When Baptist Ministers-Turned Politicians Are Dead Wrong

NC Senator Steve Goss (D) is on the thinnest of ice (yeah, as I compose this, the TV is on in the background and they're all oblivious to Brad falling through the ice on Y&R). Goss thinks blogs are "getting out of control", and should be subject to stricter libel laws.

Of course, the question begs, who then makes the decision as to what is "libel" and what is not? And won't such a law make bloggers cower in fear from the increased threat of litigation (never mind that they might be telling the truth) . . . as newspapers now do? Would it not cast an ominous pall over the blogosphere?

Since most newspapers are in the tank for one agenda or another, blogs really are the last frontier of truly free speech.

And I am sorry. The same Constitution that guarantees Goss's freedoms to preach love and forgiveness as a Baptist minister, guarantees my freedom to think that what he proposes (especially in these frightening/corrupt times) is dangerous idiocy.

And it's not libelous (Doug) to say so. My comment, left "On The Record" and at "Dome":

Since I'm likely one of those bloggers that the idiot (my opinion/he's a public figure) Steve Goss (a good NC Democrat) would like to silence, let me add my two cents (I would appreciate it if you did not delete the comment -as I've signed my name and stand by everything I say):

"Congress shall make NO law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

It's only Amendment Number One. And I have news for Mr. Goss: The Constitution is NOT just "a goddamned piece of paper". The Dems in Raleigh would like to shut some of us up or down - NOT because we are lying - but because we are telling the truth about the way they've conducted the people's business.

For instance, here: http://drjshousecalls.blogspot.com/2009/02/change-progressive-blogosphere-nc-state.html

And Doug, if our newspapers would stop fretting over their futures long enough to get off their lazy/agendized butts to actually do some investigative reporting, they might (1) save themselves, and (2) know what is true and what is false.

Skeet, I too have been banned at JR's (in my case, for questioning his job performance . . . never mind that any anonymous, threat-spewing cretin can libel mine - over and over again - at Cone's). And I've got to tell you, I wear it as a badge of honor.

I've also been sued for "libel". The thing about that was the people who sued me had to run from the Courtroom with their tails tucked because I was telling the truth - and had the proof. The supreme irony in their retreat (so far, well-covered-up by all the local newspapers) is that THEY REPEATEDLY LIED UNDER OATH - A CRIMINAL OFFENSE - in order save money in the deal.

I've been in the GSO blogs, jumping up and down screaming about it for four years (after being invited here by JR) . . . signing my damned name to everything I post. And for my trouble, I've been publicly eviscerated over and over again.

Yet the people I openly accuse ("non-profit" executives, no less - propped up by tax dollars and charged with the public welfare) can get by taking the Fifth - nobody asks them a single question.

And OBTW, they have not sued me.

I wonder why?

If only we had some journalists around here to ask.

I also liked this Barry Goldwater quote . . . left by another trouble-maker . . . on the "Dome" thread:

"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"

So, in zinging an ordained-minister-turned-politician, I'm being virtuous? Now that's irony!