Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

Mo · 04-02-2003, 07:18 PM

Every now and then I check on fencingsucks to make sure that my kids are not being mentioned.
I cannot believe the stuff posted on there is legal. The things posted recently about Kelly Hurley who is 14 years old and an excellent fencer (evidence, making the Cadet and Junior World Epee Team at 14) SHOULD be illegal.
They are sexually attacking women and CHILDREN and (Ye Old Armorer.) The posters use names and locations.
This really sucks.

dreadfoil · 04-02-2003, 08:50 PM

lochinvar · 04-02-2003, 10:13 PM

Fencing Sucks is a forum for spite, slander, and all things immature. It panders to the lowest and basest instincts of the adolescent and pre-adolescent and those who think that yelling "Poopie!" and sniggering behind their hands is the highest form of wit.

And just when you think the commentary can't get any more debased or depraved, it does. They revel in trying to outdo each other by wallowing ever deeper in the muck that accumulates in the bilges of the human soul.

If it were possible to outlaw rampant immaturity, execrable taste, and sheer meanness, then the site would be shut down in a heartbeat. Alas, there's no law against being uncouth. So long as the internet is anonymous, there are those who will surrender to their vilest impulses secure in the belief that they can't be discovered.

I'm sure that most (though sadly not all) of the posters there would take pause in voicing their calumnies if they thought that those statements would actually attach to themselves. Even they would hesitate to reveal such depths of incivility to a live audience.

The best response to this kind of mud-slinging is to ignore it, however painful it may be. Take comfort in the knowledge that the speaking of vile thoughts is the avid pursuit of the smallest of minds; pity them for their poverty of spirit and do not give their inane utterances the smallest acknowledgement. They do not even deserve the dignity of being heard.

In the end, the best revenge is living well.

KBayDog · 04-02-2003, 11:17 PM

Most of the material on that site (i.e., "Humor" "Gallery" "Books" "Links") is quite good. In fact, the "Humor" page is actually very funny!

That said:

Only after reading Mo's posting did I make my first venture into the "Post" section. Needless to say, www.fencingsucks.com is no longer in my "Favorites" folder. In fact, I shall not return to that site.

Technology is a double-edged sword. Those who post on that site probably do not realize - or, based on the intellect of their posts, simply do not care - that their posts and/or e-mails will never go away.

Unfortunately (fortunately?) for those who insist on slandering others, the posts will inevitably resurface, most likely at the least-opportune time.

I feel for all who are hurt in the meantime.

Capt. Slo-mo · 04-03-2003, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dreadfoil
sue!

This raises an interesting point.

Are internet chat rooms/b-boards/newsgroups immune from libel laws?

For instance, say I post a thread here on Fencing.net. I mention a specific person by their proper name--not their screen avatar-- and outline their fondness for bringing farm animals to fencing competitions for immoral purposes. All the while, I know the statement to be blatantly untrue.

(my apologies to any who actually DO bring farm animals to fencing meets...I didn't mean to single you out)

Does that person have any recourse? If he/she loses his job because of the posting, can they sue for damages? If they try to sue, is Craig required to disclose the actual person lurking behind the screen name?

Perhaps our esteemed Webmaster can enlighten us on the host's take on legal issues of posting, at least. If anyone on the board has a legal background, I'd love to hear your theories.

a517dogg · 04-03-2003, 03:23 PM

that person could probably argue successfully that the statements were made in jest. i doubt anybody would be able to win a court case, if they bothered (which i dont know why they would).

just realize that most of these people are 12 years old and will grow up eventually. let it slide, dont take it too seriously.

sallearmourer · 04-03-2003, 04:09 PM

I personal don't care what they post about me. But to go after my wife and children is not right. My son is hearing impaired and the fact is he is able to speak as well as he does is do to alot of hard work on his part. Therefore like I said they are nothing but cowards they don't dare say it to my face.

Tim Loomis

Ye Olde Armourer

135711 · 04-04-2003, 01:49 AM

I should have hired a lawyer, but I didn't, there are some instances in which you can just let the other person realize things on their own. Well, actually, in my case, I got on the telephone and left a voice mail, because even though we were fencing buddies, he went toooooooo far, just toooooo far, dagnabit!

I forgive you!!! All is forgiven!

xxxooo

well, i just looked at fencingsucks.net, it's okay, they have a nice little chat room, lots and lots of posters, the nude is horrible, absolutely, the others are okay, we could use some of their avatars/posters? maybe? i'm into the avatar thing, but i like cute avatars, and i'm going to search for some more cutie smilies, [sorry guys, i know you want heavy swords....dum de dum dum]

Philistine · 04-04-2003, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Capt. Slo-mo
This raises an interesting point.

Are internet chat rooms/b-boards/newsgroups immune from libel laws?

No. They apply to any form of communication--written, oral, electronic, etc.

Quote:

Does that person have any recourse? If he/she loses his job because of the posting, can they sue for damages?

Theoretically, yes. Proving that there has been damages is usually the toughest part in this type of case. Prosecuting such a case is generally very expensive, and usually not worth the effort and expense for these types of postings.

--Philistine

civiltech · 04-04-2003, 08:37 AM

Philistine,

I've been wanting to ask this for a while now!

What particular "branch" of law do you specialize in? Don't want to pry, and no answer is acceptable.

Your information posted here is always written intelligently, and to the point. There arn't any ramblings like myself or others!!

Regards,

angriff · 04-04-2003, 08:40 AM

I went there and was wondering how on earth are such posts tolerated.. Isn't there a moderator for that board?

KBayDog · 04-04-2003, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by civiltech
Philistine,

I've been wanting to ask this for a while now!

What particular "branch" of law do you specialize in? Don't want to pry, and no answer is acceptable.

Your information posted here is always written intelligently, and to the point. There arn't any ramblings like myself or others!!

Regards,

"Intelligent" and "to the point". . .Well, that rules out any possibility of Philistine being a lawyer!

Seriously, though, thank you for your insight.

civiltech · 04-04-2003, 10:15 AM

Just a sidenote here, what ever happened to Swordsman. I havn't seen him post for a while. And if I understand his views, he would be itching to get a comment in here!

Capt. Slo-mo · 04-04-2003, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by angriff
I went there and was wondering how on earth are such posts tolerated.. Isn't there a moderator for that board?

If you go to the website's "contact" or "legal" areas, it sneers at you and basically dares you to sue them.

It's amazing how much having a conscientious moderator like Craig can keep a bboard out of the gutter.

Philistine · 04-04-2003, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by civiltech
Philistine,

I've been wanting to ask this for a while now!

What particular "branch" of law do you specialize in? Don't want to pry, and no answer is acceptable.

Primarily commercial litigation.

Quote:

Your information posted here is always written intelligently, and to the point. There arn't any ramblings like myself or others!!

Regards,

Well thanks.

But if you don't think I ramble...you haven't been reading enough of my posts....

--Philistine

Purple Fencer · 04-04-2003, 03:36 PM

Lochinvar, that was an EXTREMELY well written posting...aren't you feelign well?

j/k, man.

I often wonder if I get mentioned over there...

***Craig*** · 04-04-2003, 05:06 PM

While I'm not sure if internet forums fall under libel laws, this forum does log the IP address of each poster. The only time that the IP address would be used/given to anyone else is if I received a court order for it. Otherwise, you are covered by the Fencing.Net privacy policy which states that none of your personal information will be given out to other parties.

Cheers,
Craig

Quote:

Originally posted by Capt. Slo-mo
This raises an interesting point.

Are internet chat rooms/b-boards/newsgroups immune from libel laws?

For instance, say I post a thread here on Fencing.net. I mention a specific person by their proper name--not their screen avatar-- and outline their fondness for bringing farm animals to fencing competitions for immoral purposes. All the while, I know the statement to be blatantly untrue.

(my apologies to any who actually DO bring farm animals to fencing meets...I didn't mean to single you out)

Does that person have any recourse? If he/she loses his job because of the posting, can they sue for damages? If they try to sue, is Craig required to disclose the actual person lurking behind the screen name?

Perhaps our esteemed Webmaster can enlighten us on the host's take on legal issues of posting, at least. If anyone on the board has a legal background, I'd love to hear your theories.

pkt · 04-04-2003, 05:16 PM

All,

Enough said abotu Fencingsucks.
Shall we close this thread down?

PK

KBayDog · 04-04-2003, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pkt
All,

Enough said abotu Fencingsucks.
Shall we close this thread down?

PK

I promised myself I would stay out of this, but here it goes...

The following is a sampling of the most recent "Water Cooler" threads (Name, Replies, Views) pkt has contributed to. I suggest you familiarize yourselves with them. (By the way, he has not asked asked to have any of these threads closed down):

well, I'm amused..... 26 320
PKT read this 23 210
Going to War 197 2058
More on the renewability of oil as a power source 11 99
Flags and anthems before fencing events in USA? 17 188
Article from The Globe and Mail 15 96
none 45 401
Rebuttals to Anti-French jokes 6 73
Al-Jazeera is more popular than sex 4 57
an interesting article about our economy and the war 68 586
Bullets Over Baghdad 21 239
Does anybody else find it disturbing.... 51 561

Does anyone notice a trend?

(Now for the inevitable riposte)...

pkt · 04-04-2003, 06:35 PM

KBayDog,

Hey, you didn't mention any of my postings I made re Fencing and those in the Fencing discussions ... or the threads I started: 'The best fencing movie', 'Warmonger...', 'Why you should always wear 800N clothing'...
or
Heigh-ho!
Post your pics
Yay! First sword!
French grip...
Euro vs Dollar
Heart warmer

...ad nauseum

As per the record, I've done 392 (7.80 posts per day) posts.

Did you actually read what I wrote in any of the postings? If so, praytell what's the trend? because I don't know.

somehow, I feel a Spanish Inqusition coming on - Queque the 'Spanish Inqusition' sketch of Monty Python - or is it the ghost of Sen. McCarthy...

PK