# Frivolous lawsuits or Clinton hating: who will win?! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 25, 2005, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566 "2005-01-25T11:48:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/21 "2005-01-25T16:21:16Z")
> [@manhattan](#): > > WTF? I already mentioned that President Clinton was in office. President Clinton was in office when any number of things happened, and not all lawsuits against the government for its actions during his terms are examples of “Clinton hating.” You’d have to have been pretty wasted all throughout the end of the 90s to not remember what a big deal the whole Elian mess was, and how politicized. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/22 "2005-01-25T16:28:47Z")
> [@Apos](#): > > You’d have to have been pretty wasted all throughout the end of the 90s to not remember what a big deal the whole Elian mess was, and how politicized. Clinton was not the only politician who had something to say about it. I failt to see why he should be singled out for this. Other than, of course, for the fact that some conservatives still have a hard-on for bashing the guy. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/23 "2005-01-25T16:30:40Z")
I’ve never quite understood why conservatives bash Clinton. After all, he’s one of them. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/24 "2005-01-25T16:31:12Z")
Fine, **Apos** , be a fact-free useless asshole like you usually are. I’m fully aware of how politicized the case is and was. I’ve already mentioned that I’m also aware that Judicial Watch has a long anti-Clinton agenda. What I asked about was what this specific suit, which according to the fucking story you linked, is about the specific actions of local, non-political agents, had to do with Clinton. Do the suits allege that Clinton ordered the agents to use excessive force? Or that he covered up or ordered the coverup of fact-finding? Or what? What is the connection in the case? But don’t bother answering. You’re obviously a wholly worthless piece of shit and an enemy of the fight against igorance and I won’t believe whatever you say anyway. Neither will anybody else. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/25 "2005-01-25T16:38:08Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I’m not sure I’d call it ambulance chasing yet. It looks like [tear gas poisoning](http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=31475) is very real, but the linked entry doesn’t say anything about long-term effects. I’m not going to dismess these people until I find out a bit more. True, we could wait for more facts, but I think I’ll just jump ahead anyway. 😛 > [@](#): > > Although unlikely, high-dose exposures in an enclosed space may lead to the development of airway edema, noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, and possibly respiratory arrest. Is the front lawn an enclosed space? Maybe, maybe if they were inside I could see this, but in this instance I’m calling shenanigans. Ambulance chasers they are! ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/26 "2005-01-25T16:40:39Z")
IIRC, Janet Reno specifically ordered the raid. Since Janet was Clinton’s Atty’ General, it follows that her actions are linked w/Clinton. Hence the Clinton bashing angle. It’s not as direct as, say, Whitewater or Vince Foster, but it’s there nonetheless. Much was made at the time (again from my recollection) of the armed troops entering the home, remember the pic of the guy in full combat regalia w/weapon pointed (but not aimed) at the man holding Elian who appeared terrorized? ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/27 "2005-01-25T17:43:50Z")
Am I the only one amused by the advertiser links to pepper spray retailers on that page? Or am I the only one who’s gotten those? Speaking seriously, persistently intrusive bystanders present a subtle dilemma for police. One can’t permit neighbors to wander up to the scene of a raid, where they might interfere or get seriously injured, but what level of force is acceptable in restraining them? Are the relatively rare chronic effects of tear gas something that the government is liable for? If so, might its use on bystanders consitute negligence? ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/28 "2005-01-25T19:53:44Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > Merit? What fucking merit? Merit shouldn’t be in the same galaxy as this case. 5 Years after the fact, and they’re suing now? 100% grade A bullshit. Throw it out and charge them for wasting the court’s time. No, the case is coming to trial now. The process for a trial is fairly lengthy, and a trial is right about at the middle. Robin ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/29 "2005-01-25T19:58:46Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > Is the front lawn an enclosed space? Maybe, maybe if they were inside I could see this, but in this instance I’m calling shenanigans. Ambulance chasers they are! On further thought, I think you’re right. The long term effects they’re claiming seem dubious. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/30 "2005-01-25T20:21:07Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > I’ve never quite understood why conservatives bash Clinton. It’s a great distraction from their own shenanagans. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/31 "2005-01-26T02:51:03Z")
> [@manhattan](#): > > Fine, **Apos** , be a fact-free useless asshole like you usually are. I’m fully aware of how politicized the case is and was. I’ve already mentioned that I’m also aware that Judicial Watch has a long anti-Clinton agenda. What I asked about was what this specific suit, which according to the fucking story you linked, is about the specific actions of local, non-political agents, had to do with Clinton. Do the suits allege that Clinton ordered the agents to use excessive force? Or that he covered up or ordered the coverup of fact-finding? Or what? What is the connection in the case? > > But don’t bother answering. You’re obviously a wholly worthless piece of shit and an enemy of the fight against igorance and I won’t believe whatever you say anyway. Neither will anybody else. The whole point, my dear boy, is that the whole mess was a partisan bone forever to be picked, including and especially the issue of federal agents using extreme force in taking the child away. It was picked then, it’s being picked now. Judicial Watch just can’t seem to let it go. And no, nothing in the article says anything about the agents being given special orders to teargas random people. Phhhft. That doesn’t make the entire case any less of a partisan bone being picked out of old grudges. ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/32 "2005-01-26T03:50:42Z")
I think that this is exactly the type of frivilous lawsuit that Fearless Leader was carping about a few weeks ago. Oh, the irony! ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/33 "2005-01-26T04:56:58Z")
We’ve had frivolous lawsuits for some time-not the fault of the Clinton administration. I totally fail to see a reason to take a shot at Clinton over this. This is between some sleazy lawyers and plaintiffs of questionable moral fiber, and has nothing to do with Clinton, Reno, or any body else other than it happened on their watch. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/34 "2005-01-26T21:31:21Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > No, the case is coming to trial now. The process for a trial is fairly lengthy, and a trial is right about at the middle. > Robin About at the middle, huh? So this thing will be Fox News fodder just in time for the next presidential election. That’s golden. ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/35 "2005-01-26T21:37:25Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > About at the middle, huh? So this thing will be Fox News fodder just in time for the next presidential election. That’s golden. What the fuck are you talking about. I have yet to see ANY sort of Clinton bashing in this case. Next time someone sues Wal-Mart or McDonalds, I’m going to come on here and talk shit about liberals because anyone that would sue either of those companies MUST be doing so because they hate big business. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/36 "2005-01-27T18:10:09Z")
**BabaBooey,** when the Elian Gonzales fiasco first came down, it was stage-managed by the pro-GOP Cuban emigres to make the feds and Janet Reno look as heartless as possible. Before and after the raid, all the right wing columnists and radio screamers wielded their sledgehammers on Reno and Clinton until they were breathless. Do you really think the end of this trial can happen during a presidential election without that frenzy happening again? ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/37 "2005-01-27T22:07:28Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > We’ve had frivolous lawsuits for some time-not the fault of the Clinton administration. I totally fail to see a reason to take a shot at Clinton over this. This is between some sleazy lawyers and plaintiffs of questionable moral fiber, and has nothing to do with Clinton, Reno, or any body else other than it happened on their watch. Do you even know who Judicial Watch is? Or does your anus just shoot it’s mouth off due to some some of muscle weakness? ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/38 "2005-01-28T04:10:45Z")
> [@Apos](#): > > Do you even know who Judicial Watch is? Or does your anus just shoot it’s mouth off due to some some of muscle weakness? Reread my post fuckstick. I didn’t mention Judicial Watch-_you_ did. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/39 "2005-01-28T04:26:19Z")
No no, dear fuckstick: the ARTICLE did. If you missed out on this little detail, then no wonder you’re confused, and your ass cheeks were flapping noisily in ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566/40 "2005-01-28T06:30:48Z")
> [@Apos](#): > > No no, dear fuckstick: the ARTICLE did. > > If you missed out on this little detail, then no wonder you’re confused, and your ass cheeks were flapping noisily in ignorance. My ass cheeks were flapping noisily against your facial cheeks, Mr. Fuckweasel, in an attempt to freshen your breath. You came out of left field as per usual, and made a mindless statement in response to a post in which I effectively _defended_ the Clinton administration. When come back, bring brain. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frivolous-lawsuits-or-clinton-hating-who-will-win/286566.md?page=1)