By Fred's Mother

Dec 2, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

I tried my best to be a good mother to my little Freddy. I worked double shifts at the lead smelting plant right up until the day little Fred was born. The doctors told me to quit working there if I wanted to have children. Who would guess that lead exposure could turn a child into the Fred we see today?I didn't think dropping him on his head all those times would make a lot of difference. He sure seemed to like it when his father and I played "drop the baby". We hope to have him cured of his bedwetting soon.

By good idea

Dec 2, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

they should put it in the intersection in a traffic circle at franklin and university parks like the one in that video on the front page

By Bob

Dec 2, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

This is hilarious you guys are attacking multiple people who sign in under the moniker "Fred".

Take the hook out, you've been played.

And John, ease off the Gestapo "We're watching you threats". They also carries legal consequences for you.

By Fred

Dec 2, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

I apologize to everyone I may have ever offended. You see, my mother didn't love me and my father molested me. For years, I suffered in silence my only comforts coming from the cutting I would do to my body to release the emotional pain with physical pain.

Then I heard about something called "internet trolling". You see, trolling is posting intentionally inflammatory material to the internet anonymously to tick people off. The only outlet I have for my endless rage is posting completely nutty comments to the local newspaper. For this reason, I want to thank the trib and all of the people who find it in their hearts to be offended by my posts. It means a lot to me.

By Fred's Counselor

Dec 2, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

Fred???? I'm out on a limb here. I've done all I can to guide you to a point of keeping your personal issues in check. I know it's not easy. Nothing worthwhile ever is, but I fear what's awaiting you down your insisted path of negative demise. Now it is apparent that even the masses have gathered against you. Fred, the state called and recommended a labotomy for your troubled mind. I'm getting to the point where I just may have to agree. Oh, and by the way, they also advised to go ahead and consider getting you neutered.

Now it is apparent that even the masses have gathered against you.

By B.T,

Dec 2, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

There isn't an uglier fountain that I have more room in my heart for.

I remember going to the convention center in the late 1970s and the sight of that waterfall was awesome. It really was a great entrance at the time.

That said, these fountains have a limited life expectancy and it was a water waster the way in which it was designed. If they can build something that will be as spectacular to today's Wacoans as the Freedom Fountain was for me, I think the community will be pleased.

By Dave

Dec 2, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Rich or poor, all seek hope and inspiration, and the Freedom Fountain has been a source of that for many years. To some, it may be just a block of concrete, just as to others, a flag may be just a piece of silk; but in every symbol there is an opportunity to imagine what it means to you. Beyond the Fountain, with its impressive rush of water that transformed the concrete into a magnet for young and old alike, the many translations of the word "freedom" surrounding it not only taught us how to see the word in different languages, but showed us and our children that freedom is an important word to people everywhere. Most of the world's great cities are remembered for their public monuments. Let's make Waco a greater city in that way, too. Give the Freedom Fountain the place of prominence it deserves.

By Dale

Dec 2, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

I have to agree with Mr. Cullen Smith. I do not have a problem with building a new fountain at a new location, but any new design must show respect for our fallen soldiers in Vietnam and the soldiers who returned from there. No matter what anyone calls it, it was a terrible war with great human sacrifice. Our soldiers from that era were abused and despised for answering the call of their country. Any new fountain should make up for that and give the Vietnam vets the respect they earned and deserve. BUT, any new fountain should be properly maintained and not allowed to fall into disrepair as the city has done with this one. It is a sign of disrespect to allow that to happen.

Bravo, John and DarkKnight.

By Kevin

Dec 2, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

I am pro-progress, though I don't understand if the fountain moves what will happen to the mature live oaks that may have taken up to and over a hundred years to mature.

By John

Dec 2, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this

Actually, according to the latest Census Bureau (2000), 19.3% of Waco's families are below the poverty level. Individual poverty levels are skewed by the disproportionate population of college age students both at Baylor (with whom you could hardly call poor) and McLennan students, so that statistic can be thrown out. Even with the students included, we are at 26.3%. Hardly the 80% claimed.

So, Fred, once again you have chosen to spread misinformation with regard to Waco. If you even tried to do any research, you could be considered a reasonable dissenter, instead of completely discrediting yourself, which for a person of your ego must be painful.

I'm not a phsycotherapist, but I think I understand why you do it. Its for attention. It's a bit sad and I do pray for you as you have taken to a virtual format to make up for what must have been a lifelong a lack of respect for yourself and others, probably due to some sort of abuse or precieved wrong or unfairness in the real life outside your keyboard.

Trying to be something, even if it is the town wolf-crier and sensationalist, is great accomplishment. In fact what you do takes very little thought or consideration at all. Which leads to my next point about you not thinking about your actions.

If you want to be considered a rational voice of dissent and spur productive debate and exchange of ideas, great. Our country was built around this principle.

But some of the vicious, dispicable and outright gross language you engage in, if it occurred in the real world would amount to slander and libel, and at some point legal action would be brought against you.

So what I am saying Fred is - be careful. Be very careful. People are watching you and this new media reaches many. The internet laws may not always protect you and there is case law coming that will change current laws regarding proecting the identities and IP addresses of the origins of your messages. In fact, we know where you are right now and where you have been sending messages. The basis of the coming case law, which is now being sent to the Supreme Court is being called the "Equivalency Doctrine" in which virtual acts that would be otherwise illegal in the "real world" can be prosecuted. Much the same way as the piracy laws for music and intellectual property have been applied. And there is no grandfathering in the law, which allows you to be prosecuted for previous actions before the law was enacted if the actions are consistent with evidence admitted after the case law occurred.

Your past posts are part of your file and your activity will continue to be monitored. I am warning you of this because we have a new administration in which is well represented by the Central Texas delegation that has taken an interest in these issues.

If you wanted attention, Fred, now you've got it. So, I would be careful my friend...

And as for Waco, its got it problems, but cities everywhere have their owns battles to fight. You can be sit on the sidelines and armchair quarterback, or you can do something about it.

I have chosen to do something about it. Starting with putting you on notice, Fred. The Trib can not protect you and their records are subpoenable, but there are already copies of those anyway, so have a nice day in our great city of Waco...and be careful...