Americans, enjoy your internet freedom. It may not last

[Cort Haus]

But in another story, an Uzbeki/Russian Gazprom tycoon looking to take over a top English club was getting negative stories about his character and conduct reported by the former UK Ambassador, Craig Murray.

Blogs reporting these allegations had their ISPs threatened and some where closed down because the ISP didn't want the hassle. There was collateral damage too, when the website of a Tory MP unconnected with the Uzbek story was zapped because it was hosted by someone who was also hosting a blog of someone repeating the allegations.

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by GePap
Well, British libel laws are worrying anyways.

Yep.

Sorry! The administrator has specified that users can only post one message every 30 seconds.

[Wezil]

Is it a "chilling effect" or is it encouraging responsible reporting? Just b/c you are "blog" doesn't mean you can say whatever the hell you want.

[Cort Haus]

Well, in the Murray case he challenged Usmanov (the Uzbek) to sue him, so confident was he in his facts. Usmanov declined, preferring instead to use his substantial power to shut down media outlets running unfavourable stories.

If teh putin does that, no-one here starts talking about "encouraging responsible reporting".

[Wezil]

CH - Obviously I don't know the particular details of the case you mention but I hear what you are saying. My only real point in the thread was that blame needs to be directed at the right target. The strictness or looseness of any particular country's libel laws is a whole other issue.

[Imran Siddiqui]

If I walked up to a stranger in the street and said that, I could be guilty of a whole host of crimes, or civilly(lawsuits for money) liable.

Where exactly in the US do you live where you think you could be guilty of something for saying the statement in the OP?

[SlowwHand]

Correct me if I'm wrong, and you will, I have no doubt, but I've always been under the impression that saying "I'm going to kick your ass" is assault, the actual kicking being battery.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
Correct me if I'm wrong, and you will, I have no doubt, but I've always been under the impression that saying "I'm going to kick your ass" is assault, the actual kicking being battery.

Not unless you have a reasonable apprehension of being battered. It has to be an attempt at violent behavior. Just saying, "I'm going to kick your ass" won't do it. Swinging at the guy, would, however.

[SlowwHand]

If a guy gets in your face screaming, it doesn't take a mind reader. BUT, you still don't swing that first blow. Got to take that first one, then...payback.

[Imran Siddiqui]

A guy getting in your face is a bit different than saying "I'm going to kick your ass", isn't it?

[GePap]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
A guy getting in your face is a bit different than saying "I'm going to kick your ass", isn't it?

Yeah, making threatening statements WHILE also taking physical actions meant to intimidate are different from statements alone.

[SlowwHand]

He still hasn't done anything but say the same words.

[GePap]

The criminality of words is based on their context, not just the phrase.

Yelling FIRE! in an empty house is not the same as yelling FIRE! in a crowded room. The statements are the same, but the context is not.

Some statements in any context can be taken as threatening. Some others can only be threatening in context. If a guy has a lead pipe and is holding it in his hands, and says "you want some?" is a very diifferent thing from some guy holding an apple and saying "you want some?"

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by GePap
The criminality of words is based on their context, not just the phrase.

Yep.