Judge Wilson reminds us that NYT v Sullivan emerged to combat segregationist states’ weaponization of their libel laws to bankrupt anyone who criticized their racist regimes.

“Public and government officials continue to threaten libel suits, not for their common-law purpose of protecting one's character and image, but to threaten and silence dissenters and critics.” I wonder who he’s talking about…

Anyway I was tracking all this on the other place (thread of threads here x.com/mikesacksesq...)

Opening up our libel laws should not extend to lying about other people. Especially people the liar is competing with. Allow that and people will be lying about products, ignoring laws that protect IP, and talking trash about everyone they dislike for even the most trivial reasons.

I would guess someone with no real character or image to protect. A narcissist bully. Probably not well loved by parents or family. A criminal of some sort. Most probably a rapist who overpowers much younger, inexperienced women or girls. Of course that's just speculation.