# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2019, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/61 "2019-01-29T22:59:50Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > The lame stream media earned their title. If they don’t like it, they can do a better job of vetting their stories, and reporting their stories. This argument would be less absurdly laughable if the term didn’t implicitly exclude conservative sources. But it does, so the argument is absurdly laughable on the face of it. And even if all mainstream news media _was_ discredited, it’s still a stupid phrase that makes everyone who uses it look stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2019, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/62 "2019-01-29T23:01:38Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > The lame stream media earned their title. If they don’t like it, they can do a better job of vetting their stories, and reporting their stories. You can’t _earn_ a title that’s nonsensical. If you have a beef with media organizations, the least you do is come up with a clever insult. > [@](#): > > I’m unaware of the plaintiffs having actually filed a lawsuit, yet. Probably still in the discovery phase? It will be interesting to see who is named as a defendant, what they are actually accused of doing, and what the claimed injuries are. “Discovery phase” of a lawsuit usually refers to the point after a lawsuit is filed and before final motions are due. It’s when the parties conduct discovery. You probably mean “investigative phase” or something like that. Anyway, I agree. I could be interesting. My guess is no lawsuit related to this will ever be filed. Obviously, I could be wrong. If one is filed, we can debate the merits at that time. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2019, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/63 "2019-01-29T23:05:27Z")
Can anyone link to an article from a member of the media, lamestream or otherwise, that they think qualifies as slander/libel/defamation-of-character of the kids from this high school? ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2019, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/64 "2019-01-29T23:13:40Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And I asked this before: What did the news media say that was false? For starters, several media outlets reported that the kids from Covington “mobbed” or “attacked” the Native American protester, or otherwise implied that they were the ones who initiated the confrontation. When it became obvious that the Black Israelites were involved, some of those outlets also implied that the kids had caused the confrontation with the Black Israelites as well. ([Documented here](https://nypost.com/2019/01/21/case-of-the-covington-kids-is-a-perfect-example-of-media-bias/)) In reality, the whole confrontation began with the Black Israelites approaching and shouting foul-mouthed abuse and racist garbage at the Covington kids. The Black Israelites also shouted racism at the Native Americans, and screamed “faggot” seemingly at random, and were generally threatening and aggressive towards everybody with no justification whatsoever. The Covington kids were entirely innocent victims of abuse by others. Nothing in the video shows them saying anything racist or doing anything aggressive or threatening. I frankly would be quite happy if they win libel lawsuits against the New York Times or other liberal outlets that lied about them. And I’m non-partisan in this. I’d be happy to see lawsuits against Alex Jones or Breitbart or other right-wing outlets when they spread harmful lies against innocent people. But of course the self-worth of the New York Times and the Washington Post is based on their assumption that they’re obviously better than right-wing online media. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2019, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/65 "2019-01-29T23:19:57Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > The Covington kids were entirely innocent victims of abuse by others. Nothing in the video shows them saying anything racist or doing anything aggressive or threatening. > > I frankly would be quite happy if they win libel lawsuits against the New York Times or other liberal outlets that lied about them. And I’m non-partisan in this. I’d be happy to see lawsuits against Alex Jones or Breitbart or other right-wing outlets when they spread harmful lies against innocent people. But of course the self-worth of the New York Times and the Washington Post is based on their assumption that they’re obviously better than right-wing online media. Maybe they can sue their school too? > [@](#): > > In a statement, the Diocese of Covington and Covington Catholic High School condemned the behavior by the students and extended their “deepest apologies” to the elder, as well as to Native Americans in general. “This behavior is opposed to the Church’s teachings on the dignity and respect of the human person,” the statement said. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2019, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/66 "2019-01-29T23:36:14Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > For starters, several media outlets reported that the kids from Covington “mobbed” or “attacked” the Native American protester, or otherwise implied that they were the ones who initiated the confrontation. When it became obvious that the Black Israelites were involved, some of those outlets also implied that the kids had caused the confrontation with the Black Israelites as well. ([Documented here](https://nypost.com/2019/01/21/case-of-the-covington-kids-is-a-perfect-example-of-media-bias/)) There’s this fun thing I do where I click through on your links. You have yet to represent one of your links accurately. For example, that NYPost article mentions a couple of media outlets who reported that PHILLIPS SAID that the kids “attacked” THE BLACK PEOPLE. That’s as close as it gets to your claim that > [@](#): > > media outlets reported that the kids from Covington “mobbed” or “attacked” the Native American protester You may wish to be more careful in paraphrasing your sources, in order to do so more accurately. Or you may not wish to do so. I dunno. > [@AK84](#): > > His parents have hired a lawyer. Not him. As a wise poster said, > [@AK84](#): > > And that has a bearing on this case…how? ---
**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 30, 2019, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/67 "2019-01-30T00:06:22Z")
What’s being overlooked is this was a school field trip. I’d guess everyone reading this article had them beginning in elementary school. I remember several of mine and thankfully they were very informative and positive experiences. This school sent students to visit the MLK memorial and I’d assume the other memorials on the National Mall. Hopefully they were taught about the Civil Rights movement and Dr King’s contributions. That’s what I’d expect from a school field trip on the MLK holiday. They were victimized first by the Black Hebrew Israelites shouting the vilest curses and slurs imaginable, and then confused by a Native American activist & his non-stop drumming? I’m sure the students felt like they followed Alice down the rabbit hole. Fair enough, there’s a life lesson in this experience too. But then to have themselves vilified by social media and egged on by some members of the press? Just imagine the consequences if that longer video hadn’t surfaced. These kids would be up shit creek without a paddle or a boat. Some kind of civil restitution is needed. It doesn’t have to be a large sum. At least show these students there’s civil consequences and penalties for what the press and social media did. > **[Catholic kids in MAGA hats and everything wrong with the media](https://www.nola.com/nation_world/catholic-kids-in-maga-hats-and-everything-wrong-with-the-media/article_fd4c15d3-6c8d-5a51-b1f6-ff4794c6cd8d.html)** > > Just about everything that is wrong with public discourse in America was on display last Friday (Jan. 18) in a chance encounter in Washington, D.C., among students from a Kentucky > [@](#): > > Just about everything that is wrong with public discourse in America was on display last Friday (Jan. 18) in a chance encounter in Washington, D.C., among students from a Kentucky Catholic high school, a gathering of American Indians and a group called the Black Hebrew Israelites. > > A confluence of politics, race, religion and age mixed with the debate over abortion, immigration, indigenous peoples rights and President Donald Trump played out in front of cellphone cameras recording videos for posting to social media. What could go wrong? > More than a week later, people are still debating what happened and why. > > The only area of wide agreement is that “the media” has made it worse and that we all would be better served by taking a breath before hitting the Twitter button. (Including me.) ---
**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 30, 2019, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/68 "2019-01-30T00:08:58Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > The Covington kids were entirely innocent victims of abuse by others. Nothing in the video shows them saying anything racist or doing anything aggressive or threatening. What about the segment of video that shows the kids doing the tomahawk chop? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/69 "2019-01-30T00:11:32Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > But then to have themselves vilified by social media and egged on by some members of the press? Just imagine the consequences if that longer video hadn’t surfaced. These kids would be up shit creek without a paddle or a boat. > > Some kind of civil restitution is needed. It doesn’t have to be a large sum. At least show these students there’s civil consequences and penalties for what the press and social media did. I’m all for victims getting compensation. Who, exactly, do you think should pay them some kind of restitution? Maybe their school? > [@](#): > > In a statement, the Diocese of Covington and Covington Catholic High School condemned the behavior by the students and extended their “deepest apologies” to the elder, as well as to Native Americans in general. “This behavior is opposed to the Church’s teachings on the dignity and respect of the human person,” the statement said. ---
**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 30, 2019, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/70 "2019-01-30T00:28:13Z")
This thread has already discussed who can be found at fault. Lawsuits will have to be filed against several publishers. The attorneys representing the families can try to get a small settlement. Sadly, there seems to be no way to hold social media responsible. There’s too many user accounts and some probably aren’t even based in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/71 "2019-01-30T00:41:23Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > This thread has already discussed who can be found at fault. Lawsuits will have to be filed against several publishers. The attorneys representing the families can try to get a small settlement. Well, perhaps they can. In my experience publishers don’t pay “small settlements” without a big fight. The New York Times has good lawyers and probably would fight out of principle rather than pay a small settlement to kids without quantifiable harm. On the other hand, you never know. Litigation is hard to predict. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/72 "2019-01-30T06:29:45Z")
> [@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. > > 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. I doubt they would prevail against the media outlets. The story initially was that people on social media were reporting, and had video to support, that a group of entitled kids were surrounding and mocking a Native American veteran. The media was covering _that_ story. It was only later that they full video surfaced, > [@aceplace57](#): > > It seems unlikely this case will ever go to trial. > > A small settlement to make it go away seems most likely. Imho Agreed, > [@AK84](#): > > They can however sue the publications which carried the story. Well of course anyone can sue anyone for anything in the good old US of A, but prevailing is another story. > [@hajario](#): > > Yes. And they could sue me too. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/73 "2019-01-30T16:23:40Z")
> [@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. > > 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. Few cases like this are on contingency. I couldn’t tell you whether or not this particular one is, but I would strongly doubt it. Lawyers only really like to take contingency cases when there is actually a good chance of a good payout. I doubt that he would risk his bar license by submitting a truly frivolous lawsuit, but if he is being paid, he would be more than happy to file a fairly questionable one. > [@Loach](#): > > I must know a lot of rich people then. That is quite likely. > [@aceplace57](#): > > What’s being overlooked is this was a school field trip. I’d guess everyone reading this article had them beginning in elementary school. > > I remember several of mine and thankfully they were very informative and positive experiences. > > This school sent students to visit the MLK memorial and I’d assume the other memorials on the National Mall. Hopefully they were taught about the Civil Rights movement and Dr King’s contributions. That’s what I’d expect from a school field trip on the MLK holiday. Right, except that what you said there was entirely incorrect. They were not there on a field trip to visit the MLK memorial, they were there to protest against legal abortion. What you expect, and what actually happened are two entirely different things. > [@](#): > > They were victimized first by the Black Hebrew Israelites shouting the vilest curses and slurs imaginable, and then confused by a Native American activist & his non-stop drumming? > > I’m sure the students felt like they followed Alice down the rabbit hole. Fair enough, there’s a life lesson in this experience too. > > But then to have themselves vilified by social media and egged on by some members of the press? Just imagine the consequences if that longer video hadn’t surfaced. These kids would be up shit creek without a paddle or a boat. > > Some kind of civil restitution is needed. It doesn’t have to be a large sum. At least show these students there’s civil consequences and penalties for what the press and social media did. > [Catholic kids in MAGA hats and everything wrong with the media](https://www.nola.com/national_politics/2019/01/catholic-kids-in-maga-hats-and-everything-wrong-with-the-media.html) You mean, show them that there are consequences for free speech? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/74 "2019-01-30T16:30:13Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > This school sent students to visit the MLK memorial and I’d assume the other memorials on the National Mall. Hopefully they were taught about the Civil Rights movement and Dr King’s contributions. That’s what I’d expect from a school field trip on the MLK holiday. Where do you get ideas like this? ---
**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 30, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/75 "2019-01-30T18:21:05Z")
I’m pretty sure that’s what I heard reported. They were there for MLK weekend. School field trips are pretty standard. There’s some educational value and the real world experience makes it more interesting. My public school couldn’t send us very far but the trips left lasting memories. I’ve never heard of a school sending students to a protest. Schools are supposed to educate. I’ll look through the news articles again. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/76 "2019-01-30T18:26:52Z")
You are correct that the timing of the trip coincided with MLK weekend. But you were wrong to conclude that they were there to see the memorials. They were in fact there to participate in the [March for Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_for_Life_(Washington,_D.C.)) and _against_ safe, legal abortions. They were absolutely sent there by their Catholic school to protest. You need to find better, more accurate media sources. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/77 "2019-01-30T18:28:56Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’ve never heard of a school sending students to a protest. Schools are supposed to educate. Protests can be educational. While I don’t share the goals of this particular protest, if they wanted to send a group to protest Trump, I’d be fine with that. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/78 "2019-01-30T18:31:09Z")
No school should send its students to participate in _any_ protest, given that they’re not all going to agree on whatever the issue is. If students want to protest and organize participation on their own, that’s fine. But they shouldn’t be sent by the school. ---
**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 30, 2019, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/79 "2019-01-30T18:36:09Z")
I just looked at other news articles. Apparently they were there to protest I stand corrected. My focus was on the video of what happened and Sandman’s interview. Schools around here try to offer a balanced education. It’s not their place to take strong political positions in high school. Protests are an individual choice and action. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520/80 "2019-01-30T18:40:32Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > This argument would be less absurdly laughable if the term didn’t implicitly exclude conservative sources. But it does, so the argument is absurdly laughable on the face of it. > > And even if all mainstream news media _was_ discredited, it’s still a stupid phrase that makes everyone who uses it look stupid. Exactly how does the term “lame stream media” exclude conservative sources? Who told you to say that? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-hat-kid-hires-fancy-lawyer/828520.md?page=5)