An AdLLaw Petition signee commented:
“The fact that people take advantage of this loophole is disgusting.”
It is not so much a loophole as a conscious decision by lawmakers to avoid doing the right thing. In order for it to be a legal loophole there would first have to be a law. The absence of this law provides immoral profit for some, a perverse entertainment for many and pain for others.
Michael Jackson continues to be one of the hardest working persons in the entertainment business. The US Courts and Government are in agreement he is enough of a person to continue to produce material; be a part of that material; go on tour; be sued; taxed; hire contractors and employees through representation. But he is no longer a person when it comes to getting justice for slander against him.
Michael Jackson is not alone when it comes to this. It happens to persons known the world over and those only known in their hometown. All these people are equally important.
If a decedent can be sued for slander which may have happened while they were alive, have the case against them handled by family or estate managers then why does it not work in reverse?
The biggest argument against this proposed law is it will violate our First Amendment rights.
That is misleading.
If making a law which makes it illegal to slander the deceased violates US First Amendment Rights then there would be no slander laws, not even for the living.
Because the crime is slander. Not who is or can be slandered.
Support the Petition Initiative:
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/protect-the-legacy-of
Contact the lawmakers and tell them you support the proposed law and want them to do the same.
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/write-or-call#write
(We do not support cover ups or intimidating wronged people. We ask that if the wronged is the deceased they are not ignored)
By: S. Kendrick, Resolution Specialist – a.k.a. Dial Dancer