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Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC[W:17]

Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Calling someone a name is protected by the Constitution. I didn't think the Constitution granted anyone the right to put someone's life in jeopardy.

Are you comparing what MSNBC did to Zimmerman to Limbaugh calling someone a name?

For the record it was MSNBC where this happened, it happened on the Today Show on NBC. Zimmerman saw the deep pockets, so he thought could get rich and the judge felt differently. I am not sure he deserved anything, I don't see where he was harmed. His conduct since the trial has hurt him more than anything else.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

For the record it was MSNBC where this happened, it happened on the Today Show on NBC. Zimmerman saw the deep pockets, so he thought could get rich and the judge felt differently. I am not sure he deserved anything, I don't see where he was harmed. His conduct since the trial has hurt him more than anything else.

Sorry I know it was NBC. I forgot it was the Today Show,

I don't know...I think slander & libel are pretty nasty crimes. Celebrities sue rags all the time - and win. Why can't he sue for slander?
 
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Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Sorry I know it was NBC. I think it was the Today Show?

I don't know...I think slander & libel are pretty nasty crimes. Celebrities sue rags all the time - and win. Why can't he sue for slander?

Intent. Did whoever was working for NBC intentionally edit the tape to make Zimmerman look bad? If you can't prove that in the positive, then you don't have a slander case.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Did anyone say "go kill him" or did they just imply that he was guilty of a crime? The first is wrong, the second is protected speech.

His claim was that they "intentionally inflicted emotional distress" by implying that he used a racial epithet. That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?

Not a stretch. They intentionally altered the 911 tape to make Zimmerman appear to be something he wasn't. That put his life in danger.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Intent. Did whoever was working for NBC intentionally edit the tape to make Zimmerman look bad? If you can't prove that in the positive, then you don't have a slander case.

I know what the judge said.

So do you think the tape was accidentally edited?
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

I know what the judge said.

So do you think the tape was accidentally edited?

It was obviously edited on purpose; however, was it edited with malicious intent, or for time, or something else?
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

It was obviously edited on purpose; however, was it edited with malicious intent, or for time, or something else?

I couldn't answer that. I wasn't the one who did it (thank goodness). Edited for time? Maybe. Something else? Maybe. Like malice.

The burden of proof was on him. I'm not saying she legally made a bad decision. I'm saying that NBC should be held accountable. You could make the case in most examples that we don't know what was going through someone's mind.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

His claim was that they "intentionally inflicted emotional distress" by implying that he used a racial epithet. That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?

I don't think so. They purposely edited the 911 call in order to make it appear that the 911 operator never asked for a description of the skin color of Trayvon. They did this in the attempt to portray Zimmerman as a racist. Just like the rest of the media that sided with Trayvon tried to use all the 911 calls that Z had made since he lived in that area as only calling on black people, despite the fact that he had also called on other races also. The media, includeing NBC or whatever it is tried time and again to portray Zimmerman as racist. So much so that it riled the Black Panthers up enough to offer a reward for Zimmermans capture, dead or alive.

I well and truely believe that the Media should be utterly ashamed of itself for how they handled this whole thing.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

So because the guy "voluntarily interjected" his views into the controversy? What was he suppose to do go place his head in stockaid at the town square and STFU? How did he ever make himself a public figure "long before the shooting?" I never heard of him before the shooting? Maybe they had in FL IDK. I can't say as I agree with this summary judgement since NBC went out of its way to edit the 911 tapes and make him look like a racist biggot - I mean they fired people over so are they going to file a law suit to get their jobs back now? Something is fishy as hell in Sanford court rooms.

I hope it's appealed. Really??? When he protested he made himself a public figure so people can defame him with impunity? Really?? Gads.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

I couldn't answer that. I wasn't the one who did it (thank goodness). Edited for time? Maybe. Something else? Maybe. Like malice.

The burden of proof was on him. I'm not saying she legally made a bad decision. I'm saying that NBC should be held accountable. You could make the case in most examples that we don't know what was going through someone's mind.

Precisely, which is why the case was thrown out.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

So because the guy "voluntarily interjected" his views into the controversy? What was he suppose to do go place his head in stockaid at the town square and STFU? How did he ever make himself a public figure "long before the shooting?" I never heard of him before the shooting? Maybe they had in FL IDK. I can't say as I agree with this summary judgement since NBC went out of its way to edit the 911 tapes and make him look like a racist biggot - I mean they fired people over so are they going to file a law suit to get their jobs back now? Something is fishy as hell in Sanford court rooms.

It is not uncommon for a media outlet to fire someone over a bad screwup, even if there isn't malicious intent, which must be present in order for a slander or libel suit to stick.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

I don't disagree with what you wrote, and I don't think Zimmerman was known well enough to slander. To be honest their malicious intent was against White Male Adults with a firearm.

It is not uncommon for a media outlet to fire someone over a bad screwup, even if there isn't malicious intent, which must be present in order for a slander or libel suit to stick.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

I don't disagree with what you wrote, and I don't think Zimmerman was known well enough to slander. To be honest their malicious intent was against White Male Adults with a firearm.

Okay. :roll:
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

:naughty
No. It was a piss poor Judge making piss poor decisions.


Like I said. Read the following for further analysis.
George Zimmerman | Judge Debra Nelson | Libel Suit Dismissed
And read the comments.

The "analysis" is heavily biased garbage, and the comments are not a valid source.

That said, the "limited public figure" argument doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

The "analysis" is heavily biased garbage,
No it really isn't.


and the comments are not a valid source.
No it really isn't.
The comments contain an assertion from the author of the review. 15 days for discovery?
Yeah, piss poor Judge making piss poor decisions.


That said, the "limited public figure" argument doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense.
:applaud
Well there is that.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

I always felt that the unedited tape was more incriminating than the Today show edited tape was.
It seemed to me more like NBC was trying to protect Zimmerman from what he actually said.
maybe the judge heard it the same way.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

I don't think so. They purposely edited the 911 call in order to make it appear that the 911 operator never asked for a description of the skin color of Trayvon. They did this in the attempt to portray Zimmerman as a racist. Just like the rest of the media that sided with Trayvon tried to use all the 911 calls that Z had made since he lived in that area as only calling on black people, despite the fact that he had also called on other races also. The media, includeing NBC or whatever it is tried time and again to portray Zimmerman as racist. So much so that it riled the Black Panthers up enough to offer a reward for Zimmermans capture, dead or alive.

I well and truely believe that the Media should be utterly ashamed of itself for how they handled this whole thing.

Ashamed sure. I'd agree with that. However, making that into "libel" or "putting his life in danger?" C'mon....they're not responsible for the actions of the Black Panthers.


Has anyone else noticed how often this guy fears that his life is in danger?
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Ashamed sure. I'd agree with that. However, making that into "libel" or "putting his life in danger?" C'mon....they're not responsible for the actions of the Black Panthers.

You're right, they're not responsible for the Black Panthers actions. But they are responsible for the words and or actions that they use that may spur people into action.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

I wonder what's in it for the judge to make this bull**** decision.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

You're right, they're not responsible for the Black Panthers actions. But they are responsible for the words and or actions that they use that may spur people into action.

No they're not.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

No they're not.

Yes, they are. Everyone is responsible for their own words and actions. Doesn't matter if its Zimmerman, Obama, Bush, or King Tut. EVERYONE is responsible for their own words and actions. There's a reason that the Pen is Mightier than the Sword. Words can bring about peace or war far quicker than a single gun shot.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

At what point does it stop? If certain commentators call Sandra Fluke a whore, are they responsible? Or is that different?

Truth is an absolute defense. ;)
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Am I the only one who's noticed that many of the people wailing about this judges decision are the same people who point to a judge's decision to argue that Zimmerman was not guilty of committing any crime?

I point to a jury's decision.
 
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