Economics and similar, for the sleep-deprived
A subtle change has been made to the comments links, so they no longer pop up. Does this in any way help with the problem about comments not appearing on permalinked posts, readers?
Update: seemingly not
Update: Oh yeah!
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Is this not libellous?
From the Melanie Phillips blog, she reprints a few pieces of half-research and insinuation about the Arab connections of Jimmy Carter (which appear to be that some rich Saudis have contributed to Carter's foundation) and James Baker (who of course has Saudi connections; he's a Bush family associate for God's sake). However, Mel adds a specific comment of her own:
With such connections making them the kept creatures of the Arab world, it is therefore no surprise that they are intent on smoothing the path to Israel’s destruction.
How is this not libellous? The accusations that Jimmy Carter and James Baker are "the kept creatures of the Arab World" are serious enough, but the claim that both men are "intent on smoothing the path to Israel's destruction" is as far as I can see baseless, is clearly a very serious charge that would damage their reputation if it was believed. I really don't see how this can be characterised as "comment"; they certainly look like two factual claims and even if "kept creatures" can be defended as metaphorical, the accusation that both men are intent on seeing Israel destroyed surely can't; the word "intent" doesn't have any sense which doesn't mean "intentional".
I really don't think that this is the first time this sort of thing has happened. Surely sooner or later someone is going to lose patience and sue?
this item posted by the management 12/21/2006 11:34:00 PM
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