December 08, 2011

Top Headline Comments 12-8-11
— Gabriel Malor

It got cold again here, so I find it that much harder to get out of bed.

An Oregon judge has ruled that bloggers do not have the same First Amendment protections as reporters and don't come under that state's "shield law" for journalists. It seems that some animals are more equal.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 03:02 AM | Comments (118)
Post contains 60 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Obama=SCoaMF Can we replace him with an ATM?

Posted by: Zakn at December 08, 2011 03:05 AM (q/891)

2 In Russia: Students and citizens protesting against obviously rigged elections.

In the USA: OWSers protesting against reality and responsibility.

The more you compare the Occutards to the external world the sillier they look.

Posted by: joncelli at December 08, 2011 03:08 AM (+MbqG)

3

Budget analysts says what I have been saying Pay Roll Tax cut is a POS

However, he shits on himself and recommends another socialist giveaway.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:08 AM (YdQQY)

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:08 AM (YdQQY)

5

$35,800 for a dinner with the jackass 'n chief?

DonÂ’t tell me that these people donÂ’t expect to get something for that $36K besides a plate of rubber chicken and wild rice.  Seems like I recall the press raising hell about $5K Bush dinners.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:09 AM (YdQQY)

6

Federal Judge in Montana rules bloggers are not journalists

I am of two minds on this case. Personally I think bloggers should be given the same “protections” that MFM journalists get when they are acting in a role of “providing news”. However, I do not believe that reporters in the MFM or bloggers should be shielded from libel. I hate that BS “absence of malice” standard that grew out of NYT v Sullivan. That case reflects the old adage that bad cases make bad law.  So in the end if you write that someone blows syphilitic prostitutes on the local street corner every day you better be able to support that with some damn strong evidence. That, whether you are a reporter for the NYT or a blogger.   At least that is the way it aught to be.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:09 AM (YdQQY)

7

Obama threatens another veto, this one over oil pipeline

Piss on the SOB, make him put up or shut up.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:09 AM (YdQQY)

8

More smoke and mirrors from Republican budget people

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) unveiled 10 different bills on Wednesday that would change a budget process that has frustrated both parties and appears destined to end in another omnibus package this year.

What does congress do (both parties) when they can not cut the budget? They make superficial changes to the process and try to sell it to the public as a “fix”.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:10 AM (YdQQY)

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:10 AM (YdQQY)

10

Newt says he would pick Romney as VP????

Worst of both worlds here folks. But F&F Greta says Romney should pick Chris Christie as VP. Yeah, lets all double down on RINOs. When one ainÂ’t bad enough, lets get two.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:10 AM (YdQQY)

11

ThatÂ’s it folks, not much out there today.

Woops, I see Gabe has something on the blogger. The blogger was from Montana and the judge was from Oregon.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:11 AM (YdQQY)

12 lol.. Putin is blaming Hillary for his woes!

Putin Accuses Clinton of Instigating Protests

With opposition groups still furious over parliamentary elections that international observers said were marred by cheating, Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin on Thursday accused Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton of instigating protests by baselessly criticizing the vote as “dishonest and unfair” and he warned that Russia needed to protect against “interference” by foreign governments in its internal affairs.


Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at December 08, 2011 03:12 AM (UTq/I)

13 So in the end if you write that someone blows syphilitic prostitutes onthe local street corner every day you betterbe able to support that with some damn strong evidence. No problem with the SCOAMF. Plenty of evidence.

Posted by: dogfish at December 08, 2011 03:15 AM (N2yhW)

14 Piss on the SOB, make him put up or shut up. One-hundred percent agreement here. Anybody stupid enough to actually utter the words, "Don't call my bluff," should be beaten mercilessly. Here's an exchange I would pay to see: Presstard: Speaker Boehner, President Dick said he will veto the bill if it's tied to the pipeline. Boehner: President Dick says a lot of things. Have you bothered to look into his record for following through with his little tantrum outbursts?

Posted by: FRONT TOWARD LEFT at December 08, 2011 03:20 AM (p7SSh)

15

"An Oregon judge has ruled that bloggers do not have the same First Amendment protections as reporters and doesn't come under that state's "shield law" for journalists."

I'm not surprised ever since OWS was declared as free speech.  The other reason is that most bloggers are conservative (I believe, and probably most judges do too) therefore they cannot be legit. The next Republican president and Congress must make sure to legislate differently.

Why isn't this ever asked at the primary debates?  Which reminds me, why isn't there a primary debate organised only for bloggers?

Posted by: Decaf at December 08, 2011 03:21 AM (0LHB0)

16 I see on Twitter that Putin is charging that hundreds of millions of foreign funds flooded into Russia to influence the election.

You know,  if I didn't know about Trumka and SEIU being over in Cairo before all hell broke loose (as well as Bill Ayers and Code Pink) I would dismiss Putin's charge as typical Russian propaganda.

Given what I know about how Mubarak was forced out,  I am not so sure Putin doesn't have a somewhat valid complaint.  I would like to point out that Putin is very nationalistic,  something that the progressives do NOT like,  because he is going to put Russia first.  Maybe he is the fly in the ointment for some other nefarious plotters,  who knows?

Posted by: Miss Marple at December 08, 2011 03:21 AM (GoIUi)

17 Presstard: Speaker Boehner, President Dick said he will veto the bill if it's tied to the pipeline.

Boehner: President Dick says a lot of things. Have you bothered to look into his record for following through with his little tantrum outbursts?

Good

Presstard: Speaker Boehner, President Dick said he will veto the bill if it's tied to the pipeline.

Vic: President Dick says a lot of things, everyone of them however or lies.

Better

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:22 AM (YdQQY)

18 are lies - arrrgg.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:23 AM (YdQQY)

19

7.   typical.     i see our CiC is comparing apples and oranges, again.

morning Vic.     

thanks for the reading material

 

Posted by: pitchforksandpowder at December 08, 2011 03:26 AM (21Ef6)

20 a college degree in writing about topics you don't understand is the key to true free speech!!!!!!

Posted by: seaniep at December 08, 2011 03:27 AM (3G2bS)

21 Morning and welcome

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:27 AM (YdQQY)

22 Morning Morons. Thanks Vic for the news! Here is a small tidbit to laugh at from South Texas. Kids, eat your broccoli! http://tinyurl.com/6rpoe3d

Posted by: San Antonio Rose at December 08, 2011 03:31 AM (Xq7/L)

23 Here's an exchange I would pay to likely see:

Presstard: Speaker Boehner, President Dick said he will veto the bill if it's tied to the pipeline.

Boehner: *weeps*

Posted by: FRONT TOWARD LEFT at December 08, 2011 07:20 AM

Fixed.

It's too early in the morning for any fantasy horseshit about Congressional Repubs showing spines. Save your energy for defending the Santa story to little kids.

Posted by: MrScribbler at December 08, 2011 03:33 AM (lUt9u)

24 I find it troubling that I no longer expect anything from the republicans in Congress, and that is exactly what I get!

Posted by: Hrothgar at December 08, 2011 03:34 AM (i3+c5)

25 Yeah, those "guest workers" growing the maryjane Americans just can't do.

What needs to happen is they make it legal to use it here, make it legal to grow it here, and make it a 50 year no parole mandatory sentence for selling it or giving it to minors.

That would shut down a great deal of the money going to the drug cartels.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:35 AM (YdQQY)

26 I find it troubling that I no longer expect anything from the republicans in Congress, and that is exactly what I get!

Posted by: Hrothgar at December 08, 2011 07:34 AM (i3+c5)

I am still waiting for all those individual budget bills that the House was going to give them under a "take it or leave it" strategy.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:36 AM (YdQQY)

27 #25 I totally agree. Mini Moron is studying prohibition. Major lesson she should learn is that if something is forbidden, it becomes a hundred times more attractive.

Posted by: San Antonio Rose at December 08, 2011 03:38 AM (Xq7/L)

28
Hillary touting lesbo, transfender, gag, and other abnormalities worldwide.

Hillary Clinton, Radical Scold

Posted by: Doctor Fish ( Posting from Mom's Computer in Texas) at December 08, 2011 03:38 AM (ndqJC)

29 Technical question - how do you guys get the link to go into the little red line??? I admit I am old and clueless about this stuff sometimes.

Posted by: San Antonio Rose at December 08, 2011 03:40 AM (Xq7/L)

30 new favorite show and occupation aspiration......"moonshiners" i think i'm a hillbilly........

Posted by: phoenixgirl at December 08, 2011 03:40 AM (SH3gZ)

31 Good morning folks. Saw this quote from Mutt in an AP story...this line is, well, downright Obama-esque...

>>"I'm a man of steadiness and constancy. I don't think you're going to find somebody who has more of those attributes than I do," the former Massachusetts governor said in a new TV ad that included grainy home videos of his wife and five sons.<<

Steadiness and constancy. Yes, exactly the two words that come to my mind when I think about a guy who has switched positions on every issue known to man (well, except RomneyCare) more often than the wind has changed directions. Steadiness and constancy...yep. Sure thing, Mutt.

And if Newt is really serious about picking Mutt as his VP, he's gonna get himself a nice little anyone-but-Newt movement started. I don't think he's politically stupid enough to actually pick Romney, though. That was Newt just acting as his new Nice Newt persona, I think.

Posted by: davidinvirginia at December 08, 2011 03:40 AM (rLhp2)

32 I am voting Perry cause the other two Mittens and Newt just can't be trusted. At least he carries a gun!

Posted by: San Antonio Rose at December 08, 2011 03:41 AM (Xq7/L)

33 Technical question - how do you guys get the link to go into the little red line??? I admit I am old and clueless about this stuff sometimes.

Posted by: San Antonio Rose at December 08, 2011 07:40 AM (Xq7/L)

There are two ways to do it once you have created the the short url. You can post that url directly into the right top right hand blank labled "source" using the hyperlink button at the top of the comments bar. or:

If you have Word or similar wp, use the insert hyperlink command in a doc, which allows you to label the link anything you want and then copy and paste that directly into the comments.

That is how I do all the news links.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:43 AM (YdQQY)

34

"I see on Twitter that Putin is charging that hundreds of millions of foreign funds flooded into Russia to influence the election."

Miss Marple, no, Putin does not have a point.  He is simply looking for a scapegoat for his losses to save face.  The losses would have been even more catastrophic had they not expected a bad result and tried stuffing the votes.  For supporing stories please google 'russian election irregularities' and open the BBC link, simply because I am hopeless at tinyurl.

Posted by: Decaf at December 08, 2011 03:46 AM (0LHB0)

35 #21 We're just waiting for the right hill to take a stand on.

Posted by: dogfish channeling RINOs at December 08, 2011 03:46 AM (N2yhW)

36 Steadiness and constancy...yep. Sure thing, Mutt

Well he has been steadily and constantly running for president for six years. Maybe that's what he meant.

I wonder if he gets the nomination and wins this time (no, no, he's not my pick!) will he be able to break the habit of being in running mode and actually take a stab at governing?

Posted by: Retread at December 08, 2011 03:47 AM (ALZZ7)

37
Perry talks about downsizing government, or is he talking about lowering the rate of growth?  I believe he's a cut bait and fish kinda guy.

Posted by: Doctor Fish ( Posting from Mom's Computer in Texas) at December 08, 2011 03:49 AM (ndqJC)

38 Dang tiny phone keyboard: #21 -> #24

Posted by: dogfish at December 08, 2011 03:50 AM (N2yhW)

39

Romney as the VP pick for Gingrich? Not a bad idea. We get who we want, even though I would rather have Parry, and the establishment get their candidate onto the ticket. 

Posted by: Decaf at December 08, 2011 03:51 AM (0LHB0)

40 On that Republicans in Congress subject, there was story at Red State about how Bitch McConnell was pushing a "second in command" candidate to oppose a conservative who was running unopposed for the seat in the Senate.

I didn't link it because I know a lot of the Morons here do not like EE for some reason.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:52 AM (YdQQY)

41
Does anyone find it strange that Willard has five sons and not one of his progeny ever considered it career building or patriotic to become active duty military?

Or, is their status as northeast liberals so ingrained in the "let George do it" attitude that military service would have been beneath their station in life?

Posted by: Doctor Fish ( Posting from Mom's Computer in Texas) at December 08, 2011 03:54 AM (ndqJC)

42 Well he has been steadily and constantly running for president for six years. Maybe that's what he meant.

I wonder if he gets the nomination and wins this time (no, no, he's not my pick!) will he be able to break the habit of being in running mode and actually take a stab at governing?

Posted by: Retread at December 08, 2011 07:47 AM (ALZZ7)

"Steadily and constantly changing positions" works, too. 

I don't know about the second part. I think even best case scenario, what you'll get with Mitt is technocrat style tinkering around the edges of problems. Which would obviously be better than the full on we must destroy America and remake it into a socialist workers union and Wall Street fat cat paradise crap that President Petulant has given us for 3 years, but also not anywhere near the level of leadership and governance that we need considering the shape we're in now.


Posted by: davidinvirginia at December 08, 2011 03:54 AM (rLhp2)

43 or is he talking about lowering the rate of growth?

All the Republicans (well most) talk about "downsizing government" but no one has ever done it once elected...ever.

If he did it it would be a first.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:56 AM (YdQQY)

44 Don't stop.  While making speeches in the neighborhood (Myanmar), don't offer a word on behalf of a US citizen on trial in Asia, being denied free speech. Only Hillary or the proper authorities have the right to free speech, and get away with using that liberty to demonize, call for the assassinations, and institute wars to depose heads of state.

BANGKOK (AP) -- A court in Thailand sentenced 55-year-old Thai-born US citizen Joe Gordon to two and a half years in prison Thursday for translating excerpts of a locally banned biography of the king and posting them online. "Defamation of Royalty" not permitted.

Posted by: The Pirates Your Mother Fears at December 08, 2011 03:58 AM (lpWVn)

45 Obama really does not support Wall Street or "the markets". He funnels government largess to "selected" people who operate firms on Wall Street.

There is a difference.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 03:58 AM (YdQQY)

46
That's the problem Vic, the public has awoken to the cutting government scam, and are on to the bastards, either evil republicans or criminal democrats.

Posted by: Doctor Fish ( Posting from Mom's Computer in Texas) at December 08, 2011 03:58 AM (ndqJC)

47 That's the problem Vic, the public has awoken to the cutting government scam

Yeah, they claim they cut the budget this year even as it went up.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 04:00 AM (YdQQY)

48 Lowering the rate of growth is racist.

Posted by: De' Debil Hisself at December 08, 2011 04:00 AM (j5CHE)

49 I still can't get over the fat that even while they were only able to cut about $30M out of the "proposed" budget they were able to spend that $500M on penis pumps.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 04:01 AM (YdQQY)

50 An Oregon judge has ruled that bloggers do not have the same First Amendment protections as reporters and don't come under that state's "shield law" for journalists.

What distinguishes a blogger from a private citizen in a slander case?  It makes more sense to restrict journalists in this case than to empower bloggers.

Posted by: toby928© at December 08, 2011 04:02 AM (GTbGH)

51 Obama really does not support Wall Street or "the markets". He funnels government largess to "selected" people who operate firms on Wall Street.

There is a difference.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 07:58 AM (YdQQY)

Yes, hence the addition of "fat cats". He's for anyone who gives him tons of money for his campaign and to hell with everyone else and the nation, too.

Posted by: davidinvirginia at December 08, 2011 04:02 AM (rLhp2)

52 And I see Vic said the same thing better @ 6.

Posted by: toby928© at December 08, 2011 04:03 AM (GTbGH)

53 Why does Obama hate hetero normative behavior?

Posted by: Minuteman at December 08, 2011 04:04 AM (acEq7)

54 Yeah, I "got the wyrm".

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 04:04 AM (YdQQY)

55 Romney as the VP pick for Gingrich? Not a bad idea. We get who we want, even though I would rather have Parry, and the establishment get their candidate onto the ticket.

Reverse the order.  Newt is a natural idea man, but the pres has to act as the filter, and actually, you know, implement stuff. 

Posted by: pep at December 08, 2011 04:05 AM (YXmuI)

56
Hey Mr. Congressman, don't screw around with my Viagra, 'cus I need it for exercise.

-Geezer Wantin' Boner

Posted by: Doctor Fish ( Posting from Mom's Computer in Texas) at December 08, 2011 04:05 AM (ndqJC)

57

Romney as the VP pick for Gingrich? Not a bad idea. We get who we want, even though I would rather have Parry, and the establishment get their candidate onto the ticket.

Romney's never struck me as a VP guy

Posted by: AuthorLMendez Is On The Newt Train Whether Becks Likes It Or Not at December 08, 2011 04:06 AM (yAor6)

58 #41  I don't find it strange that sons of privilege did not automatically enlist after college.  This is a rarity amongst those in power.

HOWEVER,  when Romney was asked about this during the 2008 primaries,  his answer was that his sons "were serving the country by working on my campaign."

That was an unacceptable statement to me.

Posted by: Miss Marple at December 08, 2011 04:06 AM (GoIUi)

59

HOWEVER,  when Romney was asked about this during the 2008 primaries,  his answer was that his sons "were serving the country by working on my campaign."

WOW...just WOW

Posted by: AuthorLMendez Is On The Newt Train Whether Becks Likes It Or Not at December 08, 2011 04:09 AM (yAor6)

60

"Does anyone find it strange that Willard has five sons and not one of his progeny ever considered it career building or patriotic to become active duty military?"

I was just agruing about it last night with my husband.  We could not come to an agreement but we both thought it strange that a man who would be CiC could not inspire his sons to defend the nation, even after 911.

Posted by: Decaf at December 08, 2011 04:10 AM (0LHB0)

61 If Fuckhead signs the National Defense Authorization Act, I'll see y'all in the Gulags-If I survive the drone attacks on my Casa.


Posted by: Barbarian at December 08, 2011 04:12 AM (EL+OC)

62

"Does anyone find it strange that Willard has five sons and not one of his progeny ever considered it career building or patriotic to become active duty military?"

I dont think its too strange, serving your country is a tough decision (albeit a patriotic one) all around. Im one of four siblings and the only thing near being in the armed forces for me was JROTC in High School. My sister though will be joining the army next year

Posted by: AuthorLMendez Is On The Newt Train Whether Becks Likes It Or Not at December 08, 2011 04:13 AM (yAor6)

63
"were serving the country by working on my campaign"

I found this unacceptable then, and it remains unacceptable now.  The Romney clan are elitist liberals who believe it's someone else's job to defend, and to put their lily-white asses on the line would deprive the nation of their brilliance. 

Posted by: Doctor Fish ( Posting from Mom's Computer in Texas) at December 08, 2011 04:14 AM (ndqJC)

64 HOWEVER,  when Romney was asked about this during the 2008 primaries,  his answer was that his sons "were serving the country by working on my campaign."

That was an unacceptable statement to me.

Posted by: Miss Marple at December 08, 2011 08:06 AM (GoIUi)

I remember when that happened. Severe political tone-deafness. Sort of like..."I can't have illegals working here; I'm running for a different office now." in one of the early debates.

Posted by: davidinvirginia at December 08, 2011 04:17 AM (rLhp2)

65 OT/ saw a poll today saying Warren beats Scott Brown by 7 points in Mass.Really? I'm no fan of Brown but Warren?No offense to Mass. morons here but that just seems bat shit crazy which is what Warren is...

Posted by: The terrorist Hobbit formerly known as Donna at December 08, 2011 04:18 AM (X4EXc)

66 #63, Doctor Fish, absolutely correct.  Aspiring to the presidency is ambition, enlisting is patriotism.

Posted by: Decaf at December 08, 2011 04:18 AM (0LHB0)

67 OT/ saw a poll today saying Warren beats Scott Brown by 7 points in Mass.Really? I'm no fan of Brown but Warren?No offense to Mass. morons here but that just seems bat shit crazy which is what Warren is...

Posted by: The terrorist Hobbit formerly known as Donna at December 08, 2011 08:18 AM (X4EXc)

whoa, might be an outlier every poll Ive seen before has either Brown slightly ahead or a tie

Posted by: AuthorLMendez Is On The Newt Train Whether Becks Likes It Or Not at December 08, 2011 04:19 AM (yAor6)

68

22 Morning Morons. Thanks Vic for the news! Here is a small tidbit to laugh at from South Texas. Kids, eat your broccoli!

While visiting with a client he got a phone call from a trucker friend with two pallets of watermelons that Wal-Mart had rejected. He was frantic that someone could take these from him otherwise he was going to have to pay for a dumpster in order to empty his truck for his next delivery. I agreed to help. At 10 o'clock at night I'm loading melons into my wifes S-10!

"I was just in Mexico for these melons." Said the trucker. On each melon was a sticker "Product of the USA"! When I pointed out the discretion he just shrugged.

Posted by: Cicerokid at December 08, 2011 04:20 AM (n1wj0)

69 That just sucks. Its also counter to established doctrine.

Posted by: Texan Economist at December 08, 2011 04:22 AM (TC/9F)

70 http://tinyurl.com/88hh84z Chris Matthews' brother arrested for lying to a grand jury about steering county government contracts. He is a Republican, by the way, and a county commissioner in Montgomery County, PA. Sorry my HTML is disabled on this computer.

Posted by: rockmom at December 08, 2011 04:23 AM (A0UFZ)

71 If Romney's sons don't choose to serve in the military, I don't have a problem with that, but a guy running for President should have a good answer for why they aren't. Something like "I have tried to raise my children to be responsible adults, and part of that responsibility is for them to choose a career path for themselves. I would be proud to have them serving our country in the military, but if they choose to serve another way, I will still be proud of them." I would think that would end the discussion, not create more. We jumped on Cain for not being able to respond well to some tough (and not so tough) questions, Romney hasn't shown himself to be any better at it.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 08, 2011 04:24 AM (Gc/Qi)

72 Oh, and the Occupoopers invaded K Street in Washington, DC yesterday. Go to the Washington Post website and you find NOTHING. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Funny how that works. The WaPo was all over Occupy Wall Street for days and days. Now they have descended on the corrupt lobbying compounds of DC and you hear nothing but crickets chirping.

Posted by: rockmom at December 08, 2011 04:25 AM (A0UFZ)

73 Listen up you #owsers that have been lightly seasoned by the police for failure to obey legal orders:
 
In the Marines you get an order to take a shot of OC in the face, then run an obstacle course.
 

Posted by: GnuBreed at December 08, 2011 04:28 AM (ENKCw)

74 What's the word here today regarding Perry's latest (million dollar according to local radio host discussion) Iowa Christmas time religion ad v. Obama's gay war?

When the Obama administration recently announced that it would take military action to protect homosexuality abroad, that shouldn't have been omitted from Perry's ad. (Maybe I missed it.) Making gay rights Obama's military vanguard as he blazes his way through the Middle East is bound to end poorly for everyone. It's one thing to ridicule Mr. Dinnerjacket for denying that any Iranian is homosexual. Quite out of the realm of sanity to use that Dinnerjacket position as reason to militarily invade Iran in order to protect Muslim gay rights. Sure, go back to the nuclear argument since Iran has made no progress since 2009. Not only deny Iran nuclear energy (understandable), but deny them their oil and their central bank. Then the SCOAMF/Sec.State take offense when Iran blocks access to the Obama/Hillary "virtual embassy" online? Who would be surprised if the US "virtual embassy" website promoted gay rights in Iran? ...as if our National Intelligence would broadcast such for any other reason than to insult most Iranians, Obama diplomacy, implying the US view that the population of Iran is all queer and we're here to help. There's plenty of material there that would have put meat on the bones of Perry's ad. But it drew on the same gut reactive crowd as Michele Bachmann, counting on public retardation. Keep it simple, stupid.

Posted by: The Pirates Your Mother Fears at December 08, 2011 04:28 AM (lpWVn)

75 6

Federal Judge in Montana rules bloggers are not journalists

I am of two minds on this case. Personally I think bloggers should be given the same “protections” that MFM journalists get when they are acting in a role of “providing news”. However, I do not believe that reporters in the MFM or bloggers should be shielded from libel. I hate that BS “absence of malice” standard that grew out of NYT v Sullivan. That case reflects the old adage that bad cases make bad law.  So in the end if you write that someone blows syphilitic prostitutes on the local street corner every day you better be able to support that with some damn strong evidence. That, whether you are a reporter for the NYT or a blogger.   At least that is the way it aught to be.


If every citizen is not a journalist with all the protections of said class, then none have protection.   

Posted by: s☺mej☼e at December 08, 2011 04:30 AM (oif6Y)

76 74 What's good for the goose won't suit the insulated gander.

Posted by: The Pirates Your Mother Fears at December 08, 2011 04:31 AM (lpWVn)

77 If Romney's sons don't choose to serve in the military, I don't have a problem with that, but a guy running for President should have a good answer for why they aren't. Something like ...

"My sons are serving their country by helping my presidential campaign."
Mitt Romney, 2008 response

Posted by: The Pirates Your Mother Fears at December 08, 2011 04:34 AM (lpWVn)

78

"If every citizen is not a journalist with all the protections of said class, then none have protection." 

Somejoe,  amen.

Posted by: Decaf at December 08, 2011 04:35 AM (0LHB0)

79 This kind of shit pisses me off beyond ready to fight. Do you know who is responsible for this young womans ruined life? The fucking pilot, thats who.

Posted by: maddogg at December 08, 2011 04:35 AM (OlN4e)

80 What Romeny's sons do or do not is of lesser matter than anything that Romney says.

Posted by: s☺mej☼e at December 08, 2011 04:37 AM (oif6Y)

81 "I have tried to raise my children to be responsible adults, and part of that responsibility is for them to choose a career path for themselves.

This is exactly the right answer. I think Mittens has been in campaign mode so long that he sees everything as an extension of his own image though, rather like that 'I can't have illegals employed by my lawn care company' slip.

Posted by: Retread at December 08, 2011 04:37 AM (ALZZ7)

82 That young lady is lucky to be alive. We had a guy walk into a prop on the flight deck. They made everyone on the ship watch the video.

People working around it get used to it and sometimes get careless.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 04:38 AM (YdQQY)

83
Federal Judge rules bloggers are not journalists



That would be Judge Marco A. Hernandez*, who was originally nominated to that seat by Bush comma W, and then twice more by Obama before finally being confirmed unanimously by the Senate.

So, vote Republican because of the courts and stuff....



*Wise Latina Latino


Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at December 08, 2011 04:43 AM (3wBRE)

84 People working around it get used to it and sometimes get careless.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 08:38 AM (YdQQY)

That is true, especially for professionals. But a pilot does not let his passengers out of the cabin while the prop is spinning. Just common sense. Especially when the passenger is an inexperienced young woman. The pilot is in charge, and responsible.

Posted by: maddogg at December 08, 2011 04:46 AM (OlN4e)

85 If every citizen is not a journalist with all the protections of said class, then none have protection.  

That's a good point. However, given the internet, the requirement to prove or at least substantiate claims with linked references should bear weight. Aside from scientific research being reported, or the production of a poll, this business of producing whole cloth to push an agenda needs to be seen for what it is. For instance, Jonathan Martin @ Politico habitually quotes his own prejudiced opinions using himself as the "unnamed" Washington official.

Mark Steyn has much to say on this business of the boycott of free speech, or federal prosecution of free speech, as does Michael Savage as the problem of being blacklisted by governments and convicted to prison time for translating existing texts stretches across the globe.

Posted by: The Pirates Your Mother Fears at December 08, 2011 04:46 AM (lpWVn)

86 People working around it get used to it and sometimes get careless.

Damn archeologists...

Posted by: That NAZI from Raiders of the Lost Ark at December 08, 2011 04:47 AM (+1TUS)

87 Just common sense. Especially when the passenger is an inexperienced young woman. The pilot is in charge, and responsible.

Oh I agree. I hope the FAA is looking into that as well.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 04:48 AM (YdQQY)

88 81 This kind of shit pisses me off beyond ready to fight. Do you know who is responsible for this young womans ruined life? The fucking pilot, thats who.

This is a horrible accident.  Any fault, if you need to assign it, lies wth her.  What this is, is an accident. They happen all the time, except in liberal land.

Posted by: s☺mej☼e at December 08, 2011 04:48 AM (oif6Y)

89 For instance, Jonathan Martin @ Politico habitually quotes his own prejudiced opinions using himself as the "unnamed" Washington official

He can do that all he wants as long as that "opinion" is not libelous.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 04:49 AM (YdQQY)

90 Any fault, if you need to assign it, lies wth her.  What this is, is an accident.

No, it is the pilot's responsibility to make sure that those kind of "accidents" do not happen. As was said, you do not let passengers disembark until all rotating props on the side of exit are still and tied down.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 04:52 AM (YdQQY)

91

This is a horrible accident.  Any fault, if you need to assign it, lies wth her.  What this is, is an accident. They happen all the time, except in liberal land.

Posted by: s☺mej☼e at December 08, 2011 08:48 AM (oif6Y)

No, you cannot assign fault to her. The pilot is in charge. My Dad was a private pilot, and the prop never spun on that airplane when a door was open, that was the rule.

Posted by: maddogg at December 08, 2011 04:52 AM (OlN4e)

92 being confirmed unanimously by the Senate.

So, vote Republican because of the courts and stuff....

*Wise Latina Latino

argh! The ultimate reason we were told to support by voting McCain '08 general election was specifically to secure the courts with constructionist judges. The same argument was re-used in AZ to re-elect McCain '10 to his Senate seat.

This is the Republican Leadership exemplified by Newt Gingrich, for example.

Posted by: The Pirates Your Mother Fears at December 08, 2011 04:52 AM (lpWVn)

93 This was a fairly conservative decision from a judge with a conservative judicial philosophy. You have to remember: the conservative legal position is to apply the plain words of the law as it is written; the liberal position is to come up with fancy explanations allowing you to twist the law to suit whatever position you wish to support. When this law was passed, it obviously applied a different standard to "journalists" than to average people who stand around and talk. The law has *never* been updated to take note of electronic media, and that is a fault of the law itself. The judge asked, what, when this law was passed, was the difference between a "journalist" and an average citizen? His questions, reported in that piece, are reasonable attempts to define the difference. The problem is that the World has changed, but the Law has not. This is a fault of the Law, not of the judge who honestly applies it. And it's up to the Legislature of the state in question to change things! It should NOT be up to any Judge just to change interpretation of words willy nilly to make the law do things that he thinks are socially valuable.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 08, 2011 04:55 AM (/7hoP)

94

"For instance, Jonathan Martin @ Politico habitually quotes his own prejudiced opinions using himself as the "unnamed" Washington official."

Sources are simply a tool, if they are true then you can't be sued.  OK, with that out of the way we now come to speech which is really opinion.  If everyone is entitled to free speech then all opinion is free speech.  Therefore, all we have to do is preface everything with 'in my opinion' and it's all hunky dory.

Posted by: Decaf at December 08, 2011 04:57 AM (0LHB0)

95 He can do that all he wants as long as that "opinion" is not libelous.
 
I know I am careful in what I say here about people charged with a crime but not yet convicted.  Yeah, I frequently call them scum, dirtbags, etc. but not something direct like murderer. You could be opening yourself up for a libel suit even as a poster.
 
Oh yeah, and the dirtbag CiC is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure.

Posted by: GnuBreed at December 08, 2011 04:59 AM (ENKCw)

96 No, you cannot assign fault to her. The pilot is in charge. My Dad was a private pilot, and the prop never spun on that airplane when a door was open, that was the rule.

I have disembarked planes with the props still moving because they have to taxi elsewhere when everyone is off.  I do not know the full details of what happened, but I do know it is bad to walk near a rotating propeller.  Maybe it is just me.

Posted by: s☺mej☼e at December 08, 2011 05:01 AM (oif6Y)

97 Yeah, I frequently call them scum, dirtbags, etc. but not something direct like murderer. You could be opening yourself up for a libel suit even as a poster.

The courts did rule about "opinion" not being libelous a while back, but that was quickly reversed as the court got more "conservative".

The thing that you must be careful of under the current law and case history is "who" you libel. Public figures are virtually open season unless you get real nasty. Private figures, not so much.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 05:03 AM (YdQQY)

98 What Romeny's sons do or do not is of lesser matter than anything that Romney says.

Yes.

Choosing military service is a very personal decision. I fully support those who choose that path in life. And as CinC, I would never send members of our military into a conflict without a clearly defined purpose and complete support for victory so they can return home and be respected for their service to our nation. Hm, not ever Romney's stance. I heard it from Fred Thompson '08.

Posted by: The Pirates Your Mother Fears at December 08, 2011 05:04 AM (lpWVn)

99 100 What Romeny's sons do or do not is of lesser matter than anything that Romney says.

Yes.

Yes.  I care nothing for what Romney says, so his sons are a of no matter at all.

Posted by: s☺mej☼e at December 08, 2011 05:07 AM (oif6Y)

100 49 I still can't get over the fat that even while they were only able to cut about $30M out of the "proposed" budget they were able to spend that $500M on penis pumps.

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2011 08:01 AM (YdQQY)

Priorities, man, priorities!! Many of those congresscritters may well be using said pumps....

Posted by: museisluse at December 08, 2011 05:08 AM (4Lj43)

101 Decaf, Therefore, all we have to do is preface everything with 'in my opinion' and it's all hunky dory.

Savage utilizes that premise to repeatedly state his opinions as his own. Still banned.

Jonathan Martin, however, thinks too well of his prejudices to limit his opinion as his own. Surely he knows all. Why bother actually verifying rumors when an "unnamed" self suffices? And as a "real" online journalist reporter, his free speech is not scrutinized for integrity.

Posted by: The Pirates Your Mother Fears at December 08, 2011 05:10 AM (lpWVn)

102 Chris Matthews' brother arrested for lying to a grand jury about steering county government contracts. He is a Republican, by the way, and a county commissioner in Montgomery County, PA. Sorry my HTML is disabled on this computer. He was Lynn Swan's running mate when Swan ran for Governor of PA.

Posted by: runningrn at December 08, 2011 05:13 AM (u/RSM)

103

"Savage utilizes that premise to repeatedly state his opinions as his own. Still banned."

Banned from where?

Posted by: Decaf at December 08, 2011 05:13 AM (0LHB0)

104 Sorry my HTML is disabled on this computer.


Hail the disabled computer, Hail the disabled computer, Hail the disabled compute

Posted by: Pixy's hamsters at December 08, 2011 05:16 AM (oif6Y)

105 Banned from where?
 
Savage is banned from entering the UK.

Posted by: GnuBreed at December 08, 2011 05:17 AM (ENKCw)

106 Posted by: Decaf at December 08, 2011 09:13 AM (0LHB0)

Banned from Britain

Posted by: The Pirates Your Mother Fears at December 08, 2011 05:17 AM (lpWVn)

107 IMO = in my opinion

Posted by: Justamom at December 08, 2011 05:20 AM (Sptt8)

108 British Prime Ministers of both major parties have successively placed Savage on the same list (effectively enemies of the state) as serial rapists, murderers and jihadi terrorists.

Points remain, Savage never lied and never committed crimes. Hence, banned from Britain, teased by Oxford invitations given then rescinded to debate.

Posted by: The Pirates Your Mother Fears at December 08, 2011 05:23 AM (lpWVn)

109 IMO = in my opinion

Posted by: The Pirates Your Mother Fears at December 08, 2011 05:26 AM (lpWVn)

110

Banned from where?

"Savage is banned from entering the UK."

Is that all?  I thought it meant from somewhere important, like a blog.

 

Posted by: Decaf at December 08, 2011 05:32 AM (0LHB0)

111 So, isn't Holder supposed to testify today? That could be rich, after the Friday document dump.

Posted by: HH at December 08, 2011 05:44 AM (KB0hv)

112 So, isn't Holder supposed to testify today? That could be rich, after the Friday document dump. Posted by: HH

Attack dogs available?

Evidence. No way should Holder get off -- prosecute and convict.

Posted by: The Pirates Your Mother Fears at December 08, 2011 05:47 AM (lpWVn)

113 20 a college degree in writing about topics you don't understand is the key to true free speech

Some enterprising right-leaning institution of higher ed should develop either a certificate program or degree program (or both) in blogging. 


Good morning, morons and moronettes! 

Posted by: Y-not at December 08, 2011 06:13 AM (5H6zj)

114 Ok I am back and testing something so please hang with me a minute while I figure this out. My tiny retired brain might explode... Eat Your Broccoli!

Posted by: San Antonio Rose at December 08, 2011 07:50 AM (Xq7/L)

115 Nope didnt work... damn

Posted by: San Antonio Rose at December 08, 2011 07:51 AM (Xq7/L)

116 Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure.

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