Dealer Woes

[Bird]

Public forums are often censored.

A public forum, but privately owned, so the owner has the right to establish rules the same as you have a right to establish rules for your private property. And those who are unable to or refuse to abide by those rules may be asked to leave, or removed, from either place.

 

[jim442]

A public forum, but privately owned, so the owner has the right to establish rules the same as you have a right to establish rules for your private property. And those who are unable to or refuse to abide by those rules may be asked to leave, or removed, from either place.

You can establish rules such as those that could be considered objectionable to all (foul language-graphic pictures etc) but even if this were a fee based forum you can't prevent free speech. As far as slander I think a dealer would be found to be in the public domain and have a greater burden. Again, important to provide your facts accurately in any case.
All that aside I don't think anyone should base a decision on an isolated experience. When you start hearing again and again of problems with the same person you probably have the truth. Another dealer posting to deliberately affect other dealers would have more of a civil problem. Even this would be a longshot because the offending dealer could not ensure that potential customers would come to him. Personally, I have no problem saying on line what I wouldn't say to a persons face and mayby that should be the guide.

 

[Mace Canute]

You can establish rules such as those that could be considered objectionable to all (foul language-graphic pictures etc) but even if this were a fee based forum you can't prevent free speech. As far as slander I think a dealer would be found to be in the public domain and have a greater burden. Again, important to provide your facts accurately in any case.
All that aside I don't think anyone should base a decision on an isolated experience. When you start hearing again and again of problems with the same person you probably have the truth. Another dealer posting to deliberately affect other dealers would have more of a civil problem. Even this would be a longshot because the offending dealer could not ensure that potential customers would come to him. Personally, I have no problem saying on line what I wouldn't say to a persons face and mayby that should be the guide.

I understand what you meant...but I don't think you worded it quite right though!

 

[jim442]

I understand what you meant...but I don't think you worded it quite right though!

Now I don't understand, how should it be "worded"?

 

[RTII]

Now I don't understand, how should it be "worded"?

Personally, I have no problem saying on line what I wouldn't say to a persons face and mayby that should be the guide.

I think he thinks you meant to say: "I have no problem saying on line what I would say to a persons face"?

 

[TheGoose]

Uhhhhh.....it's a free country....not a free forum. He can do whatever the L he wants. The government cannot censure "free speech", the forum moderator can!!

You can establish rules such as those that could be considered objectionable to all (foul language-graphic pictures etc) but even if this were a fee based forum you can't prevent free speech.

 

[dodge man]

Well, for crying out loud tell the story! Just leave the names out.

 

[Bedlam]

:thumbsup:YES YES all ears...

 

[jim442]

I think he thinks you meant to say: "I have no problem saying on line what I would say to a persons face"?

Must have been late-I see it now
My fingers stutter when I get upset!

 

[3BPercherons]

You can establish rules such as those that could be considered objectionable to all (foul language-graphic pictures etc) but even if this were a fee based forum you can't prevent free speech.

The Government can't prevent free speech but a forum owner can, provided he doesn't run afoul of any specific laws; which would be hard to do since the Constitution specifically states that "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech...."