Freedom of speech and constutional rights apply equally to both celebriities and webmasters!
As a public figure, "Nancy Grace" cannot be exempt from public criticism, or from being the subject of satire and parody.
| QUOTE (http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/falwell/sctfalwellvflynt.html) |
| "The fact that society may find speech offensive is not a sufficient reason for suppressing it. Indeed, if it is the speaker's opinion that gives offense, that consequence is a reason for according it constitutional protection. For it is a central tenet of the First Amendment that the government must remain neutral in the marketplace of ideas." |
The same laws that protect Nancy Grace's rabid nightly diatribes also apply to opinions posted here.
While there may be exceptions in cases where satire or parody transcends to extremely malicious personal attacks, the right to criticise such public figures through satire is fundamental and protected under the constutional rights afforded to citizens of most free countries.
Anyone who does not understand the distinction, who thinks that this website seriously advocates or supports murder or crime, has other issues that need to be dealt with outside the legal venue.
If anything, it's quite the opposite which is why I have such a problem with Nancy Grace and her show and her callers and their endless lust to have someone convicted and executed. Then there's that other thing that everyone is afraid to talk about.
The link to trenton's website is on the front page here anyway. Have a look
The comments posted on this forum and on this site are the works of their respective authors.
While we will practise moderate censorship of strong language, we will not censor the opinions expressed in those comments unless they are expressly presented as fact and prove to be false or are intentionaly designed to cause personal distress.
Unless otherwise stated, they are opinions only!
Users posting here and at other sites are NOT associated with the operators of this site in any way!
While I strongly disagree with the practise of users spamming other websites with comments from multiple user names and IP's, we simply cannot take responsibility for what internet users do at other websites.
If your website or blog has been the target of this type of spam, then speak with your administrator or the software developers to find a solution.
I do NOT spam or promote this site anywhere!
Threats of violence against the operators of this site will not be tolerated!
If you can't contain yourself after feeding on your nightly NancyGrace style vengeance and anger buffet, and make these kinds of threats publicly or through private channels, your comments will be forwarded to the appropriate agencies and you should expect a visit from your local law enforcement officials.
Satire rulings and Case Law: Falwell vs Flynt
| QUOTE (http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/falwell/sctfalwellvflynt.html) |
| At the heart of the First Amendment is the recognition of the fundamental importance of the free flow of ideas and opinions on matters of public interest and concern. "The freedom to speak one's mind is not only an aspect of individual liberty -- and thus a good unto itself -- but also is essential to the common quest for truth and the vitality of society as a whole." We have therefore been particularly vigilant to ensure that individual expressions of ideas remain free from governmentally imposed sanctions. The First Amendment recognizes no such thing as a "false" idea. As Justice Holmes wrote, "When men have realized that time has upset many fighting faiths, they may come to believe even more than they believe the very foundations of their own conduct that the ultimate good desired is better reached by free trade in ideas -- that the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market . . . ." |