An object lesson in how libel law actually works (i.e., it serves the rich and powerful with balm for their wounded fee-fees).Sometimes lawyers who represent POPULAR clients should be shamed. Example: the lawyers who represented Carl Sagan in the “Butt-Head Astronomer” case should still be shamed today, a quarter-century later. They should be swirlied. https://t.co/OVa7UEoEMi
— WokeMeansYouLoseHat (@Popehat) August 9, 2021
And yes, disciplinary options for butt-headed lawyers should include swirlies. Let the punishment fit the crime.
I assume I'd be protected from such a Sagan lawsuit by the "lack of deep pockets so no percentage in suing" principle.
ReplyDeleteI have seen libel law work, though I'd have to look it up, as I recall a teacher at the U of Maine sued one of the bigger newspapers in the state and won. I don't now if that had some role in the paper actually greatly improving from what it was then. I have cited them when I'd never have trusted them back then.