Covington High student’s legal team sues Washington Post | Fox News
Attorneys representing the Kentucky high school student involved in a confrontation that went viral on social media last month announced Tuesday that they were suing The Washington Post for $250 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Kentucky, accused The Post of practicing “a modern-day form of McCarthyism” by targeting Nicholas Sandmann and “using its vast financial resources to enter the bully pulpit by publishing a series of false and defamatory print and online articles … to smear a young boy who was in its view an acceptable casualty in their war against the president.”
A few of us were trying to stem the wave of hysterical banter going on when this story broke. I get my share of criticism for what I do and say from time to time. While the families of these kids were hiding their children out of concerns for their safety I didn’t think to make a mockery of the situation was all that funny.
Sandmann, a junior at Covington Catholic High School, became a target for outrage after a video of him standing face-to-face with a Native American man, Nathan Phillips, while wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat surfaced in January. Sandmann was one of a group of students from Covington attending the anti-abortion March for Life in Washington, D.C., while Phillips was attending the Indigenous Peoples’ March on the same day.
Sandmann and the Covington students were initially accused of initiating the confrontation, but other videos and the students’ own statements showed that they were verbally accosted by a group of black street preachers who were shouting insults both at them and a group of Native Americans. Sandmann and Phillips have both said they were trying to defuse the situation
We eventually did get what information we could to discredit the individual who was making false claims against these kids into the right hands. I thought it was more important to help defend these kids than to use the situation to promote ourselves. The safety of children will always come before grandstanding with me.
The lawsuit claims The Post “ignored the truth” about the incident and says the paper “falsely accused Nicholas of … ‘accost[ing]’ Phillips by ‘suddenly swarm[ing]’ him in a ‘threaten[ing]’ and ‘physically intimidat[ing]’ manner … ‘block[ing]’ Phillips path, refusing to allow Phillips ‘to retreat,’ ‘taunting the dispersing indigenous crowd,’ [and] chanting, ‘Build that wall,’ ‘Trump2020,’ or ‘Go back to Africa,’ and otherwise engaging in racist and improper conduct. …”Sandmann’s attorneys accuse The Post of publishing seven “false and defamatory” articles about the incident between Jan. 19 and 21 and claim the paper “knew and intended that its false and defamatory accusations would be republished by others, including media outlets and others on social media.”
I apologize if me putting this event on the down low offended some of our regular readers.
Last week, investigators hired by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington concluded that the students did not instigate the confrontation with Phillips. Bishop Roger Foys, who initially condemned the students’ behavior, wrote in a letter to parents that they had been “placed in a situation that was at once bizarre and even threatening.”
I never had to hide any of my kids with friends and family in another state because mobs of loons were threatening them. Hard to get my mind around needing to do that. I didn’t find any of it funny, I still don’t. Those that thought it was funny and/or used it to their own benefit are not deserving of my support. I make mistakes, I also know how to make a humble and heartfelt apology when I am wrong.
What criticism and backlash I may have received means nothing in comparison to what was done to these kids. Their college scholarships and even their high school graduation was in jeopardy and being threatened. I should have been more aggressive getting those records, I was two days behind… for that I am terribly sorry.
Source: Covington High student’s legal team sues Washington Post | Fox News
Category: Politics, Shitbags, SJW Idiocy, Valor Vultures
Hemmer Law
By the way, $250M USD is what Bezos paid for the Washington Compost in 2013.
I don’t know what you’re beating yourself up over, Dave. Can’t think of a single misstep you’ve made about this.
$250M… he’s getting divorced and is worth about $14B (before the ex takes HALF and his balls).
$250M for his is probably spare change… or a weekend with his latest fling.
I hope they’re successful as hell against every media outlet they go after, those kids were wronged nine ways to Sunday by the moonbat media!
I look forward to this gaining traction, and to certain journalists being held accountable.
You’re funny. Journalists held accountable.
ROTFLOL
He’ll hold his breath until he turns, well, you know.
*grin*
Don’t beat yourself up too much Dave. The dickweed with the drum was exposed for the POS that he is and hopefully the boys are gonna be set up nicely for their college tuitions if that is their goal. Just my .02…
The profits from the news outlets they’ll own should cover that nicely, Blue Cord Dad, and much more.
The ComPost will be screaming there was no actual malice, i.e., that their reporting was “fair comment” on a public newsworthy event; and any reporting which was inaccurate was done without specific knowledge of the falsity of any factual statement harmful to him or his reputation. So the likelihood Sandman will recover is questionable. He will do much better against non-media defendants like Chief Snaggletooth.
Actually, at least it seems to me, the Washington Post might be on thin ice. For example, it can be argued that the reason the WaPo and other news outlets ran the original YouTube video was for no other reason than to hold the Covington Catholic students up for public ridicule. It wasn’t inadvertent; it was intentional.
Absence of malice does indeed provide an exemption to libel, but there are limits. A court case the news media usually cites is New York Times Co. v. Sullivan which stipulates that the target of the alleged libel needs to be a public official or be involved in matters of public concern such as crime. This has since been altered to include well-known public figures in general such as actors.
In addition to not having a prior public profile, the CC students were also minors who should have been given the usual journalism benefit of not being condemned for youthful indiscretion by way of identification. Then too, if there was a perceived crime involved, it was the wearing of MAGA hats which is not a crime at all but merely making a political statement the WaPo didn’t happen to agree with.
His attorney is not pulling any punches – from the court document linked on their website:http://www.hemmerlaw.com/blog/for-truth-for-justice-for-nicholas/
Apparently, Phillips, a phony war hero, was too intimidated by the unruly Hebrew Israelites to approach them, the true troublemakers, and instead chose to focus on a group of innocent children – a much safer endeavor for activist tactics of intimidation.
Or, much more likely in my opinion, he sides with the racist black Israelites.
Like the Hyena he is, he went for who he saw as an easy target.
From the article that Pigmy sited:
“Apparently, Phillips, a phony war hero, was too intimidated by the unruly Hebrew Israelites to approach them, the true troublemakers, and instead chose to focus on a group of innocent children – a much safer endeavor for activist tactics of intimidation.”
Yep…Phillips is a COWARD..
I think we was more worried about getting kicked in the face and then goat stomped thus losing the rest of his teeth….
I hope they go after the idiot “Celebrities” on this. Threatening them with assault and trying to get people to Dox them is beyond the pale. You can disagree but the behavior of some of these “Adults” was scary. This is what happens when you see 20 seconds of a video and not the whole thing. But, it all comes down to “Orange Man Bad”. Dave, you were a voice of moderation. You did nothing wrong.
If you all get the chance, please watch this 15 minute well-produced video that was released by Nick Sandmann’s attorney.
It is worth every minute..the 15 minutes goes by fast:
“Nick Sandmann: The Truth In 15 Minutes”:
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/02/03/nick_sandmann_the_truth_in_15_minutes.html
That video is gold, as is the video John Ward put out talking about it. I really recommend both.
Aysel, when you have time, could you please share the John Ward video?
Thank You!
Great video, thanks!
Ed: Again, as I shared yesterday, have yet to hear one peep from folks who rushed to judgment on the Jussie Smolett incident…i.e. Smolett is gay, but we don’t see liberals tweeting about the Hebrew Isralites views on homosexuality…(and it is caught on that video)..
Let’s also not forget that in 2007 Jussie Smollett was found GUILTY of making false statements to Law Enforcement.
Looks as if Jussie is now a goner!
Must be the low IQ here but I agree with the final results as to the Dumbocrat managed media but it seems the whole driving force to the problem was the group of Black street preachers and what are they being accountable for. Wonder if Jesse and Al were in the background somewhere.
Quit beating yourself up, Dave Hardin. Doing something properly and correctly is more important than a rush to judgment.
I didn’t intend for it to seem as though I was beating myself up over any of it. I should have been quicker to get the records myself.
I was used by others to help confirm his records were correct. My advice was sought to help get the correct records and then I was obstructed when I tried to get the records to others.
That shit will not happen again.
Now it gets clear.
Understood
We all know only the Soviet gets to beat up Dave Hardin.
You knew the story was bullshit from day one.
No one de-escalates anything by marching up to them and beating a drum in their face.
I said that on the day the story broke and regardless of whether the kids had turned out to be saying things to him I would still state he initiated the contact and the confrontation because he’s an activist jerkoff with his own agenda.
The Black Israelites were the disgusting initiators of their hate speech directed against some white kids from a Catholic High School.
The “respected elder” was a not a man of honor or integrity, you knew it looking at him.
But the narrative of smug white kids with MAGA hats hurling invective was too intoxicating to ignore until the facts were out. I hope the Post loses this case and I hope every other asshole who helped create a series of conditions that were life threatening faces their own day in court to explain their actions and be held accountable for those actions.
The white guys were the only non-bad guys in this whole scenario.
Letter has been sent to Alyssa Milano, the Attention Seeker…hope she gets sued BIG time..
Alyssa Milano, the smug individual who sat at the Kavanaugh hearings..
Alyssa Milano: ‘I won’t apologize’ for comparing MAGA hat to KKK hood..” in reference to the Covington incident..
Alyssa Milano, who is still in denial about Jussie Smolett..
alyssamilanohasbeenactress
Maybe she can cast a spell and it will all just go away.
I bet she wishes she could.
Next up, Kathy Griffin who demanded names and addresses. IE: Dox them. Instigating violence against a bunch of Catholic School kids.
I saw Jim Carrey listed as a Defendant as well, I hope they get him as well!
Bill Maher is an especially bad example of what is wrong. Days after the full video of what actually happened he went on his show and continued to slander the kids. I hope he is sued out of existence.
“I apologize”
None needed.
Nathan Phillips, the Instigator…the Troublemaker…the Liar…
Hope he is 2nd to be sued.
Hope it happens on his 64th Birthday, which is 22 February.
But, but, but, he already said on video that he forgave the high schoolers for what they did.
Y’all mostly know my opinion of parasites,,,err lawers. Y’all also know that I know there are exceptions to all rules. We have some very good Counselors that hang out here and some on the staff. I hope this particular Counselor nails their asses to the wall. All.of.them.
You may also recall, when all of this FIRST came out that I was, again, FIRST to state that Phillips would be proven to be an embellishing POS and that these kids had done nothing wrong. I even was placing wagers to the effect. Looks like Outcast and I may be able to afford the Prime Rib with Top Shelf sipping whiskey before it is all finished.
Dave, like you, I am the Papa Bear of all the Mama Bears when it comes to the defence of children. There is NO punishment harsh enough for anyone who endangers or harms an innocent child in any way. I feel that not only a civil lawsuit, but also, criminal charges should be brought swiftly and surely against EVERYONE involved. As we all know, a number of “them” will make token apologies and walk away. #orangemanbad. Be sure you’re right…then go ahead. Uncle David used to say that to Grandpa Claiborne on the way to Texas.
“I hope this particular Counselor nails their asses to the wall.”
Preferably with railroad spikes.
This is as close as we’re gonna get to holding the adults responsible. Too many people were willing to sacrifice these kids on the altar of liberalism and nobody has yet held the Black Hebrew clowns and Nathan Phillips accountable for anything. Bullshit.
For what it’s worth, Dave, I see no fault in what you did. Too many people, myself included, were too eager to pile on to one side of the bandwagon or the other. You were wise and rational enough to find out what really went down before passing judgement. There was an awful lot of bullshit to sift through in doing so.
I figured Dave was just sitting around weaving baskets.
“No man, I majored in Journalism, it was easier.” ~ Joe Namath responding to a journalist who asked him if he majored in Basket Weaving at Alabama
Its hard to fault people who get caught up in the moment, I just tend to be more critical of what is going on than most.
Its the aftermath that always disappoints me. Like you, I have no issue stepping up and admitting when I fall a bit short.
Those who are incapable or unwilling to do as much lack the humility to be trusted. Given enough time to reflect, I thought a few might make an effort to correct themselves.
I am too busy to babysit grown-ups at this point in my life. There are a few people that should be ashamed of themselves. I doubt they are capable of even understanding what they did wrong.
I am angry and disappointed in a few that should have known better in the first place…even more so that they lack the humility to make amends.
Broadway Joe:
He played for the Bear…
rtr🐘
And Farrah Fawcett creamed his face:
https://youtu.be/OM59nSkjEWU
Response to GD Contractor’s post reference Joe Namath…
😉
The question before us now is…
Did he return the favor?
A very short video of Nasty Nate AKA Chief MethTooth running reporters again.frhttps://youtu.be/MAg9g2YjSEoom
https://youtu.be/MAg9g2YjSEo
That’s definitely a gigglesnorrttt!
Before everyone dismisses the chances of Nick winning take a look at who his lawyer is. Does Richard Jewell ring any bells? He got money out of the media in Atlanta after that fiasco.
I’ve no doubt young Master Sandmann will win, and win big. He will undoubtedly come out of this much to the good as far as pictures of dead presidents go …
But it’ll never see the inside of a courtroom.
The Post will pony up a very large settlement to make the whole thing go away, rather than be told by a jury – in open court – that they screwed the pooch in the extreme and owe the kid $250M, and maybe even more.
I would like there to be many lawsuits, stacked up like firewood, with one case after another being held in Kentucky. These kids (and possibly the school ?) will retain mean-as-a-snake lawers who will take no prisoners.
The school needs to be hung out to dry as well. They tried and convicted these kids in public and the media with no evidence whatsoever. The Cardinal, or whatever the grand poobah of the diocese is called, also went after them publicly without any facts or any investigation being done. I think the kid should go after them next. Then go after the hollyweird types, cuz they got a lot of money to give away to him, also.
Their negative reaction was almost immediate condemning the students. It was beyond disgusting, with absolutely no effort expressed to find the truth of what had occurred. Yes, they should be among those sued. There may have been a few lefty zealots representing the school and/or diocese, and perhaps they should shoulder the blame and lawsuits alone, but still, the church took too long to walk back their original statements.
Thanks, Dave. The media are a collective group of low life, rat fucking scum that go after the low-hanging fruit. I’m thinking these cases will be held in Kentucky. Those being sued will probably try for a change of venue. Good luck with that. I hope I’ve made myself clear how I feel about those who would attack innocent children to gain favor with like-minded trash. I’m not surprised, though. After all, they go after the most innocent children of all: those not yet born.
Rant off (for now). I reserve the option to return to same.
Dave, I think you (and the rest of the TAH admin group) are following the methods and practices that Jonn set forth – and for that, I for one thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’d much rather see an honest apology for not being able to get the information quick enough than an apology for speaking out of turn (not that the MSM is going to do so) before the true facts are seen. I just hope that any settlements aren’t bound by disclosure agreements – the public needs to see how the mighty can be held accountable for a change.
Chief Empty Bottle and many others screwed the pooch on this one The Black Israelite’s should catch some shit too…
Granted that I believe they were a main contributing factor that led up to the resulting confrontation, but their end game they were striving for, namely a riot, between the groups was not achieved. Besides which, how are you going to find them, unless there are photo’s of each of them, as they have all gone under ground to plot new plan of action with the background leaders that are well known but not prevalent at any action. You also have the problem of any police action as they were within their right to be present and to arrest them and jail them would have only led to lots of law suits by the ACLU based on discrimination.
Outcast, you commented:
“Besides which, how are you going to find them, unless there are photo’s of each of them….”
You can see them on this video. Hope that helps:
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/02/03/nick_sandmann_the_truth_in_15_minutes.html
No doubt in this pea brain that appropriate LEO’s had eyes on during, knew each of the players, and have since identified any new faces which appeared. No doubt at all.
Noticeably they have been held unaccountable and absent in the media….
Well. I am somewhat confused. I remember being surprised by some who may have made unwarranted remarks, but am not going to go back to the original posts to check out exactly who that might have been. On the other hand, I remember nothing that you, Dave, had to apologize for given the facts of this situation were purposefully obscured for the specific purpose of presenting a story which was obviously a lie.
To anyone familiar with the layout of the Mall it was not difficult to guess what probably had really happened. But guesses aren’t usually all that defensible. Better to be patient for a bit. For that there is no apology needed.
Also, outing valor thieves should be a very careful exercise, especially when dealing with one whose lies span decades. It is most important to develop a solid set of facts. Being the first to publish something negative about a valor thief without regard for the truth, and the long game, is exactly the sort of broken ethos most of us are castigating the media for doing in this and other cases.
So. Apology accepted, Dave, although I still am not quite sure for what you need to apologize. Will just trust that there is a good reason for it and get on with life.