William Stephen (Dare?) Griffin

[Adam White]

Adam, I know you wanted to open up on me with both barrels firing. Thank you for not taking that bait. In my haste, I didn't think of my comments that way (bait) but I know you are a man of the left and fully immersed in London and the UK.

I think she's full of it. No one other than extremists tolerates extremism. I guess it's an easy way to distract from the fact that she's gutted the police services. We've 20k fewer police officers in 2017 than we had in 2010.

With any luck (a not insignificant amount), she'll be out of a job soon.

To bring this discussion somewhat back on topic, I don't believe the text bolded above is accurate and Stephen's activity here is illustrative of the point -- isn't it?

The unnecessary commingling and over-emphasis of certain components here wasn't rather extreme in its own right? And tolerated for quite some time? Until enough of the principals said this shiznit has gotten out of hand?

Though I know you don't see it this way, Adam, I suspect the same thing is happening in Europe right now (winking at the clearly incompatible mixing of overtly religious affairs - sharia - with the administrative state).

* * *

Well, I had hoped to get some tree limbs carved up in my mother's Orange Park yard today before all the rain hits -- but the radar does not look promising. Later, Gators.

I don't know what you mean re: Stephen. Honestly. And I don't see how that relates to the UK.

Also - there is no intermingling of sharia and the UK state. I can't say anything about other European countries, as I have no real knowledge of them (aside from spending some time on holiday in some of them).

[Midway ®]

I just have to weigh in here for a moment about this entire issue.  First I think all that needed to be said has been said with the statement from the News page on this site.  It is short, succinct and to the point.  It reads and I quote

Metro Jacksonville, Inc. regrets the recent actions by Mr. William "Stephen Dare" Griffin that caused his removal as an officer/director of the corporation. There is an active investigation into associated financial discrepancies so we cannot comment any further at this time.

It speaks to financial discrepancies which is something most here would have no idea about.  The only ones who know the actual facts are those intimately involved.  It's best to leave it like that.  It will be worked out to their own satisfaction or through lawful process and none of that is any of our dadgum business.

I know Ennis Davis for along time now, long before this site started all the way back when Jim Webb had the MetJax site.  When that shut down it spun off into two sites, one I started called JaxOutLoud which focused on politics and the other was this site and forum.  The politics on this forum begun shortly after JOL was closed.

Ennis and I met due to a shared interest in historical buildings, historic restoration, urban core development, something I had been involved as a city official in south Florida long ago, transportation and yes even politics because the politics of transportation and development turn on local politics in Jacksonville like it does elsewhere.

Ennis is one of the most upstanding, forthright, no nonsense, educated and talented individuals that I have ever known.  I know him to be a man of his word, a person of integrity that I have great trust in.  He has said he has not deleted threads from this forum and knowing him that is absolutely the truth. It is worth mentioning that any one of us who posts can delete "their own posts" at any time, new or old.

Beyond that from the point of having started a forum years back it's worth remembering that other than those who are interests in the origination of the site, we are all visitors here and should be thankful that so much time and energy has been taken to make this forum available to folks like ourselves.  It is no easy thing. Right now the future of this site may be undecided but it is my hope it continues.  It is a valuable asset for Jacksonville and beyond. I will continue to post on politics because the truth is politics is intimately intertwined with all that happens in development one way or another from council meetings to State and Federal laws.

As for the individual suspended, this was a long time coming and truly not a surprise.  Again dynamics unknown to most were always at play.  In any event, to my view the forum is far more pleasant minus the constant contrarian dialog and moderation/comment deletions that made reading and interacting on the forum very unpleasant. The drama was intentional and part of an effort to create more readership in the eyes of one person.  Whether or not that is the truth, to my view the best forums are the ones of open honest discussion and "respect" for others opinions and until recently that was not always the case here as many can testify too. 

Ennis, Dan and Mike I hope you are able to keep this site and forum alive and best wishes for the complete success of Modern Cities.  I know it will be great. 

In all of the years that I have been on Metrojacksonville, I have never, not even once read anything posted by anyone regarding William Stephen Griffin, AKA "Stephen Dare" that was a full throated endorsement of his character.  Any even slightly positive comments about him always had a "but then again" statement enumerating his many flaws and transgressions.

How about someone writing a full fledged endorsement of him for the record? You could start by offering examples of his his selflessness, morality and honesty. Some stories that are illustrative of his finer personality traits would be great.

.....Come on, someone....anyone....?

Chirp......Chirp.....Chirp....

[Midway ®]

All day and nothing?  SAD!

I guess that everyone has writer's block on this subject.

I do know one person who could wax elequent on this subject, though.  Unfortunately, he is not presently available. 

Where are all the Dare fanboys?

Perhaps a sonnet?

Maybe a haiku?

[TimmyB]

All day and nothing?  SAD!

I guess that everyone has writer's block on this subject.

I do know one person who could wax elequent on this subject, though.  Unfortunately, he is not presently available. 

Where are all the Dare fanboys?

Perhaps a sonnet?

Maybe a haiku?

I don't know Stephen
Nor any of the others
So I'll say nothing

I've been watching this thread from afar and trying to figure out who is who.  It's quite enlightening, from a neutral perspective.

[Midway ®]

Gracias.

[spuwho]

Gracias.

I only know Stephen from the few times I have met him publicly and what I have gleaned from MJ.

- Very intelligent
- Very interested in history, especially American
- Passionate about politics
- Can be argumentative, sometimes to his own detriment
- Has been known to make excellent points and provide a unique perspective
- But has been known to come off as very unfriendly and occasionally offensive to those he disagrees with
- Has a habit of letting his passion for argument carry over into real life (doesnt leave it at the blog)
- Not afraid to put himself "out there", but doing that for years may have worn him down a little
- Has a streak of creativity that may not be fully utilized
- Has a diverse interest in music, in areas that even surprised me.

We all have our faults and failings and Stephen is no different. But he does know how to put energy into his latest passion.

Personally, I think he should be an author and write books. His skills are wasted by writing small paragraphs at a time on blogs like MJ. (All 30,000 plus)

He has a lot to say, but it comes out in the wrong forum.

I have encouraged him in the past to run for a public office so he can put his passion for politics into action but he has demurred. He prefers to be in a support role.

I suggest he should write books about politics and their role in American history. And then go out and speak at various college campuses about his work.  That seems to suit him better IMHO.

I also think he should start a You Tube Channel and video blog with different opposing views with a different subject every episode.

It wouldnt be "Siskel & Ebert Go to the Elections", but more of a blogpost on perspectives.

The first episode would be Stephen and RattlerGator, and hope it would be more Donahue and less Maury Povich.

There you go Midway, you can find the good in everyone.  Got no bone in his lawsuit whatsoever, but he does have qualities.

[Midway ®]

Ted Kaczynski is very intelligent, Vlad the Impaler was very intelligent.

This is just another "he's great, but" equivocation.

Next, please.

[spuwho]

Ted Kaczynski is very intelligent, Vlad the Impaler was very intelligent.

This is just another "he's great, but" equivocation.

Next, please.

LOL, sorry it didn't pass your test. You asked, you got it. Comparing him to a psycho bomber? The only impaling he did was with his words.

Were you looking for some mud along with the sound of crickets perhaps?

[Midway ®]

Ted Kaczynski is very intelligent, Vlad the Impaler was very intelligent.

This is just another "he's great, but" equivocation.

Next, please.

LOL, sorry it didn't pass your test. You asked, you got it. Comparing him to a psycho bomber? The only impaling he did was with his words.

Were you looking for some mud along with the sound of crickets perhaps?

Admittidley, you don't know him.

Therefore, what you stated is just anecdotal and not based upon close personal knowledge. It's all just suppositions.

While what you wrote was very well composed, it is just your impressions from afar. 

You don't even really know the guy and you are talking about his imperfections. That always comes up because those imperfections always poison every relationship he is ever involved in and they are his main constant defining feature.

It's like one of those infomercials for the best pot ever, based on nothing.

[spuwho]

Ted Kaczynski is very intelligent, Vlad the Impaler was very intelligent.

This is just another "he's great, but" equivocation.

Next, please.

LOL, sorry it didn't pass your test. You asked, you got it. Comparing him to a psycho bomber? The only impaling he did was with his words.

Were you looking for some mud along with the sound of crickets perhaps?

Admittidley, you don't know him.

Therefore, what you stated is just anecdotal and not based upon close personal knowledge. It's all just suppositions.

While what you wrote was very well composed, it is just your impressions from afar. 

You don't even really know the guy and you are talking about his imperfections. That always comes up because those imperfections always poison every relationship he is ever involved in and they are his main constant defining feature.

It's like one of those infomercials for the best pot ever, based on nothing.

I think I adequately qualified my interactions at the beginning.

So Midway, whats your beef with him?  You seem to have all knowledge what type of person he is, please do share since you are asking all to imbibe in your activity.  Maybe its your turn?

[Midway ®]

Just looking for someone to write a full throated endorsement of him based on intimate personal knowledge.

You know, like from a fanboy.

That's all. 

[Adam White]

Just looking for someone to write a full throated endorsement of him based on intimate personal knowledge.

You know, like from a fanboy.

That's all.

In my 45+ years on this planet, I don't think I've ever met a perfect person. I don't believe it's possible to describe anyone in only positive terms, unless you intentionally leave out information.

For example - you might be a perfectly nice person, but you're coming across as a bit of a dick.

I'd be happy to provide a list of Stephen's better qualities if you like, though it seems like you care about this subject a *bit* too much.

[Midway ®]

You need to upgrade the people that you associate with..



I have met people that are perfect. Many of them. And that has nothing to do with their intelligence, their creativity, their ability to sing or paint.

It relates to their strength of character and the way they conduct themselves when dealing with others.

For Stephen Dare, the public record is abundantly clear on this subject and consistently tells a very negative story.

[Adam White]

Cool story, bro.

[spuwho]

You need to upgrade the people that you associate with..



I have met people that are perfect. Many of them. And that has nothing to do with their intelligence, their creativity, their ability to sing or paint.

It relates to their strength of character and the way they conduct themselves when dealing with others.

For Stephen Dare, the public record is abundantly clear on this subject and consistently tells a very negative story.

You have referred to a "public record" a couple of times.  If it is public as you say, anyone should be able to see it, yes?

What record are you referring to and how does one see it?