Excellent analysis, Laura. To me, the lawsuit reads like a political document, not a legal one. Lots of assumptions about motive, but no evidence. Plaintiff’s lawsuits sometimes do that, but they’re supposed to be accurate. It’s clear, as others have noted, the outcome is not nearly as important as the implied threat to all journalists and news organizations in the country.
This is another example of the need for “Anti-SLAPP” legislation in Iowa. The lack of protection against frivolous lawsuits makes it too easy for well-financed bad actors to intimidate people. Iowa gets an “F” in its protection against intimidation by lawsui.( https://anti-slapp.org/your-states-free-speech-protection#scorecard) To its credit, Bleeding Heartland has noted this problem.
It's a big problem, and apparently State Senator Julian Garrett is the roadblock. The Iowa House has passed anti-SLAPP legislation at least a couple of times. House Judiciary Committee chair Steve Holt recently confirmed to me that he will introduce this bill again in 2025.
I'll be following this lawsuit. I admire Ann and DM Register courage to standing up for truth and justice.
I also enjoyed Phil Edwards video on USSR and Khrushchev's interest in Iowa corn and your contribution to the story - thanks for the invitation to watch it.
Your analysis and explanations are always helpful Laura! Thanks for taking this one on, and providing much needed context. It seems such a stretch to think djt was harmed - especially in Iowa. We know he is a loser of gigantic (moral) proportions; but did he really think he was losing (election)!
With several lawyers in the family (happens in the best!) I know many of the jokes and memes and enjoy them. Perhaps the most basic is "the first lawyer in town starves until a second, opposing one shows up". Successful anti-SLAPP legislation would work against full employment for Iowa lawyer-hood so don't get your hopes up since they are the ones that write the laws that govern how our society--and economy and markets--work.
But keep takin' notes and namin' names--really enjoy your work.
Excellent analysis, Laura. To me, the lawsuit reads like a political document, not a legal one. Lots of assumptions about motive, but no evidence. Plaintiff’s lawsuits sometimes do that, but they’re supposed to be accurate. It’s clear, as others have noted, the outcome is not nearly as important as the implied threat to all journalists and news organizations in the country.
This is another example of the need for “Anti-SLAPP” legislation in Iowa. The lack of protection against frivolous lawsuits makes it too easy for well-financed bad actors to intimidate people. Iowa gets an “F” in its protection against intimidation by lawsui.( https://anti-slapp.org/your-states-free-speech-protection#scorecard) To its credit, Bleeding Heartland has noted this problem.
It's a big problem, and apparently State Senator Julian Garrett is the roadblock. The Iowa House has passed anti-SLAPP legislation at least a couple of times. House Judiciary Committee chair Steve Holt recently confirmed to me that he will introduce this bill again in 2025.
I'll be following this lawsuit. I admire Ann and DM Register courage to standing up for truth and justice.
I also enjoyed Phil Edwards video on USSR and Khrushchev's interest in Iowa corn and your contribution to the story - thanks for the invitation to watch it.
Your analysis and explanations are always helpful Laura! Thanks for taking this one on, and providing much needed context. It seems such a stretch to think djt was harmed - especially in Iowa. We know he is a loser of gigantic (moral) proportions; but did he really think he was losing (election)!
- Iowa? Of all places??
With several lawyers in the family (happens in the best!) I know many of the jokes and memes and enjoy them. Perhaps the most basic is "the first lawyer in town starves until a second, opposing one shows up". Successful anti-SLAPP legislation would work against full employment for Iowa lawyer-hood so don't get your hopes up since they are the ones that write the laws that govern how our society--and economy and markets--work.
But keep takin' notes and namin' names--really enjoy your work.