Katherine Coble had an opinion about an employment agency located in Nashville.
She posted it on her blog.
And now they are threatening her if she doesn’t take it down. Let’s keep in mind that the employment agent in question left a comment herself on Coble’s blog and said a myriad of things that bordered on, we’ll be kind, unprofessional.
Brittney has a breakdown over at NiT.
Katherine doesn’t have a commercial blog. She had an opinion. And now she is being threatened. The letter they sent her is up in full up at her website.
What happened to having an opinion?
Here’s the link for the Chilling Effect Clearinghouse as well.
I really haven’t been able to figure out what I want to say on this right now, but I wanted to make you aware of what was going on. I’m not happy about this. Not happy at all. I think this company is bullying and bluffing.
And that’s not right.
UPDATE: Aunt B. is reporting that Instapundit is reporting Katherine Coble’s story. And the support just keeps on coming at the House of Coble. And here’s more from Say Uncle.
I hate to say it Kirk, but people don’t like Bullies. We just don’t.
SECOND UPDATE: Rachel posts a very detailed post on the Coble story as well with the best closing line ever.
THIRD UPDATE: Rob Robinson strikes an eloquent tone with an underlying message.
And here are a few more:
The World According to Tiff Sniff
Okay, I’m done. But the point is there are a lot of people talking about this. I repeat, no one likes a bully.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Nope, I lied. I’m not done:
Kathy T. at The La Vergne Tennessee blog
And the list keeps going and I’d venture to say it’s going to continue for a while.
THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE: Here are the bloggers who posted overnight:
World and Global Politics Blog
More from Technorati
That’s what I have as of this morning. Just keeping a running tab of links documenting the outrage and support of Free Speech.
UPDATE: Katherine Coble’s story has ended up on the aggregator Memeorandum with these blogs weighing in:
UPDATE: Bob Krumm’s post made it on Fark according to NiT.
ALSO: Squirrel Queen has created a photochop in honor of JL Kirk trying to stop KC from having an opinion. There may be a squirrel in the picture, but there is also some thoughtful commentary about blogging.
AFTERNOON UPDATE: Let’s see who else is coming in:
Bill Hobbs said in the comment section of Volunteer Voters’s post that The Media Blogger’s Association might be getting involved. He reports this on his own blog as well.
Bob Krumm has a new post up
MORE:
Salon is linking to the story as well.
Roger Abramson over at Bob’s Digs
UPDATE : In the last 24 hours, we’ve seen what a few thoughtful people can do. This is my last update on this post.
Katherine Coble has obtained legal represenation. She is being represented by The Media Bloggers Association. A letter was sent to her, which is here.
Thanks to everyone. On both sides of the political spectrum, we came together.
And that, my friends, makes me hopeful and is so ever of the good.
Editor’s Note :4.14.07 I combined this later post with the links from Friday and Saturday to this post so everything would be in one place. Thanks.
I received a few e-mails from folks I didn’t know who asked me to add them to the list I made Wednesday and Thursday regarding the JL Kirk/Katherine Coble situation.
I sort of closed that one out after I found out Coble had legal representation but here are some more if your interested:
David Lawrence which is linked to on both Hobbs and Krumm’s blogs
UPDATE: A couple of local guys share their experiences with JL Kirk
Had a long nap but when I woke up I went over to Tim’s at Mother Tongue Annoynances and does he have a doozie of post. Run, Don’t Walk.
Katherine can’t talk about what’s going on, and her blog hits have “hit” the tens of thousands.
Sista Smiff waxes philisophical
SATURDAY UPDATE:
And you might want to see this from Sarcastro as well.
And I’m afraid I’m starting to duplicate here a bit, so if I am, let me know, but this one from Lamplighter is really well done and deserves a read.
And Wonderdawg makes me laugh.
I’m not sure I have all of Bill Hobb’s posts on here, but here is number five and it’s a good one. It also links everything else that he’s written on the subject to date.
4.15.07 SUNDAY MORNING LINK ADDS:
Living Single In the Buckle Of The Bible Belt
John H. writes up an overview after the last four days in a post put up this morning.
New post from S-Town Mike on Blogger Jujitsu
Brittney Gilbert, blogherder of Nashville is Talking, produced a clip for Friday’s news on WKRN. Here is the clip over at her personal blog, Sparkwood & 21
4.16.07
Bob Krumm again
More from Bill Hobbs
And Bob Krumm reports early this Monday Morning that JL Kirk is off-line.
The City Paper picked the story up (H/T Krumm) and has a story about it today.
Newscoma 
We need a full Mabel alert. They should be bitten severely.
I am not joking.
Well, sort of.
(Feel better, please, too, dahlink.)
crazy!
This is nuts, guys.
I know she needs to do what makes her feel comfortable but this is such a violation of everyone’s rights.
I really do not like bullies.
Well, I hope JL Kirk is happy, they are now looking like major jerks in front of the entire country. Take a peek at Kat’s sitemeter. 1000K+ hits last hour, climbing like you wouldn’t believe and the hits are from all over.
Heck, this is more fun than watching Ivy and I’s site meter.
I know. It’s just amazing how these guys didn’t realize that they started a shit storm.
[…] Newscoma […]
No kidding. Whoops, Kirk & crew. 🙂
[…] someone’s joy Say Uncle: Is calling JL Kirk & Associates a bunch of asshats actionable?* Newscoma: The Right To Say What We Want To Say Rachel Walden: Off Topic: Don’t Bully the Bloggers Aunt B: None Shall Pass; Or This, Too, Shall […]
So, I was just thinking… maybe when a certain someone inevitably gets himself voted out of office (due to blogging his way out of office), he can go to JL Kirk to help find himself a new job. Seems fitting, bullies would probably like to help other bullies, right?
(I know, I’m being bad) 😉
Hee.
[…] course, all hell breaks loose. In a move much like the “I am Spartacus!” “No, I am […]
I was just Googling and noted KC’s original posts are probably going to get nudged off page one of the search before the night’s over. Krumm, Hobbs, Bainbridge and one or two others are already on page one.
It hasn’t even been 12 hours yet since it all started.
I was just about to reply to that comment in the Thinking/Thinker Blog thread at KC’s when she posted the Kirk stuff, I might get back to that eventually. I am so humbled and honored by what Tim said, but I was thinking last night when I saw the first few of those that I shouldn’t be one of them. I’m about the most off the top of my head, seat of my pants, goofball NON-thinking blogger I know, heh.
[…] Newscoma: The Right To Say What We Want To Say John Hutcheson: Hey J.L. Kirk and Associates – Nobody likes a bully Rachel Walden: Off Topic: Don’t Bully the Bloggers Aunt B: None Shall Pass; Or This, Too, Shall Pass Lynnster: Hey! Welcome to All Who Don’t Like the Public to Have Opinions or Free Speech! Magniloquence: I am never going to get any work done (courtesy of JL Kirk) S-townMike: Local Job Headhunter Service Attempts to Intimidate Local Blogger Tiff Sniff: Fired Up Bob Krumm: Kirked Bill Hobbs: Suing a Blogger Toys in the Attic: Time for me to steal someone’s joy Say Uncle: Is calling JL Kirk & Associates a bunch of asshats actionable?* Instapundit […]
Lynn,
You are great. Tim’s words were just wonderful and awesome about you and all true.
[…] The Right To Say What We Want To Say Annnnnd Don Imus is toast. MUSLIM GROUP CALLS FOR IMUS ADVERTISER, GUEST BOYCOTT Pelosi Terror-state Appeasement Tour May Continue. Next stop: Tehran Haditha Marine Case – Prosecutorial Mess? Former Hostage Speaks Out Can’t “wind down” until the work is done Bacon–The New Hate Crime Calling All Bloggers! List of American sanctuary cities April 5, 2007 … I Really Wanna Know… Democrats Demand Inquiry Into How They’re Doing So Far The Heart/Transplant World… WI WLIC Feedback to Limit NAIS Finally it’s Going to be Put to an End! Charges to be Dropped in Duke Lacrosse Case. An Inconvenient Truth What’s The Firearm? 20070411 (Who cares?) Sometimes I wonder why I contemplate running for the Legislature… […]
[…] heck. I’m going to bed. Newscoma’s got the […]
[…] Newscoma is maintaining a master list of Nashville bloggers’ reaction posts. permalink | categories: blogging | Time posted: 1:47 pm on Wednesday, April 11th, 2007 […]
Where are you finding all these? ;-p
FYI…
My wordpress blog normally gets about 500-600 hits a day. (WordPress hits are different than sitemeter hits for who knows what reason…)
Yesterday it had nearly 7,000. So I guess people know about it now.
Just keeping a running list.
Most has been just searching JL Kirk. You might also check your Technorati page which I think Bob Krumm (?) had listed.
How are you doing, Katherine?
[…] wanted you to know I updated the list on bloggers speaking out in support of Katherine Coble’s blog. I started a list of blogs I could find. I have not found one blog yet that spoke out in support of […]
Thanks for keeping this list!
This is amazing to watch. Glad you’ve got the link love post going.
[…] Amendment (for there are FAR smarter and better people addressing this than me [click here and here for some mighty fine lists of who all is writing about this]), but to touch on what seems to me to […]
[…] For a full list of links on this ongoing story that affects us all, check out her post. […]
You don’t like bullies? Me neither especially the ones that have blogs like this. I don’t know what else to call it when you don’t like a company but instead of just taking your business elsewhere you start a global campaign to wipe them from the face of the planet.
Yea, a company losing all its business vs. some opinionated blogger twat having to remove her libel. Somehow I think even the First Amendment would tell this lady to STFU.
I really enjoy how every blogger thinks they are some grassroots hero. “We can make a difference! That difference is of course whatever pet issue I decided to take on this week.” You are not crusaders, you are worthless lumps of flesh typing away on a keyboard, trying to get all your readers to make a big deal out of nothing. Not because they agree with your ideals. No, just because they like giving people shit.
Making 1 company suffer just because they don’t bend down and kiss blogger ass does nothing to change anything.
This is nothing more than a bunch of bloggers congratulating each other over their perceived social power. If you morons really want to masturbate with, use your hand and genitals, not a keyboard and mouse.
[…] use this space to list to every single post about the threatened lawsuit that I can find. No need. Newscoma’s doing a hell of a job. Keep checking there for a comprehensive list. Spread It Around: These icons link to social […]
Excellent job.
Afecks? Such a way with words, aren’t you typing on a keyboard, too? Remind me not to use yours after you’re through.
Afecks,
I don’t think the bloggers are bullying. The initial problem started when JL Kirk didn’t like that they got a bad review and tried to intimidate Kat into taking down the posts through threat of legal action, when she clearly did nothing wrong.
You must either work for JL Kirk or maybe you’re just Aaron Sorkin
Don’t feed the troll!
[…] owner knows so little about the internet that they would pick this fight? Staggeringly stupid. My bestest Memphis area friend is doing a stellar job of recapping and keeping us apprised of developments, almost in real time. […]
The Easter Thursday Knucklehead Festival Part Four
Our fourth winner today is JL Kirk & Associates, former known as formerly Bernard Haldane.
Can I add my blog to the list? Way to go, Katherine Coble!
Katherine Coble v. JL Kirk: The Blogosphere is Alive!
Go here to see a link of the blogs who are writing about this subject…and to think, it’s only been going on for about 24 hours!
[…] have not commented on this matter thus far, since every other blogger in the State of Tennessee has done so fairly well. Although no […]
[…] So here we have it, a sad woman, embittered with the lack of $5,000 and the willingness of people to take something she doesn’t have, lashing out the only way she knows how. What do we do in response? Tell her to grow up and accept the fact that businesses are out to make money and not hold your hand and cuddle? Nay, we all jump on the anti-corporate bandwagon to stick it to “The Man”. Maybe they didn’t do anything wrong, but some company like them probably did and that’s good enough for us to rip someone to pieces. At least it is for the internet. […]
I’m really curious as to whether “afecks” and “i hate jimmy page” are one and the same.
[…] the breakdown of events thus far, see this post from Nashville Is Talking or this updated post from Newscoma. Brittney and Las Coma (along with the seemingly millions of other bloggers linked) are making […]
I believe, Rachel, they are one in the same.
“Afecks” was not registered. I registered with wordpress as “i hate jimmy page” and started my own anti-blog at http://fuckallbloggers.com if you really care. It’s not a mystery. I repeat some of the things I’ve said here, on the blog.
If for some reason it is mystifying that I changed names, I apologize. I’m not a corporate shill or a troll. I’m just here to speak my mind. I thought that was the point of all this infrastructure.
No, it wasn’t mystifying I Hate JimmyPage but it was just a question that was asked here and at other blogs that was answered.
I must say: “I hate jimmy page” is a really intelligent person…He can’t even talk without using expletives.
“I hate jimmy page”: I am going to start posting words with their meanings on my blog. I invite you to come by there and learn some. Then you won’t have to use expletives like “f**k” every other sentence.
Here’s your first one:
expletive: an interjectory word or expression, frequently profane; an exclamatory oath
Hope this helps you. Have a good day!
Dear Eric,
I have read your definition for “expletive” and of note is the entry, “an interjectory word or expression”.
I fail to see how my usage is incongruous with your definition.
Thank you for the tip none the less.
Starting a “Word of the Day” Post
I made a promise to a commenter on Newscoma that I would start putting vocabulary words on here, so he wouldn’t have to use expletives all the time. Well, I guess it would be fitting to start with what an
The point being this: That you had to use an expletive in place of a more concrete word, such as antiallbloggers or againstallbloggers, or something to that effect. You could also use blacklistallbloggers or boycottallbloggers. Shoot, even precludeallbloggers would have been better!
[…] Newscoma is still tracking blog posts regarding JL Kirk & Associates’ threat of a lawsuit…. I’m kind of impressed with her link herding abilities. Spread It Around: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. […]
Hey ‘Coma, looking good. Hope you’re feeling better!
Thanks Jag.
Bernard Haldane supposedly offered clients the same type services as JL Kirk & Associates, but they were sued by the state of MN and IL for their practices. Other states have issued consumer alerts about Bernard Haldane’s buisness practices, KS and AZ for example.
Bernard Haldane is mentioned in the attorney’s letter to Kat Coble.
Bernard Haldane operated in Nashville at the following address:
9005 Overlook Blvd
Brentwood, TN 37027-5269
615-236-1114
I can’t find anything that says Haldane operates in the Nashville area anymore, their phone is disconnected, and their company’s website no longer exists. But JL Kirk & Associates was also listed in Nashville at the same address and has since moved from that address.
I can’t make sense of that.
Eric, you’re kidding yourself if you think any of those have the same feeling or the same power as what I ultimately chose.
Your reaction is all I need to know I made the right choice.
MN sues Bernard Haldane: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/haldane_minnesota.html
IL sues: http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/pressroom/2003_10/100703_b.html
AZ warns: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/scam_alerts/scam_alerts.htm
KS warns:
KANSAS CONSUMER REPORT:
http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:wAlhJtdNXiwJ:www.kspace.org/bitstream/1984/195/1/1073684252_99annualrpt.pdf+%22bernard+haldane%22+state+lawsuit&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=30&gl=us
Bernard Haldane listing:
http://phoneswitch.addresses.com/yp_category_search/Computers~and~Internet/phone~switchboards/979/3/Brentwood,TN/16315.html
JL Kirk & Associates listing at same address:
http://nashville.citysearch.com/profile/37656369/brentwood_tn/j_l_kirk_associates.html
Wow.
Christian, makes one take pause, doesn’t it?
Given the attention that the attorney for JL Kirk & Associates wants focused on this, it’s worth exploring the facts. If you read the letter to Kat Coble from the attorney, the mention of Bernard Haldane is a raw nerve begging an explaination.
I noticed that too.
I agree, it is a huge and raw.
This is all very interesting.
[…] what I didn’t forsee — and should have — is that Kat would actually get a major outpouring of support, including publicity from nationally-known web sites like Fark and Instapundit, and an offer of […]
Digg it up, friends.
Add Ohio:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/02/oh_haldane.html
From MN’s lawsuit against Bernard Haldane:
From IL Attorney General Lisa Madigan:
The Attorney General of KS:
The Attorney General of OH:
“It is particularly unconscionable to mislead job-seekers when times are tough.”
“false, deceptive, and misleading”
“false hopes”
“deceptive career consulting services”
“particularly unconscionable”
That’s a lot to talk about from four state Attorney Generals.
Attorneys General.
/language snob
(and that comment was brief because I’m watching my mouth and fingers for a spell.)
[…] then, all hell has broken loose on the blogosphere. Newscoma has all the links gathered together here. NiT has been an important conduit for disseminating the word, and its starting to go national […]
Great post/ posts!
Really inspired me
Thank you 🙂
That is some damn fine reporting there, both in the post and in the comments. You’re to be congratulated!
Christian,
Man, you got it going on.
Now I’m getting all inspired to dig too.
[…] I sort of closed that one out after I found out Coble had legal representation but here are some more if your interested: […]
Ho-lee Hannah. Y’all are just somethin’ else.
Behold, the power of teeny little jolts of electricity going back and forth real fast all around the world.
Mind-boggling.
Glad you’re feeling better, miss girl. Hugs.
[…] If the Newscoma and Hutchmo Mondo Awesome Organizers with matching action figures are available also, those would […]
[…] Newscoma: “The Right To Say What We Want To Say” […]
Now that you’re a blogger, afecks, how about taking your own advice vis-a-vis your blog title and go … copulate yourself.
[…] is Talking picked up the story. So did Newscoma. Instapundit. Bill Hobbs. Aunt B. The Knoxville News-Sentinel. Home-Ec 101. Blogs in South […]
[…] night, I got a bit OCD and put all of the links talking about this on one post so it would be documented all together. It’s here […]
[…] ~a bajillion people standing up for my friend Kat. JL Kirk’s biggest regret after all this is going to be requiring prospective clients to bring a spouse to their consultation. Seriously. […]
[…] low they can go. If you have been out of work and searching for a job for a long period of time, you can relate to this story. Nashville resident, job seeker, and blog writer details a meeting with a less than scrupulous job […]
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