I thought that, after last night’s post, we may be able to successfully forget about the entire issue with my instructor. However, at 11:58am (EST) today, I received the following email:
Chris, do you still want to meet on Monday around 11:00am to discuss the
appropriateness of your internet postings in which you use obscenities against my
name? I have been advised to not meet with you one on one so Kim Cannon and Rene
Sawyer plan to join us in the ET108 conference room. Mr. Cannon asked me to
communicate to you that the conversation will be limited to your derogatory web
postings. It is not a time to discuss what you think of the course, book, or instructor.Mr. Whaite
Looks like the people over at Greenville Tech want to take it up a notch, which is really fine by me. I can see the Slashdot and Fark headlines about this story now…
So after all this is over and I’ve won my settlement over their violation of my Constitutional rights… Should I accept a check for the Porsche, or insist that they deliver it to my house?
Anyone have any advice for either party here? If this goes the way it looks like right now, we could be making history. Anyone been involved in a freedom of speech suit before? I’ve certainly done my homework on this one, but I’d be interested in any personal experiences or advice. Should I contact my lawyer now, or wait until after our meeting on Monday and see how things go? I should point out (quite needlessly I should hope) that “folding” is not an option. The post stays, I’ll not let them bully me out of my legal rights.
Dont get too cocky meller, you did tack the words Asshole and Douchebag to his name, things might not be perfect.
Oh, and tell us how the convorsation goes ;P
Well if he has been advised not to meet with you one on one, there is obviously legal advice being handed to him. I’d put your lawyer on retainer and take him/her with you.
Or take a dictaphone with you and tell them, the whole thing will be recorded, so you have your own evidence corroborating/disproving anything that may come up in the future from this meeting.
The way Americans (and this is a _gross_ generalisation) like to sue each other at the drop of a hat, it is best to take the Baden Powell approach…
… and didn’t the web posting come about because of what you think of the course, so how can you NOT discuss that since they are intertwined?
We await the update with bated breath.
Recording the meeting is a good idea. If nothing else, it should demonstrate to them that I’m prepared for this, and not just some dumb kid that’s going to get pushed around easily.
As for not talking about the course, I have a feeling the distinction is going to be a good deal easier than you imagine… I picture this meeting being a “take this down or we’ll do all this to you” kind of speech. Actual discussion would be pointless.
After talking to a few people, I think I’m going to wait until after the meeting before seeking legal counsel. I’m still hopeful that this can be resolved reasonably, without the need for chest-puffing cock fights (as in the birds, not the organ). If they do decide to press the issue, I’ll have no choice but to consult with my lawyer.
Be sure to remember us little people when Meller vs. Greenville Tech is up there with Brown vs. Board of Education and Roe vs. Wade.