Slashdot Mirror
Lawyer Who Subpoenaed Blogger Seidel Sanctioned
Zathras26 writes "Slashdot has previously reported on a lawyer subpoenaing Kathleen Seidel for blogging about him in an unflattering light. Seidel successfully moved to quash the subpoena. In granting the motion to quash, the judge ordered the lawyer, Clifford Shoemaker, to show cause as to why he should not be sanctioned for his behavior. Whatever his response was, if any, it apparently wasn't good enough, because Shoemaker has been formally sanctioned for his actions."
Is it me or are judges starting to "fight back" a bit? IANAL but I thought sactions were relatively rare and I've hear them used as threats or even imposed quite a bit as of late. Perhaps instead certain attorneys are getting more ballsy as they see their RIAA friends getting away with quite a bit?
In any event, it's a step in the right direction and pleased to read about it.
That's just my POV... no more, no less.
....a slap for this. I've got friends who have aspergers (one of them a really talented and succuesful IT professional), and a cousin with autism. Its a really hard thing to deal with for families and all concerned, he's "lucky" because he's got it light. To raise a child with autism takes guts and commitment, I take my hat off to her. Furthermore, to take a stand against crackpots while juggling your own domestic issues is admirable, and certainly doesn't deserve a legal slap in the face for trying to a) educate people through her blog and b)debunk crackpot theories that only seek to gain monetary gain through litigation and not practical solutions. I think this lawyer has watched to many movies and wants to get a sex change. Its a shame this woman had to go through this kind of shit in the first place. Makes me glad that frivolous litigation has reached such absurd levels in Australia yet.
War is the statesman's game, the priest's delight, the lawyer's jest, the hired assassin's trade.- Shelley
One law for them. Another for the rest of us. Don't forget it.
May the Maths Be with you!
. . . will just use it as an opportunity to learn new unethical tricks. I'm sure he'll be fastidiously taking notes, not doodling.
This lawyer's actions are deserving of sanctions. Ms. Seidel's motion to quash was extremely well written and I am very happy that a judge was able to see through this BS.
Especially if you make up your own reality to reinforce your cynicism.
So, the court upholds the constitutional guarantee of free speech. But... only if the speech is against people.
This is not a joke: In 13 states, you do not have the right of free speech if you talk about food.
Read about food libel laws. Say anything you like about people, but don't libel food!
Don't read this, if you live in these states: Citizens of Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, you may not read the next paragraph:
Large amounts of caffeine have an effect on the human central nervous system that many people consider to be unhealthy. In my opinion, it is better to avoid caffeine. That means avoiding soft drinks with caffeine, and avoiding coffee unless it is de-caffeinated.
Citizens of those states, resume reading. If you care for yourself, you will care for your government. Read the many, many books about government corruption in the United States. Take some action against abusiveness.
More stories about your loss of the right to free speech:
Talk Show Host Gets First Taste of Food Disparagement Laws
Food disparagement laws: A threat to us all.
Food Fights
Food Fight - food disparagement laws fought by Center for Science in the Public Interest's FoodSpeak Coalition project