Free speech is a very good thing, NB is one of best political sites out there. I love the fact that we can overall voice our opinions political and otherwise.
A very popular part of NB is the "Captionfest" It usually shows Democrats and sometimes Republicans in kind of embarrassing pictures which can produce many posts. I find most of the posts are hilarious and have no problem with them. However I am very concerned about a legal precedent that happenned recently.
A 40 something year old model was the victim of blog post with her picture with someone calling her a "skank" or a "whoring ho". Long story short after she complained and took legal action, Google was forced by the courts to reveal the Bloggers name. To me this could have serious raminfications on the future of blogging are sites like these. Will NB have to give up members IP addresses the next time someone calls Hillary Clinton a not so nice name? Will KOS have to turn over the IP addresses of the next person that wishes George Bush harm?
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Wow
August 22, 2009 - 10:11 ET by BlondeI don't know what else was written about this woman, but "skank" and "whore" doesn't qualify in my mind as hate speech.
It will be interesting to see what happens next, no doubt she plans to sue the blogger....whom she deemed "insignificant". It was also interesting that the article didn't mention WHICH court made this ruling, and whether Google just gave up or appealed it to a higher court.
Keep us apprised, Shawn.
I hope he fails, too.
Hi Blonde
August 25, 2009 - 00:35 ET by shawn228Looks like the ousted blogger is trying to Sue Google for giving up her identity.
I know many members would be upset at NB for outing them on the Captionfest, but I don't know if there is anything NB could do about it, it was ordered by the courts.
"I swear sometimes the self-appointed moral police are as obnoxious and demanding of big government interference as "environmentalist" gun control advocates, labor unions and trial lawyers"~fitzfong
As a public figure
September 4, 2009 - 07:44 ET by Matthew SheffieldHillary Clinton (and other politicians) would have a very difficult time winning any sort of slander suit.
People should be more careful about insulting other members or private individuals as the standards for non-public figures are not nearly as high in slander and libel law.
Then again, if we all are being as courteous as we're supposed to be, that makes things a lot easier.