MrBobDawgsta said... good stuff...
June 2, 2009 1:34 AM

Anonymous said... Enjoy reading your blogg. Don't let anybody stop you.
June 3,2009 1:02 AM

Betsy Hijazi said... As a follow up, I decided to post a few of "Anonymous” comments as well as some useful information a 'real' attorney sent me about Libel:

1st Comment by "Anonymous": Unauthorized quoting of persons in this blog and use of photos of persons in this blog are liableous. Betsy, you need to be very careful. Signed, a patron (attorney) from Thursday night." (Note the misspelling of the LEGAL word and how they personally 'spoke' to me, as though they know me!)

7th (YES, 7TH!) Comment by "Anonymous": Photos and comments used in this blog are unauthorized and therefore; libelous. The author must beware. (Note - comments do NOT have to be authorized, nor do photos. Glad they finally spelled it right!)

Information regarding Libel from an attorney:
At the very least, a libelous statement has to be negative--something that exposes you to contempt, hatred, ridicule etc.

2nd, it can't be true. Truth is an absolute defense.

You didn't say anything negative anyway, but if you had and it was true, it's not libel, period... in personality torts like defamation/libel/slander, 'anonymous' has to prove you said something untrue AND did so w/ malice or intent to injure, since Mary's a public figure.

Thanks so much to the REAL attorney who gave me, and my fellow bloggers, very valuable information. Those who I know to be good bloggers/writers are respectful and considerate about whom they write and now we know a bit more today than we did yesterday about what the law says about what and how we write!

June 3, 2009 7:54 PM

E F Orwell said... The UK Libel Laws have taken another step into the abyss and could signal the end of Free Speech. A UK based media club, The Groucho Club which is owned by a billion pound corporation ‘Graphite Capital’ have launched a one of kind High Court action for a pre publishing test case for libel against Tyrone D Murphy, the author of an exposé book about the club. The book has not been completed yet and the case seems to be based on what could be written and not what has been written.

The writer is defending this action in person as the costs are astronomical and I am supporting this writer and his cause. All writers and journalists should also support him as he is in the forefront of the battle for free speech.

What do you make of this type of case where a legal action can be taken against a writer of a book that has not been written yet? This action is certainly a threat against all writers and journalists

http://www.g-book.co.uk is the book web site

August 13, 2009 9:43 AM