Posted on 09/27/2008 1:36:34 AM PDT by GeeMoney
The Barack Obama campaign is asking Missouri law enforcement to target anyone who lies or runs a misleading TV ad during the presidential campaign.
“You do believe that one has a right to protection from those who would do one harm, don’t you?”
Not legal protection. Fight lies with the truth!
It’s very true about not being able to own another’s thoughts. However, damage to reputation through libel and/or slander can lead to real-world damages (especially dealing with businesses, careers, etc...).
But, anyway, we could probably debate this all night, and I don’t think either of us really want to hijack this thread too far! :-)
EXCELLENT GRAPHIC! And, SO true!
Just Words.... (as Obama Axelrod would say) ;-)
“I should’ve added: There’s a difference between THINKING something and saying something with malicious intent (libel), or publishing lies with malicioius intent (slander).”
No need to add that. Libel and slander are malicious because they harm something, namely the victim’s reputation. It is my contention that our reputations do not belong to us because they are no more than thoughts in other people’s heads. If someone harms your reputation, I say you slap them with your glove and challenge him to pistols at dawn (or flame him in an internet chatroom at dawn). Leave the courts out of it.
Okay, you posted your truce suggestion before I got to my reply. I’d just like to add that plenty of things can lead to real world damages without being against the law (what’s next, rumors and gossip?)
The thing is that there are laws against elected officials, and officers of the court actively campaigning. I’m not familiar with Missouri’s laws directly related to this, but seeing as these people’s secretaries will be the ones collecting the information for McCullough I would say that it most likely DEFINITELY violates whatever laws they have on the books.
(Usually the law indicates that you CANNOT work as part of a campaign during the time you are normally at work in your capacity as an employee or elected official of the state - you may do it on your OWN time, but NOT using state resources.)
LOL... No problem. :) It’s a fascinating subject though. I’d love to discuss this another time...
I cannot believe that there are legally trained American's willing to behave like the GESTAPO. This is intolerable!
You know, I hadn't thought it through that far, but you're absolutely right. Political activity while drawing a salary from the people's taxes must be illegal as hell. Somebody from the Missouri GOP ought to be all over this. And here I was only looking at the ethical side of the matter. Good catch!
Seig Heil!!
Anyone who notices that Obama’s campaign is not completely truthful can reach Jennifer Joyce at:
1114 Market St.
4th Floor
Mel Carnahan Building
St. Louis, MO 63101
Telephone: (314) 622-4941
Facsimile: (314) 622-3369
http://stlcin.missouri.org/circuitattorney/
I am sure that Jenny wants the Obama Campaign to live up to the high standard that she is imposing on the other Campaigns.
I had the beginnings of that idea earlier tonight, and in re-posting some of the information on this thread it occurred to me that DougFromUpland’s phone call, and the comments of McCullough’s secretary to him is PROOF that they are conducting these campaign related activities while on the clock, and using resources paid for by the taxpayers.
Yep, illegal as hell. I would hope some people would be preparing recall petitions tomorrow morning and/or filing something with the state on Monday!
...FORIEGN AND DOMESTIC ENEMIES...........nuff said
Thank you for posting that... I wrote her earlier tonight, but may write her again as I’ve thought of a few things that are even more important, and damning against these people than just the ethical side of things...
IMHO, It would be ESPECIALLY helpful if Missouri residents would remind her that conducting these OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN activities while acting as an officer of the court, and during BUSINESS HOURS while she is paid by the taxpayers, and is using State Property (paid for by taxpayers) is illegal... (I would have to go look it up, but everywhere I’ve ever lived there are strict conditions regarding campaign activities conducted by state employees and elected officials during the regular business day - especially while at work).
You got that right, but equally disturbing to me is that any television that broadcasts over the public airwaves would tacitly endorse this kind of behavior. Then again, St. Louis (or "little Chicago with an inferiority complex", as I liked to think of it the two years I lived there) is the city where a Democrat can always find a "judge" to hold the polls open, if the Party needs the votes.
ROFL @ “Little Chicago with an inferiority complex”. My Grandmother (may she rest in peace) would’ve laughed so hard at that! (She was born and raised in Canton, MO and moved to Illinois during the depression as a young bride).
I didn’t realize that St. Louis was that bad regarding Dem politics, but I guess it shouldn’t surprise me. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, so I’m very familiar with how things work there! (Another reason why Obama scares me... I KNOW how corrupt one needs to be to make it in Chicago politics).
Like your site and good work on the debate...I fell to sleep before it started, the drone of the TeeVee pundittos is better than rain on a tin roof for putting one asleep.
This morning I watched parts of the debate and IMO Obama was really, really bad, he looked like a petulent teen, full of himself and very jealous of McCain. MsCain on the other hand, ignored the ‘teenager ‘ and that really got BO’s goat!
McCain won big and I think it was obvious who is best able to lead.
I’m filing a request for records under the Missouri Sunshine Law. If you need a template for your letter you can visit the Missouri Attorney General’s website http://ago.mo.gov/Open-Government.htm
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.