Comments on: Freedom To Say What You Want Via Your Blog? Maybe Not!

By: Aixa

Aixa — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:04:50 +0000

Good point, free true speech is what we really do have. Anything else said without fact and meant in a cruel way is simply malice. I believe we should all live by the basic lesson most people were taught growing up; “do not do to others what you would not like to be done to you”.

By: Hobbits

Hobbits — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:16:31 +0000

Our First Amendment Rights are where they have ALWAYS been, nothing has changed. You have the RIGHT to say anything you wish in a public forum. Just be prepared to defend against a legal action by the person or group you injure when your defamatory comments are proven responsible for the FINANCIAL LOSS or DAMAGE TO THE REPUTATION of the subject of your defamation! Don’t forget the ancient addage which still holds truth today: “As you sow, so shall you reap.”

By: Clicks Today » Blog Archive » Anonymous Blogging May Offically Come To An End

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:26:31 +0000

[...] Comments [...]

By: GMoney2009

GMoney2009 — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:09:23 +0000

Some legal schooling. ~~
Making false claims against someone has been a bad thing since god handed it down from high to Moses in the 10 Commandments (bearing false witness). In the US, we have two primary types of Defamation defined (see wikipedia for defamation for more info), LIBEL any falsehood in PRINT (or Media), and SLANDER any falsehood SPOKEN, although it being false or untrue, is not always a requirement. In both, it must be shown the person committing the act, chose to defame and did so with malice. ~~

The only type of possibly Libelous or Slanderous speech that is protected is political advertising, thereby a campaign letter from an opponent of say a mayoral candidate that claims that the opponent kills puppies for fun, would be protected up until the election. After an election, normal laws would apply. ~~

While it is believed we have a right to free speech in this country, we actually have a right to free true speech. ~~

That being said, the character of Mr. Hand on South Park is a Doody Head. No, really. ;-D ~~

By: Derek Showerman

Derek Showerman — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:28:06 +0000

Aixa,

Great post! The general rule of thumb is to not blog if you have an inkling of doubt. Meaning- if you might offend or tick someone off, then don’t do it. Especially if they don’t have a celebrity status. Celebs are considered “safe harbor” when it comes to opinions. However, if they are not then offering an opinion can be considered slanderous towards the non-celeb in some circumstances. It is a grey area. The rule of thumb is preface a borderline outlandish comment with – “it is my opinion” and you should be fine. If you make it fact, you might open Pandora’s box!
.-= Derek Showerman´s last blog ..Julie & Julia Is A Social Media Success Story & A Banana Split Life Lesson =-.