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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG>Libel & Freedom of Speech</STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Since <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Gary</st1:place></st1:City> was concerned about my recent discussion in the philosophy of law, I wanted to make some further clarifications, in case you are at all interested:</P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">As I have watched the difficulties related to freedom of speech on the internet compound over the last couple years, which has included actual cases of successful and unsuccessful litigation, I have grown fairly confident that law suits should and will increase over the next few years; this will likely help set better standards for casual, public speech.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The internet is a new medium that both law and informal custom is still trying to catch up with.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Vision 2020, as many have already noted, at times captures the problem well--particularly since it is a local, small community group.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the case of libel however, where *malice, repetitiveness, and obtusely intentional falsehood* is of greatest concern (as far as I can tell thus far), in my opinion almost no one who writes to Vision 2020 would I think attract fruitful legal action; and this goes for J Ford too, who I take generally believes the things she says about others. I also do not think that J Ford’s primary interest is simply causing harm. Of course, a successful law suit would I think help us all understand the importance of protecting each other’s reputations. Libel causes real harm and it needs to be dealt with more than it currently is on the internet—in my humble opinion.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Thanks</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Michael Metzler </P></DIV><BR>
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