OA84: #CNNBlackmail, John Oliver's lawsuit, and more on Maajid Nawaz
Added 2017-07-07 02:55:05 +0000 UTCIn today's episode, we discuss the recent controversy over CNN's handling of a Redditor who posted a Trump meme online. Is this really "blackmail" by CNN?
We begin, however, with a follow-up from Patron Joerg regarding UK laws on personal jurisdiction/long-arm and defamation. Could Maajid Nawaz (whose potential lawsuit we discussed in Episode #83) really file against the SPLC in the UK after all?
In our main segment, the guys break down CNN's conduct and see if it qualifies as blackmail, extortion, conspiracy to deprive an individual of his Constitutional rights, or any other criminal behavior.
Next, by great popular demand, we tackle Bob Murray's lawsuit against John Oliver in connection with his report on "Last Week Tonight." You won't be surprised by our evaluation of the merits, but you will enjoy reading the Complaint!
Finally, we end with an all-new Thomas Takes the Bar Exam Question #31 about the Statute of Frauds. Remember that you can play along with #TTTBE by retweeting our episode Tweet along with your guess. We'll release the answer on next Tuesday's episode along with our favorite entry!
Recent Appearances
None! But you can come join the guys at the Inciting Incident 100th Episode Live Spectacular in Carlisle, PA on July 14, 2017! Get your tickets now!
Show Notes & Links
- Here is a link to the 2013 UK Defamation Act.
- This is the 2010 SPEECH Act, 28 U.S.C. § 4102.
- And here is the SPLC's report on Maajid Nawaz labelling him an "anti-Muslim extremist.".
- This is 18 U.S.C. § 873, the federal blackmail statute.
- Here is a link to an informative Washington Post article about the CNN/HanAssholeSolo debacle.
- And here is a link to the Ben Shapiro opinion piece in the National Review.
- This is a link to the lawsuit filed by Murray against Oliver, which is a delightful read.
- This link contains the original Oliver segment about Murray, which is definitely worth watching.
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Comments
Regarding the defamation lawsuit against Jon Oliver, is it usual to play the pity card this strongly? i.e. - Bob Murray is "a man who needs a lung transplant, a man who does not expect to live to see the end of this case... in ill health and dependent on an oxygen tank for survival," who "medical doctors have informed [...] should stop working because the stress is shortening his life... diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a progressive fatal disease requiring intense medical care, a potential lung transplant, continuous oxygen, and culminating in a significantly reduced life expectancy from diagnosis." And my absolute favorite "Mr. Murray depends on a continuous oxygen supply." Don't we all, Bob? It seems like such an overt attempt at sympathy could backfire pretty easily. Is it common to find this kind of thing in complaints?
2017-08-28 05:59:56 +0000 UTCThis episode sound EPIC! Can't wait!
That's not your Lawn Tiger
2017-07-08 19:08:47 +0000 UTC
