Oh, I'm all set then!
"Web rant prompts criminal charges; Case cites rare law from 19th century" by Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times | December 5, 2008
Don't the cops have BETTER THINGS TO DO like chasing down ROBBERS, RAPISTS, and THIEVES?
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Locked in a visitation dispute with his ex-girlfriend over their young daughter, J.P. Weichel wanted to vent, court records show.
Weichel, 40, allegedly posted comments about the woman on the Craigslist "Rants and Raves" forum, accusing her of child abuse and of welfare fraud and making crude comments about her sex life. The woman said the postings were defamatory. But unlike the vast majority of libel cases, which are tried in civil court, local authorities have taken the unusual step of charging Weichel with the crime of defaming his ex-girlfriend online.
Obviously, the ranting and raving drew my attention.
Colorado is one of a dwindling number of states with a criminal law against libel. The statute dates to the 19th century and is rarely used. But Larimer County District Attorney Larry Abrahamson said Colorado's statute applied precisely to what Weichel did.
"This is what the legislature of the state of Colorado has determined is criminal," Abrahamson said. "We're obligated to enforce the laws in the state of Colorado."
(Blog author just shaking his head in disgust)
How about going after the VIOLENT CRIMINALS, the HACKERS, the PERVERTS, and the LYING, LOOTING POLITICIANS and their WAR-LOOTING FUNDERS?!!!!
************
Gregory Lisby, a communications professor at Georgia State University, has tracked criminal libel prosecutions. He said the states that retain such laws - there are 17, according to free-speech groups - simply have failed to update legislation that stems from 15th-century English common law....
I ownder if "liberal," intolerant, Zionist-steeped Massachusetts is one.
I don't see why the Globe should complain anyway; I am linking their sites and giving them visits they would never get otherwise -- and Lord knows, they need them!
His research has shown the number of criminal libel cases dropping, but the Internet could reverse that, Lisby said. People don't realize that scathing postings or e-mails can make them liable for defamation charges.
"More and more people view the online world as a free-rant place," Lisby said. "They think it's par for the course, but they're setting themselves up for lawsuits" or prosecution.
In civil libel cases, truth is the best defense.... --more--"
Not to worry, anyway! I got the Globe in my corner:
"Taking down the Blogfather
.... Rulers could be tolerant of the free expression that most bloggers take for granted. Everyone in the global village who values that freedom should be calling for the release of the Blogfather.
--more--"
I'll REMEBERED YOU SAID THAT, Globe!!!
