Friday Links

"Accusing a pastor of lining his pockets in such a sale IS an accusation of fraud, which is a serious matter."
- Posted by: benson at December 5, 2008 9:42 AM (Green Church)

Accusing me of accusing the pastor IS a serious matter!!!

"How would you like to be the subject of such a public accusation in such a forum?"
I think I am the subject.

I just got off the phone with my lawyer.
He said we'll sue Benson, for defamation.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 5, 2008 11:25 AM

"one day she'll be talking with Biff or DIBS about truffles and dildos"

I somehow missed the conversation about the latter.....hhhmmmm. Now I'm upset!!!
I would object to the two of you discussing a stimulating topic on my day off.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 5, 2008 11:34 AM

I wasn’t going to comment about Benson’s claims against me, because of the frivolous and trivial nature of it. And as cited by Z.(thanks)

Benson, we have liberties in this country, that you and I and everybody else posting, saying, opining on are entitled to. If everytime, a lawsuit is waged against someone who voices a public opinion, everybody at some point would be in court; politicians, writers, journalists, comedians, critics, and the average Joe six-pack, etc.

I'm also going to respond to Benson's (9:42)post from the Green Church here:
In "captions" is what Benson wrote:

“Surely you must know that there are laws on the book as to how a church's assets are to be disposed.”
- Surely you must know that laws are broken.

“Accusing a pastor of lining his pockets in such a sale IS an accusation of fraud, which is a serious matter.”
- Accusing me of accusing the pastor IS a serious matter!!!

“I am becoming sickened by the commentary on Brownstoner, which, in my opinion, has degraded substantially since Lisa came along.“
- Oh, Benny, you obviously don’t know anything about printed media. Since Lisa came along, this site has gotten better!
(There's a story in this one for you, oh, provider of 'Threads')

“You talk about religions: YOU have become like zealots.”
- Are you muslim?

“There are no shades of gray in this commentary. It is an "evil" decision. How simple-minded is this commentary?”
- I have simple-minded commentary from a very complex mind.

“For Pete's sake, Lisa and Borwnstoner don't even contact the pastor to hear their side of the story.”
- The pastor has not stated his side of the story for the past 3 years…..hhhmmm.

“Now, the Borwnstoner community has gone beyond the point of wishing ill to those who disagree with you.”
- Benson, It’s not the 'Borwnstoner' community that is wishing ill…obviously, according to you, it’s just me.

“You are now even saying "Amen" to people like BRG who flippantly accuse people of fraud in a public medium.”
- I didn’t read ‘Amen’ in any of the posts.

“This is grounds for a libel lawsuit,”
- Now that is funny! Genius, a lawsuit would catapult me into a being a household name, by not having to work as much as I am. I'm calling my agent and telling him to get me a PR firm.

“and I frankly have a good mind to show this commentary to the congregation.”
- They’ve seen this kind of commentary through out this fight…you think this is something new! Please. Why don’t you dig up every article that has been written against the destruction of this church (you might even find a few I wrote), and show that to them. Better yet, I can make photo copies of ALL of them for you.

“Perhaps they'll teach BRG a lesson she deseves to have taught.”
- A tough lesson in life that one has to learn is that not everybody wishes you well. - Dan Rather
- They can conquer who believe they can. He has not learned the first lesson in life who does not every day surmount a fear. - Emerson

“She would casually try to destroy someone's reputation,”
- As you are casually trying to destroy MY reputation??

“and it probably doesn't even faze her this morning.”
- This morning I have been fazed by a lot, the least of which is by you.

“She's probably trading jokes with DIBS or Biff today about truffles or dildos, whatever topic suits them for the moment.”
- We haven’t gotten to that point today, but hopefully. And frankly, I have NEVER used the ‘D’ word on brownstoner. You are accusing me of EXTREME vulgarity, where clearly my style is subtlety.

“I'll also tell you that my respect for you and Montrose has gone way done after seeing this thread.”
Oh, my, you do have issues. Once you loose respect for Montrose, you lose respect for yourself.

“Though we've rarely agreed on anything, I've always respected your integrity. No more - when you abet someone like BRG in casually trying to slander some one.“
- Mr. B is not abetting anyone. This is a blog, with anonymous commentators. Mr. B is not sitting next to everyone as they type their opinions and hitting 'post' for them.
I can then say, Mr. B is abetting with you in slandering me!

*My view and opinion expressed above does not necessarily represent the opinions of other posters or the directors, officers and employees or advertisers of this blog.*
(Someday this disclaimer will end)

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 5, 2008 12:24 PM

"I don't even know what the heck you guys are talking about!!"

Most times, I don't know what we're talking about either.

But clearly, this thread is about a lawsuit, church, sex toy, and a girl

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 5, 2008 1:05 PM

Here is a response to Benson's (5:59pam) post from the Green church Thread:
"Captioned" is what he said.

“Oh please, I just can't take this any more.”
- You can’t take it? Can’t handle it?

“BRG: you are unbelievable.”
- That’s what some will say. Many will say I’m believable.

“Most days you're thowing out silly, near-juvenile posts left and right.”
- I have to disagree with you on this. Most days, I’m throwing out witty, amusing and cleverly crafted posts. You miss to see my writing talent. Maybe, you’ve seen it elsewhere and appreciate it there.

“Today I suppose you think we should now all bow our heads in sorrow while you show us your despair at your pet project. “
- No, I don’t suppose that of anybody. If YOU want to bow your head to me that’s up to you. I am worthy of it, though.
I have taken up several other pet projects. Would you like to discuss them?

“I find it incredible that you would accuse a pastor of fraud without offering the slighest shred of evidence. “
In my three posts, not once did I use the word ‘fraud’”
- I am incredible!

You want a shred of evidence. I’ll photo copy the boxes and boxes full of information amassed over the years during this battle. You pay for copying and shipping. Hire a detective, maybe you’ll find evidence of ‘fraud’.

“Anyone who would accuse someone of fraud without the slightest evidence, simply because they didn't agree with their view on an issue, is simply a malicious person, and I question those on this thread who didn't call her on it.”
- I am hardly malicious…maybe fallacious, but always Delicious (NOW, that was a witty remark).
You’ve called me out. I guess, no one will question you, now!

“Finally, I wonder how many of the folks who wrote a post in this thread had actually seen how this church was situated.”
- Yes, I wonder. Many should have seen this church before the wrecking ball. But, I’m sure many just by looking at photos appreciated the architecturally integrity. I believe it was the only structure in NYC to use Green Ashlar stone in a ‘Serpentine’ effect, dubbing it a ‘Green Serpentine Façade’

This church was situated like many others in NYC. Actually it probably was situated better than others. It was on a huge corner lot. 4th ave about 200’ frontage, Ovington about 175’. There were three (3) buildings on the site. The demolished church (on the corner), to the south on 4th Ave. is the 2 story school building (still standing), and on Ovington Ave. there was a three story townhouse, used as the parsonage (now destroyed).

“A word commonly used in Brownstoner is "context". In that regard, this church was completely out of context. “

Says who? YOU?
So, I guess a lot of churches in NYC are out of context. Some stand on full blocks, some on corners and some between tall buildings. Let’s tear them all down.
What, Benson, for a church to be contextual with its surroundings, it needs to be freestanding with tracts of rolling hills surrounding it.
This is NYC, appreciate its diversity.
Or maybe, churches are no longer contextual in NYC….let’s tear them all down.

“The blocks of 4th Ave north of this church is filled with complete 1920's commercial schlock buildings, complete with tacky shops.”
- And now on this site will rise a 21st Century Schlock!

“To the south 4th Ave is filled with 4 and 6 story apartment buildings that form a nice line-of-sight - except for the church. “

Let’s see, if you stand in front of the church, okay empty lot now, with a big ‘for sale’ sign and look north:
What is that I see diagonally across from it??…ANOTHER CHURCH!!!!
Head north, all are 3 story bricks with storefronts, except one 4 story building, south of the other church.

Let’s head south shall we:
You’re right about the 4-6 story apt. buildings. 4th Avenue is lined with them…but wait, Is that a steeple and another!
Standing on that corner, looking south at all those buildings my line-of-sight is interrupted by a church on 73rd Street (OLA), and then Bay Ridge Prep School on 74th and 75th Street ANOTHER CHRUCH.76th street, a Victorian on the corner (now a daycare)…and next to that, you want to start talking about the two Victorians that were just torn down.
Holy, Toledo, all these different structures are starting to look like apartment buildings to me!

By the way, I’ve heard the word ‘schlock’ once before, years ago.
Truthfully, I had to look it up.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schlock
I now understand you, you are so well versed in this term….low quality or value.

Why not take a walk on 4th Avenue and really look at the buildings. There are many with great details. Columned entrances, interesting brick patterns, decorative freizes, etc. There’s a couple of buildings in the Art Deco style. So, rub the ‘schlock’ from eyes and look around you.

“This church was completely out of context in this environment.”
- Yes, you are the authority on contextual design as evident from you previous accolades extolled on Feder homes.

“It looked like exactly what it was: a decrepit structure from the days when Bay Ridge was a rural community. It looked so completely out-of-place on 4th Ave in that area.”
-Again, spoken by an architectural critic like yourself, with a fine eye toward the highest standards of design.
Decrepit – Do you have any evidence of that?
It was so decrepit, that it was on the National Register of Historic Places. I guess they don’t have any guidelines when placing structures on the list!

“At least I'm not the one who accuses people of fraud simply because someone doesn't agree with me, in -between my silly posts on total nonsense.”
-Benson, you and I don’t agree. You are a ‘fraud’!

“Moreover, I make comments on sites I have actually seen.”
-I now think you were the one guiding the wrecking ball.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 5, 2008 1:18 PM

^^^should have said "in quotes" = Benson

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 5, 2008 1:20 PM

Now where did I put my toys?

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 5, 2008 1:21 PM

Yes, Biff, I'm on Fire...I want to see, also!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 5, 2008 1:50 PM

Benson,
You ATTACKED ME in the church thread. YOU ATTACK me in this thread. I respond to your posts. I took some time and addressed all the issues you brought up. “Truthfully, I'm a little baffled and slighted by your response. You didn't acknowledge anything I said. You dismissed it, you dismissed me”

“What is there to respond to?”
- There’s plenty to respond to.

“The rantings of a person who fluctuates between two modes: a) silly, juvenile e-mails back and forth on trivial matters and”
- Please re-read your posts for rantings! Rantings of lawsuits, Rantings of accusations, Rantings.

“b) emotion-laden rants and accusations on issues of concern to her.”
I hardly believe, I’m the only one concerned with preservation. Shall I give you the names of the heads of every organization in NYC.

“I once again challenge those in the "amen" corner: did you actually see this church in its settings on 4th Ave, prior to it being torn down? Bif? Dibs? Bob Marvin? Montrose?”

Challenge ME!!!
You want to talk about churches and the context they’re in. Let’s do a case study of a few in NYC
Trinity Church – dwarfed by high rise office towers.
St. Barts – look at all the office buildings around this one too.
St. John’s – What is that went up next door?…a building!!
Grace Church – Have you seen the white schlock across the street…Woof.
Btw – this is one of my favorite churches in NYC. You should visit it, but don’t look at the surroundings!! I love knowing that Edith Wharton got married here (even though it was a loveless marriage) – oh, such a silly trivial matter, I bring up)

You want to start something with your tirade against me, have the decency to respond to me and respond properly. Please, don’t insult me and my intelligence with your half-baked reply.
Or would you rather my posts directed to you reference only chocolate and toys…would that make you feel better, feel superior?

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 5, 2008 2:33 PM

Yes, it was!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 5, 2008 2:57 PM

re-write:

Not as uncalled for as other things that have been said!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 5, 2008 3:03 PM

Yes, Cobble, the one on 11th.
Everytime I walk by and it's open, I go in.
But, I do that with alot of churches.
And I'm not religious....for me it's about the architecture.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 5, 2008 3:31 PM