To: TheBigB; Chancellor Palpatine
Juuust out of curiosity CP, could these factual assertions of yours be considered slander, since I'm fairly certain you have no evidence of Judge Moore's affiliation with any carnival, nor his "psychotic" mental state? I seem to remember a high-and-mighty someone admonishing many of us not to say such things about a certain Michael Schiavo.
The obvious difference is that Justice Moore is -- or was, until earlier today -- an elected official. It is almost impossible for an elected official to win a slander or libel suit against someone who is criticizing his performance in office, because the Supreme Court has found that the interest of a robust debate on public issues outweighs the individual office holder's right to protect his reputation. That's why we can log on to FR and call Hillary all sorts of things that would be instantly actionable if they were said about a private citizen.
And guess what? That's the way it ought to be.
567 posted on
11/13/2003 3:44:59 PM PST by
Brandon
To: Brandon
Maybe so. Maybe not. It's certainly debatable that the phrases "carny huckster" and "psychotic" are legitimate criticisms of his performance as a Judge. As far as I'm concerned, it's hypocritical and I said so. I still think so. And anyone like Schiavo who goes on Larry King Live of his own free will (or, making himself a public figure willfully) has lost any moral high ground. Again, my opinion. Nothing more.
570 posted on
11/13/2003 3:55:55 PM PST by
TheBigB
(One picture is worth a thousand dollars, but the sheep has to be wearing lipstick.)
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