Posted on 02/08/2024 9:00:58 PM PST by Ultra Sonic 007
As many of you already know, a Washington, DC jury today found the Defendants (Mark Steyn and Rand Simberg) liable for defamatory speech and reckless disregard of provable facts. Putting aside the monetary damages, the real damage done by this case is to every American who still believes in the First Amendment.
The precedent set today, and as alluded to by Justice Alito when the case was petitioned before the U.S. Supreme Court, means that disagreement and/or criticism of a matter of public policy — the founding principle of this country — is now in doubt. And should you choose to give voice to any dissent, you can brought before a jury, held responsible, and fined.
Think this is just rhetoric? Consider, Mark Steyn is a member of the media. As such, he is supposedly afforded First Amendment protections. If a member of the media is no longer protected, what do you think that means for every day citizens? And it doesn't matter if you are in DC or Montana — anyone can file in the jurisdiction of his or her choosing.
In Justice Alito's dissent in 2019, he presciently wrote (emphasis added):
The petition in this case presents questions that go to the very heart of the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech and freedom of the press: the protection afforded to journalists and others who use harsh language in criticizing opposing advocacy on one of the most important public issues of the day. If the Court is serious about protecting freedom of expression, we should grant review...
(Excerpt) Read more at steynonline.com ...
Naturally, the media (which has largely ignored the trial up to this point) is lauding it, and those lauding Michael Mann for 'triumphing' after 12 years (as though he wasn't the cause of the 12 years it took for this case to get to trial!) is further evidence of just how depressing the media landscape is.
I'm still shaking my head at what a rank embarrassment this jury turned out to be.
I think I see the problem.
We are paying a dear price with horrible juries all over the country. It probably stems from the lack of true civics education in the USA the past two generations.
no, it stems from 2 generations of open borders, mass immigration, and ‘diversity’.
America is no longer American
On another thread, it was suggested that a 1,000,000 to 1 Punitive to Actual Damage may well be unconstitutional.
Mann wanted even the $1 victory, because it vindicates him, but the Court record of the trial shows him in such a bad light to anyone NOT in DC, that the victory may well be Pyrrhic.
Still, a sad day.
My heart is broken tonight. I followed this trial closely and Mann and his lawyers failed to provide any evidence whatsoever to prove his case. While I had no faith that a DC jury would rule fairly in this matter, I am still stunned by the verdict. The jury clearly ruled solely on politics and not on the evidence. How can we live in a country with not just a lack of justice, but with extreme injustice, not only from our elites, but from our fellow citizens who themselves are corrupt, evil and unjust. Oh God help us!
I’m old enough to remember when this was a constitutional republic with a virtuous populace and freedom.
That nation is dead.
The North Korean judicial system is more fair than DC juries.
This is far worse than a lack of civics taught in schools. This is a sinful, evil citizenry, easily manipulated by anyone who will feed their multitudinous addictions.
I guarantee you that these Nazi bastard lawyers know ahead of time who they are selecting as jurors. Unless at least HALF of jurors are Republicans, justice will never be administered. Every jury today is an OJ jury. The judicial system has collapsed. Our nation has collapsed.
“...Mark Steyn is a member of the media. As such,
he is supposedly afforded First Amendment protections...”
-
I have a problem with this statement.
The free speech and free press of the first amendment
does not single out “members of the media”
it applies to the totality of “We the people”.
Was there a good reason the trial was held in D.C. ? Does Steyn live there ?
The America most of us grew up in has vanished.
The only glimpse of that nation you will get to see is in old movies.
devotees of the global warming cult have spoken
The entire country is becoming a Star Chamber.
I’m shocked. Shocked, I tell you.
It also stems from all the so-called conservatives who high five each other for successfully avoiding jury service.
My understanding is that since the comments were on the internet the plaintiffs could file anywhere.
Well observed. Conservatives should happily shoulder jury duty.
I know, it’s a sacrifice. Most of us work for a living.
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