunch and up to no good. Let them do what they think that they need to do and let us do what believe that we need to do. Just my $0.02.

Date: Wed May 5 10:43 AM, 2004

Karen....

My thought is this:

This message board is you're doing right????

You can name it anything you want.

You can have it reatain any focus you wish.

You can moderate the posts, or those allowed in.

It's title is free speech, but I see nothing wrong with including YOUR mission statement for the board.

The "Sticky" allows anyone to add their own comment to it.

Let them focus on this if they wish. Perhaps it will work to distact them the way the look to distact us.

Or,

Perhaps you can create a mission statemnt of your own and have it be a banner on the top of the main page.

I don't think you need to feel pressured by anyone....besides...how many people have asked it to be removed???? If I remember it's the guy who aims to divide the town using religion or any other means.... lately our number one religious topic monger, who currently uses the name "Matthew".

Date: Wed May 5 10:51 AM, 2004

Damned if I do: Remove it and cave in to their demands, which irks my gherkin BIG TIME!

Damned if I don't: And they feel justified in leaving their link called "Voices of Rockaway Forum".

I can't believe that interaction with a bunch of devout Christians could possibly be so complicated.

Should be, we want to be honest and do what's right.

That's what I thought I was doing by making that post a sticky.

'Cause I get caught up in the silliness, too.

Taking the "High Road", a request from our Mayor, which Residents For Truth says on their site has been ignored.

Date: Wed May 5 11:00 AM, 2004

My 2 cents...

This board is titled above Rockaway Township Free Speech - If "truth" will not use the proper name ask them to not link to your sight. It is common internet protocol to remove links if you are asked.

Re the sticky: KEEP IT. It allows comments for those who wish to discuss the issues that many of us are VERY concerned about. That is WHY I come here.

Please do not give a "sticky" so some one pushing a personal religious opinion - that has NOTHING to do with Rockaway Twp. - the CC application is 100% about Rockaway Twp.

DONT CAVE IN...YOU built it... IT IS YOUR CALL... PLEASE DO NOT CAVE TO THESE angry and nasty people.

Oh and thank you for this forum - I know it has caused some stress...but it is worth it to have a place to talk about issues important to the town.

TTFN!!

Date: Wed May 5 11:14 PM, 2004

Karen,
The "Voices" name has been removed from the link.

http://www.rockawaytruth.com/links.html

webmaster
_____________________

Many thanks to the webmaster for taking care of this.

Date: Thu May 6 2:46 PM, 2004

Church Opposers' Forum - that is what they call ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP FREE SPEECH.

So if that is the case... I guess all those who post here...OPPOSE THE CHURCH!

Interesting!

Date: Thu May 6 3:02 PM, 2004

There are both "Opposers" and just "Posers".

Date: Thu May 6 3:05 PM, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: opposers...
"Church Opposers' Forum - that is what they call ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP FREE SPEECH. So if that is the case... I guess all those who post here...OPPOSE THE CHURCH! Interesting!"

I guess that makes ted and Matthew church opposers? Since the have Free Speech here?

Hey Matthew - do us a favor - please change the name of the link or please only post messages opposed to the church here, OK?

Date: Thu May 6 3:07 PM, 2004

can't they just be blocked from linking to us at all - unless they use the forum's proper name???

this is crazy...it's like being on on the playground in kindergarten!!! i know you - but what am i!!!!!!!!!!!

Date: Thu May 6 3:09 PM, 2004

From my perspective, as long as VORT's name is taken off the title I could care less. My hub and I are "Opposers" and we started this forum so I guess that's where they got it.

Would I prefer it were linked by its title, yeah.

But you can't get blood from a stone.

Date: Thu May 6 3:11 PM, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Maria
"can't they just be blocked from linking to us at all - unless they use the forum's proper name??? this is crazy...it's like being on on the playground in kindergarten!!! i know you - but what am i!!!!!!!!!!!"

Maria,

You can't force them to remove the link without taking them to court. Hardly something that Karen will be doing.

Maybe someone should ask VORT to put a link to the Rockaway Lies Message Board. Maybe that shows where the nasty name calling at nj.com has been coming from...

On second thought - nah...VORT has more class than that.

Date: Thu May 6 7:47 PM, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Karen
"From my perspective, as long as VORT's name is taken off the title I could care less. My hub and I are "Opposers" and we started this forum so I guess that's where they got it. Would I prefer it were linked by its title, yeah. But you can't get blood from a stone."

It appears that the links are named based on who is in control of the forums, no?

Seems like a reasonable way to do it.

Matthew