Saturday, April 30, 2005

Mr Miyagi's definitive opinion about being sued over something written on a blog


You want (see comments in that post) Mr Miyagi to say something as regards the laws of defamation? Can! Mr Miyagi says being 'threatened with legal action' is not a laudable achievement. Does not matter if it is in connection with something you blogged. Saying 'I am the first Singapore blogger to be threatened with legal action over something I said about someone' is like saying, 'Hey, sliced bread! Cool!'. Do not insinuate that by my silence over this matter I am afraid to talk about matters of any importance. My silence over this matter is because it bores the shit outta me, and the only important lesson in this whole debacle can be found in any law textbook to do with defamation. And this is not a law textbook to do with defamation. I do however respect the right of every individual to talk about the matter till the cows come home and place themselves in parks and every available open space in Singapore. But if you're daring me and egging me to say something about the matter, here 'tis: If you get 'threatened with legal action' because of something you wrote on your blog, I could recommend a coupla good lawyers, but you really should know better than to run with scissors. Also, you'll now be used by several agenda-laden and sometimes misguided groups as a poster boy/girl for the poor, oppressed no-hoper Singaporeans who have internet access at the university they are obtaining their expensive degrees in. That doesn't mean the world is sitting up and taking notice of you because you've achieved something or attempted to make the world a better place. I can get the same kind of attention by standing naked in an MRT train. Once I get arrested and make the news, there'd be at least some quarters who'd defend me saying I've had my freedom of expression curbed. But I don't need that kind of attention. I'd much rather write something about Steph Song and get strung up by her instead. Oh, and another thing. The law's the law, and you're not immune even if you're writing anonymously. Go on. More cows coming home. I'd much rather look at this
iTunes' party shuffle is playing a copy of: Abraham, Martin And John - Marvin Gaye - The Very Best of Marvin Gaye, of which I have the original CD and therefore didn't steal music.


14 Comments:

Blogger dagger said...

Honestly, defamation in common law is bad enough already. Online defamation, I don't even wanna touch with the end of a 10 foot stick.

4/30/2005 02:37:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

oh somebody reading David Sedaris,
My Hero~

-solsetur

4/30/2005 08:24:00 PM  
Blogger Edmund said...

damn kids. can't take action. always depending on minister Xiaxue to fight their political battles. Maybe she can do it in her FHM column? Hmm then again, we dont really read the text in that mag.

4/30/2005 09:23:00 PM  
Blogger Nicholas said...

Somehow I doubt the braggability of 'first SG blogger to be sued' is high on AcidFlask's list of priorities at the moment. Your post does him a disservice, undeservedly so.

5/01/2005 12:09:00 AM  
Blogger Mr Miyagi said...

I'd be flattered if it did.

5/01/2005 01:01:00 AM  
Blogger Han said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

5/01/2005 04:20:00 AM  
Blogger Han said...

Hey Mr Miyagi, I hope you're not angry, and have cooled down by now.

Trackback:

Here.

5/01/2005 04:21:00 AM  
Blogger Mandrake said...

on a different note, I know that girl! Sister of a good friend of mine. I wonder if she knows she is on your blog.

5/01/2005 10:15:00 AM  
Blogger Agagooga said...

What is legal is not always right, what is illegal is not always wrong.

Those who run afoul of ridiculous laws knew they were running risks, but they do not necessarily deserve what is doled out to them.

5/01/2005 08:07:00 PM  
Blogger Mr Miyagi said...

Well said, Agagooga. I reckon bits of defamation law are ridiculous too, and I speak from experience.

5/01/2005 11:12:00 PM  
Blogger Mr Miyagi said...

Aiyoh, Garry, thank you for your kind comments. The PAP will be so happy with me now. I will be so richly rewarded.

This will be one of the rare times I've had to explain myself. And I am kicking myself for being so oblique in my 'angry post'. I was not talking about AcidFlask. I was talking about you. Yes, you. Garry Huang. And the like.

5/02/2005 03:55:00 AM  
Blogger Han said...

lol, that was funny

5/02/2005 05:31:00 AM  
Blogger Huichieh said...

Trackback: From a Singapore Angle, "The AcidFlask Affair in ether and beyond"

PS: Happy troll hunting

5/02/2005 05:59:00 AM  
Blogger Huichieh said...

Trackback: From a Singapore Angle, "Reviewing the Singapore Blogosphere"

(Sorry for the multiple trackbacks: two different posts involved)

5/03/2005 11:24:00 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home