Columnist Threatens to Sue Blogger 432
floppy ears writes "Pseudonymous blogger Atrios has been threatened with a subpoena and lawsuit for defamation. Apparently Atrios used a headline 'Diary of a Stalker' in reference to Donald Luskin. In response to the posting, several anonymous commentators made some allegedly libelous statements about Luskin, and now Luskin has hired an attorney and started making threats and demands. The funniest thing is that Luskin has previously referred to himself as a stalker in his own headline: 'We Stalked. He Balked.'."
Slick move yourself (Score:2, Informative)
Free Publicity (Score:4, Informative)
Re:I've read about this controversy. (Score:5, Informative)
So who's the "literal" stalker? I also read the Krugman interview transcript, it seemed pretty clear to me he was using "stalk" in the dictionary sense (follow purposefully and stealthily) not in the legal sense.
Re:What a royal pussy! (Score:5, Informative)
Now, as usual, IANAL, but I'm questioning how atrios can be held accountable for *other* posters' comments, especially when considering the demands of proving actual malice.
Fuck Luskin.
Yes. But ... (Score:1, Informative)
Re:Mod Parent Up (Score:4, Informative)
Luskin's lawsuit is grounded on defamation. I can defame you and be sued for it without publishing anything; e.g., I can just go stand in a crowded public place and tell everyone you are a child molester.
More detail. (Score:5, Informative)
Re:what ever happened... (Score:2, Informative)
It is entirely possible to be a stalker and not commit a crime. No one has suggested that Luskin has violated any of the stalking laws.
However, Luskin does appear to meet the common, non-legal usage of the term: he does appear to be obsessive about Krugman and he does appear to follow everything he does.
Re:Slick move yourself (Score:3, Informative)
Yeah, 'cos American food is just *soo* tasty. Mmm, chewy bland grey steak, yum yum.
Grey? Where did you eat? A properly prepared American steak is red and still twitching.
And Ace Indeed He Is (Score:4, Informative)
See here [blogstreet.com] and here [truthlaidbear.com].