2006-10-02 21:07:39 · 8 answers · asked by barkusmuhl 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Yes - hypothetetically - however, any public official has an extremely difficult time meeting the standards to maintain an action in defamation (See, Sullivan v. NY Times)...and there could also be political consideraitons that would make such an action a less than appetizing option.
2006-10-03 06:27:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normally in a defamation case, the defendant (the person who trashed the plaintiff) can defend himself by proving the truth of what he said about the plaintiff. When the plaintiff is a public figure, the plaintiff has the burden of proving the falsehood of the statement. Defamation suits involving politicians are rare. The public figures most likely to sue are Hollywood stars suing tabloids for just making stuff up.
2006-10-03 04:21:16 · answer #2 · answered by mattapan26 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think he would have to do it after he is out of the Presidency and it would have to be for legal slander not just any criticism. Like maybe the Prez could sue Michael Moore later for showing a pipeline in his film and saying that George W. had it built with his money for personal gain and it was a total lie since no pipeline was ever built where Moore said it was and that pipline he showed was a pre-existing one.
2006-10-03 04:24:16 · answer #3 · answered by Ernesto 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Why would he bother, when he can put you in jail? Now that he and the Congress have erased the 600 plus year history of the Writ of Habeus Corpus, which developed when the people rebelled against a British King and had him declare that no one could be jailed without bringing charges in public against him, George doesn't need to sue anyone--he can just throw them in jail (forever).
2006-10-03 04:18:47 · answer #4 · answered by Pandak 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. Freedom of speech. Criticism is protected in the USA. Libel isnt. Thats different. Do you think the leader of the free world has time to waste with every little criticism?
2006-10-03 04:14:14 · answer #5 · answered by KP 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, public figures have a lot harder time suing because of their exposed position.
2006-10-03 04:10:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, but I'm pretty sure he could have them arrested for being a "suspected terrorist".
2006-10-03 04:16:58 · answer #7 · answered by raven7night 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
no coz wat they say is probably true!
2006-10-03 04:13:04 · answer #8 · answered by emo garrett 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋