Definition of Character
The day before last November’s federal election, U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa of southern California, who was running for re-election, sued his opponent, Democrat Doug Applegate, for defamation, claiming two of Applegate’s campaign ads contained “falsehoods” that hurt his reputation by making him appear a dishonest politician who profits from his position. Issa asked for $10 million in damages. As a public figure, Issa would have to prove Applegate, a retired U.S. Marine colonel, had a “reckless disregard for the truth” to win a defamation case. But Superior Court Judge Richard Strauss tossed the suit. “The evidence shows that Plaintiff’s net worth has increased since he became a member of Congress,” Strauss ruled — in other words, Applegate’s charges were the truth, not defamation. Despite that truth being called out, Issa did win re-election. (RC/San Diego Union Tribune) ...Right: everyone knows elections aren’t about truth anymore.Original Publication Date: 12 March 2017
This story is in True’s book collections, in Volume 23.
This story is in True’s book collections, in Volume 23.
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