Letterman screws staffers, saves $2million

[Darius871]

dp

[Darius871]

For rah and Elok: do you also think it should be illegal to settle lawsuits, regardless of merit?

How am I still robbing them? I'm merely making an offer not to do something I'm perfectly within my legal rights to do. The other person is free to reject that offer, as Letterman did.

[Asher]

Is a lawyer asking why blackmail and extortion is illegal?

[Kuciwalker]

Do you get off on being pwned by Darius?

[Darius871]

Is a lawyer asking why blackmail and extortion is illegal?

Two lawyers in fact, unless Solomwi changed careers.

Do you get off on being pwned by Darius?

No, he's absolutely right that it's illegal. I'm just saying it's ridiculous to criminalize one's requesting compensation for refraining from a 100% legal activity.

[Kuciwalker]

No, he's absolutely right that it's illegal.

That's not what the argument is about.

[Asher]

No, he's absolutely right that it's illegal.

That's not what the argument is about.

Why don't you re-read the thread then, young padewan.

Do you get off on being pwned by me?

[Solomwi]

Why don't you re-read the thread then, young padewan.

Do you get off on being pwned by me?

Kuci's right, technically, though I find Darius' statement that he was answering a bit puzzling, since I think you had it right the first time that the issue is why, not whether, we've outlawed the act. On that note, please enlighten Darius and me on why. I don't see a good rationale, at least when the threatened act is perfectly legal.

[Asher]

It's illegal because it is. Laws don't have to make sense or be rational. Most of them aren't.

You're welcome, and my lectures are free.

[Solomwi]

That's why you're president of this corner of the internet.

[Asher]

Yes, another example of the irrational world we live in.

[Solomwi]

Hey, I voted for you.

[Imran Siddiqui]

It's illegal because someone decided it should be against public policy. No more, no less.

[Wiglaf]

Why is it ok to sell the information to a scandal rag, but not ok to try "selling" to Letterman with a specified deadline, like any right of first refusal or call option?

Oh just bend over now I am about to quote the Hobbs act.

.
(2) The term “extortion” means the obtaining of property from another, with his consent, induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right. - 18 U.S.C. 1951.

You of all people should know the issue is not damage to Letterman that is at issue, but living in a society dictated by fear as seen in Christian Bale's Equilibrium.

[Solomwi]

It's illegal because someone decided it should be against public policy. No more, no less.

Asher beat you to that non-answer.

At least go a step farther and point out that it's illegal because it makes it easier to keep bad behavior hidden, and politicians, most of whom have some kind of bad behavior they want to keep hidden, make public policy. Still doesn't keep it from being a bull**** policy.