Posted on 12/06/2003 2:45:19 PM PST by MegaSilver
According to my COM101 class notes, to win a libel suit, one must generally prove six things of the defendant:
1. Identity of the person damaged
2. Publication of the material
3. That the published material was actually defaming
4. Falseity of the defaming material
5. Fault: if the plantiff is a public figure, he/she must prove actual malice: either a) knowingly lying, OR b) reckless disregard for the truth; if the plantiff does not hold any sort of public or celebrity status, he/she must merely prove negligence
6. That the material in some way caused injury or harm to the person, their image, their associates, etc.
Has anyone here mustered up the stomach to read Dude, Where's My Country? The only Michael Moore product I've ever come into contact with (and NOT on my own volition) was the horrible "documentary" film, Bowling for Columbine. If that piece of trash is any indication, then DWMC is more than likely a garbage dump for lies, distorted facts, and reckless disregard for the truth... with a clear intention to erode George W. Bush's image. I ask if someone's read the book because I want to confirm that it is, indeed, what I believe it might be.
It should be obvious where I'm going with this. If the book is, indeed, full of lies and/or reckless distortions, I'm hoping we can help bring a libel case against Michael Moore if George W. Bush loses the 2004 election. Or, even if Bush doesn't lose, we could bring a case of seditious libel on Moore for feeding negative national morale while our country is at war.
Also, there's the issue of his movie, Fahrenheit 911. From what I've heard, this movie might qualify as sedition and/or treason given the present situation in Iraq. Of course, we'll have to wait till the thing comes out, but in the meantime, anyone know what you'd have to prove in a sedition or treason case?
Erm... make that, "if the defamed..."
Or not. Any lawyers care to clear me up? Can you sue for libel on behalf of another?
Michael Moore's are so reckless and destructive, you never know.
I'll give you that. I know of at least one person who, after reading one of his books, said, "I voted for Gore in 2000. As much as I dislike Bush, I'm voting for him in 2004. I'm fed-up with the Democrats' refusal do distance themselves from idiots like Moore."
P.S next time you see a car with a Nader bumper sticker do as I do, honk your horn, smile, wave and mouth "thank you". Without those guys, the Michael Moore crowd would be in the White House.
To be fair, keep in mind that Michael Moore endorsed Ralph Nader for president in 2000.
bump
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