Protect our Right to Post: ScubaBoard Legal Defense fund
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like I said, speech is only free to a point...I am sure this person's atty notified this forum to remove such postings. ...
Why are you sure? Do you have a source?
Originally Posted by dsimms
I am sure this person's atty notified this forum to remove such postings. The forum could have avoided the lawsuit by removing the neg posts ...
Excuse me? Based on what? If one is to follow what you stated, I could complain your post is negative and it would have to be removed. There is nothing that violated the Terms of Service (ToS) in the thread.
Originally Posted by dsimms
......I am sure this person's atty notified this forum to remove such postings.
It may not go away now since the forum refused to remove
the posts . . .
You make up an assumption and post it as fact in the first statement -- I am sure it is made up because there is nothing of this in the suit -- and then use that false premise to make the second statement . . . .
Originally Posted by dsimms
do not allow people to make such comments, and you will
never have to worry about such a lawsuit...
Good God, sir; are you truly advocating censorship?
Originally Posted by dsimms
like I said, speech is only free to a point...I am sure this person's atty notified this forum to remove such postings. The forum could have
avoided the lawsuit by removing the neg posts, now the forum
is begging people for a bail out that they could have prevented.
since this seems to be a popular forum, you can expect a lawsuit
anytime muchs any slander type posts on xyz company/person, and
when the forum decides to keep the post, then this will become a
lifetime bailout...
and someone made a statement about "do you think it will go away if
the neg posts are removed?"
It may not go away now since the forum refused to remove
the posts, but if they are removed even now, it still can
limit liability of a strong case...what happens if you remove
fuel from a fire? sooner or later it will die down, and go out...
some causes I strongly believe in, this is not one of them
if the forum took action to remove potential slander
comments/posts...sorry, i think this forum owner could
have prevented all this from the get-go...
do not allow people to make such comments, and you will
never have to worry about such a lawsuit...
In your entire statement, every sentence has a logic flaw, from Begging the Question, to Fallacy of Necessity, to Ignoratio Elenchi . . . and many, many others.
Your statements, dsimms, based on your mere assumptions and opinions, but stated as fact, are actually statements that could be construed as libel. Non sequitur.
"Equality of opportunity or equality of outcome?
One is consistent with a free people and the other requires a police state. Pick one." ~Cool Hardware52
I, alone, am responsible for my health and safety, my actions and inactions.
"If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size?" ~Sydney J. Harris
It would be a real tragedy if ScubaBoard were to shift it's emphasis from keeping things friendly to vetting the truth about each and every statement. As it is, the truth can only come out when both sides of the story are told. We leave this discussion to our users to create and for the readers to decide on who is right. Even then, the truth is determined by each individual reader as they interpret what they see as facts, evidences and deceptions.
The only change that we have made, or foresee making is the addition of a few threads discussing the merits of this case by our users and of course the moratorium on moderating any threads having to do with the accusing parties and/or the threads in question.
What is truly at stake here is the ability of the Internet to discuss ANYTHING controversial. We, of course, invite Ms **** to engage us here and tell her side of the story and why she feels that she has to litigate the truth to extinction.
It would be a real tragedy if ScubaBoard were to shift it's emphasis from keeping things friendly to vetting the truth about each and every statement. As it is, the truth can only come out when both sides of the story are told. We leave this discussion to our users to create and for the readers to decide on who is right. Even then, the truth is determined by each individual reader as they interpret what they see as facts, evidences and deceptions.
The only change that we have made, or foresee making is the addition of a few threads discussing the merits of this case by our users and of course the moratorium on moderating any threads having to do with the accusing parties and/or the threads in question.
What is truly at stake here is the ability of the Internet to discuss ANYTHING controversial. We, of course, invite Ms **** to engage us here and tell her side of the story and why she feels that she has to litigate the truth to extinction.
well said NetDoc
one event and three witnesses = four truths
one truth from each witness stated to the best of their ability after it is filtered by their interpretation and experiences
one truth that is devoid of human processing
Thanks to all who help to provide, support and/or defend this wonderful resource. I want you to know that at least in some small way, I got your back.
Okay, done my part, $50.
Or maybe there's more I can do. I stumbled on this topic just today after being a member since before it started. That suggests maybe more could be done to reach other members who may not yet know about this.
I intend to get my "Defender" badge, maybe that will generate some interest. I'm also going to look into changing my sigline to add the "DONATE" button, if that's appropriate. Anyone want to suggest other steps that could be taken to make more members aware of this?
I also want to learn as much as possible about the original posts that triggered the lawsuit, so I can judge for myself based on "just the facts", or as close as possible to that. It seems that would be the best starting place for a discussion on how best to minimize the likelihood of ending up in this situation again. I'm assuming that those posts are still up, and I will be searching them out shortly. It might take a while, but I will also read this thread in its entirety.
I'm late to the game on this one, and not keen on reviewing all 101 pages of posts. That being said, if this is truly a 1st amendment issue, was the ACLU involved?
The signature permissions to allow HTML coding are set by user groups. Regular (non supporting) members do not have the ability to use HTML in their sigs. However, NetDoc set up the user group "Defender" that's available for anyone to join. This group has the necessary permission settings to allow the signature info. Although you do have to join it, it's not necessary for you to chose to be identified as a member of the Defender group for the signature to work. You can modify this using the following link: Modify User Groups
My statement: We will aggressively defend ourselves from this suit and any invasion of privacy.
I won't comment on these subjects (and possibly others):
Which users are being sued.
Suitability of the action against InterMedia Publications.
Specifics of our defense.
A dollar amount of the monies raised.
If you ask me a question and I don't answer it, it probably falls under "other". If you need to verify this, my phone number is (407) 509-0947.
All monies collected and deposited into our Legal defense fund will be used for just this case. We will offer to return any unused portion (if there IS any) and you can accept or reject the offer. To use PayPal or any major CC, just hit any of the "Donate" buttons you see around. If you need to send a check
Currently, there is a moderation moratorium on any and all threads dealing with Maldives Scuba Center, ***** Homes and the complaint leveled against us.
I hope this helps!
Last edited by diversteve; May 6th, 2011 at 01:36 PM.
Reason: updated address
"Equality of opportunity or equality of outcome?
One is consistent with a free people and the other requires a police state. Pick one." ~Cool Hardware52
I, alone, am responsible for my health and safety, my actions and inactions.
"If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size?" ~Sydney J. Harris
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Originally Posted by dsimms
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What if you aren't allowed to state your opinion? 
well said NetDoc 
Spelling errors for the entertainment of the viewer
. I stumbled on this topic just today after being a member since before it started. That suggests maybe more could be done to reach other members who may not yet know about this.
