Bachmann ally, Bradlee Dean, sues Rachel Maddow for 50 million for playing his comments on air

[ck4829]

The head of far-right Minnesota-based ministry is suing Rachel Maddow for $50 million over her reporting on the group’s militantly anti-gay beliefs. You Can Run But You Cannot Hide, an organization led by Christian metal rocker Bradlee Dean, believes, among other things, that gays are responsible for the Holocaust and is closely tied to Michele Bachmann, who once publicly prayed for the ministry’s success. Larry Klayman, the founder of Judicial Watch, who recently condemned “heterophobia” in America, filed the suit against Maddow, alleging that the TV host slandered Dean by reporting his favorable comments about radical Muslims who want to execute gays and lesbians:

In the course of his ministry, Dean once made a statement on radio criticizing his fellow Christians for not taking a stronger stand about the gay rights lobby promoting homosexuality in the schools. He made a strong reference to Muslims taking the issue more seriously in the context of Shariah law, but did not condone their practices. It was Bradlee's intent to focus attention on the issue, not to advocate harm to anyone.

In the past, Dean and his ministry have been complemented by presidential candidate Michele Bachmann (who prayed for the ministry) for their work in promoting values for the nation's youth. The left wing media's effort to defame Dean is an obvious way to try to harm Bachmann's presidential prospects, who they fear and despise. Other left wing media outlets have followed MSNBC and Maddow in their slanderous efforts. This suit may just be the first in a series of cases meant to protect the fine reputation of Dean and his ministry.

The lawsuit is filed by attorney Larry Klayman, the founder of Judicial Watch and Freedom Watch, in DC Superior Court and seeks in excess of $50 million in damages. However, money is not the issue. "This case is filed as a matter of principle," stated Klayman. "We need more Bradlee Deans in the world and hateful left wing television commentators must be made to respect not only his mission but the law," he added.

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/bachmann-ally-bradlee-dean-sues-rachel-maddow-50-million

[rfranklin]

1. They are getting crzier by the minute...

Next thing you know they might start shooting children at a summer camp.

[proud patriot]

2. Total Bull Shit Scare Tactic

Rachel has them on the run .. They are scared shitless of her .

[11 Bravo]

39. Yeah, this is a textbook example of a SLAPP lawsuit.

[barbtries]

57. what does SLAPP mean?

thank you!

[kirby]

64. Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation

Any type of legal threat to squash people from exercising their rights.

[barbtries]

69. ahhh, okay

thank you.

[gatorboy]

3. I thought conservatives hated frivilous lawsuits.

[BlueState]

17. Good point!

[proud patriot]

26. I just used your line when sharing the link on facebook

[drokhole]

52. Yep...so much for tort "reform" and damage caps...

Side note: the documentary Hot Coffee, currently airing on HBO, covers this subject rather well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBKRjxeQnT4

[malaise]

4. Damn

He is batshitfuggingcrazy

[damntexdem]

5. Let's see -- wants to sue for "slander" for reporting what Dean said.

Slander by accurate quote.

So truth is not an absolute defense? Hmm.

[SusanaMontana41]

24. "Fair use" is fair use. Isn't that interesting?

I suppose Newt will be next if someone accurately quotes his "Meet the Press" remarks about the Ryan budget ...

[napi21]

6. Well, that suit is going nowhere! Larry is doing it pro-bono I'm sure and

it will be thrown out of court. Dean is a Public Figure, and as such has slim to no chance at succeeding suing anyone for slander. i'm no atty, but I've listened to enough liberal talk show hosts to know that public figures are almost 100% immune to suing over slander. norm Goldman explained it once, and the requirements are extremely high for even a possible success.

I'm glad he's suing Rachl. That means they ake her show very seriously. Good for you Rach!

[gratuitous]

7. Right, Bradlee doesn't mean any harm to anyone

Which is why the very title of his outfit is a veiled threat, because he's such a harmless fellow who comments favorably on other people's lethal desires. Bradlee must think judges are as stupid as his financial backers. It's really hard to say how someone can be "defamed" by quoting their own words back to them. I guess the market for Klayman's frivolous lawsuits has bottomed out if this is what he's up to nowadays.

[NightWatcher]

8. making certain that she'll play them tonight, and tomorrow...

the Religious Reich wing is starting to scare me.

Can't raise my daughter fast enough to teach her how to think for herself and avoid these nutjobs

[Pab Sungenis]

12. If she's on the air.

Show pulled on Friday, guest host last night. I think she may be going the way of Cenk.

[Ruby the Liberal]

18. Er, she is on vacation.

[liberalla]

20. Melissa Harris-Perry will be hosting TRMS the rest of this week

(announced last night by LO)

I just figured Rachel was out on vacation. That's still what I'd guess was happening...

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[emulatorloo]

9. He said it. Somebody recorded it, Maddow played it. How is that slander?

I thought these right wing types were against "frivolous lawsuits?"

[beac]

41. Apparently, he was unaware that his petard had a hoisting function!

:rofl:

[annabanana]

56. AH hahahahahahahahaha!!

oh very good

[Metta]

10. Oh, for Fox sake.

This is total bullshit.

[TheUniverse]

11. Obviously fair use.

I cannot see them winning this under any circumstance.

[checks-n-balances]

13. "Larry Klayman, the founder of Judicial Watch...recently condemned 'heterophobia' in America"

"We need more Bradlee Deans in the world and hateful left wing television commentators must be made to respect not only his mission but the law" --Larry Klayman

"...hateful left wing television commentators..."? Where??

"...must be made to respect...his mission..."? Why??

I'd like to see their definition of "heterophobia"!!!

I don't think I've ever seen so many insane people in this country before.

[Ruby the Liberal]

19. "Made to respect"

That caught my eye as well.

[tblue37]

33. "You will respect mah authoritah!" nt

[snooper2]

40. Cartman is exactly who came to mind for me as well

:rofl:

Yo Dean, go fuck yourself you stupid ass

[SteveM]

14. Junk lawsuits, used by developers to tie-down "enviro" groups. nt

[in_cog_ni_to]

15. Oh G-d. Not Klayman again. He sued his own mother...RW

sociopath.

Go Rachel!

[Ruby the Liberal]

16. She is the media. Thats what the media does. Idiots.

:rofl:

[madfloridian]

21. This Bradlee Dean? Video from last year.

http://www.dumpbachmann.com/2010/08/bradlee-dean-on-rachel-maddows-show.html

And an article:

http://minnesotaindependent.com/59568/hard-rock-ministry-says-jailing-gays-is-right-thing-to-do

[Urban Prairie]

22. If Dean's ministry is tax-exempt, then its status as such must be removed

even if he inevitably loses the lawsuit, for possibly involving his personal politics and violent homophobic rhetoric with the help of an elected representative (Bachmann) and quite likely into his ministry's preaching and written/email messages as well. He and his ministry should be investigated by the feds, IMO.

[joeglow3]

37. Sadly, it is perfectly legal to support/oppose ISSUES

The question is: is he actively campaigning for Bachmann? If so, then yes he should lose his tax exempt status. However, the IRS has basically ignored this for years now (both Obama and McCain had a LOT of blatant church support in 2008 and nothing was done).

[Mnpaul]

23. They are desperate for money

About a month ago, I took a trip in to the cities. They were at a local Holiday gas station begging for money. I took a different route on the way home they were at a different station and the guy said he had to try this one because he had no luck raising any money at the first. I just smiled and kept on walking.

[Gregorian]

25. OMG, he's Glenn Beck with a drum set

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI3Ktkh79EI

One of the comments puts this band into perspective-
"This band makes Insane Clown Posse seem profound."

[valerief]

68. Holy crapola! He IS Beck on drums!!!!

:rofl:

[marions ghost]

27. I'm sorry...

:rofl:

[Critters2]

28. Suing her for making use of her 1st Amendment rights. I doubt Rachel is worried. nt

[Bjorn Against]

29. Good I hope she hires a really expensive lawyer...

When the lawsuit is dismissed as frivolous she can then go after Bradlee Dean to pay her legal expenses.

[Dawson Leery]

30. Typical tea party intimidation tactics.

[L0oniX]

32. LOL ...good luck with that.

[KamaAina]

34. Here ya go, Brad.

[guruoo]

35. Klayman broke AT&T monopoly,filed 18 civil suits against Clinton, sued Cheney over energy task force

secrecy, ran for Senate and lost, and then, get this:

'After his run for the U.S. Senate, Klayman formed the organization Freedom Watch to
"protect civil liberties rights of all persons, whatever their ethnicity, race,
religion, sex or otherwise."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Klayman

I'm thinking bipolar here, with manic swings dominant.

[demgrrrll]

36. I knew I remembered him from the Clinton days. He is a gadfly

isn't he.

[BR_Parkway]

38. This would be the guy involved in the tax evasion scheme?

http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2011/01/04/hard-rock-ministry-tied-tax-evasion-scheme

And improperly using the tax free housing allowance IRS gives clergy?

http://minnesotaindependent.com/50551/bradlee-dean-punk-ministry-irs

The religion industry is out of control in this country. Dude is nothing but a shitty rocker who figured out the only people willing to pay to see his concerts are those convinced that it'll keep them out of Hell

[Blue Owl]

42. Love it

Fucker just peeled the lid off his own can of stink.

[Brickbat]

43. "Complimented," sted "complemented." Gah.

[KharmaTrain]

44. Another Larry Klayman Scam...

This is the dweeb who tried to make a name suing everyone and anyone near Bill Clinton in the 90s...even sued his own mother.

http://www.slate.com/id/2317/

This scheister crawls out of his hole every couple years to launch some frivolous suit he uses to fundrsise for his "organizations"...then quietly drops the case.

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

45. I've seen Chia-Pets that are smarter than this guy.

Get your Chia-Teabagger now

[Blasphemer]

46. I presume they have the money to pay her legal fees

They will need to after this frivolous lawsuit is laughed out of court.

[hifiguy]

47. Let's see. Repeating someone's statements truthfully is

an absolute defense. I am sure they are laughing in TRMS bullpen over this one. This asshat and his halfwit lawyer will be lucky not to get assessed their opponents' attorney fees.

[Ikonoklast]

48. Should have asked for $50 Brazillion Dollars while he's at it.

He'll never see a dime of that, either.

That lawsuit won't get anywhere near a court room.

[66 dmhlt]

62. Though for sure you were going to do the Bush joke ...

Donald Rumsfeld told Pres. Bush that three Brazilian soldiers had been killed in Iraq.

Pres. Bush replied, "Why that's just awful! By the way, how many zeroes are there in a Brazilian?"

[Ikonoklast]

66. YOU ARE ANATHEMA.

To the Lounge with you!

[Horse with no Name]

49. You have no expectation of privacy when speaking to a crowd in a public place.

Sorry dude. Try again.

[jwirr]

50. God, another crazy in MN.

[AlbertCat]

51. Whoa! Dude!

Thanks for keeping Rachel and her smack down of your looney statements in the news!

[Jim_Shorts]

53. Ha Ha Ha Ha these people are off the charts wack-a-doodle

Tea partier Paul Brown just introduced a bill to LOWER the debt ceiling.

Can you imagine one of these nuts with their finger on the button.

[penndragon69]

54. Like newt-ered said:

If anybody plays a clip of what i SAID...they are lying.

[annabanana]

55. "the fine reputation of Dean and his ministry" . . . .

If they are so insulted and dismayed by their own words, perhaps they shouldn't say them.

fine reputation my ass

[Jello Biafra]

58. If they don't back Rachel...

she can go on CurrentTV and join the MSNBC alumni....

[EstimatedProphet]

59. Shithead Alex Bennett was talking about this this morning

Of course slamming Rachel, as always. For a "liberal" he spends a lot of time condemning liberals and defending rightwing loons.

[Ikonoklast]

67. Bennett slams anyone with better ratings.

He's a political lightweight celebrity-fluffer, at best.

[EstimatedProphet]

70. He's a failed "broadcaster"

He wanted to be where Ed Schultz or Rachel Maddow is now, and he didn't make it, so he slams them all out of jealousy.

[NICO9000]

60. Good luck with that

I'm sure Rachel and MSNBC are quaking in their boots. Dean and Klayman are just two more douches in the women's hygiene aisle of dumbo politics.

[southernyankeebelle]

61. It amuses me that the right always talks freedom of the press. But they

only mean for themselves not liberal people. Especially a gay woman. They seem to be working on bring down Maddow. They fear her because she knows their game.

[treestar]

63. So there is something about Sharia law the right likes?

If he said the comments publicly, others can replay them - what sort of a case must he have?

[The Wizard]

65. I wonder if he found a lawyer

to take the case on contingency. He has to prove damages. Another Repube buffoon.