Yeah, I was sued for writing something here on this blog about someone whom I identified with an amusing pseudonym. I called him a “liar, scofflaw and deadbeat.” As you know, calling a pseudonym nasty terms is OK, as long as the nasty terms are factually accurate. And they were. (The case was summarily dismissed in five months.)
Given how the word “defamation” in combination with “lawsuits” is flourishing under the not-yet-new White House regime, I intended to tell you my defamation story, emphasizing why it was less alarming than, oh, hilariously stupid. But my favorite lawyer-cum-satirical wit, Kevin Underhill, at his unspeakably terrific legal blog, LoweringTheBar, just published what follows about how at least one incipient MAGA defamation lawsuit (kicked off with a cease-and-desist letter) against erstwhile Trump security advisor, Olivia Troye, has been handled by her attorney.
No need for me to detail what fun such stupid threats and lawsuits can be. Kevin has done it for all of us. Here it is. And yes, the first image you’ll see when entering the link is indeed of John Cleese, in full Python armor and mockery. It is not a mistake. Continue reading.