Rights.com

it’s usually a good indication that these minor trifles will be done (or paid for) by someone other than the writer

Christian Riley — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:22:02 +0000

When I hear words and phrases like "simple", "trivial" and "a small matter of" it's usually a good indication that these minor trifles will be done (or paid for) by someone other than the writer.
-- Henry Ford

Thedirt.com $11 Million Judgement for Libel and Slander Against Cincinnati Bengals Cheerleader Sarah Jones

Christian Riley — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:06:48 +0000

An interesting story came to light last week. A website was ordered to pay $11 million for libel and slander in a default judgement. Based on court filings, in December 2009, TheDirtY.com (or its users, reports are unclear) posted that Sarah Jones and Bengal’s kicker Shayne Graham were having an affair and that Jones might have contracted "two venereal diseases." The original complaint is here (pdf). Links to the original documents are here.

Jones was informed of the post by Graham and filed suit in December 2009 and a default judgement was entered in the case in August 2010. The complaint alleges Defamation (Count 1), Libel Per Se (Count 2), False Light (Count 3), Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (Count 4),

The problem was that Kentucky attorney Eric Deters filed suit against Los Angeles-based Dirty World Entertainment Recordings which the complaint and judgment said operates TheDirt.com. The website that posted the information was TheDirtY.com, owned by Scottsdale-based Dirty World LLC. Notice the "Y" on the end of the website. Apparently Jones' attorney Eric Deters didn't notice the difference. Neither did U.S. District Court Judge William O. Bertelsman and awarded $1 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages.

TheDirty.com's owners did not respond to the suit because they weren't served and consequently have no legal knowledge of the suit. Interestingly, Politico states that "Kentucky attorney Eric Deters, who is representing Jones, said it was irrelevant that the incorrect corporation, website and physical address were listed on the complaint and judgment." Now, if that statement is true, it opens an entirely new avenue to sue people - don't sue the people you want, sue someone else, get a default judgement and then say "it is irrelevant." Obviously, it is completely relevant that you serve the correct person so that they have notice of the suit and can respond. Anything else is a travesty of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the concept of notice.

TheDirt.com is now asking whether they should counter-sue Sarah Jones for libel or start a fundraiser.

TheDirtY.com is now asking AP for an apology and retraction since AP reported that the judgement was against TheDirtY.com when simple reporting by AP would have shown that it was against TheDirt.com. Likewise Cincinatti.com reported the same. So far no retractions or apologies have come to light.

U.S. District Court Judge William O. Bertelsman and attorney Eric Deters should be embarrassed to have let a farce get so far. TheDirty.com should be embarrassed to have posted that.

Mexican drug cartels now control some parts of Arizona

Christian Riley — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:02:55 +0000

The federal government has posted signs along a major interstate highway in Arizona, more than 100 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, .. that state "active drug and human smuggling area" and travelers may encounter "armed criminals and smuggling vehicles traveling at high rates of speed.". August 31, 2010

Border? Who needs a border?

Prankster has to find out about Verizon’s privacy policy from CEO

Christian Riley — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:29:33 +0000

This is great (we may be posting a funny story detailing how Verizon attorneys do not know the difference between singular (no, not Cingular) and plural). For the full story, go here.

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson steer scholarships to relatives

Christian Riley — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:04:23 +0000

Longtime Dallas congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat ) has awarded thousands of dollars in college scholarships to four relatives and a top aide's two children since 2005, using foundation funds set aside for black lawmakers' causes.

The recipients were ineligible under anti-nepotism rules of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, which provided the money. ...

For the full story see: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/082910dntexcongress.2c049bb.html

Government can use GPS to Monitor you without warrant

Christian Riley — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:01:26 +0000

Government can use GPS to Monitor you without a warrant.

"1984 may have come a bit later than predicted, but it's here at last. ... Some day, soon, we may wake up and find we're living in Oceania." Chief Judge Kozinski (Reagan appointee), dissenting against this horrendous decision.

Senator Baucus admits to not reading bills he votes on

Christian Riley — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:07:06 +0000

“I don’t think you want me to waste my time to read every page of the health care bill. You know why? It’s statutory language. We hire experts.” Senator Max Baucus, Democrat, Montana, August 24, 2010

You are a disgrace to the title "Senator" and should be ashamed of yourself. Senator Baucus should resign.

Will McCain fool Arizona voters once again?

Christian Riley — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:57:15 +0000

The headline AP "McCain, Tacking Right, Seeks Primary Victory" says all you need to know to understand Senator McCain. When you have no core values and no core principles, it is easy to "tack right." McCain is a duplicitous politician who is willing to change his views depending upon the direction of the wind in order to retain his power. The McCain voting record speaks for itself and it is foolish to think that "this time is different" and McCain won't turn into a RINO after the polls close today.

Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don’t have to prove they are citizens.

Christian Riley — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:29:56 +0000

"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." ~ Ben Stein

Larry King’s replacement, Piers Morgan has Visa issues

Christian Riley — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:10:23 +0000

British journalist and "America's Got Talent" judge Piers Morgan, who is widely thought to be King's replacement, is apparently having trouble obtaining a work visa. NYPost reports.

The easy solution for Piers Morgan:

1. Go to Mexico.

2. Cross the border

3. Work.

4. Claim anyone who asks for ID is "racist."

Problem solved.