How Does This Wash Post Columnist CONTINUE to Libel the Pats Without Legal Action? - New England Patriots Forums

***shmessy*** · 01-11-2011, 10:08 PM

The League Panelists: Personal nature of New York Jets, New England Patriots rivalrly makes NFL playoffs matchup must-see TV - Leonard Shapiro

"Belichick is a certified cheater, having been fined a huge chunk of change three years ago when the NFL determined his team improperly filmed walk-throughs of opposing team practices and used that tape to their advantage. Belichick should have been suspended for that transgression, maybe even for a full season, but sadly, it never happened."

He did this same thing before, just last month. Aren't there laws in this country to protect parties from being libeled with PROVEN falsehood?

***R_T26*** · 01-11-2011, 10:10 PM

He's a colunmist... Its his opinion.

Hok · 01-11-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R_T26

He's a colunmist... Its his opinion.

The writer states the following as fact:

"...the NFL determined his team improperly filmed walk-throughs of opposing team practices..."

The NFL never found any such thing.

***shmessy*** · 01-11-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R_T26

He's a colunmist... Its his opinion.

Wow. You can't tell the difference between a statement of a fact and an opinion.

Please, R T26, tell me what part of "....having been fined a huge chunk of change three years ago when the NFL determined his team improperly filmed walk-throughs of opposing team practices and used that tape to their advantage." is an "opinion" in your mind?

***jmt57*** · 01-11-2011, 10:27 PM

My guess is that last month's article generated so many web hits Shapiro and the Post figured they'd go back to the well one more time. Hopefully this is the last we hear from this bozo; on December 31 he wrote what was supposedly his farewell retirement column.

Best thing we as fans of the Patriots can collectively do is to NOT click on the link above.

Willie55 · 01-11-2011, 10:29 PM

As JMT57 - ignore him, he'll go away.

TulanePats · 01-11-2011, 10:32 PM

Kraft did come out with a statement against the Herald when they first published the taping of the Rams walkthrough story. So maybe...just maybe there's a chance that something could be done since this writer is essentially repeating the same BS information.

Honestly though, I doubt they care what this peon thinks.

***shmessy*** · 01-11-2011, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willie55

As JMT57 - ignore him, he'll go away.

He won't go away - - he's an NFL Hall of Fame voter and has "announced his retirement" several times over the years.

How he gets away with continually and consciously stating this clear untruth against Robert Kraft's business without sanction is beyond understanding.

Metaphors · 01-11-2011, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmessy

He did this same thing before, just last month. Aren't there laws in this country to protect parties from being libeled with PROVEN falsehood?

Yep, but you have to prove damages. Not sure how they would do that. The Pats could still sue and ruin this guys career, making an example out of him...but all that would do put the story back in the news with the Pats playing the part of the bully.

I'm sure that if the Pats PR department knew of this guy's existence, they would have a friendly chat with the Post asking for a correction/retraction. I doubt this guy has appeared on their radar.

***Sciz*** · 01-11-2011, 10:59 PM

I just sent 6 emails to random Post higher-ups. What a PoS human being.