Re: Nathan Mates-PLEASE READ (WAS):Re: Dr. Turley-PLEASE READ

[derek@slab.isdn.uiuc.edu (Derek Taubert)]

In <4rgv6t$3lo@blackice.winternet.com> Nathan Mates wrote:
>    By the way, pretty much everyone who's spoken out against you
> online recently is in the USA. (Not to disparage the rest of you with
> a clue, but bear with me for a second.) According to the law of this
> country, we have this little phrase that goes "innocent until proven
> guilty." You would be the one filing any lawsuit, thus you'd be the
> one that'd have to deal with the nasty little details like truth,
> facts, and the like. As you've shown online, you're at a _real_
> disadvantage there.

Actually, the little phrase "innocent until proven guilty" applies to 
criminal cases, not civil.  But the burden of proof would still be on Dr. Tom 
in this situation.

>    That is, if you wish to show up in court against me, you'd have to
> prove beyond the shadow of a doubt (tm Johnny Cochran and the rest)
> ...snip...

You don't have to explain it to him, Nathan.  Let him hire a lawyer or file 
the complaint himself.  He can go round and round with the courts until he 
figures out how the legal system works.  I can't wait to see what he's going 
to claim for damages.  :)

>    Further, most to all things like this end up in binding
> arbitration.  Since you don't appear to be too familiar with how
> things are going in the US (and seem to be one of those who's
> contributing to the frivilous lawsuit problem), the arbiters are
> usually retired trial judges who are sick of the frivilous lawsuits
> and tend to weigh in favor of the defendent.  That would be me, in
> case legalese is beyond you.

You're spot on about arbitration.  The thing that sickens me is that these 
exchanges on this newsgroup are ridiculous even in a "virtual" environment 
such as USENET.  To give them a physical manifestation like a case in court 
would be absolutely asinine as well as a REAL waste of time and money.  I 
realize that it costs providers and users money to deliver news, but slowing 
down a system that puts criminals out of society is a much greater offense 
IMHO.

--
Derek Taubert - http://slab.isdn.uiuc.edu/~derek
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