Friendly advice

[Concerned]

I work as a paralegal for a lawyer in Buchanan County, Virginia. As part of a defamation of character lawsuit, he requested that I puruse and print off any posts relating to the client he represents. As I began to read through the different forums I was astonished at the brutality and maliciousness of the comments and accusations which have been made. I am not familiar with Saltville or anyone there so I really have no reason to be personally concerned with these issues, but I felt the need to enlighten the users of this site as to the possible consequences of cyber-bullying/harrassment. Sites such as these, as well as sites like MySpace and Facebook, are wonderful places to comment, whether positively or negatively, on issues about which individuals are concerned when they are used in a mature and respectful manner, but with the advent of this new technology has also arisen the need for new laws to protect online users, as well as punish those who abuse the system. I highly suggest, prior to defaming or threatening anyone, that you google the laws that apply to cyber-bullying/harrassment. Case in point-a woman from Missouri was charged in the death of a 13-year-old girl for this same crime. She used an alias to degrade and threaten this teenager in a manner that was so horrific that the girl committed suicide. We are using this case as a basis for our research, and to be perfectly honest, the comments this woman made are not nearly as terrible as some of the comments I have read on this site. This mother and professional woman is now facing a possible 20 year jail sentence. The first admendment does provide us with the freedom of speech, however that only goes so far. From what little I have read, it is probable that noone who posts here will care as to their or anyone elses fate, however it might be worth looking into before you are the one on either side of a suit such as the one in Missouri.

[Are you kidding me]

HA HA

SO are you Steve or landons paralegal? Even though you are right and some people make up things and take this site to far. Most of what is being said about the town council, and police department is true. That is why they have been removed. And the people have a right to stand against crooked police man as well as crooked town members. Despite what they say. As Long as they are not threatening them in any manor. As far as you not being familiar with saltville maybe you should come hang around some. Then you just might change your mind!

[okay]

Thanx so much for the info, I guess I'll check into that. But franklly so far I don't feel like I have said anything on here that isn't true,or, that would hurt anyone.

[Nevermind]

okay wrote:

Thanx so much for the info, I guess I'll check into that. But franklly so far I don't feel like I have said anything on here that isn't true,or, that would hurt anyone.

I would like to thank them to. Because I feel the same way as you do.

[Free Advice]

Concerned wrote:

I work as a paralegal for a lawyer in Buchanan County, Virginia. As part of a defamation of character lawsuit, he requested that I puruse and print off any posts relating to the client he represents. As I began to read through the different forums I was astonished at the brutality and maliciousness of the comments and accusations which have been made. I am not familiar with Saltville or anyone there so I really have no reason to be personally concerned with these issues, but I felt the need to enlighten the users of this site as to the possible consequences of cyber-bullying/harrassment. Sites such as these, as well as sites like MySpace and Facebook, are wonderful places to comment, whether positively or negatively, on issues about which individuals are concerned when they are used in a mature and respectful manner, but with the advent of this new technology has also arisen the need for new laws to protect online users, as well as punish those who abuse the system. I highly suggest, prior to defaming or threatening anyone, that you google the laws that apply to cyber-bullying/harrassment. Case in point-a woman from Missouri was charged in the death of a 13-year-old girl for this same crime. She used an alias to degrade and threaten this teenager in a manner that was so horrific that the girl committed suicide. We are using this case as a basis for our research, and to be perfectly honest, the comments this woman made are not nearly as terrible as some of the comments I have read on this site. This mother and professional woman is now facing a possible 20 year jail sentence. The first admendment does provide us with the freedom of speech, however that only goes so far. From what little I have read, it is probable that noone who posts here will care as to their or anyone elses fate, however it might be worth looking into before you are the one on either side of a suit such as the one in Missouri.

You are 100% accurate!!! If you will read my posts, I have tried to advise these people of the legal ramifications. It doesn't matter whose paralegal you are, the law is the law. Just because you think something is true, you have to be able to prove it, before you say it or post/print it. First amendment rights do not apply if: 1. You do not sign your legal name and address, and 2. You commit slander by saying something you can't prove is true. Thanks!

[Mckagan]

Concerned wrote:

I work as a paralegal for a lawyer in Buchanan County, Virginia. As part of a defamation of character lawsuit, he requested that I puruse and print off any posts relating to the client he represents. As I began to read through the different forums I was astonished at the brutality and maliciousness of the comments and accusations which have been made. I am not familiar with Saltville or anyone there so I really have no reason to be personally concerned with these issues, but I felt the need to enlighten the users of this site as to the possible consequences of cyber-bullying/harrassment. Sites such as these, as well as sites like MySpace and Facebook, are wonderful places to comment, whether positively or negatively, on issues about which individuals are concerned when they are used in a mature and respectful manner, but with the advent of this new technology has also arisen the need for new laws to protect online users, as well as punish those who abuse the system. I highly suggest, prior to defaming or threatening anyone, that you google the laws that apply to cyber-bullying/harrassment. Case in point-a woman from Missouri was charged in the death of a 13-year-old girl for this same crime. She used an alias to degrade and threaten this teenager in a manner that was so horrific that the girl committed suicide. We are using this case as a basis for our research, and to be perfectly honest, the comments this woman made are not nearly as terrible as some of the comments I have read on this site. This mother and professional woman is now facing a possible 20 year jail sentence. The first admendment does provide us with the freedom of speech, however that only goes so far. From what little I have read, it is probable that noone who posts here will care as to their or anyone elses fate, however it might be worth looking into before you are the one on either side of a suit such as the one in Missouri.

hey Fu-Q.

[Larry]

Thank you Concerned. Excellent advice.

[little mommaw]

I agree with you all the way. I have told some on here that your had to have proof, but they were suppose to know all about the law, while downing them and making remarks about them that they couldn't prove. I do hope someone stops them. Thanks Larry for what you've said.

[wrathchild3777]

Well, lets see, how would a judge react to all of this...we have a ton of people pretending to be over the hill 80's wrestlers that make fun of people and authority....we have me, named after a song, so seems one of our biggest problems is copywrite infrindgement also? Admitedly, several of these Topix do go too far....but most are all in good fun and I am sure that IF someone got offended and IF they could trace who it was as Topix does not even require registration and most ip addreses change randomly..(I have had 7 so far in a month) and IF they pursued it legally and IF they could afford the money it cost to go to court then more then likely the Judge would laugh and toss it out and if not....we will have another headline on topix "FOOL GOT BUSTED TALKING CRAP ON TOPIX" But seriously, thanks "CONCERNED" for pointing out that we are all uneducated rednecks that either don't know or just don't care about internet laws and netiquite.

[Mean Dog]

wrathchild3777 wrote:

Well, lets see, how would a judge react to all of this...we have a ton of people pretending to be over the hill 80's wrestlers that make fun of people and authority....we have me, named after a song, so seems one of our biggest problems is copywrite infrindgement also? Admitedly, several of these Topix do go too far....but most are all in good fun and I am sure that IF someone got offended and IF they could trace who it was as Topix does not even require registration and most ip addreses change randomly..(I have had 7 so far in a month) and IF they pursued it legally and IF they could afford the money it cost to go to court then more then likely the Judge would laugh and toss it out and if not....we will have another headline on topix "FOOL GOT BUSTED TALKING CRAP ON TOPIX" But seriously, thanks "CONCERNED" for pointing out that we are all uneducated rednecks that either don't know or just don't care about internet laws and netiquite.

Federal Judge tentatively acquits Missouri woman in MySpace cyberbulling case. Go to StarTribune.com and read story.

[BIGDAVE68]

Concerned wrote:

I work as a paralegal for a lawyer in Buchanan County, Virginia. As part of a defamation of character lawsuit, he requested that I puruse and print off any posts relating to the client he represents. As I began to read through the different forums I was astonished at the brutality and maliciousness of the comments and accusations which have been made. I am not familiar with Saltville or anyone there so I really have no reason to be personally concerned with these issues, but I felt the need to enlighten the users of this site as to the possible consequences of cyber-bullying/harrassment. Sites such as these, as well as sites like MySpace and Facebook, are wonderful places to comment, whether positively or negatively, on issues about which individuals are concerned when they are used in a mature and respectful manner, but with the advent of this new technology has also arisen the need for new laws to protect online users, as well as punish those who abuse the system. I highly suggest, prior to defaming or threatening anyone, that you google the laws that apply to cyber-bullying/harrassment. Case in point-a woman from Missouri was charged in the death of a 13-year-old girl for this same crime. She used an alias to degrade and threaten this teenager in a manner that was so horrific that the girl committed suicide. We are using this case as a basis for our research, and to be perfectly honest, the comments this woman made are not nearly as terrible as some of the comments I have read on this site. This mother and professional woman is now facing a possible 20 year jail sentence. The first admendment does provide us with the freedom of speech, however that only goes so far. From what little I have read, it is probable that noone who posts here will care as to their or anyone elses fate, however it might be worth looking into before you are the one on either side of a suit such as the one in Missouri.

wtf is aparalegal anyway...do you learn through the mail or internet? how many cereal box tops does it take to graduate? do paralegals all go to hell with the rest of the lawyers? oh i get it ...you are a lawyer groupie

[KNK]

That was really uncalled for! What did they say to piss you off? I didn't see anything except to help us people out because they are concerned. Are you against help??? That must be it because that is all they were trying to do.

[BIGDAVE68]

KNK wrote:

That was really uncalled for! What did they say to piss you off? I didn't see anything except to help us people out because they are concerned. Are you against help??? That must be it because that is all they were trying to do.

shouldn't you be posting in the whine about michael smith forum

[Just wondering]

Hey Big Dave, just exactly how are you kin to the notorious Mr. Smith?
As far as the paralegal, I think they are blowin smoke. Who knows who gets on these computers. There are other people at my house all the time, so if something gets posted, it don't mean that I did it.

[KNK]

Whats the forums name and I will check it out...

BIGDAVE68 wrote:

<quoted text>
shouldn't you be posting in the whine about michael smith forum

[Nosey]

Your right about the Missouri case,but the also said they were changing some of the laws for ppi usage on the computer.

[BIGDAVE68]

Just wondering wrote:

Hey Big Dave, just exactly how are you kin to the notorious Mr. Smith?
As far as the paralegal, I think they are blowin smoke. Who knows who gets on these computers. There are other people at my house all the time, so if something gets posted, it don't mean that I did it.

his grandfather was my grandmother's brother..i bought his grandmother's house..i don't really know him that well..his sister and dad are both deceased now and they were great people...sorry to get ill with KNK but the paralegal post was probably from some jerk trying to threaten us..jerk is just a nice way for me to say cop on here...by the way michael's dad was a saltville cop and I thought a lot of him

[Just wondering]

Yes, I knew his dad and sister very well and thought a lot of them also. However, I also know his mother and have came to the conclusion that he must have taken after her. Aparently he has had quite a lot of people fooled.
I agree with you about the paralegal.

[BIGDAVE68]

Just wondering wrote:

Yes, I knew his dad and sister very well and thought a lot of them also. However, I also know his mother and have came to the conclusion that he must have taken after her. Aparently he has had quite a lot of people fooled.
I agree with you about the paralegal.

i do believe you are correct...had me fooled

[jokes on us]

as far as i'm concerned the court system is a joke - the criminals get a slap on the wrist and let someone make a comment out of the way and POOF! under the jail you go. i have been involved in many of the court system's f--- ups (in this and other co's.) and seems to me the worse you are the lighter the sentance. landlords have no rights against deadbeat tenants, animal abusers are basically let off with little to no punishment. marshall law is looking good to me at this point.