Alex Jones Ordered to Pay $965 Million

Oh right, because now we’re responsible for ‘instigating’ the behavior of others too :roll_eyes:

If AJ didn’t call for people to harass these folks, i don’t think he did anything (legally) wrong.

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Yell fire in a crowded theater. Then you have fighting words. So yes, the law is clear on the idea that your words can instigate behaviors for which you will be held accountable.

You also need to consider that Jones didn’t contest the case so he got default judgements against him. In effect, he admitted he was responsible.

These are carved out for a specific reason of causing harm directly with no intervening factor.

Someone else committing a completely unrelated felony like death threats does not fall into this - not that I have ever seen.

Slander / libel has never been a root cause for death threats by third parties that I have seen. Intentional criminal actions of others is usually where responsibility is cut off.

This is going a bit far to say he admitted he is responsible lol.

I looked into this a bit more.

Had he produced the requested documents in discovery, he would have lost the case because they would have shown the plaintiff’s complaint was true: Jones’ “crisis actor” claims were intentional and knowing falsehoods from what I understand. Losing was a foregone conclusion.

Because he lost by default judgment, he doesn’t have to provide evidence in public filings that his claims were false, which preserves his conspiracy-theorist angle. He can also complain about the “unfair” judge who “never heard the facts”.

Losing now reduces his ongoing legal fee expenditures. Losing by default reduces the likelihood of punitive damages. Jones failed to comply with requested discovery because he would not provide documents, he says proved his claims. Of course, he could not provide them because they don’t exist.

He produced documents not requested (the whole contents of his spam filters, including child porn sent by trolls, rather than emails related to the case). During depositions he walked the edges of contempt. His attorney interrupted the deposing attorney constantly, and Jones would regularly claim he did not recall making a statement, then when confronted with video of him making the statement, say that the video could have been edited. His attorneys did a very good job of staying just on the edge of ethical advocacy.

So, it seems this was intentional like I thought at first glance.

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Yelling “fire” in a theater is done with the intention of making people leave the theater. Calling someone is a “crisis actor” does not mean you are telling folks to harrass them.

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When you know that’s the effect your lies are having, and you continue to lie in spite of being asked to stop, then that doesn’t help your case. Defamation, libel, slander, are all about how lies affect others when they deal with you.

Usually in terms of monetary loss/ character degradation - not people committing felonious acts against you.

Intentional criminal acts have nothing to do with slander, libel, or defamation of character.

Calling for people to commit crimes against somebody is a different story and that didn’t happen here.

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I’m familiar with Times v Sullivan, but you can still defame public figures even if the bar is higher.

The fire in a theater nonsense was crafted by our government when we tried to crack down on anti-war speech and pamphlets. The fact that mini fascists continue to use that defense always amuses me.

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Always easy to have an open, honest dialogue with someone who brings out the fascist/nazi/racist card so early on in the discussion.

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Here I was thinking I displayed restraint by waiting until post # 168. I’m honestly not referring to you btw. I’m referring to politicians who use that defense when trying to justify mass censorship.

I didn’t take it personally. I just think it’s a stupid move to call everyone you disagree with fascists. Especially when it’s liberals who want speech codes and such.

Those speech codes are fascistic. Private/public collusion to stifle political speech. This isn’t new, by the way. Wilson did it with the Sedition act. FDR, the same president who illegally interned 100,000 American citizens, censored political opponents with the FCC he created.

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It’s not only that, but the way they try to make it about the words instead of the effect/s. They only include a small part of it, and leave out “and causing a panic.”

Meanwhile

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I’m okay with Floyd’s family suing Kanye, so long as I can sue Beyoncè for saying “Black Lives Matter”.

Also, I think Floyd’s family should seek at least a billion dollars from Kanye.

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Not sure how these 2 things are comparable. FBI didn’t go after Alex Jones.

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What’s stopping you from suing her?

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Roger Stone, Alex Jones Under Investigation for Ties to Capitol Rioters: Report (lawandcrime.com)

They have in the past - at least investigated him over something dumb.

Meanwhile Hunter Crackhead Biden is committing numerous serious felonies and the FBI all of a sudden becomes Stevie Wonder.

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This is a completely different comparison.

Pretty sure we all know why he’s not being investigated. That shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone.