Rat

[capetrees]

Rat is a term used to describe an informant regarding criminal acts or enterprises.

Unless someone is commiting a crime in treework (such as stealing logs), then the term "rat" is innapropriate.

A "rat", stemming from the fact that rats jump from a sinking ship, is someone that gives up inside info on someone he works with or for, having been engaged themselves in the same illegal activity. When the walls are closing in, typically, guys in the mob do this as do others. Turning someone in for false advertising is just policing the industry. Much different.

 

[brnchbrkr]

around here

snip

 

[capetrees]

A gang of scumbag thugs went on private property and erected a rat to protest a private groups ability to choose who they want to paint their private building?


A cup of gas and a match would have cured the problem forever. :hmm3grin2orange::hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Kate Butler]

A gang of scumbag thugs went on private property and erected a rat to protest a private groups ability to choose who they want to paint their private building?


A cup of gas and a match would have cured the problem forever. :hmm3grin2orange::hmm3grin2orange:

My first thought, also.

Having said that, I'd like to suggest that some might want to dial it back a bit - you may be right, but you could spend a BOMB defending your position in court. Being on the receiving end of a libel lawsuit is NEVER a good thing. Reporting the news is defensible, gossip/hearsay is not. (Writing on a public forum can be construed as libelous.)

 

[ASD]

No Comment

 

[capetrees]

My first thought, also.

Having said that, I'd like to suggest that some might want to dial it back a bit - you may be right, but you could spend a BOMB defending your position in court. Being on the receiving end of a libel lawsuit is NEVER a good thing. Reporting the news is defensible, gossip/hearsay is not. (Writing on a public forum can be construed as libelous.)

libel? what?

 

[jefflovstrom]

Ease-up Kate.
Jeff

 

[Kate Butler]

Ease-up Kate.
Jeff

OK, but we live in the land of the free and the home of the frivolous lawsuit.

I'm acquainted with folks who spent $100,000 defending one. They won (finally), but it was a Pyrrhic victory - the money was gone and the bad publicity ruined their lives.

 

[treevet]

OK, but we live in the land of the free and the home of the frivolous lawsuit.

I'm acquainted with folks who spent $100,000 defending one. They won (finally), but it was a Pyrrhic victory - the money was gone and the bad publicity ruined their lives.

Pls. identify what part of this freedom of speech opinion is libelous and who is the plaintiff and what do you see as the injury?

 

[Kate Butler]

Wowie, zowie - my remarks were a caution NOT to go far enough that remarks could be libelous. Nothing more.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Wowee Zowee

My first thought, also.

Having said that, I'd like to suggest that some might want to dial it back a bit - you may be right, but you could spend a BOMB defending your position in court. Being on the receiving end of a libel lawsuit is NEVER a good thing. Reporting the news is defensible, gossip/hearsay is not. (Writing on a public forum can be construed as libelous.)

Who are the some that might want to "dial it back"? I re-read the posts, there is no intent of libel in an opinion without names. Is there something I missed?
Jeff

 

[capetrees]

Apparently, we're not here to call names (thugs) and incite violence(gas/fire). THAT apparently is libelous. That's all I could come up with.

everybody sing now,
"Kumbaya my Lord,
Kumbaya..."

 

[treevet]

Who are the some that might want to "dial it back"? I re-read the posts, there is no intent of libel in an opinion without names. Is there something I missed?
Jeff

"opinion without names" like Jeff said.....who is the would be plaintiff here? Maybe the rat was slighted in some vague reference but beyond that.....

in an era where rights are diminishing or threatened to be and our Constitution is being trivialized by some, we have to be vigilant protecting our freedoms.

Not directed specifically to Kate but an interesting topic for discussion on this thread. Do we want to walk on eggshells on here?

 

[capetrees]

F that