Coal executive sues John Oliver for making him sad

[TragicMonkey]

As I see it Gawker did violate the law. Oliver did not.

But somehow I recall you to be a lawyer; if so I will defer to you on these judgements. And if so I view your last sentence as profoundly depressing.

Heavens, no, not a lawyer. Just extremely cynical because I pay attention.

 

[Trebuchet]

Is this the same clown who ordered employees to take time without pay and attend a Trump rally? I suspect it is.

 

[ddt]

In the US, in all states, truth is an absolute defence against a libel/slander accusation. If the basis of the suit is that Oliver ignored the claim of an earthquake, I remember he mentioned it, as well as saying they checked and found no evidence of unusual seismic activity. Seems to me, then, that the plaintiff is going to have to demonstrate that the cave-in was caused by normal seismic activity. Even then, I don't see how he could prevail since "earthquake" was specified, and normal seismic activity should have been provided for.

Truth is an absolute defence, but in a time of alternative facts, what is the truth?

During the collapse and rescue, Bob Murray flew to Utah and claimed an earthquake cause the collapse. There had been seismic activity, but the report from the MSHA concluded that the collapse cause the seismic activity, not the other way round. They fined Murray Energy Corp with 1.85 million. Murray Energy Corp., however, has released their own report in which they still insist that an earthquake caused the collapse.

When Murray got wind of Oliver's plans for the show, they sent this report (or a link to it) with their C&D letter. Oliver mentioned this, IIRC, but with the clear intimation that Murray is lying through his teeth.

 

[ddt]

As I see it Gawker did violate the law. Oliver did not.

I agree, and even a Gawker editor admitted on the stand that such a sex tape is not newsworthy.

It is usually a mistake to assume that you and the multi-millionaire head of your company are "in it together." A few interests overlap; many do not. It is important to recognize which are which. The owners may claim to have your back, but if a conflict between their interests and yours arises youwill turn around and they will be gone.

There are a few owners who really do seem to care about their workers- when true this manifests in many ways day to day- not just as a last-minute attempt to avoid environmental and safety regulations.

And to add: when the boss tries to avoid safety regulations, he surely doesn't have the back of his workers. It means he doesn't care they die on the job, for him to make money.

Is this the same clown who ordered employees to take time without pay and attend a Trump rally? I suspect it is.

Yes he is.

 

[Beady]

There had been seismic activity, but the report from the MSHA concluded that the collapse cause the seismic activity, not the other way round. They fined Murray Energy Corp with 1.85 million. Murray Energy Corp., however, has released their own report in which they still insist that an earthquake caused the collapse.

A self-serving "report," unsupported by additional evidence, cannot be taken into consideration.



This signature is intended to irritate people.

 

[ddt]

A self-serving "report," unsupported by additional evidence, cannot be taken into consideration.

Oh, you and I agree on that 100%.

 

[Agatha]

I am certain that John Oliver did mention an earthquake; I don't think I deleted the show from my Skyplus box, so I'll check later.

 

[Giordano]

I am certain that John Oliver did mention an earthquake; I don't think I deleted the show from my Skyplus box, so I'll check later.

He did present Murray's claim that it was due to an earthquake, then presented the government's conclusion that it was not.

 

[smartcooky]

A great example of "The Spycatcher Effect". the more fuss you kick up about a publication you don't like, the more publicity it gets, and the worse it affects you.

 

[Darat]

Sounds like this Murray is a special snowflake.

 

[ponderingturtle]

Huh. I'm going to have to make a point of watching the John Oliver bit that triggered him. Vaguely on-topic - one of the earliest Superman comic book stories involved him fighting unsafe mining practices.

Hey there was a clear trigger warning before he did it, that should make the right wing snowflakes happy.

 

[ponderingturtle]

Gawker's fault was publishing a private sex tape. That's invasion of privacy.

That's only wrong when it is the woman who is the famous one.

 

[ahhell]

There is a special sort of oblivious to sue a guy that's basically daring you to sue him.

Also, that guy literally looks like a cartoon villain.

 

[Giordano]

There is a special sort of oblivious to sue a guy that's basically daring you to sue him.

Also, that guy literally looks like a cartoon villain.

I try to avoid forming conclusions about people's physical appearance, but when I saw Murray in the video, I thought- gee what a surprise- he does look like I imagined (in my prejudice) he might!

 

[ahhell]

I try to avoid forming conclusions about people's physical appearance, but when I saw Murray in the video, I thought- gee what a surprise- he does look like I imagined (in my prejudice) he might!

I try not but his appearance is.... striking.

 

[Giordano]

I try not but his appearance is.... striking.

One might even say- memorable!

 

[Beerina]

In the US, in all states, truth is an absolute defence against a libel/slander accusation. If the basis of the suit is that Oliver ignored the claim of an earthquake, I remember he mentioned it, as well as saying they checked and found no evidence of unusual seismic activity. Seems to me, then, that the plaintiff is going to have to demonstrate that the cave-in was caused by normal seismic activity. Even then, I don't see how he could prevail since "earthquake" was specified, and normal seismic activity should have been provided for.

This signature is intended to irritate people.

He mentioned the official report, which stated it was not caused by an earthquake. In this, he was not making that claim himself, merely quoting a different authority.

 

[Jim_MDP]

It's unfortunate that Murray is just posturing, or will be soon educated by his legal team... because it would be hilarious if he pursued the suit.

I also found it amusing that, according to John, this was the first C&D the show had received. They need to try harder.

 

[ponderingturtle]

It's unfortunate that Murray is just posturing, or will be soon educated by his legal team... because it would be hilarious if he pursued the suit.

I also found it amusing that, according to John, this was the first C&D the show had received. They need to try harder.

I think they have been trying pretty hard. Trump tweets about him fairly often.

 

[smartcooky]

There is a special sort of oblivious to sue a guy that's basically daring you to sue him.

Also, that guy literally looks like a cartoon villain.

I try to avoid forming conclusions about people's physical appearance, but when I saw Murray in the video, I thought- gee what a surprise- he does look like I imagined (in my prejudice) he might!

I try not but his appearance is.... striking.

One might even say- memorable!

I never got to see the video posted in this thread as it had been taken down, however, in another video I saw, Oliver described him as a "geriatric Dr. Evil"

That got a good laugh from the audience


ETA

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