Check it out and rate it up -- veteran sues for libel over "Stolen Honor"

[Sparkly]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041019/ap_on_el_pr/kerry_film

Veteran Sues for Libel Over Kerry Film

6 minutes ago

By DAVID B. CARUSO, Associated Press Writer

PHILADELPHIA - A Vietnam veteran shown in a documentary criticizing Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites)'s anti-war activities filed a libel lawsuit against the movie's producer 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.

"It paints me as having been a fabricator, a fraud and a liar," Campbell said.

[Hailtothechimp]

1. Another reason for Sinclair to hold back from showing it.

If they air it, they will be opening themselves up to liability for spreading the slander nationwide. Good move.

[Tweed]

3. Yeah, that's another factor

and could be the motivation behind the lawsuit. The other reason why the guy doesn't stand a good chance of winning is because the medium hasn't been viewed by many people. The potential for damage will go up the more this 'documentary' is shown. Sinclair will not only make the damages higher, but also open themselves up as 'publishers' for playing the movie.

[Tweed]

2. His chances aren't too good

To win a libel case, he is going to have to show that he has suffered damage to his reputation. The way the article makes it seem, this guy was in a group shot of a protest where it said that 'many' of the protesters were not even soldiers. With such vague accusations, it will be hard to nail them down for hurting his reputation alone. Then what damage has been occurred? Has this guy faced threats? Is his losing money? Emotional distress? I wouldn't be surprised if this case gets thrown out with a summary judgment.

[Sparkly]

4. I think it's more than a group shot of a protest

The segment in the film involving Campbell shows him speaking with another Marine at a 1971 gathering in Detroit, during which Kerry and other servicemen shared stories about horrific acts they had committed or witnessed during the war.

Campbell asks whether the Marine recalls an assault on a Vietnamese village; the Marine offers to provide more detail. Neither man is identified. Sherwood introduces the conversation by saying, "Many of the horror stories seem made up on the spot," but does not elaborate as to why he believes that to be the case.

[deadparrot]

5. Done. Rated and crossing my fingers

that this guy is successful.

[EST]

6. Done!

How 'bout some enterprising DUer starting a petition so we can get about a million signatures to the FCC to knock out the broadcasting licenses for Sinclair. These bastards have absolutely no right to use the public airways for their partisan hackery!