Unmasked blogger blames First Baptist, Sheriff's Office

[Cliffs_Daughter]

That church is a major player in the reason why this city isn't more forward thinking in general.

They might even be the main reason. Remember when Jerry Vines was trying to stop the city from allowing alcohol consumption outside during Super Bowl week?

Yes. Yes I DO remember that. And the whole idea of no-alcohol zones that pretty much extended through the entire zip code. I am by no means a heavy drinker, but I think every normal football fan expects there will be beer available at a big game. They're sponsors, after all.

Just because they probably have an underground tunnel to city hall doesn't mean they get to run the city. I think that's what they planned all along.  But this is mere speculation on my part. For all I know they may just have a secret ID to bypass security and take the secret elevator in the back entrance to the 4th floor.

[Shwaz]

Horrible story. I can't imagine how hard this is on his family. Ousted by the church they served, wrongly investigated by JSO and slandered by a powerful preacher.

Sometimes I think Jacksonville is unfairly criticized and actually heading in the right direction... then an article like this surfaces 

[Deuce]

I read these things about FBC and I think to myself, 'I'm more of a Christian than they are and I'm not even a Christian'. What happened to humility and temperance?

I personally think that the influence of FBC is waning in Jacksonville. I realize they still have some prominent figures in the city in their pockets and in their flocks but I believe the times they are changing...

[Shwaz]

I personally think that the influence of FBC is waning in Jacksonville. I realize they still have some prominent figures in the city in their pockets and in their flocks but I believe the times they are changing...

Apparently not when they (FBC) can control the Sheriff's office to stand behind this gross misconduct and abuse of power. The only thing that's going to bring down the church is a bolt of lightening... which may not be too far off.

[BridgeTroll]

I have a feeling this story is not likely to go away quickly.

[RiversideLoki]

I have a feeling this story is not likely to go away quickly.

Good! I hope it doesn't. If we want any real progress in this city, the FBC has to be knocked down a few notches. I, for one, hope that this rolls on up to federal level and an independent investigator is appointed.

Church members have gone so far as to post the blogger's address and phone number on the T.U. article. T.U. had the good sense to pull it down quickly.

[BridgeTroll]

Church members have gone so far as to post the blogger's address and phone number on the T.U. article. T.U. had the good sense to pull it down quickly.

I saw that and flagged one of them... of course someone else posted Brunsons coj address and property appraisal.  Nice 1 mill house he lives in...

[RiversideLoki]

Indeed... the though of a free 1 mil house in Deerwood makes me want to go start a cul... err.. church!

[Shwaz]

but am thankful for a church that has helped keep downtown alive by not moving out years ago

Keeping downtown alive by chasing out any form of night-life busniess they do not agree with nor understand.

[BridgeTroll]

On Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at the FBC Jax regularly scheduled business meeting, Judge A.C. Soud, President of the FBC Jax Board of Trustees brought a motion to the church that included charges against the accused blogger, and also a statement of the church's intent to "confront aggressively" what would be deemed "...unjust criticism and ridicule of the ministry, staff, leadership, pastor, and people expressed to the general public at large in any form and by any means by any member of the church...". The motion was overwhelmingly approved by asking those in attendance to show their approval by standing to their feet.

Who is Judge A.C. Soud?  This is beginning to sound even more ominous...

[BridgeTroll]

Well now we know how they were so easily able to get a subpoena for Googles records... OMG... are these people more powerful than GOOGLE???

All may be lost...

[Deuce]

These tactics are no different from what the Church of Scientology does.

[stjr]

Ha!  The more I am finding out about the background of this story, the madder its making me.

I have gotten three accounts that I was one of the list of original suspects in the hunt for the blog author....

Hmph!  I wish!  The blog author has a brilliant news story that looks like its going to go national.

National?  UPI sent it out over its wires today:

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 9 (UPI) -- A Florida man whose blog criticizes his church and minister wants to know how a police detective who also provided church security was able to unmask him.

Thomas Rich told the Jacksonville (Fla.) Times-Union that he has lodged a complaint with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office about the behavior of Robert Hinson.

Rich and his wife have been warned that they could be charged with trespassing if they enter the First Baptist Church. Mac Brunson, the pastor, barred the couple even though he acknowledged that Rich's blog made no threats.

Hinson obtained a search warrant in September for the blog fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com, forcing Google to give him Rich's identity.

While Hinson found no evidence of a crime in a two-month investigation, he turned over his findings to the church. Rich said he only learned of the investigation when he heard from the church.

Undersheriff Frank Mackesy said that Hinson, an intelligence officer, has responsibilities that include investigating threats against religious institutions. He said that Hinson's own relationship with First Baptist was not a conflict of interest.

[stjr]

These are some names mentioned in the "Next Mayor" thread.  How many are connected to FBC?

Jim Bailey, Jacksonville Native and Longtime businessman.  Owner of the Daily Record and a longtime booster of the downtown area.  Committed to historic preservation and a very civil kind of guy.  In many committee meetings with Jim, Ive always found him to be pleasant, positive and rock steady.

Dan Davis, City Council President, Northeast Florida Builder's Association.  Sincere, dynamic, goodlooking.  The few times Ive met with him, ive found him to be intelligent, quick to learn and recognizeably southern.

Ronnie Fussel.  City Council President. Smart and resourceful.  Been around a good long while and has a pretty keen insight into all the bullshit that keeps stuff from happening.

Mike Hogan.  City Council President, Tax Collector and I think another elected office.  Rock solid Baptist.  Very very nice man.  Clearcut conservative somewhere to the right of Milton Friedman.

Glorious Johnson.  A bit of a wild card, very colorful and fun.  Incredibly openminded and unpredictable.  City Councilmember, former republican now a Democrat.

Audrey Moran.  One of the more interesting, committed and intelligent citizens of the city.  Former cheif of Staff for Delaney, Head of the Children's Commission and was transition director for Sulzbacher.  Also part of a pretty powerful judicial family, she herself is a JD.  I have never sat down with Audrey that I didn't leave thinking that I was lucky to have taken some of her time, and I have never met anyone who didnt feel the same way about her. Very open minded, very positive and clearcut about goal achievement.

Jerry Holland.  Rock Solid Baptist.   Pretty nice guy with bigger ambitions.  Little League Coach and President of the City Council.  Supervisor of Elections.

Jim Overton, Duval County Property Appraiser.

[lindab]

Does anyone know if WJXT covered this story?  Can't find it on their website and wondering why not.