Should progressives...

[Standing Wolf]

I think I addressed that already.

I disagree that suggesting violence is attributed to Trump's election, directly, doesn't approach libel.

And as I already stated, I don't expect this trend to lessen, I think it's going to get radically worse.

And again... hence the poll.

I think your hypothetical broadening of the legal definitions of actionable slander and libel comes very, very close to an un-Constitutional restriction of free speech.

Were I to write or publish an op-ed piece suggesting that President Obama's public statements were responsible for an increase in the shootings of police officers, might I be guilty of treason, given this expanded "understanding" of what constitutes libel?

[Captain Obvious]

I think your hypothetical broadening of the legal definitions of actionable slander and libel comes very, very close to an un-Constitutional restriction of free speech.

Were I to write or publish an op-ed piece suggesting that President Obama's public statements were responsible for an increase in the shootings of police officers, might I be guilty of treason, given this expanded "understanding" of what constitutes libel?

The slander and libel point was to suggest that we as a society frown on damaging, false comments. I think you're hanging up on that a bit.

When published articles are designed to wrongly defame a president then I think my point is clearer.

And no, I have no evidence of that yet. The point is hypothetical for now but a possibility IMO.

[AeonPax]

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#1 - One of the things you learn well in journalism school, the number one defense against libel and slander is the truth or more exactly; the facts. #2 - Supreme Court decisions make it extremely difficult for a public figure – especially anyone running for public office – to win a libel case even if what is said about them is false.

[Captain Obvious]

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#1 - One of the things you learn well in journalism school, the number one defense against libel and slander is the truth or more exactly; the facts. #2 - Supreme Court decisions make it extremely difficult for a public figure – especially anyone running for public office – to win a libel case even if what is said about them is false.

The point of the OP isn't libel or slander, I only used them as a side point.

[AeonPax]

The point of the OP isn't libel or slander, I only used them as a side point.

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You'd have to prove they are lying first even before considering treason. Considering the level of proof and scrutiny required on a libel/slander suit, a possible violation of 18 U.S. Code § 2381 - Treason, stretches the concept of what is hypothetical.

[Peter1469]

Gridlock is good. We have enough laws.

[FindersKeepers]

I vote 'no' because Progressives, as confused and deluded as I believe they are, think they're doing the right thing. They pulled us way to the Left and now we're shifting back to the Right. Hopefully, not tooooooo far to the Right.

We need balance, moderation and compromise.

[Common]

So, just to make sure I understand - you're including in your hypothetical proposal things written on an Internet discussion board? Not just public statements in the MSM or popular blog sites?

Okay. If that's the case, what have your fellow members on this board written that you think might be the basis for a slander or libel suit?

Asking for quotes is always difficult, what someone heard someone say on MSNBC a month ago sticks as a lie but many times cant be perfectly re iterated.

The left pundits and media have a penchant for lieing stretching the truth and reporting garbage. I think Capt O was referring more to public progressives than individuals.

When I leaned more left I found the right to not be nearly as lieing and fabricating as the left. Maybe they just have more material to draw from

[Common]

We all know the things Trump said during the campaign - even if some of us don't like to acknowledge them. They are public record. The article you cited notes that, and also documents the sudden and dramatic increase in crimes related to hatred against the very minorities Trump's rhetoric targeted. What, exactly, does the article contain that could not be proven true in fifteen minutes on any decent Internet search engine?

Do you also remember what hillary and her minions said during the campaign ?

[Amadeus]

I voted yes. I think Trump should absolutely try to prosecute progressives for treason, just as he should fulfill his campaign promise and sue his sexual assault accusers. I would LOVE to see this go to court. Please make it happen.