Or at least he owes her lawyers 25 Grand. Remember this?
That was shown on Rachel's show in 2010. Evidently, Mr. Dean didn't like all the new publicity, so he sued Rachel for (holds pinky to corner of mouth) 50 million dollars
Well, the court has had its say. And they issued the smackdown. Follow below the Itzl for details.
Evidently Dean had a sad over Rachel's report, which played a clip of Dean talking about how Muslims are "more moral" than Christians because they kill gay people.
Said Dean's lawyer:
Dean's lawyer is Larry Klayman told CBS radio that the anti-LGBT’s preacher’s life was in danger because of the MSNBC report.
“His life has been threatened,” Klayman said. “His family has been threatened. And this is outrageous. Rachel Maddow’s career is over.”
Understatement, much?
Now, the District of Columbia has passed laws designed to curb the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) that are designed to intimidate or silence critics.
Dean asked for a voluntary dismissal of the DC suit so he could file in Federal court.
But in April, MSNBC filed an anti-SLAPP motion to have the case thrown out of Federal court.
“One, the broadcasts truthfully reported on Dean’s May 15th statements. Those broadcasts re-played original audio of Dean speaking on the May 15th radio show,” the motion said. “Dean bears sole responsibility for the consequences of his words, however much he may try to distance himself from the backlash.”
“Two, the commentary or rebuke Maddow offered about Dean’s statements was classic opinion and rhetorical hyperbole, and thus, cannot be actionable as a matter of law. As Dean is entitled to his opinions, however objectionable, so too is Maddow entitled to hers.”
The motion continued: “Three, the fair comment privilege protects Maddow’s commentary. The broadcasts featured Dean’s actual statements and clearly indicated the source of those statements.”
Well, the court has partially ruled:
Memorandum and Order Granting in Part Defendants' Motion for Attorneys' Fees and Denying Plaintiffs' Combined Motions for Reconsideration and Sanctions Entered on the Docket 6/25/12. Signed in chambers 6/25/12. Electronically filed via CaseFileXPress on counsel for the parties 6/25/12. Plaintiffs shall pay to Defendants fees and costs in the amount of $24,625.23 within thirty days.
We haven't heard the last of this, but things don't look good for Dean.
Moral: If you lead a hate group, be prepared for Karma. She will run over your Dogma like a semi over an armadillo on an Oklahoma highway.