Posted on 03/25/2002 4:45:05 PM PST by sleavelessinseattle
Edited on 04/22/2004 12:32:59 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Providence Mayor Vincent A. Cianci, Jr. has told a Web site developer that he can be as critical as he wants, but he can't use Cianci's name to do it.
The Rhode Island Citizens for Ethical Government, a small group of local residents, posted a Web site last week calling for Cianci's resignation at www.BuddyCianci.com. The site was created by Harold Meyer III.
"I respect his freedom of speech. I don't care what he says about me," Cianci said. "But one thing he can't use is my name. He'll hear from lawyers."
Meyer, a Wakefield-based Web site developer, said he created the site because he believes Cianci can no longer run the city effectively. The mayor has pleaded innocent to federal corruption charges and is scheduled to go on trial next month.
"There have been a lot of shenanigans in Providence," Meyer said. "It sets the whole tone for the state."
Meyer's site contains a picture of Cianci -- the same photograph that appears on a city-sponsored Web site -- and has links to newspaper accounts containing news of the mayor's indictment.
There is also an essay contest, where students can win $50 for tackling topics such as "How Buddy Cianci Can Be Lawfully Removed From Office."
Fr: Jhoffa_
RE: Your Shilling.
Dear Shill.
Please read the article posted above twice and then ask yourself if you REALLY want to gamble with our First Amendment to gain media points for your boy dubya and for our Congress.
Thanks and regards.
Jhoffa_
OH! Parrrdoona me...
I think Buddy has a point.
But, what would your reaction be if the title was to be taken literally. As in "You can't mention my name 60 days before an election"
Read the title.
That's CFR in a nutshell.
You are going to be hearing incumbent politicians of all levels screaming that very thing if the SCOTUS doesn't knock this bill down.
I don't know about you, but I think it's damn scary.
Is he the only person in the entire world with that name?
He is an elected official. If the 1st Amendment doesn't cover political speech, what does it cover?
The argument that people will think it is a site he established is ridiculous. As soon as you read the info on the site you'll know better. I know the conventional wisdom: only politicians and journalists are smart enough to figure things like that out. Well, the CW is wrong.
I was irked over the CFR thing and was nastier than I should have been. (but some people are pushing it as a "master stroke" and "smart politics")
Now, aside from the URL in question here. Doesn't this thing scare you a little? Just the title alone does it for me.
This is the CFR war cry.
Yeah, a really lousy point. Buddy has intentionally thrust himself into the public spotlight. Assuming the web sight is not for profit, intended for political comment only, hiz honor is dead meat on a stick.
I think, now I could be wrong, that the Mayor was objecting to having his name incorporated into the actual name of the website, not the fact that he is mentioned on it. In that regard he may have a point.
He does. But that's what Congress is telling us, the same thing without the moral legitimacy.
Basically boils down to "shut up and stop criticizing me"
I really worded my post poorly, you are one of several who didn't get my point.
No you had a good point in tying this to the interpretation of the CFR and I understood it. But I don’t think the issue of domain names is a proper tie in. Hell you were my uncle's old boss how could I get mad at you. LOL
Whoops. Then you are gonna be REALLY pissed at me when I tell you that I hate unions.
(It may have something to do with the shoes they gave me once.. Some present that turned out to be!)
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.