If someone sells me a 25 cent piece of gum and tells me it’s sugar-free, and it contains sugar, they’ve committed a crime.
If someone prints an article in the paper full of lies about me that damage my reputation, I can sue them for libel.
But these fucking politicians, their campaigns, their proxies, and assholes like slick-boat veteran John O’Neal are allowed to print, say, and perpetuate the most egregious lies with impunity.
And we’re talking about a Presidential election. We’re talking about the democratic process. What could be more damaging to the public than spreading lies which affect people’s decisions, which influence their ability to exercise one of their most precious rights as citizens?
The damage is enormous.
Why can’t we sue these motherfuckers? Why can’t we put them in jail? If everyone who – either knowingly or through reckless disregard – printed substantive lies about a political candidate in newspapers or magazines, or who lied about opposition candidates at campaign rallies, or who told lies on TV were successfully sued or (better yet) slapped with criminal charges for crimes against the public, we’d all be better off.
False advertising claim. Might be able to get them for violation of nutritional labeling requirements, maybe even endangerment if I’m diabetic. Guidelines for claims such as “sugar free”, “low fat”, even “reduced fat” are very specific and quantified in the US.
Granted, I would recover at most 25 cents if I decided to sue. In real terms, I wouldn’t even get that b/c no lawyer would take it. And my chances of finding anyone to prosecute criminally are about nil. But still, it can’t legally be done.
I don’t know that it’s illegal to lie about a political opponent.
One important difference b/t this and the Kerry/Bush thread – I think the public should be able to sue or charge, on the grounds that we are damaged by the lies.
Yes, they are. But are actions that violate these guidelines crimes?
Sure - but please notice I drew a distinction between torts and crimes. I never suggested in that thread that there were potential criminal liabilities afoot. Nor did I suggest that the general public somehow has standing to sue. Bush is damaged by Burkett’s lies, and he should sue. Kerry is damaged by O’Neill’s lies, and he should sue. That was the extent of my thesis.