(02-22-2019 01:29 AM)Rice93 Wrote:  

(02-21-2019 10:40 PM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

(02-21-2019 10:32 PM)Rice93 Wrote:  

(02-21-2019 09:50 PM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

(02-21-2019 09:19 PM)Rice93 Wrote:  It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I'm no lawyer but I've read that the process of discovery for this manner of lawsuit could be quite invasive/potentially problematic for the teenager (searching through text/email history for evidence of prior racist behavior, etc.).

The process of discovery can be quite invasive no matter *who* the party is. I am sure the Washington Post will burn through abut 50-75k in discovery costs all by their lonesome. A lesson they will (re) learn.

Can be 'problematic'? Maybe. I dont know. I have nothing to judge or even imply Sandmann's supposed deep email racism on except your comments above. If the kid is a closet white pointy hat wearer, I guess we will find out. That is his (really his guardian's) explicit choice to make. Do you have any 'inside' information on this?

Quote:Can you sue a talking head who gives an opinion on a news story that later turns out to be (possibly) debunked?

The question is not 'can you sue', the question is 'can one win'? But the answer to both is yes. If the 'opinion' repeats facts that are untrue, then yes. And, the coverage from CNN 'opinion' people did appear to include recitations of the incident that were untrue when actually viewed away from the highly edited and chopped up versions shown.

Then you get to the Bill Maher type comments:

Quote:"I don't blame the kid, the smirk-face kid, I blame lead poisoning and bad parenting. And, oh yeah, I blame the f---ing kid, what a little prick.”

Quote:"Smirk face, like that's not a dick move at any age to stick your face in this elderly man, You know, I don't spend a lot of time, I must tell you, around Catholic school children, but I do not get what Catholic priests see in these kids.”

I find it very ironic (and hypocritical) for Bill Maher to be mouthing off about 'smirks', 'pricks', and 'dick moves' to be absolutely honest.

And even if Sandmann doesnt win on this angle, I for one will be rooting to see Maher explain this grotesque display of absolute vehemence against a 14 year old. Even if I do have to see the smug smirk on the prick's face as he does so. Those comments may not necessarily be actionable, but I have no problem having Maher pay 100k to extricate himself for lowering himself to attacking a 14 year old on his national podium. Especially in that mudpit type fashion. TFBFB (the last FB means For Bill) in my opinion.

(Honestly, I would really enjoy to see the smug smirk on Maher's lawyers face as *that* dude cashes the checks resulting from his client's comments above, among others.....)

No insider information. Just the idea that having to open up your text messages and emails for ANY teenager could be problematic. I'm no teenager but I wouldn't want MY text messages to my friends being reviewed. But they wouldn't find any racist stuff in mine. Will they find some racist leanings with this teenager who attends a school with a history of questionable race relations and attended a DC rally with his classmates in MAGA hats potentially itching for a confrontation? I guess we may find out.

FWIW I believe the kid is 16.

And yeah, Bill Maher is pretty gross.

Who knows if he does or not. You seemingly appear predisposed that way, since you seem fairly adept at painting with that "MAGA Hats == itching for a confrontation" brush that seems the raison d'etre that is so prevalent these days.

It's not just about MAGA hats (but that's part of it TBH)... it's the reporting from DC residents about how common it is these days to see visiting packs of teenagers in MAGA hats who roam the Washington Mall and are seemingly itching for confrontation.

You have friends in DC who report to you?

I think it has always been common for visitors to DC to wear clothing that shows their political attitudes. It has always been common for people to defend their positions to those who disagree. Personally, I would not walk up to somebody wearing an "Impeach Trump" tee shirt to engage in civil debate and expect them to back off. I would think it rather more likely that I would be backed into a corner and called a racist - at best. Maybe they would come scream at me in the restaurant. No itch for confrontation there.