Nov 15
State Rep. Vicki Truitt of Westlake gets kinky in her Capitol office after hours.
As far as I know, this is a false statement. And, under a new bill filed by Ms. Truitt, I could be in big blog trouble for that. Under HB 129, “Internet authors” or “Web loggers” or “Harvey Kronberg” or “Paul Burka” could be sued for libel for publishing defamatory statements. CRAZY LADY SAYS WHAT?!
I vaguely recall learning about libel and slander and what fun it could be when I was in grad school. I remember that libel is something that is written, and slander is something that is oral, and since I’m not that kind of girl, I would most likely be libeling. For example, if I called Speaker Craddick a communist on this blog, even though I know he’s really a Republican, and my heart is full of malice for him, that could be libel.
If someone successfully sues me for making a knowingly false statement (do I do that?), I could be forced to remove the statement in question BY COURT ORDER. Seriously? I’ve been waiting for my day in court where I could be judged by a jury of my peers. Bring it.
The good news is that the bill would only apply to defamatory statements on or after the effective date, which would be September 1, 2007. So, until then, I will be defaming to my heart’s content.
Who’s with me?
The trackback URL is here.
Why would anyone read blogs if they are held to some sort of “standard”?
Pink Lady,
In anticipation of this bill passing I think you should dedicate all posts after Sept. 1, 2007 to making fun of Vicki Truitt’s absurdly big hair.
It would NOT be a false statement, so I think you’d be covered. (But check with the ITPT legal staff first, just in case).
Not sure what this bill adds, though I’m no expert on lbel law. Libel law already applies to the ‘internets’, and I would be very surprised if you couldn’t get an order to remove libelous statements already…
http://gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com
I know libel law fairly well and this does nothing substantive except give Vicki Truitt a platform to criticize blogs. Also, Craddick is a “public figure” under libel law, so you’d have to do a lot more than call him a Communist to libel him.
In the other direction, Rep. Peña last session suggested a shield law that would apply to bloggers, and may do so again.
You’ve gotta think it’d be a bad long-term strategic move for Rs to make free speech for bloggers a partisan issue, with them on the anti-speech side, for precisely the reason mentioned by Roaming Gnome.
A jury of your peers? Where you gonna find 12 bloggers that would show up for jury duty at 9 in the morning?
the libelous remark you’re gonna get sued for is saying she is from Westlake. Those Tarrant County people are a proud bunch…or they might just be jealous that they don’t live in Austin or Dallas.
http://www.mcblogger.com
Re: 6. ben
I think it’s the latter… there is definitely an inferiority complex.
I find that it comes from living in the vicinity of so much suck.
http://www.catalinatuvecina.blogspot.com
Hang on… Did Truitt get “kinky” in her office after hours.. or did she get “Kinky” in her office? I was thinking you meant the person, and forgot the caps on the first letter, heh, heh.
Well, if people can be sued for libel for what they write on their blogs, then we truly have become a nation of fascists. Next we will have the Slander Police patroling bars and restaurants.
I’m with you. Defame to yer heart’s content and then some.
Re: 4. Gritsforbreakfast
He’s exactly right, and the chances of a sheid law for bloggers is nil, considering the Rs have consistently blocked attempts to enact sheid laws for journalists.
The operative word for libel is “publish” and it means in any form, paper, electronic, etc…, so her bill is pointless.
I heard she has a penis.
http://www.mcblogger.com
Re: 10. JohnCornyn’sBoxTurtle
IN her or ON her?
http://www.inthepinktexas.com
If I go down, you all are coming with me.
PL, I didn’t get much out of Law School, but I did learn one important concept.
Being “judgement proof.”
No lawyer in the state would take a case suing you. Get a third of your assets? What would that come out to, several cases of pinot?
Keep this high paying blog going, say whatever you want. No worries.
http://austin.metblogs.com/profile.phtml?author=471
Re: 12. Pink Lady
That’s quite a statement of your abilities.
Hey, do double-entrendres count as libel?
Re: 6. ben
Or saying she’s from Dallas just might give her a coronary — such blasphemy!
I saw Vicki Truitt having sexual relations with former state rep and now lobbyist Arlene “She who walks behind the” Wohlegemuth….sue me!
Oh, and is there an exception to the tort reform laws that would allow state reps to recover millions in mental anguish damages for this kind of thing???
Two defenses to libel:
The Truth, and The Funny. Otherwise known as facts and parody.
If either of those are present, it’s not libel.
Bring. On. The. Funny.
Truitt would be a “public figure” too–the standard would apply to any elected official. So she would have a really high standard to meet. Therefore, you can bring it…
Re: 5. treehugger
Jury of her peers…
Plus they would have to have knees that are so skinny, and reservatrol levels that are so high, that they’re off the charts.
/ARE there charts for that kind of stuff?
“I could be forced to remove the statement in question BY COURT ORDER.”
Ahh, the beauty of blogging, they would have to FIND Pink Lady first!
I thought it was Truitt’s predecesor who got caught getting kinky in her office.
Isn’t this all about us making fun of Debbie Riddle last session? Something about her neck and all that skin…
Or was it Delisi with the permanent look of surprise on her face?
Everyone with a Reckless Disregard For The Truth, please raise your hand.
Re: 22. Marie
Does anyone know the reason why she ALWAYS wears a turtle neck? Even during the summer session when it was 100 and something degrees??!!
Someone please inform me.
Re: 25. Roaming Gnome
To hide the circumcision scars.
RE: 26. JCBT
I just laughed my Scotch through my nose.
Re: 17. lurkette
Also, it ain’t braggin’ if it’s true.
Re: 27. Kilty MacPutter
Scotch at 2:00? I am so jealous.
Re: 22. Marie
And her — shudder — glitter jeans. I mean really. Wearing glitter jeans on the floor of the house? The woman has no shame. Or taste.
Re: 29. Don’t Mess w/ Pink
Law school — practicing for the real world. Two or three more of these and I’ll head over to the driving range.
If I am sued, they will have to take the cardboard box I sleep in from my cold, dead hands.
http://dallasprogress.blogspot.com
My two cents:
We should unite in calling this what it is, a waste of time and an abomination of justice
I am compiling a series of link to blogger articles on this asinine topic here:
http://dallasprogress.blogspot.com/2006/11/easy-targets-according-to-many-sources.html
To Rep. Truitt: GAME ON!
Re: 29. Don’t Mess w/ Pink
Come one DMwP you remember law school, right?
/because I don’t. Too many days of Scotch at 2, I’m sure If I remembered I would do so fondly.
//and possibly fondly remember the fondling.
Re: 29. Don’t Mess w/ Pink
Come on DMwP you remember law school, right?
/because I don’t. Too many days of Scotch at 2, I’m sure If I remembered I would do so fondly.
//and possibly fondly remember the fondling.
http://www.inthepinktexas.com/2006/11/21/poster-girl/
[…] Translation? In your face, Vicki Truitt (who used to be a man named Victor, or so I’ve heard, I’m just reprinting that). […]
http://www.inthepinktexas.com/2006/12/06/dont-legislate-us-girl/
[…] Eileen Smith, editor of Austin-based InThePinkTexas.com, ripped into the bill two days later in a post titled “My Other Blog is Yo Mama.” The post now appears on the first page of a Google search for “Vicki Truitt.” […]
http://maadashel.blogspot.com
Passage of this bill is long overdue.
How dare bloggers think they can just say anything about the sick, lying, theiving, sycophantic Bush-suckers who are offending by people chastising them for their wingnut facsist vision for Jeezusland and its people.
How rude of us.
M.H.
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