Veteran files libel suit against director of anti-Kerry film (Sinclair)

[Kolesar]

AP/PeeDee

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Vietnam veteran shown in a documentary criticizing Sen. John Kerry's anti-war activities filed a libel lawsuit against the movie's director Monday, saying the film falsely calls him a fraud and a liar.

Kenneth J. Campbell, now a professor at the University of Delaware, said in the suit that "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal" combines footage of him appearing at a 1971 war protest with narration that claims that many of the supposed veterans who took part in the event were later "discovered as frauds" who "never set foot on the battlefield, or left the comfort of the States, or even served in uniform." The suit said viewers would be left with the perception that Campbell had lied about his military service.

...snip...

The suit names the film's producer, Carlton Sherwood, and his company, Red White and Blue Productions, as defendants. "The defendants' malicious, reckless and scandalous misrepresentations and falselight presentations of Dr. Campbell were done with the specific intent to defame Dr. Campbell and place him in a false light, and with a reckless and outrageous disregard for the truth," Campbell's attorney wrote in the lawsuit.

Campbell's lawyer also threatened legal action against the Sinclair Broadcast Group, an owner of 62 television stations that has announced that it intends to pre-empt regular program to broadcast "Stolen Honor" two weeks before the election.

[Changenow]

1. Good for him!

We need more of these.

[NVMojo]

13. ...and double good!

more vets should be filing suit against these whiners with "wounds that never heal".

[Seabiscuit]

64. Yes!!! And PLEASE add Sinclair as a defendant and get an injunction...

preventing Sinclair from airing the film!

[Warpy]

2. FINALLY!!!

[trumad]

3. Ha

this might be the plug puller....

[The Zanti Regent]

55. He SHOULD sue the SPONSORS too!

Hit 'em in the pocketbooks!

[mmonk]

4. Go Ken Go

[xultar]

33. GO!! Go! Go!! GO! Ken Go! GO!! Go!!! Go!!! Go!!!

[whodiedandmadeUSgod]

5. Yes! I hope more Veterans step up now!

How damaging to say this about people who actually served! This could back fire and look very bad for Bush and the "We Support Our Troops Crowd"

[blue neen]

6. It looks like Sherwood didn't realize what he would be unleashing

by filming this "documentary." I don't blame Campbell for suing him.
Campbell should also sue Sinclair.

[Changenow]

18. I think he plans to, but he has to wait until it goes on the air.

The article says he is considering action against Sinclair.

The other nice part of all this is that Cambell could become a rich man as a result.

[reprobate]

27. He might also go for an injunction to keep it from being shown.

Claiming in the suit against the producer that it was done to do him, and others shown, harm might get the court to issue a temporary injunction at least until after the election, and then it will be moot.

[Aiptasia]

7. Gloves off...

Screw it, let's just take all of the gloves off and encourage Michael Moore to make a deal with one of the big three networks for airing "fahrenheit 911" two days before the election.

Michael needs to skip his pay-per-view run and make a deal with one of the big three to air it as a one shot showing just before the election.

Write to mike here: [e-mail]

[Greylyn58]

15. In -Demand Pulled Moore's Showing

He was on Jay Leno this past Friday night and said his Pay-per-View event has been scraped. In-Demand and he had signed all the contacts...it was a done deal and they backed out with some lame excuse.

So on Leno's show he offered his film Fahrenheit 911 to Sinlair Broadcast for FREE. Show it after the other film. No word yet on their answer.

:wow:

[OKNancy]

8. I can't seem to pull up the

link.

This is the way to go on this...a lawsuit.

[Kolesar]

12. It was a short article. I only took out one paragraph

if you wish to try again:

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/politics/index.ssf?/base/politics-0/1098107948317350.xml&storylist=politics

[klook]

9. Genocide and the Global Village

Looks like this is the same guy who wrote this book:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0312293259.01._PE_PIdp-schmooS,TopRight,7,-26_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Synopsis
In the 1950s, the international community made a solemn promise to "never again" allow genocide to go unchallenged. In the early days of the Post Cold War "New World Order",though, international leaders failed to stop horrific genocides in Bosnia and Rwanda, chiefly because Western leaders lack the "political will" to use decisive force to suppress ongoing genocide. Despite increased attention to war crimes issues in the Clinton Administration, and increased rhetoric about its commitment to halting genocide, American military force policy still gives lowest priority to responding to gross abuses of human rights. In this title, Kenneth Campbell explains why the international community fails so miserably to prevent, suppress, and punish contemporary genocide....

Hope he's successful in suing these jerks.
(edited for formatting)

[Career Prole]

10. Hear, hear, Ken Campbell!! Good for you, sir!

I applaud your service, your courage, and your honor!
:yourock:

[farmbo]

11. A lesson for liars: stick to lying against "public figures"

The law gives you open season on John Kerry. But when you lie about regular folks...in this case, veterans who served honorably... there WILL be consequences.

And they won't be pretty for your lying cabal.

[OutsourceBush]

14. The sh*t just keeps hitting that Sinclair fascist fan... lol

[Wednesdays]

16. How ironic

>> Kenneth J. Campbell, now a professor at the University of Delaware, said in the suit that "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal" combines footage of him appearing at a 1971 war protest with narration that claims that many of the supposed veterans who took part in the event were later "discovered as frauds" who "never set foot on the battlefield, or left the comfort of the States, or even served in uniform." <<

I find this supremely ironic, considering this:
http://www.awolbush.com/whoserved.html

[wishlist]

17. Great pre-emptive strike against this lying propaganda film

Viewers need to hear as much as possible about extreme slant and lack of integrity in making of this film.

[donhakman]

20. pre-emptive?

The lawsuit will come to the courts maybe next year, maybe in two years.

[DoYouEverWonder]

44. But the bad press is now

This whole election is being tried in the court of public opinion and at the moment, that is the only court that matters.

[Laelth]

59. Yes, but ...

The judge can issue an injunction preventing the show from being aired ... immediately!

Ka-blam! Good work! :yourock:

-Laelth

[aden_nak]

19. Wounds That Never Heal

Gee, I wonder why. Maybe because some asshole producer decides to dredge them up every few years?

[ClassWarrior]

21. Awesome.

24.

[PDittie]

22. This will likely force Sinclair to drop the broadcast

Sinclair's lawyers can probably stave off a lawsuit by dropping their plans to air the documentary.

To me that's the best news of all.

[Merlin]

30. No way. Sinclair only understands advertisers' dollars.

So keep the pressure on the advertisers. Call. Email. Write. Call again.

[lordwhorfin]

32. Actually

. . . they may not even care about those. The thinking on Sinclair is that it is a new kind of TV media company, the equivalent of the Washington Times or The New York Post. It doesn't matter if it loses money, it's designed as a propaganda delivery vehicle, and that's its sum and substance. Its principal bankrollers DON'T CARE if they lose ad revenue.

Hence the lawsuit is a very good thing.

[pinkpops]

34. Yup - make the mo-fos PAY

[K8-EEE]

23. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!1

This is great and I hope more people who took part in that conference back him up!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

24. Give 'em hell, Kenneth!!

[never cry wolf]

25. I wonder if he could get some judge to issue a restraining order

Stop the airing of this propoganda piece until after the election.

[Merlin]

29. I just talked to a guy at the DNC about getting an injunction.

I can't believe they can't do that.

This will be an obvious case of violation of a federal law (corporate campaign contribution in the form of free advertising just prior to a national election) that will cause irreparable harm, and thus should be legitimately the purview of an injunction to prevent the harm from occurring, rather than simply pursuing the violator after the fact.

I can't believe we can't get a federal judge who will issue such an injunction.

Any lawyers care to comment?

[Laelth]

60. In law school ...

so don't quote me, and Federal practice is not my specialty, but ...

using their broad, equitable powers, I see no reason why a judge couldn't issue a temporary restraining order preventing the film from being aired. If it can cause irreperable harm to Plaintiff (i.e. slander the plaintiff in 15 states, or however many Sinclair reaches). Of course, the courts will balance this harm against possibel 1st Amendment rights of the broadcasters.

Still ... it's worth a shot. I'd try it, at least.

-Laelth

[Mister K]

26. Yahoo picked it up

Vote it up peoples...

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041018/ap_en_mo/kerry_film_1

[Mister K]

36. It is now on the front page of Yahoo...Great work!

This should raise some eyebrows and hopefully get some more people involved. It is also posted on Drudge.

[Lizzie Borden]

52. It's 3.70 at Yahoo.

Needs help. Rate it up please.

[Merlin]

28. I'm in the same clip. In the process now of joining in the law suit.

I tried to get something like this going 3 weeks ago, and corresponded with Ken about it at the time. We were in VVAW Philly together years ago (though I don't remember him).

If we can get more vets to participate, we might be able to make something happen here.

[TahitiNut]

31. Excellent!

:thumbsup: (Or... as my DI at Fort Lost-In-The-Woods used to say: "Outfuckingstanding!")

[wryter2000]

38. Hooray for you, Merlin

Do it!

[calimary]

40. Bless your heart!

Let the injunctions begin!

And thank you for your service, Merlin.

[pacalo]

42. Yes! This SHOULD be a class-action suit! Go, Merlin!

[Laelth]

62. Umm ...

only a class-action in the event that all possible plaintiffs can't be identified. Here, we can probably identify all the harmed parties (probably).

Still ... sue, sue, sue, and good for you!

:yourock:

-Laelth

[The Magistrate]

43. Good For You, Mr. Merlin!

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[Changenow]

45. Congratulations!

It makes me proud to be a DUer knowing heroes like yourself are here and willing to fight a second time for our country!

[jugami]

58. Thank You!

[yardwork]

61. Thank you for doing this! Thank you for serving and for speaking out.

[Democat]

67. Good for you - threaten to sue Sinclair if they air the movie!

They should be put on notice that they will be sued as well!

[truthisfreedom]

35. two weeks before the election? TWO DAYS!

that's the original schedule.

[wryter2000]

37. Good for him.

Stand up for the truth. :kick:

[NewYorkerfromMass]

39. He's got a good case.

Hope all the assholes have deep pockets 'cuz they are going to owe.

[loudsue]

41. What happened to the shareholder's lawsuit against Sinclair??

That by doing this foolish thing, Sinclair's Sr. Mgmt. is jeopardizing the share price....and a bunch of shareholders were going to file a suit to stop them.

Has anyone heard a follow-up on that??

:kick::kick::kick:

[Eurobabe]

46. excellent! go Ken!!

[ArnoldLayne]

47. Good I hope more

of them do the same thing.

[Disturbed]

48. Go for it Merlin.

The Media needs to know that there are indeed people that will not ignore their lies.

[ladybugg33]

49. What can we do to support Ken?

Does he have an e-mail address? Can we donate money to his cause?

[vetwife]

50. I said...uh the key was a lawsuit ! FROM a VETERAN !

More veterans should step up and claim this SBL thing is determential to their health ! As it is !

[Rebellious Republican]

54. I did my part, sent this to all the links that Skinner provided.......

it took some time but I recommend that all vets do it. It does not matter what era you served in, we can make a difference. If you do not want to send to all the links, at least do the advertisers, hit them where it hurts, in the wallet!

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am a Decorated Navy Veteran, 1978-1988 active duty. It occurs to me it has become popular sport to smear veterans that have distinguished themselves in times of valor. Who have also chosen to continue to serve our country as elected representatives of 'We the People". These tactics serve no one honorably; they only call into question the validity of the military awards system. It questions any vet who has ever earned an award, it makes people skeptical and places doubt in their minds. So when someone like me displays them, they have a subconscious reaction to ask me if they mean anything!

This tactic was used against the Honorable John McCain, a hero's hero, when he ran in the 2000 primaries. Stories surfaced about his loyalty while in Hanoi as a POW, that was an all time low in politics. Did anyone bother to talk about his history on board the USS Forestal, how he survived the biggest disaster aboard an aircraft carrier in Naval History. He was then given the option to go home, but he chose to stay and serve. It was after that when he "intercepted a surface to air missile with his plane" and after surviving that was captured. As far as his time in Hanoi, very few people actually know what it is like in a Vietnamese POW camp and try to survive. No matter what happened in Hanoi, one thing is for sure; at least he chose to be there!

You can add Senator Max Cleland to that smear list, guess what, at least he was there. He was not flying the friendly skies of Texas or hiding behind some deferment, if he had been, then he would probably still have all of his limbs!

Now we see the trashing of John Kerry's honorable service in Vietnam, again, one thing is for sure, he was in Vietnam, and there by choice!

I see a reoccurring theme in all of this; maybe the US Congress needs to review their awards criteria, certainly decorations must be handed out like candy. I will keep that in mind when I look at my Naval Expeditionary Forces medal (Beirut "83") or my National Defense medal, Sea Service deployment ribbon, Naval Enlisted Aircrewman Wings or any of the other four worthless pieces junk that they gave me.

The Sinclair Broadcasting Group should be ashamed for allowing itself to be used in this disgusting tactic. This is no way for a public broadcast company to act and should withdraw the offer to run "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal". Not simply because they have opined that Kerry does not deserve these awards, but mainly because this is a purely political advertisement, and is being donated valuable airspace by The Sinclair Broadcasting Group.

Even to most novices on such matters, most would be of the opinion that there has to be FEC conflicts here. It is could easily be perceived as a campaign contribution to a political party, not to mention clearly a partisan advertisement.

I am one Vet who stands behind all Veterans that have received military awards, regardless of political party affiliations, that includes George Herbert Walker Bush for honorable service in WWII. This type of slander needs to stop, regardless of who is being attacked.

Please do not allow any further degradation to the military awards system, that’s all some of us have. We are not wealthy, we enjoy a humble existence, content with the knowledge that our value to America is not with material wealth, rather, it is in our distinguished service to our nation. The only thing that we have to show for this when we grow old, are our medals.

To someone who has never served or been in combat, this may seem trivial, however there are many vets like myself who feel that all our awards are being cheapened by these attacks. I beg you to stop these attacks on politicians who have SERVED our nation in combat.

xxxxx xxxxxx
xxx xxxx xxxx x
xx xxxxxx, xx. xxxxx

[yardwork]

63. Thank you, Rebellious Republican, for your service and for speaking out

[GinaMaria]

51. How do we support other vets in his same situation?

Anyone know?

[symbolman]

53. I'm a Vet from that era

can I join or do I have to have been in the movie?

I've already been on the Joe Scarborough show when we were boycotting Limbaugh and complained on the air that I didn't appreciate being called a "Commie - marxist and anti-american".. even demanded for Limbaugh to show us HIS enlistment papers..

it got so bad that Joe threatened to shut off our microphones :)

Way to go on this! Maybe a class action suit?

[Sugarbleus]

57. Way to Go Symbolman!!

For weeks I've wondered where the VN era vets were on the Kerry's service issue.

I'm ecstatic that people like you and the man mentioned in this thread are doing something to defend the actions of those times; and vicariously help Kerry. BRAVO!!!

Sorry I missed you on Scarborough. WELCOME HOME!

[George_S]

56. This deserves more than a kick

Kenneth J. Campbell, Ph.D.

http://www.udel.edu/poscir/kjcamp.htm

[AlFrankenFan]

65. Wonderful for him! n/t

[tsuki]

66. YES, YES!

I love this guy sight unseen!