Board Lawsuits

[_asbestosman]

Is the alternative to just let a hammer drop in real life, absent any prior chances to hash things out and possibly come to some sort of understanding beforehand?

That's a fair point Shades. However, I agree with Tiktaalik that this could have been taken care of behind the scenes via PM. That is precisely what I think should happen. This will hopefully allow parties to work our their differences before resorting to litigation while also sparing the rest of us the increasingly disturbing and distracting calls to litigation that are seen on this board.

I will also add that I am not excited to ban anyone. However, I would much rather ban someone than let this board go to the sewers if that's what it takes.

[_Dr. Shades]

Hence I think those who, even for good reason, exercise their right to sue another board particpant should be dismissed. Unfortunately I think that will be much more effective than self-policing which hasn't been very effective so far

On the other hand, if people knew that they'd never face a lawsuit, would their own conduct become less civil, making the problem worse?

Something to think about.

Is the alternative to just let a hammer drop in real life, absent any prior chances to hash things out and possibly come to some sort of understanding beforehand?

I don't think that GoodK's threat helped him work anything out with Daniel. If probably made things much, much worse. If he truly felt that his rights were infringed by something Daniel posted, then he could have sent him and you a PM and dealt with things respectfully behind the scenes. You could have removed the offending post to protect yourself, and a possible solution might have been worked out between the parties. Letting the entire board devolve into deep fecal matter like it has is hardly the best solution, (in my humble opinion).

I understand yours and asbestosman's point, but that's not quite what I was getting at. I'm not talking about GoodK hashing things out with DCP, I'm talking about GoodK hashing things out with everyone else. He's had various people with varied opinions weigh in on this, so perhaps he's come across an alternate perspective that'll cause him to decide not to go through with this--just hypothesizing here for the moment--which wouldn't have happened if we'd prevented the dialogue by just banning him outright.

Once more, just something to think about.

[_Some Schmo]

I'm talking about GoodK hashing things out with everyone else. He's had various people with varied opinions weigh in on this, so perhaps he's come across an alternate perspective that'll cause him to decide not to go through with this--just hypothesizing here for the moment--which wouldn't have happened if we'd prevented the dialogue by just banning him outright.

Once more, just something to think about.

I think that's an excellent point. What KA said about it was very apropos and poignant, and I tend to think that with so many people reacting the way they have, it has to have at least some impact on GoodK.

It's always good to have a sounding board, even if what you get back isn't what you like or want to hear.

[_asbestosman]

'm talking about GoodK hashing things out with everyone else. He's had various people with varied opinions weigh in on this, so perhaps he's come across an alternate perspective that'll cause him to decide not to go through with this--just hypothesizing here for the moment--which wouldn't have happened if we'd prevented the dialogue by just banning him outright.

Once more, just something to think about.

It is worth considering and it's another good point. However, it leaves me unsatisfied because seeing an increase in these legal threats ruins my experience. Maybe it's just a personal thing. Maybe all it means is that I have a weak stomach. So be it. I don't like the atmosphere of the court nor threats relating to it. Maybe that's why I didn't follow my father to become a lawyer.

As a poential secondary solution to allow hashing things out, I would submit that perhaps someone could make a blog entry and then invite a limited few to look at it in the case of litigation.

Another possibility is the tone of the post where one considers litigation. Talking about it like it's already been set in motion is not something I want to read about on the main boards. Asking for an MDB community opinion about whether one should attempt a lawsuit is another matter entirely. Such a thing isn't quite as disturbing to me.

[_harmony]

I think that's an excellent point. What KA said about it was very apropos and poignant, and I tend to think that with so many people reacting the way they have, it has to have at least some impact on GoodK.

It's always good to have a sounding board, even if what you get back isn't what you like or want to hear.

For what you're saying to work, the individual would have to care...

[_moksha]

Maybe we as posters could take it upon ourselves to act more decently, refrain from abusing or otherwise taunting our fellow board participants, and stop being rude and cruel while trying to hurt the personal lives of others?

Just an idea...

~td~

Not just an idea, but an excellent idea. An idea that should permiate the board's policy decisions. If such an idea were to be followed, I doubt Asbestosman would feel such consternation.

Thanks truth dancer.

[_Some Schmo]

I think that's an excellent point. What KA said about it was very apropos and poignant, and I tend to think that with so many people reacting the way they have, it has to have at least some impact on GoodK.

It's always good to have a sounding board, even if what you get back isn't what you like or want to hear.

For what you're saying to work, the individual would have to care...

Yes, that's true. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt.

[_solomarineris]

I had to self-report to my carrier with this threat.

You probably should have kept that detail to yourself. Knowing that makes me happy.

You are wildly funny, GoodK,
I hand it to you, you know how to intimidate people.
OTOH, your pals should have decency not to make any degrading remarks about your family.
Even presuming you'd go ahead to sue someone based on what is written here, I'd put
serious money that your case would not be looked at by any credible lawyer.
Oh, wait...They would if you had 50K up front wired to their account.
Even if that were the case, if I were your opponent, I'd see your fiftyK & raise the stakes notch & counter sue you
for twice of that.

The stupidest thing is handing out money to lawyers. I'd rather lose money on BlackJack table.

[_Doctor Steuss]

Does anyone else often feel as if they are reading the first section of Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury for the very first time?

[_Yoda]

This is my two cents on all of this.

Dan was wrong in posting what he did about GoodK and calling it an experiment or test. He insinuated that Eric lied about being abused and stated other lies about him serving jail time, etc. He later recanted that any of it was true.

I took Dan to task, as did many other posters, for doing this.

I don't blame Eric for being angry and feeling the need to retaliate. Even the lawsuit threat was something that Eric, just like anyone else who is maligned in the good old USA, has a right to pursue if they have deep enough pockets and an attorney willing to take the case. Whether or not he could win is another matter.

Where Eric crossed the line was when he responded to Bob's tauntings by posting, and threatening to further post, personal information of Bob's that Bob had not freely revealed himself.

However, Eric was willing to respond to a dialogue with Shades and myself, and has agreed to not continue this type of behavior.

He is aware that any further behavior of this sort will result in a suspension of posting privileges.

Therefore, from a Moderator standpoint, I consider the matter closed unless the behavior is repeated.

On a personal note, I will add that I really like Eric, and I do think that he is the victim of abuse.

I am also saddened that Dan has decided to no longer post with us, because he also has my friendship and respect. I will miss his perspective on the board, even though I didn't always agree with it.