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excon · Oct 12, 2008, 08:24 AM

Hello:

On the politics board, I called Sara Palin a crook. Admin changed it to "alleged" WITHOUT my permission, citing fears of a lawsuit.

If I write something libelous, could this website be sued? If so (and I believe it's so), should admin censor our work so that their butts are covered? To what degree?

Should they do that, and they appear to BE doing that very thing, do you feel that you can write here freely? What good are political posts, or ANY opinion driven post for that matter, if it's been watered down by the administrators so as not to offend anybody?

I say they'd be NO good - no good at all, and the ensuing discussions wouldn't be of interest to a guy like me. You?

Frankly, the approaching difficult times scream out for TRUTH - NOT pablum. How much censorship, if ANY, are YOU willing to endure?

excon

Curlyben · Oct 12, 2008, 08:55 AM

As I mentioned in my PM, I adjusted the title and forgot to inform you of this.
To answer your questions.

If I write something libelous, could this website be sued?

Yes, and it would be extremely costly, but not only the site but the poster as well.

If so (and I believe it's so), should admin censor our work so that their butts are covered?

again yes, but not just our butts, but the whole site.

To what degree?

Normally as little as possible to defuse any potential legal action.

As publishers AMHD are liable for any and all content published on this site.
We attempt to keep editorial censorship to an absolute minimum to ensure the integrity of the members discussions. That being said some times edits are necessary to stay within legal bounds.

Excon, I put it to you, especially in the case you cite, the addition of ONE word removed any potential libel action that could be taken, not only against the site, but also yourself as an individual. You know as well as I do the crazy nature of the American legal system, more so when it comes to libel actions.

It's amazing what can be said with the addition of a few words like, "allegedly", "In my opinion", "Fair comment", etc.

I hope I have elucidated this issue for you, at least in some small manner.

Fr_Chuck · Oct 12, 2008, 09:04 AM

Innocent till convicted

Curlyben · Oct 12, 2008, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

Innocent till convicted

And then there's libel actions Chuck ;)

excon · Oct 12, 2008, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by Curlyben

I hope I have elucidated this issue for you, at least in some small manner.

Hello Ben:

You have.

excon

Fr_Chuck · Oct 12, 2008, 09:34 AM

No I meant she can not be called a crook until she is convicted.

Curlyben · Oct 12, 2008, 09:34 AM

excon, I apologise for not mentioning this to you immediately after the event, but as I mentioned I got tied up with some Russian spammers and clean forgot.

Our intention is not to stymie discussion of any sort, but we do have to be careful, especially considering the coverage we have with Google and the other search engines.

I would hate to see any member dragged through the courts due to something that had been posted here.

wildandblue · Oct 12, 2008, 11:59 AM

Curlyben was tied up and brainwashed by Russians? And I thought
I had problems.

Guys basically it's their website and brought to you by their sponsors. If you don't like how they run it pay the money and get your own website.

Bluerose · Oct 12, 2008, 01:49 PM

I wonder how some sites seem to get away with it and some don't. I'm from UK, not even interested in politics, and I have been shocked by some of the comments and jokes made about this woman. I mean really rude stuff.

wildandblue · Oct 14, 2008, 12:09 PM

Well it's obvious no one would care less about this lady if she wasn't the GOP VP so consider the source. Just like they would be hollering over Hillary if it was her, or still demonizing the Mormons if it was Mitt Romney. It's the spaghetti principle, keep throwing it at the wall and hope some of it sticks

ScottGem · Oct 14, 2008, 12:18 PM

I'm going to throw my 2 cents in here. The regulars on this site really enjoy it. Its beome almost a second home. We would not like to see it shut down. But that could happen if we aren't congnizant of our responsibilities as publishers.

We currently are party to a lawsuit where a company was badmouthed and has sued the site and at least one admin. So it can and has happened.

There are only a handful of us who can edit posts and if there is any draconian use of that power, the others will jump on the abuser. So far that hasn't been necessary as those with that power have used it responsibly.

chuff · Oct 21, 2008, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by bluerose

I wonder how some sites seem to get away with it and some don’t. I’m from UK, not even interested in politics, and I have been shocked by some of the comments and jokes made about this woman. I mean really rude stuff.

Given some of the comments and accusations you cited, you may not even realize this over in the UK but she is not actually running for President.