-Caveat Lector-
Court Passes on Scientology Libel Case The Associated Press Monday, Oct. 1, 2001; 11:40 a.m. EDT WASHINGTON –– Ten years after Time magazine ran an award- winning article portraying the Church of Scientology as a greedy cult, the Supreme Court refused Monday to consider reinstating the church's libel case. Time Warner Inc. had steadfastly defended the 10-page article and said it refused to be "intimidated by the church's apparently limitless legal resources." The church contended that the writer was biased and only interviewed critics. Scientology, founded by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, requires members to take classes and counseling that can cost thousands of dollars. The May 1991 article entitled, "Scientology: The Cult of Greed," said that the so-called religion is "really a ruthless global scam." Time said the cover story was awarded the Gerald Loeb Award for distinguished business and financial journalism, the Worth Bingham Prize and the Conscience in Media Awards from the American Society of Journalists and Authors. The church had said the story had multiple defamatory comments. "While in the past certain church officials concededly committed improper acts ... most of the allegations of past misconduct were false and distorted, the result of the misunderstanding, suspicion and prejudice that typically greet a new religion," the church told the Supreme Court. A judge had dismissed the lawsuit and the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Time was not guilty of writing the report with actual malice, which is the standard for libel cases involving public groups or people. The church told the Supreme Court that the rulings "rather than encouraging the search for truth, provide a safe harbor for biased journalism." The case is Church of Scientology International v. Time Warner Inc., 00-1683. ––– On the Net: U.S. Supreme Court: http://www.supremecourtus.gov © Copyright 2001 The Associated Press Back to the top -- Best wishes Lesson for life number one: If it moves, kill it. Lesson for life number two: If you can't kill it, for God's sake don't talk about it to the Associated Press. - Cecil Adams Maybe if more people challenged the status quo and demanded more from politicians and newsmen there would be better understanding of how things work (or don't). Children manage to do this daily, yet many adults give way without question. This is worrisome to many of us who believe asking tough questions is the best way to live and remain free. -Paul M. Rodriguez <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
