I agree with your interpretation. As for “fighting,” a)you can’t fight the NFL-—they get to decide who owns a team, period; and b) you can’t get far with libel/slander against Jackson or the others because Rush is a public figure who would have to prove intent, malice, and veracity. He can prove he didn’t say those things-—or expose them as having no evidence. But intent and malice are pretty slippery. It has been done in the past, but almost always with National Enquirer and something printed.
“you can’t get far with libel/slander against Jackson or the others because Rush is a public figure who would have to prove intent, malice, and veracity. He can prove he didn’t say those things-—or expose them as having no evidence. But intent and malice are pretty slippery.”
I’d take in on. The case to me seems pretty clear that Sharpton/Sanchez, etc were promoting falsehoods for the specific reason to destroy Rush’s chances at legally purchasing into the Rams. Proof - they succeed. Damages - the hundreds of millions he will lose not being an owner
Outright egregious slander “published” against a public figure doesn’t hold. Truth is the best (and only) defense. And “they” don’t have the truth on their side. Media Research Center put out a release, showing they’d written MSNBC and CNN, offering the opportunity to ‘put up or shut up’ and they didn’t put up.
Remember the CNN story that ended up with several producers fired? (I’m thinking Peter Arkett, among others) .. the parties named in the story got significant out of court settlements, and CNN had to run a retraction every hour for a couple of days.