Blogging and Libel

Recently, no fewer than 2 powerful attorneys have been drawn to this blog by my posting of what has become a series of sort. No, not the What a Pinhead Looks Like series. And no, not the Big Thoughts, Small Opinions series.

What has drawn these attorneys like prostitutes to a port of call is my posting of the on-going investigation of bribes, extortion, and other criminal activities in my adopted state of Illinois.

Disclaimer: This is my opinion, I have no direct knowledge of where prostitutes solicit, or whom they solicit.

To date, 73 characters of varying political clout have been indicted and convicted. None have been acquitted.

As the investigation continues, it is crossing the border into Wisconsin. This fact has received very little attention in Wisconsin's mainstream media, which may be among the reasons why WisPolitics was asked to pull Free Will from its content.

This blogging business, like everything else in cyber-space, is the new frontier; from questions of taxation of products purchased on-line to whether porn sites should be forced to identify themselves (i.e www.ParisHilton.porn, or, www.Madonna.xxx).

Disclaimer: This is my opinion; I have no direct knowledge that either Paris Hilton or Madonna are porn stars.

Nonetheless, I have agreed to pull a specific posting and also post the following links as a reminder to myself that libel is a growing business for lawyers and cyber-space blogging is equally a new frontier for lawyers.

Charlie Sykes

Libel Outline

A trained reporter friend of mine reminded me that it is not the prospect of being found guilty in a libel case that deters editors from running stories, but rather, the cost of defending oneself.

Disclaimer: It is only my opinion, that I say these attorneys are managing the media exposure through intimidation.