Tulsa World sues Bates

[tim huntzinger]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelBates

quote:Originally posted by tim huntzinger

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

I assume you are easy to find.  I see that 3 summons were issued.  Wonder why they didn't just zip one off certified mail.  Perhaps they were contact by the UTW and are wrapping that up before turning their attention to you.

Panticzek is sooooo classy: his star columnist makes a mistake, suit follows, and he does not have the decency to let the columnist know what is up? Is that what happened? Served on the 14th, TW contacts Lord Bates on the 16th and Bates says it was out of the blue! Blame your publisher, not the 'Whirled'!

You need to work on your reading comprehension, Tim.

Oh, I see.  TW contacts Keith on the 14th.  He says NOTHING to you for two days? Then when Randy calls you on the 16th you are surprised? Is that it? Keith lets you twist in the wind for two days or not?

See, you said elsewhere that you were contacted two hours after the suit was filed on the 16th.  The World said that they contacted Keith on the 14th. http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090121_16_A13_TheTul409648

[MichaelBates]

When Krehbiel called at 3:46 on the 15th, I had already been made aware that a suit had been threatened. I was not aware that a suit had been filed. According to OSCN, it had been filed at 3:01 on the 15th.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

quote:Originally posted by MichaelBates

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

Comments turned off due to "request of readers" in 3...2...1...


I'm guessing prosecuting the suit against an editors and/or another paper would be very bad PR in the industry.  If they back off of the comments and publish a retraction the TW gets what they want.  I'm guessing either Bates refused to deny the story or they have just had enough of him.

No entry of appearance by any of the defendants.  No filing of service either.  I assume he was served on the 16th, so we could have another week before anything happens.

http://www.oscn.net/applications/ocisweb/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=2180026&db=Tulsa

No one from the World has contacted me, other than reporter Randy Krehbiel, who sought comments from me 45 minutes after the suit was filed. I have yet to be served with a lawsuit.

I'm going to play attorney here, Michael.

Publish a retraction on your blog, send Bobby Lorton a dozen roses and a Hallmark card.  All problems solved.

only problem, that blog has nothing to do with the article in UTW.  Publish a retraction in UTW would be the only appropriate venue.

[DowntownNow]

I for one didn't see anything libelous or dafaming in the article Michael wrote.  His article contained no more suggestions or suppositions than the World's own editorials or stories.  The TW's own writers have told me in the past that half of what they write is lucky to make it into the paper once the editorial board is done.  

The TW prolly felt they had to take a stand because the TW felt his article "implied" (their words, not mine) that there was a deliberate act to conceal circulation numbers from advertisers.  Someone point out to me where in Michael's column it specifically states that "the TW went to great lengths to intentionally conceal dwindling circulation numbers from its advertisers in the hope of demanding more money from them."  Unless the statement is specific and made as a matter of fact without any credible information to back it up, it is not libel.  This article was after all an Opinion/Editorial...look back through the Op/Ed section of the TW...did you see any legal action on the part of White City neighbors when the TW basically called them any and everything in the book?  This is just petty on the TW's part.  

Perhaps the TW is more afraid that in the last few months, in addition to Michael's columns, UTW's own writers have been taking on harder issues and really researching them and asking the questions but not taking sides.  Case in point the recent article by Brandon Hoenig (sp?) on the Tulsa Club building and other properties downtown.

If the UTW keeps up and gathers steam, writing truly indepth non-biased articles like that one, then yes...they could find themselves in trouble.  Is that part of what this is all about?

Michael, I wish you the best in this endeavour.  It must be hard to look at the wealth on one side backing the TW lawyers but somewhere, sometime, journalistic integrity and common sense must prevail...I hope you fight but if not, I don't think anyone can assume anything different than its David vs. Goliath and thats a hard challenge to take on and survive.  Best of luck.

[Hometown]

Michael, This might propel you to the status of folk hero.  

Bet the World doesn't really want to get into discovery.  Don't they have to prove that your claims are not true?

Since this is high profile you might be able to get a top drawer attorney to represent you at a reduced rate.  Has your publisher offered to pay for your defense costs?  If he hasn't, he should.

Anyone want to organize a benefit to help pay Michael's defense costs?

If Urban Tulsa didn't skew to the right I'd say crank up the presses and publish a lively tabloid format daily.  Morning edition.  

Three years ago I saw a small local legal news paper for sale.  Wish I had bought it.

[Conan71]

I had $200 I was going to contribute to Michael's defense, but I blew it all on Marshall's Beer.

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

I had $200 I was going to contribute to Michael's defense, but I blew it all on Marshall's Beer.

Better investment.  Reminds me I still have a McNellie's Pub Ale in the fridge I need to finish off.

[cannon_fodder]

UTW and the editor were served on the 17th by process servers:
http://www.oscn.net/applications/ocisweb/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=2180026&db=Tulsa

You must be a hard man to find Mr. Bates.

[MichaelBates]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

UTW and the editor were served on the 17th by process servers:
http://www.oscn.net/applications/ocisweb/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=2180026&db=Tulsa

You must be a hard man to find Mr. Bates.

I was home most of the weekend.

[bugo]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

I want to sue somebody...

I think inteller's avatar leads to global warming and causes me to be sunburned.

See you in court.

I (seriously) have an irrational fear of snakes.  When I see snakes, or sometimes even pictures of snakes that I don't expect to see, I have panic attacks.  Sgrizzle, I hope you have a good attorney.[:I]

[joiei]

quote:Originally posted by bugo

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

I want to sue somebody...

I think inteller's avatar leads to global warming and causes me to be sunburned.

See you in court.

I (seriously) have an irrational fear of snakes.  When I see snakes, or sometimes even pictures of snakes that I don't expect to see, I have panic attacks.  Sgrizzle, I hope you have a good attorney.[:I]

Thanks for this, now I will have nightmares about snakes, my irrational fear is skewed way off the chart.  As for the lawsuit, I will just wait to see what happens.

[buzz words]

Is Bates doing any media interviews?  This would be a great time to create a youtube channel.  your own reality youtube show.

[nathanm]

quote:Originally posted by buzz words

Is Bates doing any media interviews?  This would be a great time to create a youtube channel.  your own reality youtube show.

Shades of Nosak Raw.

[patric]

I remember during the Iran Hostage Crisis (tm) the militants agreed to release all the black and female hostages because they there "oppressed people" in America -- a strategy that was designed to divide our country's attitude of the situation along racial and sexist lines.

I see similarities in the TW's strategy of letting the paper and editor "off the hook" while still holding the UTW's most substantiative contributor in chains.  
Didnt Napoleon have a name for that tactic?

[guido911]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

I had $200 I was going to contribute to Michael's defense, but I blew it all on Marshall's Beer.

You, sir, make me proud to be an American. Bless you.