Friday, November 21, 2008

"Threat" for lawsuit

Woke up this morning, started on my cranky morning routine. Then I receive a text message from my father "call me as soon as you wake up." And so I call him and he tells me to check my e-mail. A lawyer from shul has decided to warn my father, that I can get sued for "libel and slander" for what I wrote in two posts entitled "Such" and "Writing A Speech"

He wrote the following:

"As Matt Drudge recently found out, one can be sued for libel and slander for a blog's postings. There is no absolute First Amendment Protection against Libel and Slander suits for comments made on a blog. "

I honestly never looked at the Blog "Laws" and interesting clauses on what is or what is not protected by the First Amendment. The thing is, is that both posts were ridiculously vague. The only reason this guy (and the others at shul) understood what I was talking about, was specifically because, they already KNEW what was going on.

SO, no, I don't think I will see any legal "consequences" to those posts except for some nasty looks and comments my way in shul. Which I am absolutely carefree about. I didn't mention any names, and I didn't put a gun against anyone's heads to read my blog. My opinion IS protected by the first amendment.

2- The meeting at shul was an absolute disgrace. I understand the votes were "fair and square" , but what the people in shul don't understand is that the premise of the voting was faulty.

My father's speech was SUPER diplomatic. He started off saying how much he appreciates the program and how much effort he put into building it. He NEVER asked to end the program. -if you're from the shul and reading this, I can e-mail a copy of it-

So my fathers side, neutral. and ALL facts are verifiable.

However, the other side, used under handed tactics.

One couple that spoke (at separate times, purposely sat separately from one another) my family knows very well. They were frum for over 20 years. The lady came up and said how for 20 years she had NO shul she wanted to ever attend in Brooklyn.

Well...ummm...how did you manage not to go to shul for 20 years? Did your frummy husband NEVER show up for minyan before? ON shabbos?

Plus, this lady is one of the main families that started another kiruv shul. Her and her hubby were like the 3rd couple to start that shuls program. She bragged about it at that other shul's melevah malka (which both my mom and I attended right before Purim). No shul to go to, huh?

PLUS PLUS...I've been to her shul multiple times. I've seen her at a shuir which was hosted there once (and she knew all the ladies) and I've seen her when I went, on a regular shabbos, for shalosh suedos. No shul, huh?

So really...for her to imply that she had no shul to go to for 20 years...is well...a load of crap.

I can go on and on about the other people I knew at the meeting who claimed to have turned frum due to the program, but were in actuality frum from before.

21 comments:

Dave said...

This is America. You can be sued for any reason.

Whether or not they'll win is another matter completely.

frumskeptic said...

you're right. But they have no grounds to sue. Which was my point. I'm not worried.

frumskeptic said...

oh..and if they sue, I get publicity, and a topic to finally write a decent book. :)

The Candy Man said...

Ah, shul politics.

Mikeinmidwood said...

Candy Man

Thats what I was going to say, so, "Ah, shul politics".

Ookamikun said...

Is it the one I'm thinking about?

Next time I see her I'm so gonna ask her about the no shul for 20 years, loud enough for people around to hear.

No wonder her older son's not frum anymore and younger is an absolute brat that doesn't listen to anyone and never behaves.

Lion of Zion said...

i love shul politics

frumskeptic said...

candyman, mike, loz- yup yup...shul politics. :-). Funnn stuff

moshe- yup. the lady you're thinking about.

Jewish Side of Babysitter said...

wow, that's crazy that it's come so far. Now I understand why you were vague in your post.

I've never liked shul politics. I've got an "exciting" story about some.

frumskeptic said...

babysitter- shul politics, US politics, world politics. I live on that.

The only problem is, one expects more from the frum people.

Jewish Side of Babysitter said...

FrumSkeptic: right, and maybe it's more fun when you can just talk about it and your not actually involved in it?

frumskeptic said...

what do you mean involved in it?

Jewish Side of Babysitter said...

involved as in you're the subject in the politics, the victim.

Anonymous said...

YOU ARE A STUPID DISRESPECTFUL LITTLE BRAT WHO RESPECTS NOTHING AND NOBODY INCLUDING YOUR OWN FATHER WHO YOUR FAMILY SUCCESSFULLY REDUCED TO A PILE OF CRAP, AND BECAUSE OF YOUR FOOLISH ANTICS THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY VIEWS YOUR FAMILY AS LOW LIFE IDIOTS WHO ARE NOT WELCOMED INTO THE SHUEL, AS WAS CLEARLY EVIDENT LAST SHABBOS. YOU HAD PERSONALLY SEEN THE TOTAL ANNIHILATION OF YOUR ARGUMENT AND HAD THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION LAUGH AT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, CONSIDERING YOU A TOTAL JOKE, TRYING TO BE AN AMERICAN AND FLEEING FROM YOUR RUSSIAN HERITAGE. NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY YOU WILL ALWAYS REMAIN A FOOLISH RUSSIAN WITH NO IDENTITY, UNTIL YOU GAIN SELF RESPECT AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS AROUND YOU AND EMBRACE THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE HISTORY AND HERITAGE. YOU SIT AND CHAT ON THIS BLOG TRYING TO CHANGE SOMETHING, GET SOME REAL FRIENDS, MAY BE FRIENDS WHO COULD HAVE SUPPORTED YOU AT THE MEETING OR AT LEAST FRIENDS WHO WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU NOT TO MAKE A FOOL OF YOUR SELF AND MAKE YOUR FAMILY LOOK LIKE IMBECILES. ALL YOU HAVE IS CYBERFRIENDS WHO JUST LIKE YOU HAVE NO LIVES AND STAY UP FOR HOURS MASTURBATING TO THE IDEA THAT SOMEONE IS THINKING OF THEM. JUDGING BY YOUR ATTITUDE AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE IT IS EVIDENT THAT YOU GO ON LITTLE OR NO DATES, THE LACK OF MALE INTERACTION, OTHER THAN YOUR POOR AND ABUSED DAD CLEARLY MADE YOU EXTREMELY HORNY AND SELF HELP IS NOW NO HELP AT ALL, I HOE THAT YOU WILL FIND A LOOSER SOON, MAYBE YOU CAN ACTUALLY GO TO LAW SCHOOL INSTEAD OF SAYING YOU HAVE A LAW DEGREE MEET A LIBRARIAN AND GO TO HIS SHOEL AND THEN WE CAN ALL LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER, AND YOUR FATHER MAY FINALLY ACTUALLY ENJOY HIS TIME IN THE RUSSIAN AMERICAN SHOEL AND WHO KNOWS HE MAY EVEN BE INVITED TO A RESTAURANT....THE RUSSIANS WILL FLIP THE BILL....GOOD LUCK FINDING A LIBRARIAN, DON'T BOTHER WRITING A BOOK, CONCENTRATE ON SCHOOL AND FINDING A MAN WHO CAN SURVIVE LIVING WITH A DISRESPECTFUL STUPID LITTLE GIRL LIKE YOU. PLEASE DON'T RESENT ME FOR TELLING THE TRUTH I AM ONLY TRYING TO HELP!...OH AND OH YES EVEN THOUGH THE SUIT MAY NOT PREVAIL (HOWEVER I AM SURE THAT HE WILL PREVAIL), IF ASHER CHOICES TO PROCEED WE HAVE ENOUGH ATTORNEYS WHO WILL WORK PROBONO AND LITIGATE THIS CASE, UNTIL ALL LEGAL REMEDIES ARE EXHAUSTED COSTING YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES EVERY LAST PENNY THAT YOU HAVE!

frumskeptic said...

Talk Back- You just put a HUGE smile on my face. :)

Ookamikun said...

Wow, dude, you're a retard.
Are you like 10 that you write everything in caps? And the grammar...

And I think you meant that youand your imaginary lawyer friends want to work pro boner.

Ookamikun said...

I've seen some run-on sentences, but this one, looks like it's headed all the way to Mexico.

Anonymous said...

I'll be the first to say that I disagree with many aspects of FS's and her families hashkafic outlook but TALK BACK - your just gross and uncool. ewwww!!!!!

disgusted anony :\

Ookamikun said...

Yo, talk out of ass, aka talk back, which one are you?

Anonymous said...

this is special for Talk Back


'FOOLISH RUSSIAN' or any other foreigners in this country are those who stay with their own kind and do not even try to understand people and culture around them.



Expressing yourself is called Democracy. It is not difficult to understand that you have a Russian background and there is no reason to be ashamed of it. I admire Russians for their success in this country and I do not have any problems when people keep to their own kind. I do have a problem to with people ignoring efforts in trying to understand local culture.



Based on your comments, I can tell you are one of those people who call Americans 'Stupid'. I heard it very often from the many Russian people I know. They're saying it because they do not care to understand that people think different then they do. And it is you who is making a fool out of yourself making remarks like 'TRYING TO BE AN AMERICAN AND FLEEING FROM YOUR RUSSIAN HERITAGE. NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY YOU WILL ALWAYS REMAIN A FOOLISH RUSSIAN WITH NO IDENTITY. They can be whatever they want to be. It should not be your concern if they call themselves Italians, Greeks, Chinese (would be funny), etc...



I had the privilege of meeting the family and the young lady who writes this blog post you did not like. I was honored with spending a Shabbat with the Family and did not see any sign of them hiding their heritage. We spoke about it for hours and I enjoyed the experience of eating some Russian food (especially Pickle soup). They also spoke about some Russian restaurants and one day I may join them and try some more of the Russian cousin. I admire their will and ability to adapt and understand our culture. I know the blogger (young lady who wrote blog you hate so much) and She is very eloquent and smart. I also have to disagree with you that she is disrespectful to her parents. It is very rarely one sees how united that Family is, compared to others.



I do not know anything about what happened at the meeting, but I can see your hateful comments. It is a disgrace that you could use that kind of language in your personal attack against a young lady and her Family.



I do have a feeling of what that meeting was about. It takes a strong will person to take a stand and express what may be not popular opinion. It is not a war, It is called democracy and is like with the presidential elections when candidates deliver messages/opinions and people vote. I do not think you could take loosing, because you are not American and you are not trying to become one.



Sometimes I visit, and I know a lot of people from the shul this family attends. Based on my conversation with those people I could conclude that' 'They are the only Russian Family that completely integrated into the shul and very respected by all people including Rabbi'. I am shure, they will continue being respected after 'Loss', because unlike people like you, most of the people in the Shul are AMERICAN and understand the concept of freedom of speech. One day when you learn/understand this concept you will look back and say 'I was foolish to make those disgusting comments and personal attacks' and may ask for apology.



I am convinced that your nasty negative comments are a result of jealousy.



I also saw Asher (Rb. Altshul). I do not know much about him, but based on some shul members, he brings some 'money' to shul and he is not doing anything to make people integrate/unite people under the same roof. I do agree with people that it is not an easy job to do Kiruv work and I have to admire rb. Altshul's efforts and some progress in bringing people into the shul.



Starting war 'LAW SUIT' is baseless and is not an answer to any issues and disagreements. It is silly, immature and baseless rhetoric that will not do any good for RB. Altshul's image.



Your nasty response to the blog comments that disagree with your views is a disgrace and may have a negative impact of RB. Altshul image.



I do not think you have the stamina to apologize for your nasty comments. I think you should learn to respect people who disagree with you and deal with them as a mature human being. Insults are against our belief and a sign of weakness and desperation.



Sometimes I read 'frumskeptic' blog. I may not agree with some of her opinions or some sharp criticisms of some issues, but I admire the ladies intelligence and ability to deliver her point.

Democracy is a beautiful thing. It is better then what you had in Russia. You should learn from the blogger's family to understand it and teach Russian people you know to do the same.

Sarah said...

That guy is an idiot. you can't be sued for just offending someone. Libel is specifically false. If what you said was true, there is no way you can be sued.