…the Right to freedom of speech does not include the “Right” to defame someone!
The use of words can have serious consequences! We have a public duty to use words so they don’t harm others…Like yelling “fire” in a crowded theater, imprudent or unethical use of speech should bare proportional justice!
The Facts:
“Libel” is a published false statement that is damaging to a person’s reputation – a written defamation.
Libel is a CRIME in Idaho! (So yes, someone could “go to jail” over it!)
Libel is a TORT in Idaho! (That means that if you libel someone you are a “Tortfeasor” and may have to pay money damages!)
Truth is an absolute defense to a claim of libel. If a statement is TRUE, you have nothing to fear with regard to your freedom of speech.
COWARD is a person who lacks the courage to do or endure dangerous or unpleasant things. (Like signing their real name to a blog post)
Some COWARD, who uses the name “almostinnocentbystander” posted defamatory comments on the HBO site. The target of those comments was Tina Jacobson. Tina makes her living dealing with other people’s money and such statements may have harmed her professional reputation. Even if they did not, Tina has a RIGHT to make sure that such defamatory comments cease and that the Tortfeasor who made them is soundly rapped on the knuckles for doing so…financially speaking.
For you MORONS, who think it is ok for anyone to say anything they want about another person because they have “free speech” rights, give us you name and we’ll post it publically with a note that you are a pedophile! Would that be ok with you? …No? …We didn’t think so!
We hope the COWARD; know, as “almostinnocentbystander” has to pay Tina Jacobson and her lawyer lots and lots and lots of money! Maybe you vile people who like to say vile things…while thinking you are anonymous…will think twice before spreading lies on blogs!
Don’t you agree DFO?
Well put Chuckleberries! They’ve been going back and forth on HBO, foaming at the mouth, putting their normal spin on things. There have been a few glimmers of hope, but they are the minority on that thread.
What bothers me, is they can’t distinguish between aggressive rough blog interaction and libel. If someone calls me an ugly meanie-head on a blog thread, so what. However, if they accuse me of criminal activity, that’s a different story. Most of the HBO bloggers seem to think what Almost Innocent did was just name calling or playing rough. But in reality, they accused Tina of criminal activity, which is unacceptable.
I’d like to see what these same bloggers would do if they’d been accused of stealing? I think we all know the answer.
There will be no vail of anonymity as it is not a journalistic source protected by statute. “Almostinocent” will be exposed for charges and not quite be almost Innocent.
Good point Alice. Interesting pseudonym that is now completely backwards. Likely not almost innocent and definitely not a bystander anymore.