[americafirst]

I'm a non-practicing JD like you but am disagreeing more from common sense than the law (when the law is on their side, pound the facts; when the facts are on their side, pound the law; when both are on their side, pound the table!). I would think that this is a gray area but publishing articles and attending conferences hardly makes one a public figure. It would seem that most professionals would then be considered public figures and this would give the press far too wide a berth in their protections.

[EdLake]

I would think that this is a gray area but publishing articles and attending conferences hardly makes one a public figure.

I agree. How can the judge justify calling Dr. Hatfill a "public figure" because Dr. Hatfill wrote an UNPUBLISHED novel? Is the desire for fame the same as being famous? Wouldn't that make just about everyone famous?

Ed at www.anthraxinvestigation.com

[MindBender26]

I pound the table a lot.....

:~)

I think there is a "desire for enrichment or enurement" issue here. Did he seek publicity for gain or did it come to him as a result of an action not designed to create personal benefit.

Joe Smith runs for dogcatcher in East Washboard Township, Vermont. He makes public speeches saying "Elect Me." He is seen by a total of 400 people. He is a Public Figure.

Air Florida flight 90 crashes into the Potomac River, Jan 13, 1982. Lenny Skutnik, who works as a clerk at the Congressional Budget Office, sees it happen and jumps into the ice filled river to rescue a stewardess. He is seen by 40,000,000 people live on TV. Reagan introduces him at the SOTU speech, again on international TV.

Lenny never makes a dime on it, no speeches, no Movie of the Week deal, etc. I would argue that he is not a Public Figure.

[MindBender26]

PS, I also agree that the current definition of a Public Figure is way too wide.