Axil Axil wrote:
I am no expert on this, but doesn’t the first amendment protect Jones
Beene from any possible legal harm?
Not if it is libel. That is not protected speech.
So far I doubt anyone would say it is libel, but I think it would be
wise for Beene to state clearly that he is not actually accusing anyone
of anything. Making comparisons and speaking in hypotheticals is fine. I
myself have often commented that Rossi acts like a scam artist. Anyone
can see the resemblance.
I myself have been the target of libelous personal attacks. Anyone
involved in cold fusion has been. So I am sensitive to the problems this
can cause. For example, people have asserted that I stole or fabricated
the Defense Intelligence Agency report. Putting an official seal on a
fake report would be a serious matter. I would get into trouble if the
authorities believed I did that. Fortunately, I can refer them to the
authors, who will vouch for me.
Obviously, scamming hundreds of millions of dollars would be a far more
serious that writing a fake DIA report! I don't mean to compare the two.
But even rumors about the DIA report have caused me trouble, so I can
just imagine what Defkalion would have to deal with if this rumor gets
around.
I suppose such rumors are bound to circulate, but for goodness sake, let
us not start them here!
- Jed
