Ron Tremper emailed me about GeckoForums

[KelliH]

I just got this email-

Hi Kelli
Who is responsible for the content posted
in the leopard gecko section of geckoforums.net?
Who owns this forum?

Regards,
Ron............

 

[BalloonzForU]

wow, I wonder how pissed he is about that thread.

 

[Jeremy Letkey]

I didn't get to see what was posted in the end of the thread. What did I miss? Man, keep us updated with this please.

 

[nwheat]

I didn't actually read most of it either. The individuals posting are responsible for the content. When it got out of hand, you deleted it. What more can be done?

 

[Val]

I had a feeling that one of the members posting may have worked from Tremper. The good thing is you did exactly what needed to be done, and I'm pretty sure Paul posted somewhere about how the admin/mods are not respsonsible for any content posted by other users.

 

[Grinning Geckos]

A quick recap of the end of that thread, from what I recall, was some new dude spouting about how dare we talk bad about Tremper. How he had been dealing with him a million years, both personal and ordering for a reptile store. How he doubt this alleged claim of anyone getting a gecko from him missing toes (HAHA). How Tremper is God, and he NEVER had and problems with any of the geckos he got ... but said in the same breath that Tremper solved any problems that came up to his satisfaction. Blah, blah, fucking blah.

I told him he obviously hasn't been around to see what we've seen. To which he got all high and mighty about how he's been breeding leos before I was born. I told him he's picking a fight he really doesn't want to start, but I had to leave before I got any further into it.

Yea, I could TOTALLY see that dude being a snitch for Ron.

I just wish I had gone a bit into what's not correct in Ron's book. Just a bit.

Well, I hope this doesn't cause any problems for you Kelli. As far as I can see, he may not like it, but I doubt he's got anything to stand on.

 

[robin]

he in my opinion is a man cunt

 

[PaulSage]

I had a feeling that one of the members posting may have worked from Tremper. The good thing is you did exactly what needed to be done, and I'm pretty sure Paul posted somewhere about how the admin/mods are not respsonsible for any content posted by other users.

Correct...Provided that the administration of the message board is not involved with creating the material in question for issues regarding slander/libel. This is the one exception to the rule where anyone involved in the process of publication of slanderous or libelous material holds legal liability. (Thanks to the FCC)

So, to answer Ron's questions:

Who is responsible for the content posted
in the leopard gecko section of geckoforums.net?

It depends on what aspect of "responsibility" he's getting at. If he thinks he has been slandered or libelous statements were made about him, the actual member who posted the material is responsible. Kelli may be responsible for certain aspects of content posted on this site, but NOT with regards to slander and libel UNLESS she was involved with creating the statement. Owning the forum, hosting the site, etc. does not constitute creation of the potentially libelous or slanderous material.

Who owns this forum?

Duh.

I have two more points.

1. Fauna. If Rich were, as the administrator of FaunaClassifieds.com, legally responsible for slanderous/libelous material posted there, he would've been shut down a looooooonnnnnng time ago.

2. Truth. You can't sue someone for libel if it was a TRUE statement. Burden of proof can shift depending on different state laws and such, but I would suspect that in Ron's case the burden of proof would fall on the allegedly offending poster. Also, to sue for slander, you almost always (precedent is a little sketchy here) have to prove that it had a negative effect on your reputation or business or whatever.

So what I'm trying to say, Kelli, is that I really don't think you have anything to worry about here except a little bullshit or inconvenience (from a legal standpoint).

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

So, should I go and edit any of my Ron-Bashing? LOL!

 

[Jeanne]

A quick recap of the end of that thread, from what I recall, was some new dude spouting about how dare we talk bad about Tremper. How he had been dealing with him a million years, both personal and ordering for a reptile store. How he doubt this alleged claim of anyone getting a gecko from him missing toes (HAHA). How Tremper is God, and he NEVER had and problems with any of the geckos he got ... but said in the same breath that Tremper solved any problems that came up to his satisfaction. Blah, blah, fucking blah.

I told him he obviously hasn't been around to see what we've seen. To which he got all high and mighty about how he's been breeding leos before I was born. I told him he's picking a fight he really doesn't want to start, but I had to leave before I got any further into it.

Yea, I could TOTALLY see that dude being a snitch for Ron.

I just wish I had gone a bit into what's not correct in Ron's book. Just a bit.

Well, I hope this doesn't cause any problems for you Kelli. As far as I can see, he may not like it, but I doubt he's got anything to stand on.

Are you sure this person wasn't Ron himself?

 

[BalloonzForU]

He could be upset about some members using his pic of the DBs in their avatars too.

 

[Grinning Geckos]

Are you sure this person wasn't Ron himself?

I had actually wondered that last night when I made my post. Not to say it couldn't happen, but if it did - he's got an even bigger ego than I thought.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

So what does he want? We are all jumping to conclusions here that it's because of some of the negative posts made about him here on GF. It may not be that at all...

 

[robin]

i know he just wants me in bed.. he wants my dirty pillows and stuff

hey ron baby :kiss: lick my shitty ass :smitten:

 

[KelliH]

I certainly have some concerns.
I will try to call you today to discuss my feelings.

Ron..........

Great...:main_rolleyes:

 

[Val]

Is his concern that he didn't add enough of these bad boys ........ after this name?

Let us know how the call goes. All you have to do is be honest, because as I said before you did the right thing.

 

[KelliH]

Well, I just got off the telephone with him, and he is very angry. He would barely let me get a word in, and kept bringing up Robin and Marula, saying I should ban them. He's a fucking asshole guys. He basically said if the Tremper bashing does not stop he will take legal action. Oh, towards the end of the "conversation" he told me he was tape recording the entire call. Also, he told me how much he likes me (yeah right) and he had the balls to say "I even sent you a nice letter after your son died.". Why do people always bring that up when they are upset with me?

 

[Val]

Because it's them letting you know that deep down inside they're douchebags. If he has a problem with specific members and their comments, he should contact them...not you.

 

[nwheat]

I'm sure he is very hurt by what he read. I would imagine that he was really excited about the release of the DBs (and I would hope not just because of the money). To then come across that thread would hurt - even if you know some people don't like you or your marketing strategies.

Let's hope that now that he's had a chance to vent (sorry it was at you, Kelli, I agree he should contact the people he has an issue with directly) perhaps he'll calm down enough to realize that you did what you could. It's a fine line between censorship and moderating a situation that is getting out of control. A very unenviable position to be in as far as I'm concerned, and I think you do an awesome job, Kelli!!

I've never met him, or even really corresponded with him, so perhaps I'm wrong and he's really only worried about those comments affecting his bottom line - but I can't really believe that.

I certainly don't think ranting at Kelli and saying inappropriate things was the right thing to do on his part - it does make him look like that bad guy people were bashing...maybe he is that guy after all?

edit: Rereading this it sounds like I'm trying to defend him - I'm not, just trying to add a bit of perspective, I guess. It really does piss me off that he would call and rant at Kelli like that!

 

[PaulSage]

Because it's them letting you know that deep down inside they're douchebags.

I think Val summed it up pretty well. :main_evilgrin:

I guess it's nice to know Ron's true colors though.