I spotted this poll at Kos, which addresses the libel actions BBV is taking against Diebold and Diebold employee Rob Pelletier.
Gotta admit I’m surprised to see such strong support for lawsuits–I agree they’re justified (that is, there’s no question that BBV has been libeled, and the links to Diebold are clear), but is it the best way for an organization to spend their energy?
OTOH it is also probably a bad idea to do nothing and hope the libelers will disappear, especially if it’s part of a disinformation campaign. . .
Where should one draw the line, or does it depend on whether one has the money to sue in the first place? Or on how much money the libeler has? What if someone’s libel is causing huge distraction, but the person has no assets? You could spend a lot to sue them, but get nothing for your trouble except for defending your own good name. What do you think?
The purest treasure mortal times afford, is spotless reputation; that away, men are but gilded loam or painted clay.
–William Shakespeare
If suing is the only alternative, sometimes it is what you feel you have to do.
A very close family member of mine is involved in such a law suit. He’ll likely lose: 1 lawyer against a small army of them. He’ll have no retirement, and likely have to file for bankruptcy (such as it is).
But he has to defend himself against innuendo and rumor, and the loss of self and damage to his livelihood that has resulted.
Of course being able to sue depends on money. Money has the upper hand, as always. Tort reform is designed to keep people from being able to sue when they’ve been hurt.
Sorry to hear about your family member’s troubles. This sends out a mixed message:
Does the right course of action depend on whether one is an individual (in which case it’s a personal choice, depending on oneself only and/or immediate family who would be affected), as opposed to an organization (in which case one has to consider the impact on an organization’s financial and personal resources, and what other activities would be foregone due to the litigation)?
I think the issues are really the same, whether it is an individual or an organization doing the suing: Ultimately, the question is what the suit will do to the goals of the organization (or person?) weighed against what damage the libel/slander has done or will do, IMO. Sometimes suing makes any pursuit of goals other than the suit impossible – but then, a libel may have the same effect.
I think there is no general rule, except that money rules. The group (or person) with the most funds has a great advantage in making life miserable for their opponent.
The legal system is a valuable resource in this country, but it is a terrible system for handling certain kinds of difficulties, particularly when the ability to function before the court is so dependent on fiscal resources.
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Hmmm a British coach, the AEC Regal CO-370
CO370 (WKM 370) c/n JCB679, delivered 2/56"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
It took me ages to figure out what the heck you were on about. I had no idea.
Finally I got it.
Now I’m having an identity crisis!
I believe the courts belong to me as a citizen, and when I have a battle I am ready to fight for myself in court. This attitude has served me well against large (and wealthy) corporations. None have bothered to call me on it.
The prevailing meme that an expert is required for whatever it is that you need just baffles me. Of course, there are exceptions – brain surgery, haircutting etc.
I think lawyers are great, but they don’t own the law. Why should the little guy have to spend a fortune defending himself against a giant assailant?
At this point it seems like the courts and the law are our last line of defense against the bushists. We need to use them, with expert help if we can pay, or on our own. They exist to serve us. I admire BBV for fighting the good fight.
It worked against Al Capone.
Meaning, it’s ok to use the courts, as long as your own history is clean? Because if not, it will be used against you?
It feels like I’m missing something obvious. (Or maybe I don’t know enough about Al Capone.)