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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNick Sandmann (Covington student) is suing WaPo for $250 million dollars
Last edited Thu Feb 21, 2019, 09:19 AM - Edit history (2)
The complaint is ridiculous.
NOW COMES NicholasSandmann, by and through his parents and natural guardians, Ted Sandmann and Julie Sandmann, and by and through his counsel, states his Complaint against Defendant, WP Company LLC d/b/a The Washington Post(the Post) as follows:INTRODUCTION1.
The Post is a major American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. which is credited with inventing the term "McCarthyism" in an editorial cartoon published in 1950.
Depicting buckets of tar, the cartoon made fun of then United States Senator Joseph McCarthy's "tarring" tactics of engaging in smear campaigns and character assassination against citizens whose political views made them targets o f his accusations.
2.In a span of three (3) days in January of this year commencing on January 19, the Post engaged in a modern-day form of McCarthyism by competing with CNN and NBC, among others, to claim leadership of a mainstream and social media mob of bullies which attacked, vilified,and threatened NicholasSandmann(Nicholas), an innocent secondary school child.
3.The Post wrongfully targeted and bullied Nicholas because he was the white, Catholic student wearing a red Make America Great Again souvenir cap on a school field trip to the January 18 March for Life in Washington, D.C.when he was unexpectedly and suddenly confronted by Nathan Phillips (Phillips), a known Native American activist, who beat a drum and sang loudly within inches of his face (the January 18 incident) .
4.Nicholas stood quietly and respectfully for several minutes after being targeted and bullied by Phillips and Nicholasbody language remained non-aggressive and passive throughout the incident.
Nicholas is 16-years of age,is 59 in height and weighs 115 pounds.
6.The school field trip to the Nations capital was the first out-of-state trip Nicholas had ever taken without being with his family.
7.In targeting and bullying Nicholas by falsely accusing him of instigating the January 18 incident, the Post conveyed that Nicholas engaged in acts of racism byswarming Phillips,blockinghis exit away from the students,and otherwise engaging in racist misconduct.
8.The Post ignored basic journalist standards because it wanted to advance its well-known and easily documented,biased agenda against President Donald J. Trump(the President)by impugning individuals perceived to be supporters of the President.
etc. https://www.dropbox.com/s/rnio82555v8eiqk/2019-02-19%20Sandmann%20%20vs.%20Washington%20Post%20-%20Complaint.pdf?dl=0
Link to tweet
The Washington Post ignored basic journalistic standards because it wanted to advance its well-known and easily documented biased agenda against President Donald J. Trump. Covington student suing WAPO. Go get them Nick. Fake News!
Grifters gonna grift.
Gothmog
(145,152 posts)octoberlib
(14,971 posts)This is probably being encouraged straight from the WH.
octoberlib
(14,971 posts)Sandmann and his attorneys seek $50 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages to teach the Post a lesson it will never forget. The suit also notes that $250 million is the same amount Amazon founder Jeff Bezos bought the newspaper for in 2013.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/covington-catholic-teen-sues-the-washington-post-for-dollar250-million
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Someday, he is going to fuck with the wrong person and he will finally get what he deserves.
maxsolomon
(33,321 posts)can you comment without an implicit threat of violence?
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I am just saying that this arrogant little creep is going to piss off the wrong person one day and will regret it. It's only a matter of time. And no, I will not feel sorry for him.
Haggis for Breakfast
(6,831 posts)to understand HOW to use the word "implicit" appropriately.
former9thward
(31,987 posts)Of course threats coming from tough guys behind keyboards never mean anything.
Haggis for Breakfast
(6,831 posts)There was NO implied threat coming from the poster. He was making an observation, not a threat.
But, please proceed with the cloak of ignorance you have chosen to embrace.
Grading your post, as I did my students' papers, I must give you a big red "F."
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I appreciate your support. I was in no way implying a threat. I was only saying that if the kid keeps on with his behavior that one of these days he will run into someone who will not bear it so gracefully. I can't believe how many people here are defending this little punk.
Haggis for Breakfast
(6,831 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)It was a prediction of what will happen to this kid if he keeps up his current behavior and runs up against someone who is not so peaceful. Are you really defending this kid and are you really having that hard a time understanding my previous post? Go back and read it again if you think it was a threat.
virgogal
(10,178 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Am I on the right website? Did you see the video? Give me a fucking break.
elias7
(3,997 posts)I watched as many vids as I could and saw that Phillips walked right up into his face. What I thought was an arrogant smirk of a confronter, I realized was the uncomfortable smile of one confronted
LisaL
(44,973 posts)He wasn't actually doing anything other than standing there. Granted, he was smirking, but a lot of teenagers smirk.
He wasn't a public person at that time either, so I am not so sure he isn't going to get some money out of the lawsuit.
badhair77
(4,217 posts)PupCamo
(288 posts)PJMcK
(22,034 posts)Bezos will probably get the case dismissed. First Amendment rights, for starters.
I'm not a lawyer, but the reading of the complaint doesn't sound like a serious legal mind drafted it.
SoCalNative
(4,613 posts)ya little pisher
2naSalit
(86,572 posts)who seem to be first class grifters.
octoberlib
(14,971 posts)after it happened and were tweeting their conversations so the parents seem comfortable with alt-right scumbags.
Initech
(100,067 posts)No surprise he's involved in this.
madinmaryland
(64,931 posts)The parents could have gone out and had a reconciliation tour, including the young man meeting Phillips and other native Americans. Instead they go full throttle teabagger and show everyone what they really are.
Teabagging white nationalists.
912gdm
(959 posts)And why they will win the legal lottery.
I don't agree with it, just playing devil's advocate here
A-Schwarzenegger
(15,596 posts)has no chance in hell.
912gdm
(959 posts)He will never have to earn an honest days wage.
A-Schwarzenegger
(15,596 posts)xmas74
(29,674 posts)Bezos will not back down and will use this as a lesson for future grifters.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I can't stand these little Catholic fascists.
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,325 posts)octoberlib
(14,971 posts)According to a press release from the law firm Hemmer, DeFrank, and Wessels, the suit alleges that the Post ignored basic journalist standards and waged malicious attacks on Sandmann by falsely accusing him of instigating the tense standoff with Phillips. The lawsuit claims the Post's coverage caused permanent damage to [Sandmann's] life and reputation because the paper wanted to advance its well-known and easily documented, biased agenda against President Donald J. Trump by targeting Trump supporters. The suit further claims the newspaper published False and Defamatory Accusations, proving itself to be a loud and aggressive bully with a bully pulpit. Sandmann and his attorneys seek $50 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages to teach the Post a lesson it will never forget. The suit also notes that $250 million is the same amount Amazon founder Jeff Bezos bought the newspaper for in 2013.
Two of the lawyers on the suit confirmed to The Daily Beast that they intend to sue more media outlets on behalf of Sandmann and his family. We are currently evaluating claims against a number of other defendants, lawyer Todd McMurtry wrote. I cannot identify any of those potential targets at this time. Kristine Kelly, VP of Communications at the Post, said the newspaper was reviewing a copy of the lawsuit and [they] plan to mount a vigorous defense.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/covington-catholic-teen-sues-the-washington-post-for-dollar250-million
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)I wonder of the Sandmanns' attorneys explained the discovery process to their clients, and how depositions are conducted?
former9thward
(31,987 posts)The suit will be settled for "an undisclosed amount".
PTWB
(4,131 posts)Lets hope the WaPo doesnt settle and drags this out for years to drain the little entitled shit of any inheritance he might one day receive.
renate
(13,776 posts)How perfect would that be!?!
oasis
(49,379 posts)DFW
(54,365 posts)They have more of a chance of moving their house across the street with a slingshot than they do of winning this lawsuit.
Typical republican victims looking for a payout. They make me sick.
DFW
(54,365 posts)Hoping the Post, backed by the Bezos billions, will offer them a couple of million in free money to shut up and go away. But those Bezos billions can pay for a couple of fancy lawyers of his own, and countersue the greedy family for extortion for the next 15 years until their own attorneys' fees bankrupt them.
Loki Liesmith
(4,602 posts)Aint no way this case is a winner.
Lucid Dreamer
(584 posts)Last edited Wed Feb 20, 2019, 01:38 AM - Edit history (1)
The lawyers probably took this suit on contingency and will take 30-40% of whatever settlement or award is made. If Case #1 is not a winner there is a probability that there will be weaker respondents in Cases #2 thru xxx.
at140
(6,110 posts)agrees with you. Plaintiffs will sign away a good chunk of reward, if there is any.
Mr. Frost
(75 posts)Freethinker65
(10,015 posts)I have a feeling the family has been instructed to use this moment to their economic advantage while those urging them on are expecting some partisan gain from it all...much like the Kim Davis same sex marriage license woman. The GOP/MAGA backrollers will drop their support when Nicholas is no longer useful to them.
octoberlib
(14,971 posts)GoCubsGo
(32,080 posts)They'll be the ones stuck with thousands of dollars in court fees when the judge throws out their case, just like what happened to Davis.
Kurt V.
(5,624 posts)guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Kurt V.
(5,624 posts)True Dough
(17,303 posts)Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight...
IllinoisBirdWatcher
(2,315 posts)Obviously the Bishop and other leadership in Covington saw the same bad behavior as the Washington Post and so many others.
From the Catholic News Agency (bolding mine):
This behavior is opposed to the Churchs teachings on the dignity and respect of the human person. The matter is being investigated and we will take appropriate action, up to and including expulsion, they said.
Obviously the Bishop found something he didn't like. Looks as if the Bishop would make a great witness for the defense.
Dan
(3,551 posts)Diocese paid for an investigation, the result of which they (Diocese) apologized to the young man and indicated that he was in fact a victim.
still_one
(92,176 posts)am somewhat skeptical and sure would like to know who these investigators are
Dan
(3,551 posts)To do a link from an iPad, but here is the information (until I get access to my PC).
The article was in the Washington Post, February 14, 2019, title: Investigation finds no evidence of racist or offensive statements in Mall Incident. Authors: Frances Stead Sellers and Kevin Williams.
Sorry, about the link....
still_one
(92,176 posts)Dan
(3,551 posts)Hope it helps
still_one
(92,176 posts)Regardless, they don't have a case to sue the WP. There was no intent to misrepresent what happened, and they reported the events as more became known
IllinoisBirdWatcher
(2,315 posts)Somehow I found the Bishop's and the school's joint threat of expulsion was a much more severe public humiliation than anything done by the Washington Post and other media outlets.
As linked above, even the Catholic News Agency was having a very hard time trying to spin their later back-peddling.
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(107,939 posts)You don't even get $250 million for a wrongful death.
TheBlackAdder
(28,186 posts).
.
MFM008
(19,806 posts)Bitches case.
WhiteTara
(29,704 posts)buy the barrel. He's going to wish he had not done that. Can you imagine his deposition? Oh, and the trial? Oh, my.
at140
(6,110 posts)So even those who buy ink will pay if defamation is proven in court.
Media should always do a thorough investigation before publishing anything which could defame someone.
octoberlib
(14,971 posts)British citizens have a negative right to freedom of expression under the common law.[1] In 1998, the United Kingdom incorporated the European Convention into its domestic law under the Human Rights Act. However, there is a broad sweep of exceptions including threatening or abusive words or behaviour intending or likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress or cause a breach of the peace (which has been used to prohibit racist speech targeted at individuals),[2][3][4] sending another any article which is indecent or grossly offensive with an intent to cause distress or anxiety (which has been used to prohibit speech of a racist or anti-religious nature),[5][6][7] incitement,[8] incitement to racial hatred,[9] incitement to religious hatred, incitement to terrorism including encouragement of terrorism and dissemination of terrorist publications,[8][10][11] glorifying terrorism,[12][13] collection or possession of a document or record containing information likely to be of use to a terrorist,[14][15] treason including advocating for the abolition of the monarchy or compassing or imagining the death of the monarch,[16][17][18][19][20] sedition,[17] obscenity,[21] indecency including corruption of public morals and outraging public decency,[22] defamation,[23] prior restraint, restrictions on court reporting including names of victims and evidence and prejudicing or interfering with court proceedings,[24][25] prohibition of post-trial interviews with jurors,[25] time, manner, and place restrictions,[26] harassment, privileged communications, trade secrets, classified material, copyright, patents, military conduct, and limitations on commercial speech such as advertising.
As of 2017, it was estimated that nine people per day were being arrested for online speech in the UK with five leading to convictions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_the_United_Kingdom
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)still_one
(92,176 posts)TexasBushwhacker
(20,182 posts)I guess they need the money for food.
VOX
(22,976 posts)Every so often, they pass him through a keyhole for laughs.
Initech
(100,067 posts)Alea
(706 posts)This kid is 16. Also, some of y'all either didn't see or didn't care if you did see, all of the video on this subject.
They will settle imho.
blue cat
(2,415 posts)How the whole video changes that smirk he had and how he was afraid of a senior citizen with drum.
octoberlib
(14,971 posts)Really hope the Post doesn't settle and drags this lawsuit out for years.
roamer65
(36,745 posts)Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)This lawyer needs his license pulled.
Initech
(100,067 posts)You're all worthless and weak!!!!
VOX
(22,976 posts)Boon: Only we can do that to our pledges.
A genuine comedy classic, which is now 41 years old. To put that in perspective, 1978 minus 41 years is 1937!
Mr. Frost
(75 posts)Even a smallest percentage of success is a threat. Especially in this current climate.
democratisphere
(17,235 posts)dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)same group that backed Gorsuch and Kavanaugh. I actually thought this was widely circulated, I haven't seen it within this thread.
Squinch
(50,949 posts)job applications.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)What exactly makes you think that should affect his college and job applications?
Squinch
(50,949 posts)LisaL
(44,973 posts)Kid didn't confront anybody. He was standing there when approached, and remained standing there.
Squinch
(50,949 posts)crazycatlady
(4,492 posts)LisaL
(44,973 posts)Lawyer would get a percentage of the award. No award, no fees.
crazycatlady
(4,492 posts)VOX
(22,976 posts)MAGAt kids MAGAt parents get a MAGAt lawyer, all in hopes of a $ettlement.
Pardon me, but fuck em all.