Posted by M5 on March 25, 1999 at 13:08:00 {MWKglaQqh7SVg}:
In Reply to: *Post Deletion posted by a.j.w. (pls Rick) on March 25, 1999 at 02:08:15:
Analysis of M14's actions:
Accused: Doug's post 134660.deleted.m14.html
Charged by M14: Violation R09 ("Illegal : slander or libel"; in future I'll refer only to violation number)
Justification: Although m14 acted alone in his judgment call, a friend who is an attorney advised he has good instincts. The following paragraph opens H2O and its ISP to getting named in potential litigation (along with Doug), if no action was taken to remove this content.
Clip from
Posted by Doug on March 23, 1999 at 15:58:20 {MWwTRricOV6gE}: ``My sister is a classic example: she's been a dub for all of her 48 years, and she and her husband have been full-time Bethelites in Brooklyn for the last 4 years.
When we spoke on the phone recently, and I mentioned the change in "This Generation", she replied how wonderful the new light on that subject was. She also replied that when most of the current GB die off, things will be much
different.''
Basic analysis of problem: First, we're going to assume Doug in this paragraph is telling the truth. Assuming this, there is a real person whom Doug identifies as his sister. She or friends are possibly reading this. Her friends and family quite possibly are influenced by this, so if she denies any of it then Doug bears the burden of proof.
Since Doug is no longer a JW, the reader would logically assume sister is in the biological sense (not spiritual sense). Not only has he revealed private information of a third party without their consent ("she's been a dub for all of her 48 years, and she and her husband have been full-time Bethelites in Brooklyn for the last 4 years."). This tidbit also reveals presumably two real people, Doug's sister and her husband, are presently at Bethel and possibly reading this post. Others who know them might be reading this post.
Doug publicly proceeds to claim against these real people: "When we spoke on the phone recently, and I mentioned the change in "This Generation", she replied how wonderful the new light on that subject was. She also replied that when most of the current GB die off, things will be much different."
Doug revealed a discussion with his sister without consent. Should I have been Doug's sister I would have felt violated and betrayed that my own brother, whom I trusted to confide in privately, would broadcast a family conversation on public internet airwaves! I also would feel outraged he placed my husband and self at risk. Further, if he twisted my words, and this resulted in someone reporting myself and husband to Bethel elders, and we were expelled, I would probably attempt to file suit against Doug and name others in the suit for slander and libel.
H2O has, thanks to M14's due diligence, been spared from a real threat of litigation that could destroy something beneficial to many. Does one man, Doug, have the right to destroy this site to spread what amounts to heresay/gossip? Unless he taped his sister's conversation he can't prove it; and if he taped it without her consent he is subject to fines and imprisonment under U.S. wiretap laws. Either way, he loses.
The fact others chose to drag this out as an example of M14's "incompetence" only damages their own credibility. Chicken Little claimed the sky was falling, and the boy cried "wolf!" Both were taken less than seriously when something really bad finally did happen and they cried for help. I suggest saving your complaints for when you have a real bonafide reason to complain.
H2O advises Bethelites who have read these allegations to consider them as 'gossip' against the two about whom Doug posted, and simply drop the matter. (This probably goes with saying for those who are devoted Christians.)
I feel sorry for Doug's sister, that she cannot confide with her own brother on the phone without him blabbing this private conversation to the world and probably twisting her words!
Thank you, M14, for taking the undeserved heat on protecting our site from getting legally shutdown because of a few unrestrained lips.
M5