# You knew it was coming... (tsunami lawsuit) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 16, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432 "2005-02-16T22:07:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/21 "2005-02-18T00:41:32Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Oh, you’re right. I was getting CA mixed up with South Dakota. I had forgotten which state had a pile of shithead lawsuits. By your vitriol, I assume you’re one of them? If so, point proven. > > Here, have a bite of this, Miss Pissy. :rolleyes: Stop being your usual dumbfuck self, Duffer. You, as always, have overgeneralized and made yourself look like your usual ass self. Now, dirtfarmer, Since California is one of the largest states, has one of the largest populations in the US, and has the 4th largest economy in the WORLD, you can expect that there would be more lawsuits-frivolous or not. Since the median income level(and intelligence, if you are any sort of barometer), the size of the economy, the size of the population of lawyers and the size of the population of nutcase wanksters is much smaller in Dirtfarmerville, SD, you can expect many less lawsuits. So have a bite of this, Mistuh Pissy :rolleyes: Nothing worse than someone who runs around and generalizes on an entire population based on how many lawyers and lawsuits there are… Sam ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/22 "2005-02-18T01:02:38Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > Nothing worse than someone who runs around and generalizes on an entire population based on how many lawyers and lawsuits there are… > > Sam Oh yea, the goddamn Holocaust pales in comparison… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/23 "2005-02-18T01:26:03Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > Now, dirtfarmer Huh? Where the fuck do you get off? “My usual dumbfuck self”? I’ve seen plenty of drivel you’ve posted here, tough guy. Back away. So now we can’t make comaprisons to professions based on what state we’re talking about? Fucking douche. You really won this one. :rolleyes: BTW, when the lawyer files, guess what official decides if the case has merit to go to the next step? Don’t hurt yourself, I’ll let you know. It’s a judge. But since judges were once lawyers, we also have to take into account what someone’s previous job was if it’s in the same field. Right? God you’re worthless sometimes. Fuck you. ---
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/24 "2005-02-18T02:19:11Z")
The lawyers, WON’T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE LAWYERS!? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/25 "2005-02-18T03:06:24Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Huh? The quintessential **duffer** response. The rest is, as always, feckless twaddle. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/26 "2005-02-18T03:38:16Z")
If duffer’s posts had even the eensiest bit of feck, we’d be much better off. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/27 "2005-02-18T04:28:13Z")
While I’m more than happy to join the chorus of folks crying, “Asshat!” I’d like to point out that if the lawyer can uncover _any_ evidence of a credible official saying (even casually), “You know, we should really think about building a tsunami dectection network in the Indian Ocean.” He’s got 'em. ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/28 "2005-02-18T04:44:29Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > While I’m more than happy to join the chorus of folks crying, “Asshat!” I’d like to point out that if the lawyer can uncover _any_ evidence of a credible official saying (even casually), “You know, we should really think about building a tsunami dectection network in the Indian Ocean.” He’s got 'em. Why? Even if the US had a tsunami detection system fully in place, the US Government doesn’t owe a warning to a bunch of French and German tourists in Thailand. Sure, it would be a rotten thing to withhold one on purpose, but that doesn’t make it actionable in court. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/29 "2005-02-18T04:55:33Z")
> [@zev\_steinhardt](#): > > Why? Even if the US had a tsunami detection system fully in place, the US Government doesn’t owe a warning to a bunch of French and German tourists in Thailand. Sure, it would be a rotten thing to withhold one on purpose, but that doesn’t make it actionable in court. > > Zev Steinhardt Ah, but the standards for civil and criminal prosecution are _waaaay_ different. This ambulance chaser’s after money, not justice, so he’s not going to try and get them for criminal negligence, he’s going to make it a civil trial, one filled with endless video clips of children being swept away or found dead, hours and hours of peopel testifying to the horrors they had to endure. He’s going to play on the jury’s heart strings and hope for a big cash settlement. Remember the cops that beat Rodney King won in criminal court (and so did OJ), but lost in civil court (just like OJ). ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/30 "2005-02-18T06:01:34Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > While I’m more than happy to join the chorus of folks crying, “Asshat!” I’d like to point out that if the lawyer can uncover _any_ evidence of a credible official saying (even casually), “You know, we should really think about building a tsunami dectection network in the Indian Ocean.” He’s got 'em. How do you see this as relevant? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/31 "2005-02-18T06:13:16Z")
I thought it was a German lawyer commencing an action in New York to preserve evidence. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/32 "2005-02-18T06:55:28Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > While I’m more than happy to join the chorus of folks crying, “Asshat!” I’d like to point out that if the lawyer can uncover _any_ evidence of a credible official saying (even casually), “You know, we should really think about building a tsunami dectection network in the Indian Ocean.” He’s got 'em. We ran around on this one in a previous thread. Those countries surrounding the Indian Ocean value a cyclone/monsoon detection and monitoring system instead of a tsunami detection system because of the higher frequency (and loss of life) of the storms. ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/33 "2005-02-18T14:49:44Z")
The main thing I’m curious about is why does the U.S. have jurisdiction and venue? Are they suing on behalf of any U.S. victims? Do any of the Defendants have their headquarters in New York? ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/34 "2005-02-18T15:45:27Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > Remember the cops that beat Rodney King won in criminal court (and so did OJ), but lost in civil court (just like OJ). Nope, they won in local criminal court, but lost in federal criminal court on civil rights violations grounds. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/35 "2005-02-18T20:58:41Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > While I’m more than happy to join the chorus of folks crying, “Asshat!” I’d like to point out that if the lawyer can uncover _any_ evidence of a credible official saying (even casually), “You know, we should really think about building a tsunami dectection network in the Indian Ocean.” He’s got 'em. I’d have to disagree. If the President said that, he’d be most likely to be able to just sign off on the money being used somehow. If it was a member of Congress, that person could introduce a bill to fund it, putting it up for vote. If a Cabinet member proposed it, it would have to find sponsorship in Congress to be even considered. If Joe Dokes in Maine proposed it, well, it would probably be posted here. And with the right lawyer (i.e. one with a pulse) you could argue that the person only suggested _thinking_ about building it. Not actually building it. Though, I understand what you’re saying with regards to arguing law these days. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/36 "2005-02-18T21:01:54Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > If this pit isn’t one that everyone can agree on, I don’t know what it would take. Live and learn I guess. :smack: ---
**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:** [February 18, 2005, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/37 "2005-02-18T21:23:18Z")
**duffer** , with no rancor, please look through this thread and figure out which post was the first that included any partisan sniping. Please figure out whether that sniping was necessary. Please decide whether people were appropriate to jump on that sniping and declaim it. I’m also wondering how this lawyer has standing. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/38 "2005-02-18T21:50:32Z")
**LHoD** , I know exactly what started it, it was quoted for me. The quote used, however wasn’t a swipe at all lawyers in CA. I’d hardly lump together Marcia Clark and Johnnie Cochran. It was an off-handed dig at certain courts in the state. As well as the liklihood of certain areas of the state where this would be taken as a legit case. Not my fault some are hyper-sensitive. That’s life. Especially amongst open-minded and tolerant people. BTW, my self-quote post was referring to my thought of one pit thread where everyone would agree, barring convoluted arguments, that the lawyer filing the suit was an assbag. Hence the self inflicted headache-by-smack. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2005, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/39 "2005-02-18T22:26:09Z")
“Left Coast”? Maybe people are hypersensitive, but this was: a) a partisan dig; and b) completely irrelevant to the thread; and c) something you’ve done before. May I suggest a new guideline for yourself? Never be the first person to make a partisan dig in a thread. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/40 "2005-02-18T22:56:12Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > “Left Coast”? Maybe people are hypersensitive, but this was: > a) a partisan dig; and > b) completely irrelevant to the thread; and > c) something you’ve done before. > > May I suggest a new guideline for yourself? Never be the first person to make a partisan dig in a thread. > > Daniel Fine I’ll wait for yours. Are you done? Can we get back to the OP? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432.md?page=3)