The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - What are the chances the NRA targets Whitlock for Libel and wins?

Jim March · December 8, 2012, 01:38 AM

Well there's another issue here: the "public figure" rule.

The NRA as a group would probably qualify, and if so the standards for how much opinion you can throw at them is broader.

You can actually say much worse things about, say, Donald Trump and get away with it than you can saying stuff about your neighbor down the street. The courts basically say "Donald has put himself in the public arena, he's going to have to toughen up".

Very likely the same would be said about the NRA.

December 8, 2012, 01:38 AM	#18
Jim March Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 1999 Location: Pittsburg, CA, USA Posts: 7,417	Well there's another issue here: the "public figure" rule. The NRA as a group would probably qualify, and if so the standards for how much opinion you can throw at them is broader. You can actually say much worse things about, say, Donald Trump and get away with it than you can saying stuff about your neighbor down the street. The courts basically say "Donald has put himself in the public arena, he's going to have to toughen up". Very likely the same would be said about the NRA. __________________ Jim March