Comments on: Libel, blogs and interactive books: Should you sue a malicious liar if he won’t back off, despite the clear-cut facts? http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:08:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: SOG knives http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-853255 SOG knives Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:03:22 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-853255 <strong>SOG knives...</strong> Interesting ideas... I wonder how the Hollywood media would portray this?... SOG knives…

Interesting ideas… I wonder how the Hollywood media would portray this?…

]]> By: Sue Broadwell http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696696 Sue Broadwell Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:31:49 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696696 The "discerning" blog reader can separate the wheat from the chaff, even when they are a newcomer. I have been visiting TeleRead.org and other sites daily for a few short months, to keep up with e-book news and digital reading information. I look for objective, straight-forward posts from writers who consistently offer practical insight and perspective. It hasn't taken me long at all to figure out whose posts fall into this category. Rest assured, David Rothman's byline is one I look for. I don't see anything you need to defend or prove. It's natural to agonize and want justice when we are maligned. But left alone, people with ill intent usually fall into the pit of their own making. The “discerning” blog reader can separate the wheat from the chaff, even when they are a newcomer.

I have been visiting TeleRead.org and other sites daily for a few short months, to keep up with e-book news and digital reading information. I look for objective, straight-forward posts from writers who consistently offer practical insight and perspective. It hasn’t taken me long at all to figure out whose posts fall into this category. Rest assured, David Rothman’s byline is one I look for.

I don’t see anything you need to defend or prove. It’s natural to agonize and want justice when we are maligned. But left alone, people with ill intent usually fall into the pit of their own making.

]]> By: Mike Cane http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696612 Mike Cane Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:55:53 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696612 David: The guy is obviously deranged (sue ME, mofo!). Any sober judge looking at his site would immediately see the derangement in his bizarre and obsessional posts about you. Man, in my original blog, I dragged certain Suits over hot coals, but it was because of *business practices* (ones that screwed newcomers or ones that scorned the Net). I never cared about what they *bought* for their *personal use*. THAT guy, however, clearly thinks his deranged jihad against you "proves" something. To me, it just proves the guy belongs in a nuthouse. Don't worry. He'll wind up there. Let him "technosnarl" at some cop who he thinks has "unfairly" pulled him over. We'll watch the vid of that on one of those Fox splatter shows. Or YouTube. Ignore him. I'm sure everyone else does. David: The guy is obviously deranged (sue ME, mofo!). Any sober judge looking at his site would immediately see the derangement in his bizarre and obsessional posts about you.

Man, in my original blog, I dragged certain Suits over hot coals, but it was because of *business practices* (ones that screwed newcomers or ones that scorned the Net). I never cared about what they *bought* for their *personal use*.

THAT guy, however, clearly thinks his deranged jihad against you “proves” something. To me, it just proves the guy belongs in a nuthouse. Don’t worry. He’ll wind up there. Let him “technosnarl” at some cop who he thinks has “unfairly” pulled him over. We’ll watch the vid of that on one of those Fox splatter shows. Or YouTube.

Ignore him. I’m sure everyone else does.

]]> By: pond http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696564 pond Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:24:37 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696564 DO NOT SUE. This spat is unworthy of both of you. At this point you have both stated your cases. David, you went too far with this post. Always, whether with email or a blog post, when you compose in heat, wait a good 24 hours before sending/publishing, and think about it: do you really want these words to stand 10 years from now? 20? 50? The gentleman's proper response is either to remain silent, or state the facts without identifying the other party --- and move on. Please, I pray you: let all this matter rest. DO NOT SUE.

This spat is unworthy of both of you. At this point you have both stated your cases. David, you went too far with this post.

Always, whether with email or a blog post, when you compose in heat, wait a good 24 hours before sending/publishing, and think about it: do you really want these words to stand 10 years from now? 20? 50?

The gentleman’s proper response is either to remain silent, or state the facts without identifying the other party — and move on.

Please, I pray you: let all this matter rest.

]]> By: Brian Carnell http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696445 Brian Carnell Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:40:20 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696445 I would seriously let this go. The same guy who thought he was going to take adverse possession of the Doc Savage novels. He's a crank, and no one's going to take this seriously. I would seriously let this go. The same guy who thought he was going to take adverse possession of the Doc Savage novels. He’s a crank, and no one’s going to take this seriously.

]]> By: David Rothman http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696420 David Rothman Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:37:44 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696420 Thanks for your thoughts, Richard. Normally I'd agree with you--ignore the rats. But I wanted to get this out in the open so that if nothing else people like Rob could come forward and say they saw the post while the Sony sale was on. Rob kindly obliged. Meanwhile, as noted, I'm not exactly at the courthouse steps, papers in hand. Thanks. David Thanks for your thoughts, Richard. Normally I’d agree with you–ignore the rats. But I wanted to get this out in the open so that if nothing else people like Rob could come forward and say they saw the post while the Sony sale was on. Rob kindly obliged. Meanwhile, as noted, I’m not exactly at the courthouse steps, papers in hand. Thanks. David

]]> By: The Idiot Threatens Again! | Munsey's Technosnarl http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696411 The Idiot Threatens Again! | Munsey's Technosnarl Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:20:35 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696411 [...] it was legal, now he’s gonna tell you my dad’s [...] [...] it was legal, now he’s gonna tell you my dad’s [...]

]]> By: Richard Adin http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696382 Richard Adin Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:16:21 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696382 David, you have just done what any good lawyer would have advised you not to do: repeated the false accusation thereby giving it more play. Filing a lawsuit is both a business decision (cost vs. benefit) and a personal one (how much is it worth to restore your dignity). The latter on,ly you can answer but the former any good business person can answer: the cost is high, the benefit very low. All a lawsuit will do is repeat in public the lebelous statements, adding credence to them (because that is how it works). The smart move is to simply move on. no matter what you do, ranters have their believers and nothing you do will change their belief. But ranters rarely stay on a single topic because they get bored and so these things die a natural death. FWIW, I found this post of yours a rambling rant itself and I think it denigrates you more than the person you are complaining about. Ronald Reagan really had the best response when asked about one of his competitors for the Republican nomination for president (I can't remember which opponent it was) who was critical of Reagan. When asked for his response to the criticism from Joe, Reagan replied, with his trademark smile, " Joe who?" and moved on, never directly responding to the criticism. Note who became president. David, you have just done what any good lawyer would have advised you not to do: repeated the false accusation thereby giving it more play.

Filing a lawsuit is both a business decision (cost vs. benefit) and a personal one (how much is it worth to restore your dignity). The latter on,ly you can answer but the former any good business person can answer: the cost is high, the benefit very low.

All a lawsuit will do is repeat in public the lebelous statements, adding credence to them (because that is how it works). The smart move is to simply move on. no matter what you do, ranters have their believers and nothing you do will change their belief. But ranters rarely stay on a single topic because they get bored and so these things die a natural death.

FWIW, I found this post of yours a rambling rant itself and I think it denigrates you more than the person you are complaining about. Ronald Reagan really had the best response when asked about one of his competitors for the Republican nomination for president (I can’t remember which opponent it was) who was critical of Reagan. When asked for his response to the criticism from Joe, Reagan replied, with his trademark smile, ” Joe who?” and moved on, never directly responding to the criticism. Note who became president.

]]> By: Rob Preece http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696366 Rob Preece Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:43:42 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696366 David, I agree that a lawsuit doesn't seem to be an answer. Proving damage, for one thing, would be difficult. On the other hand, I will say that when I read your post about the Tiger Direct offer, I went to Tiger and there were still Sony readers in stock. (Unfortunately, by the time I decided to do something about it, they were gone). Rob Preece Publisher, www.BooksForABuck.com David,

I agree that a lawsuit doesn’t seem to be an answer. Proving damage, for one thing, would be difficult. On the other hand, I will say that when I read your post about the Tiger Direct offer, I went to Tiger and there were still Sony readers in stock. (Unfortunately, by the time I decided to do something about it, they were gone).

Rob Preece
Publisher, http://www.BooksForABuck.com

]]> By: David Rothman http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696192 David Rothman Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:59:22 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696192 Heck, Joscha, I didn't say Leech was a Nazi, just that he lied like one. As I said, I'm not currently planning a suit--the main reason being the same as yours: I don't like 'em clogging up the courts, nor do I like government meddling with the Net. Chocolate? I looked for some for Carly last night, but didn't find the brand she wanted. When I do, I'll drink up in your honor. Thanks, David Heck, Joscha, I didn’t say Leech was a Nazi, just that he lied like one. As I said, I’m not currently planning a suit–the main reason being the same as yours: I don’t like ‘em clogging up the courts, nor do I like government meddling with the Net.

Chocolate? I looked for some for Carly last night, but didn’t find the brand she wanted. When I do, I’ll drink up in your honor.

Thanks,
David

]]> By: Joscha http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696181 Joscha Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:27:49 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696181 Some guy on the internets (who probably held a grudge) has jumped to incorrect conclusions about when and why you posted an entry on your blog and wrote a vitriolic statement. (And no, he did not advocate genocide.) Why should you give a duck? He is not ruining your business, and a libel suit is not going to improve your business or reputation. Instead, it is pretty certain to prompt him to further slandering (just without accusing you of anything you could refute in court). The whole thing is mainly about hurt feelings. The courts will not help much. Calling someone a Nazi will not help much. But a nice cup of hot chocolate might just do the trick! Some guy on the internets (who probably held a grudge) has jumped to incorrect conclusions about when and why you posted an entry on your blog and wrote a vitriolic statement. (And no, he did not advocate genocide.) Why should you give a duck?
He is not ruining your business, and a libel suit is not going to improve your business or reputation. Instead, it is pretty certain to prompt him to further slandering (just without accusing you of anything you could refute in court).

The whole thing is mainly about hurt feelings. The courts will not help much. Calling someone a Nazi will not help much. But a nice cup of hot chocolate might just do the trick!

]]> By: The Idiot Links! | Munsey's Technosnarl http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696164 The Idiot Links! | Munsey's Technosnarl Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:12:24 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/01/23/libel-blogs-and-interactive-books-should-you-sue-a-malicious-liar-if-he-wont-back-off-despite-the-clear-cut-facts/#comment-696164 [...] a litigation threat!  Like that’d stop me even if I thought I’d [...] [...] a litigation threat!  Like that’d stop me even if I thought I’d [...]

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