Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site gladys.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!gladys!dalton
From: dalton@gladys.UUCP (David Dalton)
Newsgroups: net.religion,net.legal,net.misc
Subject: Re: Autodialing Falwell - a different perspective
Message-ID: <233@gladys.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 30-Jan-86 01:32:14 EST
Article-I.D.: gladys.233
Posted: Thu Jan 30 01:32:14 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Feb-86 00:34:46 EST
References: <1225@mtuxo.UUCP> <11434@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> <426@cisden.UUCP>
Organization: SFWN at Tobaccoville, NC
Lines: 30
Xref: watmath net.religion:9135 net.legal:2831 net.misc:9237
Summary: Libel my foot...

In article <426@cisden.UUCP>, john@cisden.UUCP (John Woolley) writes:
> 
> Dare we ask for a reference for this?  If Falwell hasn't in fact advocated
> bombings (and I've sure never seen or heard of him doing it), and if it can
> be proved you actually typed the article that appeared over your signature,
> you could be in a heap-o-trouble, Mr. Pope.

Mr. Pope need not worry about a libel suit. Jerry Falwell would
certainly be considered a "public figure" in a libel case, and he
therefore gives up certain protections that ordinary citizens have.

Mr. Falwell has "thrust himself into the vortex" (a phrase from some
court ruling, I believe) of public affairs. Mr. Falwell speaks out on
controversial political issues.

The founding fathers wanted the people of this country to enjoy the
benefits of free-wheeling debate upon matters of public interest. In
this public arena, overblown rhetoric -- and lies -- are tolerated.
Mr. Falwell tells public lies about people all the time. Therefore he
must endure it when other people tell lies about him. It is extremely
difficult -- as it ought to be -- for controversial figures like Mr.
Falwell to collect damages when the rhetoric goes against him.

I am somewhat resentful of Mr. Woolley's threatening a libel suit in
Mr. Falwell's behalf. No one should be afraid of discussing public
affairs on this network, even if one gets one's facts wrong sometimes.
We are all quite free to say nasty things about our political
leaders.

David Dalton [ihnp4!burl!gladys!dalton]