Union of Bloggers.
I guess the recent intimidation antics of embattled Leftist blogger Warren Kinsella helped make this a reality. Bet Warren didn't see this coming!
(Emphasis mine)
(...) Kinsella’s Lionel Hutz-like ignorance about legal mobility, agents for service and libel notice wouldn’t be caught by a non-lawyer blogger, who might believe Kinsella’s PR about being a legal jedi. But I admit I was stunned — maybe I, myself had actually bought the hype that Kinsella was a tough customer. I felt like I was dealing with an articling student of the calibre of Khurrum Awan, or Jason Cherniak. (What is it with all of these Liberal lawyers anyways?)
It’s been a week, and I haven’t received any libel notice, or even a demand letter, from Kinsella or his lawyers about Blazing Catfur. Maybe it’s still coming. Or maybe Kinsella’s lawyer is slowly going over with him, uh — how do you say it? — the law. Just because someone hurts your feelings, doesn’t mean you have a human rights case. And just because someone makes fun of you, doesn’t mean you have a defamation case.
I mention all of this because it goes to the heart of the Union of Bloggers. Part of the idea of the mutual aid society is that if a Kinsella were actually to launch a defamation action and fight all the way, there would be a group with the legal, financial and political resources to be there all the way. But the bigger idea is that bloggers no longer live in fear of baseless lawsuits, and engage in self-censorship or — worse — issue grovelling apologies for doing nothing wrong other than hurting someone’s political feelings. That’s what really happens — bloggers give up without a fight, because they’re scared. I’m here to say there’s nothing to be scared of.
That’s Kinsella: all talk, no action. Lots of bullying when it comes to non-lawyers. Lots of self-congratulatory spin. But the first time a blogger — the hilariously named Blazing Catfur — lawyers up, Kinsella falls apart. I’ve never had a lawyer try harder to bump me from a case before its even began. I’d take that as a compliment, but I get the feeling Kinsella would try to bump any real lawyer off the case — he’s not used to a level
playing field.
Read Ezra's entire first post on the Union of Bloggers site!
You know, it's easier to exercise our rights when we're not alone in standing up and fighting for them. Hence the need to unite and prevail over the oppressors and tyrants who laughably claim to be "human rights" champions while seeking to deny rights for those they find inconvenient.
Hey, Warren... guess what? I, too, shall not tremble the next time you attempt to intimidate me. Rather than curse the Prince of Darkness, I'll help switch on the lights!
So go ahead, Warren... say some more stuff that warrants a stinging, critical commentary and give me another reason to do an inconvenient post about you. Bring it on, baby!
Bravo, Ezra!
Let's roll!
