Politician Drops Google Lawsuit... For The Children

from the everything's-for-the-children dept

Fri, Jun 23rd 2006 2:16am — Mike Masnick

Last month, in yet another "for the children" political move, a local politician in New York sued Google for profiting from child porn. This was obviously something of a publicity stunt, and now the politician has dropped the lawsuit, claiming that it was successful in bringing Google to the table to discuss this important matter. More likely is that it brought Google (or perhaps others who actually understand how Google works) to the table to explain why this was a completely baseless lawsuit that had no chance of going anywhere.

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29 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2006 @ 4:12am

claiming that it was successful in bringing Google to the table to discuss this important matter.

fantastic, so we're using the justice system as an instant messenger now?
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2006 @ 4:13am

Just another fine example of our republic in action.
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Wolfger, 23 Jun 2006 @ 4:38am

fantastic, so we're using the justice system as an instant messenger now?

No. We're using the mass media as an instant messenger. Of course, since this was framed to be an attempted trial-by-media, maybe we're saying the same thing?
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2006 @ 5:16am

>> No. We're using the mass media as an instant messenger

Umm... The article says that there was an actual law suit. That's the justice system, not the media... Am I missing something...
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jack Sombra, 23 Jun 2006 @ 5:44am

Trial by media
"Umm... The article says that there was an actual law suit. That's the justice system, not the media... Am I missing something"
Because he knew the suit itself had no actual chance but that it would generate publicity in the media. If it had gathered a least some support in the media he would have pursued it further (at least as far as a judge) but as the response it generated was derision it was dropped.

Thus judged by and verdict delivered by the media
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2006 @ 6:07am

Re:
well no shit, its not like it wasnt expected from this [residency. welcome to Bush.
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Zeroth404, 23 Jun 2006 @ 6:10am

Whats so goddamn special about children anyway?

moralless, non-dexterous, loud, obnoxious little heathens.

Chances are their parent isn't an any better example.
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ZA, 23 Jun 2006 @ 7:08am

Re: Trial by media
I totally agree. What does publicity stunt mean anyhow? Last time I checked you can't get publicity without the media.
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Raiden Gauld, 23 Jun 2006 @ 7:14am

Re: Trial by media
Seems to me that Zeroth404 wasn't hugged enough as a child...

And it was obvious to every TechDirt visitor that the case wasn't going anywhere... the only difference is that now it's obvious this guy knew what he was doing and not just being stupid. Slick political move, I must confess...
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Agreed!, 23 Jun 2006 @ 7:18am

Re: The 'children'
The children are our future. Today belongs to ME!
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Yakov, 23 Jun 2006 @ 8:14am

Bad move
I think the guy should be vilified for wasting everyone's time. He should also be forced to pay any and all court costs that google had to put out as well as court clerks...etc. This is is a waste of our tax dollars, and it should carry a fine when people use the court system with what is clearly baseless and time wasting lawsuits to push their own agenda, it's discusting. Someone should sue his ass for being an idiot --just as baseless, but I'm sure you could find a few of his gradeschool teachers who would agree.
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YouKnowNothing, 23 Jun 2006 @ 8:43am

Re:
Reminds me of this gem from George Carlin...

"Something else I'm getting tired of in this country is all this stupid talk I have to listen to about children. That's all you hear about anymore, children: "Help the children, save the children, protect the children." You know what I say? Fuck the children!

They're getting entirely too much attention. And I know what some of you are thinking: " Jesus, he's not going to attack children, is he?" Yes he is! He's going to attack children. And remember, this is Mr. Conductor talking;
I know what I'm talking about.

And I also know that all you boring single dads and working moms, who think you're such fucking heros, aren't gonna like this, but somebody's gotta tell
you for your own good: your children are overrated and overvalued, and you've turned them into little cult objects. You have a child fetish, and it's not healthy. And don't give me all that weak shit, "Well, I love my children." Fuck you! Everybody loves their children; it doesn't make you special. : : : John Wayne Gacy loved his children. Yes, he did. That's not what I'm talking about. What I'm talking about is this constant, mindless yammering in the media, this neurotic fixation that suggests that somehow everything--everything--has to revolve around the lives of children. It's completely out of balance. "
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Josh, 23 Jun 2006 @ 8:44am

Re: by Anonymous Coward on Jun 23rd, 2006 @ 6:07am
well no shit, its not like it wasnt expected from this [residency. welcome to Bush.

Do you honestly think idiocy like this will stop once he leaves office? Do you really think it only started when he made office nad NEVER happened before? Are you that delusional?
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Gary, 23 Jun 2006 @ 9:06am

ummmmm
""Re: by Anonymous Coward on Jun 23rd, 2006 @ 6:07am
well no shit, its not like it wasnt expected from this [residency. welcome to Bush.""

ummm... how do you blame Bush for this? Granted W isn't going to become the fifth face on Mt. Rushmore, but this was a Democratic local politician from New York looking to grandstand. Sounds like you should blame Hilary :-D
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Rick, 23 Jun 2006 @ 9:06am

Re:
QUOTE: "Just another fine example of our 'REPUBLICANS' in action."

Fixed.
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Sanguine Dream, 23 Jun 2006 @ 9:13am

Wow
I really like the George Carlin bit in #12.

And unless I missed something in Civics class in high school I thought lawsuits were meant to collect damages when you feel you have been wronged. Now all of a sudden lawsuits are being used to make people do what you want them to do.

It went from

"I think you are resposible for the damages I suffered so I'm gonna sue you"

to

"I'm gonna sue you if you don't..."

These days lawsuits are being used to force change and a part of the goal of terrorism is to force change...so does that mean people that use frivilous lawsuits to force change are terrorists?
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PC_Tool, 23 Jun 2006 @ 9:29am

Re: Wow
""I'm gonna sue you if you don't..." "

Nah. More like:

"I'll just sue you now to make sure you don't..."
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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2006 @ 9:37am

Re: ummmmm
gotta love the fact that some people, when they dissagree with a politician, auto "BLAME BUSH". Yes he's an idot but come on. Demo's are just as bad as republicans, but they bribe the people with "programs" that we end up paying for anyways. Gotta love spending my hard earned money on someone elses kid. Politicains are evil. At least the REP's are for spending our money on big fireworks that go boom and have a big ball of flame...

hehehe... we need to take back our government from the Elite (Both sides seem to be Ivy League educated and have million dollar bank accounts), Have them come up with the laws, but have the people VOTE on them.

FYI: It is illegal to fish off of a camel's back after 7:00pm in Idaho.
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charlie potatoes, 23 Jun 2006 @ 9:53am

Re: ummmmm hey gary
if you're not outraged by this amoral moron then either you're not paying attention or your'e a right wing republican nut case.
blame the senator from new york? right..typical fucking republican .. ignore everything and attack a clinton. fuck you, you stupid bastard.
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me, 23 Jun 2006 @ 10:04am

Politicians (both parties) and diapers should be changed often, and for the same reason.
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Lewis Salem, 23 Jun 2006 @ 10:26am

The Children, etc. etc. etc.
This is not a partisan issue. Clearly, people use our fears to gain political momentum. Politicians will stop at nothing to scare us about: Our kids, terrorism, big business, the environment, war, natural disasters, inequality, etc. etc. etc. When are we going to stop believing the crap flying out of these people’s mouths?
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Charon, 23 Jun 2006 @ 10:40am

Re: Re: ummmmm hey gary
Hey Charlie Potatoes... Youre a moron. Damn right he should blame the senator for wasting everyone's time just so he can get some limelight. What the fuck else should he do? Next time spare us your stupidity and dont comment.. Thanks
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Bobloblaw, 23 Jun 2006 @ 10:50am

Get your facts straight
You morons (#s 2, 6, 15, and 19), the politician who filed this suit was a Democrat, Jeffrey Toback.

It's people like you that are dividing this country with your random attacks on what you perceive as the "opposite" view. You are so ready to pounce on anything that you think a Republican does, even if it was really a Democrat that did it! Bet you feel pretty stupid now. Why don't you have some common sense and stop bashing one party or the other for everything you think is wrong with the world. Neither side is perfect but a middle ground can be found on just about any issue.

Stupid car bombing patchouli wearing left wing psychopathic tree huggers!
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Mike, 23 Jun 2006 @ 11:30am

PAY UP
"I think the guy should be vilified for wasting everyone's time. He should also be forced to pay any and all court costs that google had to put out as well as court clerks...etc. This is is a waste of our tax dollars, and it should carry a fine when people use the court system with what is clearly baseless and time wasting lawsuits to push their own agenda, it's discusting. Someone should sue his ass for being an idiot --just as baseless, but I'm sure you could find a few of his gradeschool teachers who would agree."

I completly agree!
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WTF, 23 Jun 2006 @ 11:31am

Re: ummmmm hey gary by charlie potatoes on Jun
Democrat....Goooooood
Republican.....Baaaaad
I think I have deciphered your post
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Josh, 23 Jun 2006 @ 5:27pm

Both parties are so dang corrupted that they cant see past their own bank accounts anymore. Left-wing or right-wing, it doesnt matter. All are money grubbing, arse kissing, bribe taking, lying politicians that dont deserve the air they breath.
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Sohrab, 23 Jun 2006 @ 6:16pm

Re:
only if it makes some cool news like DOLOOOP!
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Raekwon, 29 Jun 2006 @ 7:43am

Down with Bible-Thumpers.
Google Profits from Child Pornography? Leave Google alone. Google is one of the most powerful and helpful tools on the internet.

All these bible-thumping, science denying, big brother enthused, morons need to be taken to a dock and have two hot metal slugs placed in the backs of their brains.

My guess is the reason he knew that Google was capable of locating child pornography was from his own attempts. I know this is a generalized statement but all these high and mighty repubs need to get a labotamy.

DOWN WITH BIBLE THUMPERS! EVOLUTION IS REAL! GOD IS DEAD!
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keith jones, 4 Jan 2009 @ 10:57am

google & mafia
It's true that Google wre deliberatly profiting from child porn. I am an antimafia campaigner of nearly five years, & I have it from rival mafia that Google have heavy involvement with organised criminal pornographers globaly. (http://endmafia.com)
I have also been threatened for saying so.
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