[Hardastarboard]

To paraphrase PJ O'Rourke, "If you knew he was a Congressman when you slapped him and threw a drink in his face, you're to be commended. Anyone else would have shot him. If you DIDN'T know he was a Congressman when you slapped him and threw a drink in his face, you're going to jail".

Seems to me if I recall correctly that the law is that any public figure is open to ridicule, as a public figure. Anyone who isn't a public figure is not subject to such, as a now rich Richard Jewell can tell you.

[Gabz]

But just where does one draw the line about who is and who isn't a public figure? Part of the issue here is some swipes were also taken at the man's wife. Just because she is married to a town councilman, does that make her a public figure?