Not censoring blog posts isn’t defamation, and neither is posting public email.
On Sun, 18 Mar 2007 15:48:03 -0700, “Nicholas Schultz” <nschult1@uoregon.edu> wrote:
Dear Ted,
I am writing with regards to the online interview published on the OC website. I have considered many alternatives, but I have come to the realization that many members of your audience have found the interview to be offensive. I originally intended to share my ideas with a diverse audience, but i feel that the post-dialogue only promotes negative campaigning. On a personal level, I found the false accusations against me to be disheartening and troublesome. Therefore, I am suggesting that you remove the interview from the OC website. While I do appreciate your compatability with my needs, the interivew has seemed to cause more trouble than it is worth. Therefore, I hope that you will take my suggestion into consideration. Good luckon your campaign.
Nick Schultz
On Mon, 19 Mar 2007 11:55:13 -0700, “Oregon Commentator” <ocomment@uoregon.edu> wrote:
Nick-
I share your concerns about the blog becoming a forum for non-constructive criticism. I can assure you that I have not directed any of the Commentator staff in any way regarding our inteview series, and that any comments solely represent the views of the individual expressing them. The administrator of the blog and the board of the Oregon Commentator has a policy of keeping censorship of the blog to a minimum (spam and racism are the only precedents for expunging content), and therefore I can not comply with your request. You voluntarily agreed to the interview, and the reception your ideas receive on campus are your responsiblity, not mine. I am sorry I can not help you further with this.
Ted Niedermeyer
Editor-in-Chief, Oregon Commentator
On Mon, 19 Mar 2007 17:02:29 -0700, “Nicholas Schultz” <nschult1@uoregon.edu> wrote:
Ted,
Thank you for responding to my e-mail and I appreciate you stating that you share my concerns. However, I find it disturbing that you, as Editor in Chief of the Oregon Commentator, are powerless to influence the content of your magazine or to advise the Board of situations that could hold the magazine liable. False accusations and comments are Slander and can be interpreted as Defamation of Character. In addition, I find it troublesome that the Oregon Commentator condones unprofessional behavior. Lastly, I feel that this behavior does not demonstrate electoral responsibility. Electoral procedure is intended to focus criticism on the “issues” rather than the individuals. However, I understand your helpless position in this matter. Once again, it is unfortunate that these events have transpired and were unable to be corrected. Good luck in your campaign.
Sincerely,
Nick Schultz
On Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:21:52 -0700, “Oregon Commentator” <ocomment@uoregon.edu> wrote:
Nick-
I am sorry to see your anger at my unwillingness to censor opinons, including your own, on our blog. Let me clarify a few things for you. I do have full control of what appears in the Oregon Commentator magazine, but your interview was never intended to appear there. Your interview is one in a series of interviews of candidates for positions other than Executive, and was intended for the blog from the get-go. A number more candidates will be appearing, exposing them to the same audience as you. If you have enemies who choose to attack you on the blog, it is not my responsibility to delete anything that hurts your feelings. Furthermore, if you say something stupid then you have to expect someone to mock you, for the simple fact that it’s the internet. The Commentator is not attacking you, and accusations of slander and defamation are legally baseless and highly inappropriate.
Best of luck to you,
Ted
Dear Ted,
When did you get your law degree? I value the legal opinion of an experienced, licensed attorney with a large reputable law firm over yours.
I am sorry that you have misinterpreted my emails to be angry. I was simply trying to figure out what you stand for and you have completely satisfied our curiosity.
The comment you made “if you say something stupid then you have to expect someone to mock you” is mean-spirited, unprofessional and inappropriate . This seems to be the general consensus of your leadership and The Oregon Commentator. As far as making enemies is concerned, I am a freshman at U of O and had no enemies prior to this interview. What does that tell you? Once again, another unprofessional comment and opinion that I imagine was meant “to hurt my feelings” as you so put it. Your attempt did not work.
This has been very informative. I feel there is no need for us to correspond further. And of course, best of luck with your campaign.
Nick
