[Diva Betsy Ross]

Well it is funny . I haven't heard any general announcements that this person is a public figure, so go ahead America and think about, talk about and write about this person. Okay America this person is not a public person, so you can not talk about them or write about them.

If Freerepublic gets sued or any freepers get sued we are in good company.. the list is huge of those who have speculated about what has gone on in this case. The list of Americans who ahve speculated about millions of things is endless. The New York Times is not Freerepublic and posters here are not journalists. Your point is apples and oranges.

[Poohbah]

I haven't heard any general announcements that this person is a public figure, so go ahead America and think about, talk about and write about this person. Okay America this person is not a public person, so you can not talk about them or write about them.

No such announcement is made.

It only comes into play when the issue of libel is at hand. Then there are legal arguments as to while the plaintiff is or is not a public person.

Bottom line: if you exercise a minimal amount of self-control, you can avoid the issue and still get your point across. But it means that you'll have to grow up.

The New York Times is not Freerepublic and posters here are not journalists.

Sullivan vs. New York Times is case law concerning libel, and it affects anyone who publishes, not just journalists.