The last several days online have been quite interesting in the Politically Virtuous City.
News broke that the Riddleberger's and the Adkins' had filed suit against Jeff Martin, a local blogger commonly known as "Fec". The action essentially alleges libel or defamation.
We have witnessed the usual antics we see in the local blogging and online communities in response to this story. I have not communicated with anyone about this matter, but a few items merit discussion:
1. I have also been the target of repeated, untrue, hurtful representations originating from Fec's blog. One problem was that I sometimes found it difficult to discern when he was joking around; and when he was being serious. But it has certainly felt like libel at times. My own remedy for this has been to stay away whenever I can will to do so. I have found it best to maintain a distance.
Our friend Fec's online persona is very dark; and he creates an even darker world at his blogs. Some local liberals and moderates get a huge kick out of it.
2. Some have maintained that his work should not be regarded as libelous because it is satire. As I noted above, this has sometimes been difficult to distinguish. But the legal test for differentiating satire from libel, according to one source, is as follows:
If a “reasonable person” could realistically construe your work as truth, not art, you could find yourself in legal trouble.
3. Other reactions online to this story have been fairly bizarre.
Some have claimed that the lawsuit caused the revelation of new, damaging information about the plaintiffs. In fact, all of this information had been previously reported-- online and in traditional media.
Some meanwhile have argued that freedom of speech requires that Fec be found absolutely blameless. However, in spite of our constitutional right to free speech, libel law has existed for a long time. The law recognizes that untrue, harmful representations about people are unacceptable.
We have also seen the argument made that the threshold for libel in this case is much higher because the plaintiffs are public figures. For the record, neither Brett Riddleberger nor Doug Adkins credibly can be described as public figures.
Finally, we have seen some marvel at how politically unwise it was to file this suit; and how bad the timing was because of the current election season. However, there is never a good time to file such a suit. There are elections every year; and legal actions tend to drag through the courts. From the standpoint of the plaintiffs, to refrain from taking legal action would permit the behavior to continue. They might regard that as unacceptable; and that is certainly their prerogative, regardless of the outcome.
4. We also witnessed over the last few days the local media/left complex breathlessly express concern regarding the effect this story would have on Mark Walker's campaign. None of these, of course, would ever want to see Walker elected. Their objective was merely to get people to perceive Walker as being linked with the plaintiffs. They were artfully trying to foster perceptions of guilt by association.
But here is the rub. None of these parties want Phil Berger, Jr. to be elected. In fact, the News and Record absolutely hates Phil Berger, Sr.
And readers should keep one thing in mind when the News and Record tries to make hay over this story. The paper is owned by Berkshire Hathaway-- Warren Buffett's baby. And Buffett has recently been reported to have given $1.2 billion to groups like Planned Parenthood, which is the nation's largest abortion provider. The News and Record's very existence-- and its revenue stream-- is thereby linked to the killing of unborn babies.
Abortion, of course, is a profound moral evil. The News and Record, at this point, has little standing to invite judgment against anyone.
Here is another morsel to consider. Billy Jones has recently published an amazing series at his blog regarding Greensboro City Council member Yvonne Johnson. He makes certain allegations that are quite serious.
Is anyone from the local media/left complex eagerly asking what effect this new information about Ms. Johnson will have on Alma Adams' congressional campaign? Of course, the two have been allied politically for many years.
Oh, I forgot. The story has not even been reported beyond Billy's blog.
5. The absurdity of this huge cast of characters inviting and casting judgment over the last several days has been fairly striking. They fail to understand and acknowledge that everyone has had their own serious imperfections and flaws-- themselves included.
But my friends the Riddlebergers are very good folks. They are raising a fine family, and have done great things with their lives.
Only one thing seems certain with this legal action. The defendant-- like most of us-- will likely get far better, in the long run, than he deserves.
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