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From: campbell@maynard.UUCP
Newsgroups: mod.politics
Subject: Re: First Amendment, RIP
Message-ID: <12233149572.32.MCGREW@RED.RUTGERS.EDU>
Date: Sat, 23-Aug-86 14:17:36 EDT
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Posted: Sat Aug 23 14:17:36 1986
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kfl%mx.lcs.mit.edu@mc.lcs.mit.edu writes:

>  Hustler Magazine has been found liable for $200,000 for publishing
>a fake interview with Jerry Falwell.  The magazine pointed out that
>the interview was obviously fake and that nobody had been misled by
>it.  The court and Falwell conceded that this was a sufficient 
>defense against libel.  So how Falwell win his case?  Hustler 
>Magazine has been found liable for 'inflicting emotional distress' on
>Falwell.
>  This is an amazing doctrine!  A whole new exception to the First
>Amendment!  Think of the doors it opens.  Perhaps the administration
>can silence critical journalists because they are causing emotional
>distress to the President.  Perhaps some of the liberals on this list
>will sue me because my arguments cause them emotional distress.  Can
>you think of ANY writing that does not cause SOMEONE emotional
>distress? ...
>                                                             ...Keith

I'm surprised -- I actually agree with Keith 100% on this one.  This
court ruling stinks, and I hope it's appealed and overturned.

Keith's posting went on to defend the tobacco companies's right to
advertise, and again I agree with him.  It is precisely the unpopular
views, even (especially) the repugnant ones, that the First Amendment
was designed to protect.  The case of the neo-Nazis in Skokie Illinios
is another example.  The ACLU lost lots of members for its defense of
their right to march in Skokie.  I contend that those who cancelled
their membership over this were simply hypocrites.

I forgot who said it -- Voltaire? -- but "I may disagree with what you
say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" is an
especially important aphorism to recall these days.
-- 
Larry Campbell                         The Boston Software Works, Inc.
ARPA: campbell%maynard.uucp@harvard.ARPA  120 Fulton Street, Boston MA
UUCP: {alliant,wjh12}!maynard!campbell     (617) 367-6846

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