12
Mar
A MEDIACHANNEL ACTION ALERT: Stop Foreclosure of A Website
URGENT MEDIACHANNEL ACTION ALERT:
ANTI-FORECLOSURE WEBSITE THREATENED WITH FORECLOSURE; AHRC.COM AT RISK OF SHUT DOWN BY POWERFUL REALTY INTERESTS
Mediachannel.org appeals to its readers and the independent media community to publicize this issue, appeal to the local press to cover it and to civil liberties groups to defend them. This is an issue of economic justice and free expression in the context of a national foreclosure crisis.
New York, New York: March 11 2008: A California website representing homeowners fighting against foreclosures and arbitrary actions by Homeowner Associations is at risk of being shut down in the same way that a muckraking whistle blower site, Wikileaks.org was removed from the internet by a California Judge until a public clamor forced him to reverse himself.
In that case, an off shore bank had brought the action to stop the leaking of alleged improprieties. In this case, realtors and a notoriously anti-homeowner law firm, Peters and Freedman is threatening AHRC.com (The American Homeowner’s Resource Center) which stands up for aggrieved homeowners.
“This case epitomizes the struggle we are in” says Elizabeth McMahon who runs AHRC News based in San Juan Capistrano, California. “It is a conflict between human rights and property rights with avaricious lawyers and corrupted courts trying to silence a voice of homeowners.”
THE THREAT
The Peters and Freedman firm which represents more than 700 homeowners associations is trying to seize the site’s domain name as an extension of a battle with a homeowner who insists she is being wronged by the courts who are enforcing the rights of corporately controlled homeowner associations over the rights of property holders. Compounding the problem are state laws, passed by the power of the Real Estate Lobby, that force homeowners to join and pay dues to these company-union type organizations that operate undemocratically and then dictate to them with little right of appeal appeal.
This week, Homeowner Association foreclosure lawyers Peters & Freedman are asking an Orange County Superior Court to shut down the homeowners networking, publishing and communications website ahrc.com. The AHRC says they are misrepresenting the facts in a fraudulent manner—in much the same way that subprime loads were made.
This case is on appeal but Judge Clay Smith, (who was challenged for bias but did not contest it and hence is removed from the case), signed a judgment for “Sanctions” of $40,000 after homeowners filed a SLAPP suit in their own defense. The case is currently before Commissioner Jane Myers.
THE SITE
Homeowners shunned by local political representatives, local media, and courts began their own media, networking, publishing and communications website ahrc.com in 1997. It soon became a heavily trafficked and popular website for homeowners, media, public officials and businesses reaching 2.5 to 3 million hits a month.
It has been relied on by virtually every media organization for information on homeowner associations - including, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX. If the Ahrc.com website is closed down, homeowners around the country would be dramatically impacted because these media organizations would not be able to give information on homeowner associations and homeowner complaints to their readers/viewers.
AHRC.com carried no ads and is not a business and receives no funding from government, businesses or individuals. the website is a volunteer grassroots public service effort by several homeowners devoted to providing a voice for homeowners.
SOME BACKGROUND
“Peters & Freedman is trying to steal the Ahrc.com website,” says Elizabeth McMahon and “shut out information on foreclosure fraud from reaching other homeowners, government officials and the world. Peters & Freedman have been defendants in several RICO and fraudulent foreclosure lawsuits.”
LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Seniors forced to sell their trailer home shelters to pay homeowner association lawyers Peters & Freedman.
Investigation on Homeowner Association Foreclosure Filings - Part I
Reveals Serious Flaws By Lawyers Peters & Freedman
Investigation on Homeowner Association Foreclosure Filings - Part 2
The Hockleys Seek Restitution Of Their Home From Peters & Freedman
ON WIKILEAKS.ORG CASE
Bank Moves to Withdraw Its Suit Against Wikileaks Site
CONTACT:
Elizabeth McMahon
AHRC News Services
P. O. Box 97
San Juan Capistrano, California 92693
(949) 366-2125
http://www.ahrc.com
That’s your News Dissector’s blog today, packed as usual. Your letters, comments and items always welcome. Write Dissector@mediachannel.org
When I first heard of the Spitzer situation, I concluded that he could not be politically effective and called for his resignation.
I was too quick on the draw.
The more I read and see about this mess the more clear it becomes that he should fight tooth and nail to turn the tables on the devils who have targeted him.
Spitzer has to start by having an unlimited press conference in which he tells all, until all the questions are answered. He can undercut the Bush DOA blackmail threats by simply telling all and admitting to having a problem.
Then he can use all his lawyerly skills and brilliance to make the case against the corrupt Joe Bruno and the corrupt George Bush et al. He can demonstrate how the DOA under Bush is little more than a dirty tricks partisan organized crime operation. There’s plenty of factual material with which to go on the attack.
Does he have the stomach for it?
Or is he just hanging on to leverage his resignation as a chit to get out of a trial.
If he goes the second route, in the long run, he loses even bigger.
Fighting the bastards is the only way to go!!!
March 12th, 2008 at 5:14 amWe no longer have seventh amendment rights and now big business wants us to be robbed of our first amendment rights too. Why do they want to shut down a web sight for telling the truth?
March 12th, 2008 at 6:00 pmMaybe they do not want the public to know the truth. Soon we the people will have no rights at all. We will not even be a government of or by the people. We will live in the land of the haves and the havenots.
Please google my name for more on rights you no longer have…Jordan Fogal
I found out today that I will not receive a pink slip. March 15 is the deadline here in California for teachers. But others are not so lucky, sixty-five from my small school district will receive RIF notices (reduction in force) —1 nurse, 1 psychologist, 1 administrator, 24 regular teachers, etc. After work I bought gas-$50.00 to fill a Honda. Then I went shopping. Not at the mall but at the Goodwill which is across the street. All the same brands are there and especially since I am an environmentalist, who believes in Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, why not! I bought a couple of dinosaurs for my kindergarten class and a sweater. After all, the kids need some fun after not being left behind and I can turn down the thermostat. I went home for supper and the company of the TV news. The big story was about a local real estate agent and a helicopter pilot who flys wealthy Europeans around Beverly Hills and other upscale hoods to buy homes. The news went on that the dollar and the real estate market are both in thee toilet.(my words) The clients were gushing about the great bargins to be had in Southern California. What a joy to see Americans losing their homes, jobs, and sons on the news. After checking my e-mails it will be off to bedie-bye for me. My daily mantra is a prayer for those in Bagdad. When I was a child, I prayed for those in Limbo. Sort of a place your soul goes to when you are not cleared for heaven yet. (this idea is no longer in favor) Anyway my point is that Bagdad is a lot more like hell than heaven. So things could be worse here and I thank my lucky stars for my little rented abode with water and electricity. I have to sign off now as I need a few moments before sleep to remember my dad. He would have been 109 today. Thanks Danny for your work. Veronica R.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:28 amDanny, you’re beginning to sound like Louis Black with your computer. I like Louis Black.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:59 pmWhere is the story about Adm. Fallon being kicked out of his admiralty because he doesn’t want war with Iran?