# MAGA-hat kid hires fancy lawyer **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 28, 2019, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520 "2019-01-28T02:48:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/1 "2019-01-28T02:48:28Z")
There is a Pit thread on this general topic, but apparently it is off the rails. Nicholas Sandmann, the most recognizable face from the kerfuffle between the Black Hebrews, Native Americans and Covington Catholic schoolchildren has [hired a fancy lawyer](https://www.kentucky.com/news/state/kentucky/article225099920.html) to sue “the media” for slander/libel/defamation-of-character because of the way he has been portrayed. I am skeptical that he would have a viable case here, but this lawyer (L. Lin Wood) is apparently very good at this sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/2 "2019-01-28T03:16:15Z")
The kids were raked over the coals all over social media for several hours. Anonymous tweets lead the firestorm that the media soon followed. Twitter has shut down several of those accounts. [https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/technology/2019/01/23/how-anonymous-tweets-helped-ignite-national-controversy-over-maga-hat-teens/](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/technology/2019/01/23/how-anonymous-tweets-helped-ignite-national-controversy-over-maga-hat-teens/) Thank goodness more complete video emerged to tell the entire truth. I hope these kid’s families get some settlement for all the hate directed at them. > [@](#): > > By Saturday, Twitter’s algorithms had taken two snippets of these videos posted by random accounts and helped bring them into many people’s feeds. The tweets traveled quickly — another match thrown into the pool of anger and disenchantment that has been building up over race relations in the Trump era. > > “I got very upset about it,” Lavoie said in a phone interview Tuesday. “Most of my Twitter network tends to be racial justice and social injustice. So I was seeing it amplified nonstop." > > The videos ignited a conversation that raged throughout the holiday weekend, having leaped from social media to newspapers and television broadcasts and then back to social media again. The debate grew as it took on layers — about whether important context had been missing from the original video (it had), whether the teens deserved such wide opprobrium (many said they did), and whether this was actually a debate between right and left ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/3 "2019-01-28T03:34:37Z")
Those kids need help. They’ve been brainwashed into serving a racist demagogue and his sickening agenda, not to mention being herded into the capital to march in support of the enslavement of women. Some sort of intervention is needed. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/4 "2019-01-28T03:39:53Z")
His parents have hired a lawyer. Not him. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/5 "2019-01-28T03:43:53Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The kids were raked over the coals all over social media for several hours. > > Anonymous tweets lead the firestorm that the media soon followed. > > Twitter has shut down several of those accounts. > [https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/technology/2019/01/23/how-anonymous-tweets-helped-ignite-national-controversy-over-maga-hat-teens/](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/technology/2019/01/23/how-anonymous-tweets-helped-ignite-national-controversy-over-maga-hat-teens/) > > Thank goodness more complete video emerged to tell the entire truth. I hope these kid’s families get some settlement for all the hate directed at them. A settlement from whom? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/6 "2019-01-28T04:00:55Z")
Well, it was the media’s responsibility to Vet the story before publishing. Instead they ran with an edited video that told half the story. That’s on them for half-assed sloppy work. The media did run corrections hours later, but that doesn’t nullify their mistake. Imho These families were getting death threats. The school had to cancel classes Tuesday. This mob justice mentality has to stop before someone gets killed. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/7 "2019-01-28T04:22:26Z")
Nathan Phillips (the drummer) was getting death threats as well. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/8 "2019-01-28T04:27:54Z")
Phillips may want to consult with a lawyer too. But, the media was very sympathetic to him. I’m not sure he has a case against the media. He’d have to go after the people on social media that made threats ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/9 "2019-01-28T04:40:04Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Well, it was the media’s responsibility to Vet the story before publishing. > > Instead they ran with an edited video that told half the story. > > That’s on them for half-assed sloppy work. > > The media did run corrections hours later, but that doesn’t nullify their mistake. Imho > > These families were getting death threats. The school had to cancel classes Tuesday. > > This mob justice mentality has to stop before someone gets killed. So you think they should name “the media” in a lawsuit. Good luck with that? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/10 "2019-01-28T04:45:46Z")
The lawyers will have to closely look at each network’s coverage. Determine who showed the most bias and helped escalate the story. That’s who the lawyers will go after. At least the family hired a experienced lawyer. I doubt he’d waste his time on a frivolous lawsuit. Aren’t most cases like this handled on a win basis? The lawyer takes the monetary risk to pursue it and gets a big cut of any settlement. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/11 "2019-01-28T04:46:52Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The lawyers will have to closely look at each network’s coverage. > > Determine who showed the most bias and helped escalate the story. That’s who the lawyers will go after. What makes you think that any of that is actionable? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/12 "2019-01-28T04:56:13Z")
I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know what is actionable. I do know my dad consulted a lawyer and was told he didn’t have a case and not to waste his money. It’s my understanding that’s pretty common. Lawyers aren’t interested in wasting their time on unwinnable civil cases. Unless some rich guy insists on pouring money into the legal fees. I doubt the Sandmann family is rich. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/13 "2019-01-28T05:12:14Z")
It seems unlikely this case will ever go to trial. A small settlement to make it go away seems most likely. Imho ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/14 "2019-01-28T05:12:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know what is actionable. > > I do know my dad consulted a lawyer and was told he didn’t have a case and not to waste his money. > > It’s my understanding that’s pretty common. Lawyers aren’t interested in wasting their time on unwinnable civil cases. Unless some rich guy insists on pouring money into the legal fees. > > I doubt the Sandmann family is rich. They are spending $9000/year to send their kid to private school. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/15 "2019-01-28T05:21:45Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > So you think they should name “the media” in a lawsuit. Good luck with that? The story says that the lawyer plans “a multitude of lawsuits”. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/16 "2019-01-28T05:26:52Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I doubt the Sandmann family is rich. …LOL ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/17 "2019-01-28T05:35:41Z")
Is it just me, or did that kid have a _“Put my Junk in a Box”_ look on his face? ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/18 "2019-01-28T05:36:35Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > So you think they should name “the media” in a lawsuit. Good luck with that? They can however sue the publications which carried the story. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/19 "2019-01-28T05:47:51Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > They can however sue the publications which carried the story. Yes. And they could sue me too. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/20 "2019-01-28T05:54:37Z")
Could they go after the ones who threatened them, or would that be the job of law enforcement? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520.md?page=2)