What is slander? Why isn't Harry Reid guilty of it?

[JFFR]

Yesterday someone on MSNBC used the words "a criminal" and "a felon" to describe Mitt Romney. Harry Reid has also accused him of a felony. Isn't this slander? Is it against the law? Could Romney press charges or file a suit against him? How does this work? (I've tried googling it, sometimes the message board is better than google.)

 

[northeast]

LOL. yes, yes , yes, do it ROmney!

 

[candrew]

In order to prove slander I imagine he'd have to produce his tax returns - I'm guessing that's not gonna happen.

 

[JFFR]

I'm not suggesting that he do it, I'm just wondering where the line is drawn.

 

[nightmare3983]

In order to prove slander I imagine he'd have to produce his tax returns - I'm guessing that's not gonna happen.

Agreed. Plus it's better for Romney to let Reid and co. make themselves look like fools throwing out accusations they have no way of proving.

 

[One Brow]

Yesterday someone on MSNBC used the words "a criminal" and "a felon" to describe Mitt Romney. Harry Reid has also accused him of a felony. Isn't this slander? Is it against the law? Could Romney press charges or file a suit against him? How does this work? (I've tried googling it, sometimes the message board is better than google.)

I suspect context has a lot to do with it, as well. I have no reason to think Romney did anything criminal, but suspecting evidence of crimes in hidden documentation is common human behavior.

 

[Dr. Jones]

It's only slander if it's proven to be materially incorrect. Reid's comments, though perhaps below the belt/unfair, would be nearly impossible to prove as slander in the context he used it. Even if Romney produced his returns, there would be such an incredible amount of ambiguity within the returns, his business dealings, and tax code, that either side could be found plausibly correct, imo.

 

[JFFR]

thanks for the replies

 

[TheSilencer1313]

 

[Stoked]

Round 3 of the Mormon Match is up next! stay tuned!!!

 

[nightmare3983]

Round 3 of the Mormon Match is up next! stay tuned!!!

When was round 1?

 

[PearlWatson]

He was granted an indulgence like all liberal jackasses.

 

[Stoked]

When was round 1?

Reid first accusing him = round 1

Mitts "rebuttal" = round 2.

I'm waiting to see the fallout.

 

[Mission Accomplished]

Holy flying %#$$ do you watch Fox News it is a whole network based on slander

 

[Stoked]

Holy flying %#$$ do you watch Fox News it is a whole network based on slander

So you are saying fox news is trying to be like MSNBC?

 

[SaltyDawg]

So you are saying fox news is trying to be like MSNBC?

Hahahaha

While both networks lean to a particular party, at least msnbc trends to stick to mostly facts while Fox news will throw whatever lies out there that they can get away with.

 

[Stoked]

Hahahaha

While both networks lean to a particular party, at least msnbc trends to stick to mostly facts while Fox news will throw whatever lies out there that they can get away with.

********. Rachel Maddox is the Shawn hannity of the left. In my eyes msnbc has a little interest in honest, factual reporting as fox news does. Msnbc has been busted as many times as fox news for false details in their stories or their commentators making outrageous asinine claims.

 

[SaltyDawg]

********. Rachel Maddox is the Shawn hannity of the left. In my eyes msnbc has a little interest in honest, factual reporting as fox news does. Msnbc has been busted as many times as fox news for false details in their stories or their commentators making outrageous asinine claims.

I disagree. Rachel Maddow leans left, no doubt, but she sticks to the facts and issues corrections when a mistake is made.

 

[TheSilencer1313]

I disagree. Rachel Maddow leans left, no doubt, but she sticks to the facts and issues corrections when a mistake is made.

I thought this was a joke for a minute..... wait.

 

[SaltyDawg]

I thought this was a joke for a minute..... wait.

So can you give some examples of where she spread false information and didn't issue a correction?