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

Surf stop: 23 Degrees Off-Kilter

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.
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38 Responses

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. I don’t care if you say nothing about the matter, but now that you did, what you said is a disgrace to any self-respecting person.

    He was trying to speak his views, and got struck down by Singapore’s ever-so-convenient system of critic-killing. Used, of course, by the people right on top.

    Flattered if you do him a disservice? why would you want to do that? UNLESS… you’re just another fearful government dog. Are you loyal to Singapore, or are you faithful to the PAP?

  10. I don’t care if you say nothing about the matter, but now that you did, what you said is a disgrace to any self-respecting person.

    He was trying to speak his views, and got struck down by Singapore’s ever-so-convenient system of critic-killing. Used, of course, by the people right on top.

    Flattered if you do him a disservice? why would you want to do that? UNLESS… you’re just another fearful government dog. Are you loyal to Singapore, or are you faithful to the PAP?

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. Miyagi,

    Please kindly enlighten. I don’t see how you could have been refering to people like me. Indeed, it’s obvious to me that you’re talking about Acidflask and others who write stuff on their blogs and get threatened with lawsuits, and/or run with scissors.

    I mean no direct attack on you – I just feel no one should be be standing on the side of Mr free-speech-silencer.

    Respectfully,
    Garry

  14. Miyagi,

    Please kindly enlighten. I don’t see how you could have been refering to people like me. Indeed, it’s obvious to me that you’re talking about Acidflask and others who write stuff on their blogs and get threatened with lawsuits, and/or run with scissors.

    I mean no direct attack on you – I just feel no one should be be standing on the side of Mr free-speech-silencer.

    Respectfully,
    Garry

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