bbarsh wrote:
This is not a free speech issue, per se. You can say whatever you want. But don't be shocked when your words have consequences. People use the internet as a shield, which they think gives them the ability to say whatever they want about anyone. In a way that is true; just because there is difficulty in tracking said speaker down. But if someone is offended enough and the "speech" is clearly beyond the pale, well, don't be shocked when a process server shows up at your front door.

My guess is that for some of the posters, it is a free speech issue and for other posters it isn't.  I would think it all depends on the comment(s).  If someone is stating an opinion (I think these people are stupid), then I'd say it's free speech.  If they are espousing hate speech (using the "n" word) or inflammatory speech (we should all send them hate mail) or state information as fact which is harmful (they eat babies for breakfast), then that crosses the line for me.  Of course, these are just a few examples.

What makes this case interesting is that the posters are, or were, anonymous, and there were so many postings.  If there had just been one post, there never would have been a post unless the poster were very rich.  But because there are so many posters, it's a worthwhile lawsuit because the potential gain is significant.

Anyway, I like free speech, and even though people say stupid things, I prefer to slowly and carefully consider amendments to that right.  I hope the judge doesn't lump all comments in the same suit, but only punishes those who were truly deserving.  I agree that any comment worth making should be with the understanding that there may be consequences.  

Knives DONT kill people....

PEOPLE kill People....

JohnGaunt wrote:Damn, he's really let himself go . . .

. . .  
** expired/removed eBay auction **

Its from running through all those desserts.............

I think the solution to that might be as simple as learning to drive on the right side of the road.

mbassoc2003 wrote:No. You mean the left.

That driving on the left is not very tourist friendly.

I saw this over on yog-sothoth and immediately thought of Badmike!  

This would make one hell of a high cholesterol summertime bbq treat!!

http://www.bbqaddicts.com/bacon-explosion.html

mbassoc2003 wrote:Keeps them awake.
We've got roundabouts too. It's amazing how many American tourists manage to crash their cars on them. I know they've got them in Europe. I don't remember ever seeing one in Florida. Do they have roundabouts in the US or Canada?

We have small ones in my city.

ShaneG.

mbassoc2003 wrote:Keeps them awake.
We've got roundabouts too. It's amazing how many American tourists manage to crash their cars on them. I know they've got them in Europe. I don't remember ever seeing one in Florida. Do they have roundabouts in the US or Canada?

Here in the US we call them "reach-arounds".

jasonw1239 wrote:I saw this over on yog-sothoth and immediately thought of Badmike!  

This would make one hell of a high cholesterol summertime bbq treat!!

http://www.bbqaddicts.com/bacon-explosion.html

Oh......my......God........

Between that and the bacon/peanut butter sandwiches, I might not make it to Gen Con this year....

Mike B.