Both sides of the coin with James Freeman

[Theresa R]

I think this video is a good example of the type of public perception we, as First Amendment Activists, are trying to avoid. I think the man in the video with the strong opinions is typical of the type of public perception that tactics involving degrading other human beings can garner. Thoughts?

 

[Driving Miss Daisy]

Your absolutely right. And it will continue until the trouble makers are in jail or on probation and the others wake up to their own actions.

 

[Theresa R]

This is video from the other side.

 

[THE SALTY RANT]

James Freeman is a Sov *advertiser censored* *advertiser censored*.

 

[Goofymom]

I am one of those citizens, who use to believe there was a purpose to auditing, however the more I watched the more I grew weary, so many cancer cells that need to be cut out, before the good, decent auditors can show true auditing. Those three standing around listening to this man, are 3 of the cancers. They are cowardly and argumentative and will push that line, then cry and run away feeling threatened cause somebody pushed back. I really wish you guys well and I hope a light will shine through, but the garbage needs to be removed first!

 

[FattMatt]

Hawk cove has a population of approximately 520. Isn't there a better way to audit that size community than the same way auditors monitor a heavily populated centre.

 

[Ocean Of Light]

I love seeing James get a taste of what hes all about. Being confrontational in order to get more clicks and views and PayPal on your YouTube channel is not helping win We The American People to standng with us in exercising our Rights. Expect more hostility when you come into their town and you act more like a deranged Socialist then you do a Patriot. Just because you have a YouTube channel to promote, do NOT forget you're not the only one that has Constitutional Rights! Be respectful as much as you can. Or failing that remember you have the right to be silent. Try to at least ACT more mature than you are. Let the other person you are engaging with look like the out of control nutjob for a change.

 

[Richard m]

I think most of the time James does a great job

 

[Ocean Of Light]

I think most of the time James does a great job

I'm a Redhead as well. I do understand very well about sparks flying from the fingertips at times. And sometimes that can lead to self-immolation as a result. Work hard on not doing that James!!!

 

[Ocean Of Light]

Hawk cove has a population of approximately 520. Isn't there a better way to audit that size community than the same way auditors monitor a heavily populated centre.

Exactly. When you are running rough shod over a small community you turn the very people against what you CLAIM to stand for.

 

[Markking]

I think most of the time James does a great job

I think so too. He said some of it was entertainment, which is fine as long as some that don't have the skills or temperament use his tactics.

 

[Cassano]

James (Freeman) Springer is a loose cannon. The fact that he uses "Freeman" denotes some sense of "sovereign citizen", which is contrary to the intention of holding public servants accountable. For him, I think it's mostly that he objects to ANY governmental control, which we all know cannot happen even in a democratic republic, such as ours in the U.S. His confrontational and insulting demeanor is actually counter-productive. He should take lessons from the likes of Jeff Gray. I've seen many newer auditors who are calm, polite, and respectful and have accomplished much more than those who've been challenging, objectionable, and, as a result, have actually ended up with an arrest. Getting arrested doesn't prove anything. Succumbing to the Nazi tactics, at some point, isn't a surrender. There are more productive means to fix the problem, but being inside a jail cell, posting a bond, and financing a lawyer's lifestyle isn't one of them.

 

[RogueRivered]

I think this video is a good example of the type of public perception we, as First Amendment Activists, are trying to avoid. I think the man in the video with the strong opinions is typical of the type of public perception that tactics involving degrading other human beings can garner. Thoughts?

Are you trying to mislead or do you really not know the history of this situation? Did you see the earlier part where the irate guy drove up, confronted James, and threatened him? That was way before this video was taken.

 

[Theresa R]

Are you trying to mislead or do you really not know the history of this situation? Did you see the earlier part where the irate guy drove up, confronted James, and threatened him? That was way before this video was taken.

So, my point was in relation to how upset the guy was and his perceptions of what James is doing. I was trying to focus the conversation around the public's perception of "First Amendment Auditors" as opposed to trying to be on one side of the coin or the other.

Perception is reality to the one perceiving so if the guy thinks James is doing something wrong he is going to react a certain way or offer a certain attitude towards him and free speech.

 

[RogueRivered]

public perception that tactics involving degrading other human beings can garner

I'm wondering what you are referring to by this part of your original post. As far as I can tell, the guy was upset because James came to "his town" to protest unjust government treatment of the guy that was trying to give away food. If that's the kind of public reaction that auditors can create by their mere presence, then bring it on. It's a good thing to draw attention to the issue.

 

[Theresa R]

As far as I can tell, the guy was upset because James came to "his town" to protest unjust government treatment of the guy that was trying to give away food.

As far as I can tell he was upset at the way James and his friends scared the old women inside. There is a difference in just being present and being an asshat.

 

[RogueRivered]

As far as I can tell he was upset at the way James and his friends scared the old women inside. There is a difference in just being present and being an asshat.

Yeah, that's what the guy was saying, but I've been trying to find out what James and friends did to "scare" them. All I could find was the one guy that was trying to get a permit to give away food being very polite to the ladies. And they were giving him the run-around. I have a feeling that filming them is all it took to scare them. And the guy that was upset way overreacted.

 

[Theresa R]

I have a feeling that filming them is all it took to scare them. And the guy that was upset way overreacted.

I have a feeling the ladies were scared because James and his buddies can be very antagonizing to public employees from what I have seen in the past. Maybe the person with the perspective that differs from James reacted the way most fellas would react when they think a lady is being disrespected or threatened.

Perspective is reality to the one who perceives. I think there's a better approach than to leave people with the perception this man was left with.

 

[RogueRivered]

Perspective is reality to the one who perceives.

Can't argue with you there. Lol. My perception is the guy was a lunatic and it's hard to apply his behavior to the general public.

 

[observer]

My perception is the guy was a lunatic and it's hard to apply his behavior to the general public.

How do you think the public (non-resident of the city & non- activist) would view the actions of each party of the video? James Freeman? Otto the Watchdog? Hawk Cove police? Responding officers from other agencies? The man defending Hawk Cove & attacking Freeman?

After answering your views for the different parties, please look at the comments from viewers of the various videos including on Face Book. Do your views mirror the majority of the comments or are they the minority?

Having watched the Hawk Cove fiasco since the first video of Freeman defending Otto to this video, I have seen a deterioration of respect on all sides. What initially had the ability to be a positive movement with wide support has turned into a clusterf*ck with little chance of improving the positions of those intended to be target for help, the poor and under-served of Hawk Cove. All parties have played a part in this deterioration and need to be accountable.