News from the Blog Wars
I tend not to get involved in the Blog Wars very much. I can’t claim to be a completely conscientious objector, though, as I have indulged in the occasional bit of Oliver Kamm-baiting in the past (just last week he described the invasion of Iraq as “nearly a failure“. Weirdo).
All the same, one thing that’s guaranteed to pique my interest and provoke my contempt is the news that one blogger has set a lawyer on another because of something they wrote. That’s the behaviour of a low-life. And it doesn’t surprise me to discover (via Justin) that it is the frankly absurd Guido Fawkes who has got lawyers involved. I can’t claim to be too familiar with the chap but I did read some of his blog ages ago and I’ve seen his silly appearances on Newsnight. He comes across as an utter arse, and a long way up himself.
Anyways, Tim Ireland at bloggerheads has begun to receive threatening letters from Guido’s lawyer because of something he wrote (for more info on the specifics of the case, follow that link).
Now, I should point out that the actual details of the case are rather dull, and — to my mind — completely ridiculous. It’s all very petty, quite abstract, and a long long way from the worst thing Guido’s been publicly accused of. In reality, Tim’s being targeted because he’s been a regular thorn in the side of Guido and his coterie, not because of anything he’s said on this occasion. This really annoys the hell out of me… using a lawyer as an attack-dog… legally harrassing* someone you don’t like because you can afford to. It’s nasty.
Tim’s always seemed like a good guy. Occasionally I think he can lose a little perspective and I’ve disagreed with some of his methods in the past (as he knows). All the same, he’s on the right side of the barricades, so to speak. And Guido’s bullying tactics are an outrage.
Thank you, Jim.
Personally, if someone publishes something about me that is not true, and they deny me any right of reply, I reserve the right to resort to legal recourse. But before that happened, they would have to publish a downright vicious lie designed to damage, refuse to remove it, refuse to allow me to address it in a relevant thread (or at all) and then go on to attempt to actively publicise it in such a way that I had no choice but to put legal wheels in motion*.
(*Not that Usmanov or Staines have actually done this last bit.)
That has never happened in my case, though rare warnings have been issued in the past (a Conservative activist falsely said that I was in the pay of the local Lib Dem candidate).
Instead, I’ve a history of making my case public and letting other people decide for themselves what’s going on. I’d like to think that’s fair, but you’d be surprised how many times this happens and *they* scream “Harassment!”
:o)
February 1st, 2008 | 2:49pm
by Tim Ireland