Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 12:11:25 -0700
From: Milton Brewster  <scribblenopsam.com>
Subject: Re: Good and Bad SAAB Dealers

In article <20010417191613.26063.00000441nopsame1.aol.com>, jcavinaughnopsamcom says... > Does anyone know of a website or newsgroup where people leave comments on SAAB > dealerships? Like with everything, there is good and bad. I think it is a good > idea for people to make public comments on the dealerships, so that people like > us can read them... Not only just SAAB USA. > -- I just bought a 2001 3-door. I am excited and can hardly wait for delivery in a few days. In the US, posting a personal opinion about anything is protected speech. You can not be sued for expressing any idea that is clearly your own opinion. You cross the line when you accuse someone of committing a crime without labelling it as an opinion. Still; that is not a crime -- you are only civilly liable, and only if the Plaintiff can directly prove actual damages that amount to a significant amount of money. In the case of a car dealership, it would be very, very hard to prove. About once a year, I see a dealership picketed somewhere in the US, and picketers are NEVER prosecuted if they stay off the dealer lot. In the US, the Uniform Commercial Code modifies this right somewhat -- advertising is a little different, and Business-to-Business relationships are a little different. I am sure that Canada and GB are similar, but I am also sure they differ in some ways. Europe has still other laws, but there is always Usenet. But think it through for a minute: How do you think movie reviewers and book reviewers get away with negative reviews? They ruin producers every once in a while, not to mention actors and authors. They couldn't do this if their speech wasn't protected, could they? It is a God Damned shame that so many American Citizens think that they commit a crime when they express themselves regarding their experience with a Business. milton brewster

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