[Vision2020] Email and Libel

[Thomas Hansen]

Mr. Hoffman:

I did not make that statement that you credited to me.  I was quoting
another subscriber and rebutting his statement.  Suggest that you ensure
that your qotes and credits are more accurate, ok?

Thank you,

Tom Hansen

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Hoffmann [mailto:escape@alt-escape.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 9:11 AM
To: vision2020@moscow.com
Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Email and Libel


At 06:25 PM 6/24/2003 -0700, Tom Hansen wrote:
>"Libel: Published words or pictures that falsely and maliciously defame a
>person. Libel is published defamation; slander is spoken.
>Defamation: That which tends to injure a persons reputation. Libel is
>published defamation, whereas slander is spoken. "

I'm not a lawyer, but here's my understanding of the matter.

To sustain this charge in court, you must prove:

1. The defendant knew that the statements were false (whereas the defendant 
in this case could probably get off with a credible insanity defense)
2. The statements were believed by the public (no sign of that here), and
3. The statements resulted in some injury, damage, or loss to the maligned 
party (again, no sign of that here).

Of course, to sue, it helps if the defendant has property or income, and is 
not, as is the case at hand, a vagrant.


Bob Hoffmann
820 S. Logan St.
Moscow, ID  83843

Tel: 208 883-0642 

_____________________________________________________
 List services made available by First Step Internet, 
 serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.   
               http://www.fsr.net                       
          mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com
ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ