Graduate Student and AI

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by blueangel

Right or wrong, like it or not.. free speech does not apply to internet message boards. The owner of the board makes the rules and enforces them or appoints deputies who are charged with enforcing them. Think of it as being a guest in John's living room. If he doesn't like your behavior, he can ask you to stop, and he can make you leave his house.

Even if an internet chat board was a democracy, in the U.S, at least, there are still rules governing "libel." Infact, people have successfully sued for libel on the internet.

http://www.wave.net/immigration/lawyer/libel.html

Here are more recent cases:

http://www.phillipsnizer.com/library...mation_cda.cfm

Actually, free speech does apply to internet message boards. Obviously you haven't checked the Bill of Rights lately. Yes, TOS does prohibit racist, obscene etc. messages, but nothing you're complaining about can be considered a violation of TOS. Plus those sorts of posts are not protected by the first amendment.
Here, let me help you out with a handy dandy link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_A...s_Constitution

As for libel-libel is a civil suit, extremely difficult to prove and many cases are usually dismissed. Anything said here is opinion, and for that reason alone you cannot take anyone down for libel. It's been done, but it's so hard to do it's basically impossible unless you have an extremely strong case.
Sorry to burst your bubble.

[UGAalum94]

As I understand it, people can be banned from Greek Chat; it's not an entirely public forum. It's also not an agent of any form of government. SO, restricting your speech on Greek Chat is not a Constitutional issue.

You aren't entitled to use someone else's platform to express your opinion. (and, those sort of offensive posts that you mention, ARE protected by the Constitution, except for some rare exceptions like "fighting words," "imminent threat," etc. Congress can make no law that abridges your right to say racist or sexist things, but that still doesn't mean you get to do it on Greek Chat)

You also may want to check your understanding of libel. Qualifying something as your opinion wouldn't be a solid defense.

Anyhoo, what the point of posting answers that, in addition to being unhelpful (as, I confess, many of mine are), are insulting to the person asking for help?

[PenguinTrax]

I'll be more direct this time - cut out the name calling, legalese, etc. If you want to debate points of law, TOS or anything else, do so via PM or in the Chit Chat forum. This is NOT a topic for the Recruitment forum.