 
Support Wrong Planet Awareness!
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
dkmnow
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Feb 25, 2008
Age: 43
Posts: 28
|
 Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:31 am Post subject: Blogoshpere Rallies Behind Kathleen Seidel, Against Subpoena |
 |
|
I'm surprised -- it seems this hasn't been covered here.
Kathleen Seidel, creator of neurodiversity.com, has been "SLAPPed" with a bogus subpoena by dirtbag anti-vax lawyer Clifford J. Shoemaker. The demands in the subpoena include all personal and financial documents pertaining in any way to her website, as well as all electronic correspondence and documentation pertaining to over a hundred other bloggers and websites -- simply because their links appeared in the side-bar of her weblog. The demands in the subpoena include brazen violations of constitutional protections concerning privacy, freedom of association, and even freedom of religion.
Kathleen has drafted and submitted an outstanding motion to quash the subpoena, but the decision of the court may not be known for some time.
http://neurodiversity.com/weblog/article/150/
Meanwhile, countless bloggers in the autistic self-advocacy, neurodiversity, and disability rights communities -- and even in legal and medical circles -- are rallying around Kathleen and condemning Shoemaker and his clients for their blatant attempt to USE Kathleen in a bid to intimidate and silence their critics. Several bloggers are even compiling running lists of posts made by bloggers all over the web expressing their support for Kathleen, and their outrage at Shoemaker's abuse of power.
Several dozen such posts are linked to from these:
I Speak of Dreams
The Voyage
Natural Variation
Holford Watch
Some of my own observations and opinions on this matter can be fount at:
Shoemaker's Witch-Hunt: An Open Letter
Please show your support and help protect our civil and human rights by blogging about this outrage. Thanks.
...
Gawd, I hate this posting interface. |
|
| Back to top |
|
The_Cucumber
Phoenix
Joined: May 05, 2007
Posts: 530
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
Wow....
From what I've read it looks like it was possibly incurred by an inability to understand that the entire public will not necessarily take their side in this issue. Which is a simple matter of incompetence and lack of prior knowledge of the issue at best.
At worst it's of course an intentional attempt to prevent people from making statements critical of their case, which is a blatant violation of first amendment rights. |
|
| Back to top |
|
agmoie
Supporting Member
Joined: Aug 09, 2005
Posts: 250
Location: UK
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
The Blame Game.
Just because their little treasure isn`t Neuro Typical some parents have to blame it on vaccines, other people or institutions or companies.The possibility of millions of dollars in undeserved compensation is another motive.They should be thankful that they have a child when others who would be better parents do not.
_________________
Asperger's is not a disease
http://www.neurodiversity.com/main.html |
|
| Back to top |
|
DaveSeidel
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Feb 11, 2008
Posts: 25
Location: New Hampshire, US
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
| The_Cucumber wrote: | Wow....
From what I've read it looks like it was possibly incurred by an inability to understand that the entire public will not necessarily take their side in this issue. Which is a simple matter of incompetence and lack of prior knowledge of the issue at best.
At worst it's of course an intentional attempt to prevent people from making statements critical of their case, which is a blatant violation of first amendment rights. |
<sarcasm>Maybe it indicates a lack of Theory of Mind on the part of the lawyer and his clients.</sarcasm>
But seriously, thanks to dkmnow and all the other bloggers who are being so supportive.
(Disclosure: I'm married to Kathleen Seidel.)
_________________
Autism blogging: http://autism-hub.co.uk
Autism resources: http://neurodiversity.com
Petition: http://www.autism-hub.co.uk/autism-speaks-dont-speak-for-me/
|
|
| Back to top |
|
alex
Developer
Joined: Jun 14, 2004
Age: 22
Posts: 6321
Location: DC Metro Area (No. VA)
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:31 am Post subject: |
|
|
| What's ridiculous is that a judge actually went along with a subpoena of Kathleen due to some sort of crackpot conspiracy theory held by the plaintiffs. |
|
| Back to top |
|
DaveSeidel
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Feb 11, 2008
Posts: 25
Location: New Hampshire, US
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
| alex wrote: | | What's ridiculous is that a judge actually went along with a subpoena of Kathleen due to some sort of crackpot conspiracy theory held by the plaintiffs. |
Actually, a judge was not involved. As I understand it, there are two kinds of subpoenas: court-issued and attorney-issued. The former probably has to be approved by a judge, but the latter does not. This subpoena was attorney-issued.
Of course, now that Kathleen has filed her motion to quash, it will be seen by a judge.
_________________
Autism blogging: http://autism-hub.co.uk
Autism resources: http://neurodiversity.com
Petition: http://www.autism-hub.co.uk/autism-speaks-dont-speak-for-me/
|
|
| Back to top |
|
westernwild
Toucan
Joined: Oct 13, 2007
Posts: 255
Location: The wild, wild West
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
| DaveSeidel wrote: | | alex wrote: | | What's ridiculous is that a judge actually went along with a subpoena of Kathleen due to some sort of crackpot conspiracy theory held by the plaintiffs. |
Actually, a judge was not involved. As I understand it, there are two kinds of subpoenas: court-issued and attorney-issued. The former probably has to be approved by a judge, but the latter does not. This subpoena was attorney-issued.
Of course, now that Kathleen has filed her motion to quash, it will be seen by a judge. |
That is quite correct. This was attorney-issued. However, attorney-issued subpoenas can, indeed, be challenged and often are, since they're too often overbroad/overreaching in their scope or just plain illegal. I can't imagine any judge in their right mind allowing this to go forward. Then again, I'm in the legal field and know firsthand that just because you're a judge doesn't mean you're in your right mind.
The problem the courts are having nowadays is that the law has not yet caught up to technology. IOW, the technology of the web is giving rise to all kinds of legal problems and issues where there are no specific laws regarding them and where the courts have no prior case law to rely upon in judging them.
_________________
Queen of the anti-FAAAS. FAAAS does NOT speak for me and many other families!!
Life is not about waiting out storms, but learning to dance in the rain-Anonymous |
|
| Back to top |
|
KenG
Velociraptor
Joined: Apr 01, 2006
Age: 38
Posts: 453
Location: Israel
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Dave, your avatar is the cover of King Crimson's "Larks' Tongues in Aspic"! I love it!
(but I would prefer the title "Larks' Tongues are Aspie")
_________________
Autscape 2009:
http://www.autscape.org/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
DW_a_mom
Phoenix
Joined: Feb 23, 2008
Posts: 1339
Location: Northern California
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 1:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
To my eyes, and I admit I am not a lawyer, but Kathleen's response is EXCELLENT. Succint, to the point, researched, direct. I have no idea how to help with all this, but I really respect her professionalism in responding.
Lol, given all the hateful rhetoric I often see when I follow links, that level of professionalism is really refreshing. I can't imagine her NOT winning on this one.
_________________
Avatar copyright DW's Studio |
|
| Back to top |
|
DaveSeidel
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Feb 11, 2008
Posts: 25
Location: New Hampshire, US
|
|
| Back to top |
|
westernwild
Toucan
Joined: Oct 13, 2007
Posts: 255
Location: The wild, wild West
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| DW_a_mom wrote: | To my eyes, and I admit I am not a lawyer, but Kathleen's response is EXCELLENT. Succint, to the point, researched, direct. I have no idea how to help with all this, but I really respect her professionalism in responding.
Lol, given all the hateful rhetoric I often see when I follow links, that level of professionalism is really refreshing. I can't imagine her NOT winning on this one. |
Agree totally, I'm very impressed. Don't ever be certain what will happen in court, though, when you're in the legal field, it doesn't take very long to learn that you never, ever know what judges and juries are ultimately going to do.
_________________
Queen of the anti-FAAAS. FAAAS does NOT speak for me and many other families!!
Life is not about waiting out storms, but learning to dance in the rain-Anonymous |
|
| Back to top |
|
DW_a_mom
Phoenix
Joined: Feb 23, 2008
Posts: 1339
Location: Northern California
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| westernwild wrote: |
Don't ever be certain what will happen in court, though, when you're in the legal field, it doesn't take very long to learn that you never, ever know what judges and juries are ultimately going to do. |
Sad, but true.
But I'll think it's unfair based on the facts, and not just emotion, or a poorly engaged fight 
_________________
Avatar copyright DW's Studio |
|
| Back to top |
|
westernwild
Toucan
Joined: Oct 13, 2007
Posts: 255
Location: The wild, wild West
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| DW_a_mom wrote: | | westernwild wrote: |
Don't ever be certain what will happen in court, though, when you're in the legal field, it doesn't take very long to learn that you never, ever know what judges and juries are ultimately going to do. |
Sad, but true.
But I'll think it's unfair based on the facts, and not just emotion, or a poorly engaged fight |
Oh, absolutely it is. And here's hoping that the judge will see that!!
_________________
Queen of the anti-FAAAS. FAAAS does NOT speak for me and many other families!!
Life is not about waiting out storms, but learning to dance in the rain-Anonymous |
|
| Back to top |
|
dkmnow
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Feb 25, 2008
Age: 43
Posts: 28
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi, Dave! Great to see you here. As an old Yes / Bruford fan, when KenG pointed out your LTIA cover art, I was more than a little embarrassed that I hadn't noticed it.
I hope Kathleen is doing well, and not stressing out, etc., as I would be if in her position. I think the best "defense" I could muster would be to appear for depo, and just answer every question by saying "I am not, nor have I ever been, a member of the Communist Party." Then, at the very worst, I could still laugh on my way to the gallows. :-p
I'ma give the netertoobs another day or so to work their magic, then I'll send Shoemaker the link to my "Open Letter," along with a few other choice links and observations. Meanwhile, I'm thinking of firing off an e-mail to the NH and VA chapters of the ACLU, among others -- given the extra-outlandish "religion" bidness in item #9 that's just begging to be lambasted from-sea-to-shining-sea -- and I think I'll take a look at the Americans United site and listservs as well. I keep almost e-mailing Scott Horton, but reminding myself that, with taking on DOJ corruption and all, he's got bigger fish to fry.
This is a rare case in which a whole host of my pet interests/peeves seem to have converged in an unusually concrete way, so even despite my being unable to organize three words on a blank page most of the time, I'm unusually motivated in this case.
Now, if GSK would just pay me what they owe me for "promoting" them (Paxil Study 329, anyone?), now THAT would be something!
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
Roxas_XIII
Rebel Leader and Pizza Connisseur
Joined: Jan 09, 2007
Age: 17
Posts: 1402
Location: Tokyo Settlement - Area 11, at the local Pizza Hut
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| dkmnow wrote: | Hi, Dave! Great to see you here. As an old Yes / Bruford fan, when KenG pointed out your LTIA cover art, I was more than a little embarrassed that I hadn't noticed it.
I hope Kathleen is doing well, and not stressing out, etc., as I would be if in her position. I think the best "defense" I could muster would be to appear for depo, and just answer every question by saying "I am not, nor have I ever been, a member of the Communist Party." Then, at the very worst, I could still laugh on my way to the gallows. :-p
I'ma give the netertoobs another day or so to work their magic, then I'll send Shoemaker the link to my "Open Letter," along with a few other choice links and observations. Meanwhile, I'm thinking of firing off an e-mail to the NH and VA chapters of the ACLU, among others -- given the extra-outlandish "religion" bidness in item #9 that's just begging to be lambasted from-sea-to-shining-sea -- and I think I'll take a look at the Americans United site and listservs as well. I keep almost e-mailing Scott Horton, but reminding myself that, with taking on DOJ corruption and all, he's got bigger fish to fry.
This is a rare case in which a whole host of my pet interests/peeves seem to have converged in an unusually concrete way, so even despite my being unable to organize three words on a blank page most of the time, I'm unusually motivated in this case.
Now, if GSK would just pay me what they owe me for "promoting" them (Paxil Study 329, anyone?), now THAT would be something!
|
Go get em.
_________________
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_BJk_wE4Q0
Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
You can post new topics in this forum
You can reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
|
