Libel is a written falsehood, slander a verbal one. If it is against a business, it can be actionable as disparagement. Generally, public figures have less standing to bring these actions than the private citizen. Damages can be difficult to prove, but so long as any damage can be established ($1.00) then the door is open for punitive damages. Finding attorneys to take the typical cases between individuals can be difficult as their time is valuable and such actions rarely offer a big pay off, so the plaintiff would have to have the deep pockets to fund the costs of the litigation. As others have stated, truth of the statement is an absolute defense. If the statement was clearly in jest, in many instances that will make an action in libel difficult to maintain.
In my opinion, because members of this forum go by "pen names" it would be very difficult to prove any damages. In fact it is entirely possible that the feuds we see here between two people, could actually be one person pretending to be two people. When writing about a businessman or a person and there is a clear message directed against a "real" person or entity, it is always a good idea to be truthful.
This might also be an appropriate time to mention that many posts on this forum by some members which may be intended to be cute, funny or patriotic (and ring of religious intolerance) are not only in very bad taste but very much contrary to the underpinnings of our great nation, which was founded upon the noble foundation of religious tolerance. When I see such postings on a thread, I have decided not to call the poster what he is (un-American, shallow and stupid in both thought and temperament), but to no longer post on any thread that has been so contaminated with stupidity. This is an international community and as an American, I do not wish to lend my support to such statements by silence. Thus, you will no longer see me participating in the damascus discussions or any other discussion that has been so contaminated by foul, intolerant, or un-American thoughts of others.
Doug
