Redditors (and Popehat) Versus a Bus Company

Techdirt explains the strange story of a lawsuit-happy bus company in Illinois which managed to tick off a cadre of determined redditors by calling them uncomplimentary names in the reddit forums. This all started when a bus passenger, Jeremy Leval, reported unsavory behavior by a company employee (telling an exchange student "If you don't understand English, you don't belong at the University of Illinois or any 'American' University.") and said so online. Besides the name calling on reddit, the bus company threatened the forum moderator with libel charges, and over insults posted by the bus company employees which the moderator had deleted. Further, company owner "[Dennis] Toeppen threatened to sue Leval, saying, 'The attorneys for Suburban Express are reviewing this incident with a view towards filing the appropriate legal action against this meddlesome MBA student.'" Attorney Ken White of Popehat got involved, though, and asked with good effect whether the company had fully considered the Streisand Effect. The strangest part? Toeppen's former involvement as a domain squatter.

What Sort Of Outfit Are They Running There?

[rmdingler]

That an intellectual forum of internet posters could degrade to ad hominem attacks instead of reasoned debate.... Is this the /. farm system where we draft our new players from?

Re:Sure...

[Frosty Piss]

So, did anything that matters happen today?

Kentucky Derby. GOD am I wasted...

Public relations checklist

[meta-monkey]

Suburban Express' marketing department should probably update the public relations checklist:

MEMO
TO: All employees, and particularly boss-type in-charge people
SUBJ: Keeping your feet away from your mouths

Before posting on an online forum, sending an email, or communicating with the press, reread your message. Do any of your statements:

• 1) Maybe sounds kinda racisty? (i.e., supports employees who address foreign customers in a derogatory manner) Y/N
• 2) Makes you sound like a cartoon villain (i.e., includes phrases like "this meddlesome MBA student" or "and I would have gotten away with it, too, if it hadn't been for you meddlesome _blanks_ and your _blank_!")? Y/N
• 3) Your response is likely to draw more negative attention to the company than the original complaint did? Y/N

If you circled "Y" on any of these items, please turn off your computer and do not send the message.

Thank you!

~R.P. Choadington, V.P., P.R, H.R., VHS, QVC. esquire