BREAKING NEWS: Dan Scott sues Randall Beck and Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Thank the Lord. Somebody is standing up to those a—-s at the Argus. I can’t wait to see the deposition of Randell Beck and Arnie Garson! Great Work PP!

Is this the region’s longest Red Cross first aid class you’re in or what?

But regardless, that’s very interesting news.

This is the GREATEST news I’ve ever read on your site! I’ve also heard the rumor that Janklow is Scott’s attorney! YEAH

let’s see how arrogant and liberal the Argus can be now!

Funny, I don’t see anything on the Argus Leader webite…just more Tim Johnson press releases and bashing of South Dakota companies and general liberal drivel from the Argus…

HA HA HA HA

While It’s true that Rendall Beck’s work is wretched, I marvel at these kinds of suits which usually only serve to have the offending remarks repeated in the public media ad nauseum over a period of months.

That said, here’s hoping the plaintiff prevails.

Just another sue-happy whiner, and a bunch of sue-happy commenters.

He’s going to be hard pressed to show first that the Argus published anything false and second that he has suffered any harm that can be reduced to a dollar amount. He didn’t lose his job, did he? Sounds like a frivolous harassment suit to me.

6. Thanks Randell.

all i can say is that after years of the Argus Leader sliming people PAYBACK IS A BEEEAAATTTCHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

It’s difficult for a plaintiff to win libel cases, but it’s possible that the Argus may have crossed the line with this parody
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070715/COLUMNISTS0101/707150302/1132

The actual letter is available by a link to the left of the online parody.

Greg Belfrage’s interview with Dan Scott further reinforces that the parody was mistaken by a LOT of readers as Dan’s actual letter.

http://dakotawatercooler.blogspot.com/2007/07/dan-scott-strikes-back.html

If any paper could screw up enough to actually lose a libel suit, the Argus probably can.

PP–you are The Man! great scoop on the biggest political story in South Dakota this year! this lawsuit couldn’t happen to nicer people

DOS,

It’s hardly a political story, much less a big one. It’s a trifle that won’t amount to much in the end.

I can’t wait to hear all the liberals squeal about their precious Argus Leader, known as the Democratic Publicity Machine, as it gets nailed in the discovery that will go on with this lawsuit

I’m not suggesting anybody go do this or try and incite a smash-mob or anything…but what if the statewide glee from this rumor turns into hordes of people running around with sticks beating crap out of Argus machines?

6 – How did Randall Beck get on here?

9 – It may not amount to much legally, but the fact that the suit was brought in itself, against the editor, (publisher?), and the paper itself is rather significant in the eyes of Gannett. I agree, it may not amount to much legally, but it could have a huge impact at the Argus

I can’t imagine the suit will have any impact whatsoever on the Argus. Nice if it did. But, there’s no reason for it to create an impact on the paper.

The Argus will get run over by Janklow.

legal merits, schmerits. This lawsuit will prove what a bunch of arrogrant liberal p—ks run the Argus and cost them money and hurt their horrible reputation even more and then Gannett will take notice and clean out the whole bunch of them

Was the Argus’ reporting bad? Probably. Did it rise to a level of defamation against a public figure? I think that is highly unlikely.

If true that a lawsuit has been filed, expect the Argus and Gannett will fight this and not likely settle. That’s what media outlets with money do. It is done as a preemptory shot against other defamation suits.

Again, if Dan has filed suit, under Times v. New York Times he will have to show not only that the comments were defamatory but that the Argus knew or should have known of their falsity. That is a very, very big hill to climb.

See, the Argus is covering it.
It’s not like Hildygate.

http://argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070816/NEWS/70816038

Thanks Todd, always good to know how the girl’s soccer world views things. By the way, I’ve seen your buddy Trobec ref and he’s certainly no soccer fan.

While it pains me greatly to agree with Epp, he is absolutely right on this one. I sure would love it if there was a case, but there isn’t, and Gannett has the resources to fight it. It’s going nowhere, gang.

Ooops, New York Times v. Sullivan. Brain fart. No, fruitcake.

18.

Yes, girls soccer world with a J.D. and an LL.M. who also practices in the area of defamation law. I’ve defended media outlets and sued media outlets. I’m just sayin’.

I can understand Dan Scott being upset and angry but that’s not the legal standard in these cases. That’s not a dig at Dan. But he has a difficult legal road ahead of him if he is to prevail.

18.
I don’t know if I’d call Jay a “buddy” but he is definitely highly regarded in the local soccer world because of his high attainment as an official. Few people in South Dakota are at his grade of soccer official, which I think is a Grade 5 or 15 as a “retired” ref. I’m just sayin’

No insecurity like the insecurity that cloaks itself in a wreath of titles and degrees. I love that about Epp.

And, however many chevrons Trobec has on his sleeve, the guy just has a lousy feel for the game. I’m just sayin’.

23
And nothing like being attacked by a coward who won’t give his name. I’m just saying.

KELO has the summons and complaint

http://www.keloland.com/ClassLibrary/Page/News/files/argus.pdf

The claim of malice – which is needed in a public figure case – is actually something that could help this drag on. If Scott can put forth some evidence that would tend to show malice when reasonable inferences are drawn in his favor, he can avoid summary judgment and get to a jury.

This would be fun to watch even if it didn’t have Janklow… give me some popcorn and let the Argus scramble.

Todd Epp is just wishing this case would go away. It won’t. The lawsuit argues that the Argus put Scott in a “false light,” not a typical defamation claim. And they did because they published a “letter” from Scott which wasn’t his and it caused people to criticize him. The Argus has its tit in a wringer on this one precisely because Randell and Garson are arrogant pricks. And wait until you see what it revealed about how the Argus Leader works as this lawsuit unfolds. It will make your stomach turn.

and if you’re taking legal advice from Epp of the Ambulance-chasing Mary Giebink firm then, well, you’re a bigger idiot than Epp

Epp retreats to the ad hominem fallacy as defense. There’s some lawyerin’ for ya.

Soccer fag? Topic? There’s nothing to talk about. As even a girl’s soccer coach can see, this is a non-starter.

Getting to a jury is a good point. 60% of people in Sioux Falls think the Argus sucks. Which makes for a great jury pool for Scott.

Save some of that popcorn for me!

It doesn’t matter how much money Gannett has when Janklow’s working for free.

This is the one he’s been waiting for.

Todd, one fag to another. Why do we keep loving women. And they, us?

Class Action?

Give some credit where credit is do on the breaking of this story. MYSiouxFalls.com had the complaint in it’s grip as soon as the courthouse open this morning. Look at the time stamp at KELO and Argus. How do you thing people heard about it? Prostrollo and Cable are doing something that needed to be done long ago. These guys have a nother little suprise next week I’m told. MYSiouxFalls.com might get sued by the Argus over it but some say Prostrollo doesn’t mind.

Give some credit where credit is do on the breaking of this story. MYSiouxFalls.com had the complaint in it’s grip as soon as the courthouse opened this morning. Look at the time stamp at KELO and Argus. How do you think people heard about it? Prostrollo and Cable are doing something that needed to be done long ago. These guys have another little surprise next week I’m told. MYSiouxFalls.com might get sued by the Argus over it but some say Prostrollo doesn’t mind.

What’s all the “soccer fag” discussion about? I don’t follow.

Me guesses aa2 and Curious George work for Mysiouxfalls.com. Yeah, yeah. You broke the story. Who cares?

Do 60% of people think the Argus sucks? maybe. Do 80% of the people think Bill Janklow sucks? Probably. If this case gets to the jury it’s a loser. But it will probably be thrown out on summary judgment.

Dan Scott and Bill Janklow better have all of their fun in discovery because it will be over after that.

The Argus and their liberal cohorts are going down.