Bob wrote on columbuzz:
"Earlier, I said this: 'I don't use, and I don't like to see used, insults that included mental defeciencies.' Someone pointed out that I do it all the time by calling people idiots and dumbasses. They're right, I do. It's no different than calling someone retarded."
The first step is always admitting that you have a problem with your behavior. The second, more difficult step is actually changing that behavior.
"I've been thinking a lot about it since they brought it up. I guess in my goal of making strong points, I get too colorful with my words."
If you have to resort to name calling and demonizing, then how strong is your point? A strong point should be able to stand on its own without any of the nasty stuff. If you have to dress it up with name calling, then maybe it's actually a weak point instead.
"I suppose I always looked at the words idiot and dumbass as insults but not anything real. Apparently an idiot is a real thing, one of the most severe cases of retardation there is. I wasn't aware of that. I guess I never really thought about it."
If you have to resort to insulting an opponent while debating, then you've lost the debate.
"It's like calling someone a dickhead. It's an insult but everyone knows they aren't actually a dickhead. Same thing with asshole. Right or wrong, I used idiot in that context. I certainly never intended to insult real idiots, dickheads, and assholes."
That Bob, always classy. With the language that Bob uses, I just don't understand why he actually thinks he's fit for public office. How many public officials do you know use that kind of language in public?
"But idiot always seemed okay to use because, to me, it was an insult that didn't involve real people. It was my way of pointing out stupid moves people made. And I do it a lot."
Yes, you do. And it's a stupid move on your part. People will not take you seriously when you insult others so much. You come across as a raving lunatic.
"Thinking about it now, I have been wrong and I will try to make sure I don't do it again. If I think someone did something stupid, I will say so without adding a name to the conversation. I guess it's just another juvenile habit I have that I need to work on."
I have my doubts that Bob is even capable of stopping this nasty habit of his. Some questions that immediately come to my mind: Is Bob sincere with his comment? How long will it last?
55 comments:
We agree. You will see. When my actions get in the way of my goals, it's time to change.
Bob, it is refreshing that you can see your own faults. God knows we all have plenty of them. Hang in there!
You come across as a raving lunatic.
THIS HAS BEEN BOB'S FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM IN THE PAST. IT'S PROBABLY THE BIGGEST REASON THAT HE HAS NOT WON AN ELECTION.
I have my doubts that Bob is even capable of stopping this nasty habit of his. Some questions that immediately come to my mind: Is Bob sincere with his comment? How long will it last?
OLD HABITS DIE HARD. I THINK BOB IS SINCERE "FOR THE MOMENT" BUT I AM UNDER NO ILLUSION THAT THIS BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION IS PERMANENT. TIME WILL TELL. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR BOB TO UNDERSTAND THAT IN ORDER TO BE PART OF THE DIALOG IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT PEOPLE HEAR AND RESPECT, YOU MUST PRESENT YOUR OPINIONS IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER.
Time will tell.
I'm not here to piss people off, really.
My goal is to inform people about things they normally wouldn't hear about.
Apparently, my methods are interfering with that goal.
You sort of shook me up yesterday when I read that about the 'idiot' and 'retard' thing here.
I really hadn't thought of it that way, but you made perfectly good sense.
I considered 'idiot' as an insult name. Like dickhead or butthole.
I truly did not know it was a term for a real mental defeciency. It bothers me that I didn't know that.
I have a few friends with kids with mental retardation and retard is an easy word for me to not use.
I have kypho-scoliosis. Something I was born with. Curvature of the spine. To no fault of my own.
It bothers me when I see someone mistreated for something they have no control over. Be it their color, physical defects, or mental defeciencies.
I am as guilty of that mistreatment by using 'idiot' as I would have been by using 'retard.'
So I will stop.
I will also stop some of the attacks that are more personal than professional.
My opinions on people haven't changed but I need to learn to express them more professionally.
This website has brought out some good points about some of my flaws.
We can disagree on the issues and still remain civil about it. I tried to prove that the other day in the exchange with Brian. It actually went better than I expected.
And I realize that I need to change so the debate stays on the issues and not on me.
I also agree that I do need to do more checking on stories that we hear before posting them.
They still need to be posted, but I agree that they need more research and more chance for the other side to respond BEFORE we publish.
I'm so sick of us fighting. Even with Merc. And he has heard a lot of this before. But it's true.
I will do better.
I think we all want the same things.
I think we all want the community to do better. I think we all want the bad to stop going on. We simply need to agree more on what is bad and what is better. And I will work harder to show and prove the facts. Okay?
Those of you that would think that Bob will or has actually change/changed are being played for a fool by this most disgustable person.
"Time will tell. I'm not here to piss people off, really."
Glad to hear that.
"My goal is to inform people about things they normally wouldn't hear about."
And that's fine as long as it's researched and presented properly.
"Apparently, my methods are interfering with that goal."
Yes, they are. Even some within your own party agree.
"You sort of shook me up yesterday when I read that about the 'idiot' and 'retard' thing here. I really hadn't thought of it that way, but you made perfectly good sense."
I can't take credit for the comment with the definition of idiot. I didn't know that either. But to me, it doesn't matter. Any type of name calling in a debate just poisons the debate.
"I considered 'idiot' as an insult name. Like dickhead or butthole. I truly did not know it was a term for a real mental defeciency. It bothers me that I didn't know that. I have a few friends with kids with mental retardation and retard is an easy word for me to not use. I have kypho-scoliosis. Something I was born with. Curvature of the spine. To no fault of my own. It bothers me when I see someone mistreated for something they have no control over. Be it their color, physical defects, or mental defeciencies."
On this we agree. But you need to be careful with any insults, not just idiot. Like I said, it poisons the debate.
"I am as guilty of that mistreatment by using 'idiot' as I would have been by using 'retard.' So I will stop."
I hope you stop all of the name calling.
"I will also stop some of the attacks that are more personal than professional. My opinions on people haven't changed but I need to learn to express them more professionally."
Exactly.
"This website has brought out some good points about some of my flaws."
Good. That's what I was aiming for.
"We can disagree on the issues and still remain civil about it. I tried to prove that the other day in the exchange with Brian. It actually went better than I expected."
You should allow more of that kind of debate.
"And I realize that I need to change so the debate stays on the issues and not on me."
Exactly. And you MUST follow your own usage policy.
"I also agree that I do need to do more checking on stories that we hear before posting them. They still need to be posted, but I agree that they need more research and more chance for the other side to respond BEFORE we publish."
Exactly. There are always two sides to every story. You can't just assume one side is 100% right and the other side is lying.
"I'm so sick of us fighting. Even with Merc. And he has heard a lot of this before. But it's true. I will do better. I think we all want the same things. I think we all want the community to do better. I think we all want the bad to stop going on. We simply need to agree more on what is bad and what is better. And I will work harder to show and prove the facts. Okay?"
Sounds good to me. And if your attacks stop and you open up columbuzz for more real debate, my blog will go away.
"Those of you that would think that Bob will or has actually change/changed are being played for a fool by this most disgustable person."
Actions speak louder than words. We'll see, but I will remain skeptical.
Columbuzz is still open to everyone as it was the other day for Brian. Ask what you want.
I work with people with disabilities and have never heard "idiot" be used to describe any kind of mental illness or physical disability. There are many names for the conditions that they have and many causes but I have never heard idiot as a diagnosis or condition.
Me either. But here is what dictionary.com say. It was posted here earlier...
id·i·ot /ˈɪdiət/ Show Spelled
[id-ee-uht] Show IPA
–noun
1. an utterly foolish or senseless person.
2. Psychology . a person of the lowest order in a former classification of mental retardation, having a mental age of less than three years old and an intelligence quotient under 25.
Use idiot in a Sentence
See images of idiot
Search idiot on the Web
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin:
1250–1300; ME < L idiōta < Gk idiṓtēs private person, layman, person lacking skill or expertise, equiv. to idiō- (lengthened var. of idio- idio-, perh. by analogy with stratiōtēs professional soldier, deriv. of stratiá army) + -tēs agent n. suffix
—Synonyms
1. fool, half-wit; imbecile; dolt, dunce, numskull.
Welcome to the discussion Bob. I'll take you at your word. Thanks for participating.
I also respect the opinions of Merc and Knott Ever. Bob has hurt a lot of people with his words and his public persona that was nasty.
Time will tell whether he is sincere but you have to forgive to be forgiven. I, for one, am willing to give Bob a chance and see where this goes. I hope that in time, Bob can try to make amends with those he has trashed and those trashed can accept his apologies and promises for a better discussion.
Merc, I have given you every reason to doubt me. But I will show you all what I mean.
Thanks Brian.
"Am I the only one who sees Bob thumbing his nose at everyone by this sentence?"
I caught it too. Not a good start in my opinion.
That sounds wrong. I meant that I used them in the same context and it wasn't my intention to ofend idiots anymore than the other two. I worded it wrong I guess.
I am actually a good speller. Apparently I have a few to work on. D E F I C I E N C I E S
offend
Not asking for forgiveness. I just want to make a few changes for the better.
Your discussions here have made me think.
That's all.
This isn't a comment on whether or not Bob is sincere or if things will or will not change, nor for how long if they do. I might deal with those later. What I do want to say is, Dude, if things get better over there, I hope you still keep this open.
First of all, even if they do we cannot know when they might change back. If you delete this (whether that is their intention or not), it would be hard to start one up again if things go sour.
Secondly, knowing how things have been done in the past there, I don't foresee myself feeling secure in posting over there since they have outed people before.
You could either have discussions on topics here that they are discussing there, or at least keep it in existence in case you need to become active again. That way people can know to come here if things go back to the way they have been before.
I agree. I think this website has been good for all of us. It's a good way to keep all views of an issue alive.
Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. I am somewhat new to the rodeo so I willing to give Bob a chance.
A heart "bound" by hate is not free. Bob, I hope that you will, eventually, offer apologies to those you have spoken so nastily about. If I am to respect your opinions, I will respect your rational thoughts and discussion not your name-calling and attacks on people.
It's one thing to disagree or have a strong opinion. I suspect all of us here have had some ugly thoughts and opinions at times, the difference is the choice of words and actions.
I urge you, Bob, to continue on the high road you seem to have chosen and consider some heartfelt apologies to some of those you have said terribly hateful things about.
I hope this blog remains in place Dude. While the overtures from Bob are refreshing, there are others at Columbuzz who may not be in agreement.
Bob had made an editorial commitment to "check" into stories before they go on line. He has promised to "verify" before going to press. These are admirable if he is sincere but Bob is only part of Columbuzz.
On this we agree. But you need to be careful with any insults, not just idiot. Like I said, it poisons the debate.
NAME CALLING MEANS YOU CANNOT MAKE YOUR POINT. ITS A SIGN OF INADEQUACY THAT ONE CANNOT WIN AN ARGUMENT.
"I am as guilty of that mistreatment by using 'idiot' as I would have been by using 'retard.' So I will stop."
I hope you stop all of the name calling.
ME TOO.
"I will also stop some of the attacks that are more personal than professional. My opinions on people haven't changed but I need to learn to express them more professionally."
Exactly.
EXACTLY, BOB. WE CAN DISAGREE WITHOUT BEING DISAGREEABLE. PERSONAL ATTACKS HURT PEOPLE UNFAIRLY EVEN IF YOUR ARGUMENT IS ON POINT.
"This website has brought out some good points about some of my flaws."
Good. That's what I was aiming for.
GOOD.
"We can disagree on the issues and still remain civil about it. I tried to prove that the other day in the exchange with Brian. It actually went better than I expected."
IT WENT REMARKABLY WELL.
You should allow more of that kind of debate.
My life was happier before I knew the name "Bob Freeman". It will be happier still when I don't feel the need to protect others from him.
The call for Bob to cease with the needless personal attacks (or rhetoric as Joanna calls it) are not new to this blog. Here are a couple of examples from October, 2010:
"...Bob—if there are truly issues that permeate the trustee race, then let’s hear about them without the invective..."
"...Do not work around that by saying "so and so acted like a (insert derogatory name here)". You can simply say you do not agree with their actions. Proper public discourse demands it..."
I do not know why it would take an adult months to decide that calling others names is not the way to live. Regardless, I am willing to give Bob the opportunity to prove his sincerity. If he is sincere, I will go about my life. If he is not, I will hound him so long as he thrusts himself into any debate.
What some of you don't know is that Bob uses apologies(poor ones) to erase.
he doesn't understand what an apology is, and he has NEVER held true to any of his pretend apologies.
He owes Fred Barkes, Fred's wife, his family, and the staff at the Trustee's office, a PUBLIC apology.
Bob is a nutcase and a punk-ass bitch.
Vulgar but fitting terms for him.
He also owes Charles Townsend a public, and in-person apology.
I don't like Merc's choice of words but I agree with his premise. Bob does owe these folks an apology and hopefully, in time, that will come.
Bob has taken steps, some say he has taken these steps before and then relapsed but sometimes, it takes a drunk more than 3 or 4 times to get off the bottle.
The comments here sound as if Bob is being given an opportunity to clear the air. Please don't take this for granted, Bob. I didn't but am willing to give you a chance.
My life was happier before I knew the name "Bob Freeman".
THOSE WORDS SHOULD BE TOUGH FOR BOB TO HEAR BUT THEY ARE TRUE. I FEEL THE SAME WAY. BOB HAS BROUGHT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF UGLINESS AND UNNECESSARY PAIN TO THE PUBLIC DISCOURSE IN COLUMBUS AND BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY.
YOU HAVE SOME MENDING TO DO BOB BUT YOU HAVE TAKEN SOME REALLY BIG STEPS. I HOPE YOU ARE SINCERE THIS TIME.
Some I will not apologize for because I meant them.
I just won't repeat them. Nor will I use them again.
This is a decision I have made for the future.
I will change what I will do but I will not back track on criticism I have made. I will just change the manner in which I present future criticism.
Dude said: "Sounds good to me. And if your attacks stop and you open up columbuzz for more real debate, my blog will go away."
What I meant by go away is it would go into hibernation mode (no new posts, turn off commenting, but not deleting anything). But I would start it back up if things go south.
"He owes Fred Barkes, Fred's wife, his family, and the staff at the Trustee's office, a PUBLIC apology."
I do NOT owe him or her an apology and I will NOT apologize.
I meant every word said.
I'm only saying that in the future I will be more professional about how I say it.
They can count on more criticism coming their way, as that is what we do at Columbuzz. I will simply stop the name calling that has gona along with it.
I still think he is doing wrong for the taxpayers and I still think she was very wrong for her behavior at the funeral home.
I'm not offering apologies or asking for forgiveness here. I am saying I plan to change the way I do some things. That's it.
"Some I will not apologize for because I meant them."
It shouldn't matter if you meant them or not. If you hurt someone with your ugly words, you should apologize. That is what adults do.
"I'm not offering apologies or asking for forgiveness here. I am saying I plan to change the way I do some things. That's it."
This is already not going well.
"He owes Fred Barkes, Fred's wife, his family, and the staff at the Trustee's office, a PUBLIC apology."
I totally agree.
"I will change what I will do but I will not back track on criticism I have made."
Bob, you just don't get it. It's the way you criticize by demonizing and name calling. That's what you should apologize for. You called Fred Barkes a criminal many times, yet never proved it.
Aaaaaah.
Now THERE'S the Bob I know.
I thought he would wait at least 24 hours.
You're a punk, Bob.
"Some I will not apologize for because I meant them."
Same old Bob.
His ego has not waivered.
Bob, no one is suggesting that you take back your opinions and charges of wrong-doing that you have leveled toward other people. What we are saying is that on a most PERSONAL level, you owe all of those people a sincere apology for your choice of words.
There is a huge difference Bob. Please understand and think about this for awhile if you need to. You are NOT compromising your principles by making apologies for your language and viscous personal attacks, you are simply saying what you have said here, that you wont use this type of language and attacks in the future and YOU ARE SORRY for the things you have said.
Bob, serious question. Do you ever apologize to anyone in your life? Wife, kids, etc.? Do you ever make mistakes that you should apologize for? It takes a big man to publicly apologize to someone you have hurt.
Bob, I don't know if the things you have said about Mr. and Mrs. Barkes are true or not. I do feel you should apologize for the names at least even if they did the things you accuse them of. It would be best to state what you believe they have done and that it is wrong. However, even then you should have more to go on than because someone told you.
Bob, you are getting a lot of serious analysis here and I hope you are listening. I suspect you are.
NotDudeNotJeffBarkesNotMerc said...
Bob, I don't know if the things you have said about Mr. and Mrs. Barkes are true or not.
Where you lost me Bob was when you went nasty with the name calling. Your arguments lost all credence. It's a shame because your point may have had validity but they got lost in the nastiness.
PLEASE consider an apology for things you have said that crossed the line. It takes a big man to admit when they have been wrong and Bob, that was wrong.
We had several witnesses who are willing to testify in court about what happened at the funeral home.
Sandra Barkes apologized if she hurt anyone there but still denies what they say happened. As I said, IF she did what they say, she was as wrong as she could be.
I will not apologize for what I said she acted like IF she did it. And I will take back that someone should have knocked her down for doing it.
It hurt her to be called that? Oh well. It hurt those mourners to be treated as they say they were treated.
Fred Barkes has repeatedly played games with the money.
Bob Freeman said...
We had several witnesses who are willing to testify in court about what happened at the funeral home.
BOB, TESTIFYING FOR WHAT REASON? WHAT LAW WAS BROKEN? A LAW OF POOR TASTE PERHAPS? THE LAW OF BEING SOCIALLY WRONG AND NOT RESPECTING THE FAMILY? POSSIBLY! BUT WE WEREN'T THERE.
Sandra Barkes apologized if she hurt anyone there but still denies what they say happened. As I said, IF she did what they say, she was as wrong as she could be.
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU ON THIS.
I will not apologize for what I said she acted like IF she did it. And I will take back that someone should have knocked her down for doing it.
BOB, UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. YOU DONT KNOW IF SHE SAID THESE THINGS, NONE OF US DO BUT TO CALL HER THE "C" WORD CROSSES THE LINE. YOU MAY FEEL THAT WAY AND YOU ARE ENTITLED TO FEEL THAT WAY, I AGREE THAT IF SHE SAID THOSE THINGS, I CAN THINK OF SEVERAL ADJECTIVES THAT WOULD APPLY BUT TO CALL HER THE "C" WORD IN THE MANNER YOU DID WAS WRONG.
It hurt her to be called that? Oh well. It hurt those mourners to be treated as they say they were treated.
IF IT'S TRUE BOB AND WE CANNOT BE 100% SURE IT HAPPENED. REGARDLESS, SHE IS NOT THE "C" WORD AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CALLED THAT. COME ON BOB.
Fred Barkes has repeatedly played games with the money.
IF THIS IS CORRECT, AND I AM NOT SAYING IT'S NOT POSSIBLE, THAT IS ONE THING BUT CALLING HIM A CRIMINAL WHEN NO CHARGES ARE PENDING OR HAVE BEEN FILED IS WRONG. IT MAKES YOU SOUND CRAZY AND I HONESTLY DON'T THINK YOU ARE.
BOB, YOU LET YOUR EMOTIONS GET THE BEST OF YOU AND THEY RUINED YOUR PUBLIC PERSONA. YOU HAVE MADE SOME BIG STEPS TOWARD MAKING REASONABLE AND RESPECTFUL ARGUMENTS. PLEASE DON'T STOP NOW.
Why publicly declare that you are no longer going to call people names when you won't apologize for doing it in the first place? lol You're acting a like a child that wants forgiveness but doesn't want to face the consequences of his actions.
Why publicly declare that you are no longer going to call people names when you won't apologize for doing it in the first place
GOOD POINT.
Of all the many stupid items posted on the web, over several years, by the Delusional Nitwit Bob, the silly assed funeral home tale is for sure one of the most ridiculous.
In spite of all the conversation we have/have had on various web sites about and with Bozo Bob, he remains a relatively unknown in this community and most of those that are aware of his presence, realizing quickly that he is a dufus, pay very little attention to what he says or does.
"In spite of all the conversation we have/have had on various web sites about and with Bozo Bob, he remains a relatively unknown in this community and most of those that are aware of his presence, realizing quickly that he is a dufus, pay very little attention to what he says or does. "
It would be very interesting to do a scientific poll of Columbus residents and ask them:
1) Do you know who Bob Freeman is?
2) If so, what do you think of him?
Bob 'The Jerk' Freeman said, "My goal is to inform people about things they normally wouldn't hear about."
Like:
- there are people who are not handicapped, parking in spots reserved for the handicapped.
- people are leaving important papers lying around in boxes, inside a building, where any trespassing snoop can finger them, read them, and take photos of them.
- someone is using, manufacturing, and selling odometer altering devices. (Oops. That wasn't your scoop, was it?)
- people at the Trustee's office aren't very nice.
- someone found mold on a free loaf of bread.
- there's a serious auto accident somewhere....oh, wait. No there's not.
Keep the stories coming, Freeman.
I don't know what the citizens of this area would do without all of that important information.
Tiny things for such a huge gushing mouth.
The only positive things you could do for this community would be to shut your face.....well, that'll never happen, and LEAVE!
Just let us know where you're going so we can warn them, or inform them of the freakish free entertainment they are about to become victim of.
"Sandra Barkes apologized if she hurt anyone there but still denies what they say happened."
And that just shows that she's the bigger person.
"It hurt her to be called that? Oh well. It hurt those mourners to be treated as they say they were treated."
Bob, you're still not getting it. You assume that she did it and you called her the c word. Your exact words:
"She should think twice before going into a funeral I am attending. You want to see a scene. Being a cunt might be okay for some of you but I won't tolerate it."
"She's acted like a cunt that should have been knocked on her ass, in my opinion."
I don't see an "if she did it" in either of your statements.
"Fred Barkes has repeatedly played games with the money."
And what did the professional auditors at the SBOA say? Did they arrest him at the audit? Are you telling me you know more about accounting and auditing than the SBOA? He has done nothing illegal and you should apologize for calling him a crook and a criminal without evidence (which is libel, by the way).
And you never answered my questions. Do you ever apologize to anyone in your life? Wife, kids, etc.? Do you ever make mistakes that you should apologize for or are you perfect?
"someone is using, manufacturing, and selling odometer altering devices."
Remember, that was NAPA's fault, since they sell the switches.
"Mercman gets on here and talks all this big talk but hides behind his fake name"
Writes Anonymous. A little hypocritical?
"You people want to criticize Bob well I think you need to take a look at Mercman and his use of colorful grammar."
Mercman doesn't have a website where he tells everyone else to be civil but is as uncivil as he pleases.
"If I was Bob I wouldn't apologize to any of you or the Barkes."
Not surprising, since you are most likely a Bob-o-bot. Bob does no wrong, so he never has to apologize for anything, right?
"You need to earn respect"
And Bob has earned respect? I guess that's why he's 0-5 in elections.
I just love it when the bots defend Bob: "Oh yeah, well so-and-so is just as bad as Bob!" Alrighty then, I guess that makes it OK.
"And Bob only posts what he wants you to see. That's why he censors comments. " And doesn't let people know where this site is.
There is more hope for Bob than for the bots at the moment.
Here is Bob and Hope:
Freeman's Hope
Bob's Only Chance at Hope
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