Blog Stuff: Delaware Supremes screw up, accidentally Do Right Thing.

Via Michael Silence: The Delaware Supreme Court screwed up recently, and decided in favor of free speech and internet anonymity. Look for a higher Federal court to rectify the error as soon as possible.

The flap centered around several anonymous bloggers using their bandwidth to smear a local politician with the kind of playground name-calling that passes for political speech these days. Cahill reponded by throwing a snit and, deciding he didn't like the exposure to slings and arrows his Junior Woodchuck political career entailed, taking the bloggers to court.

In a series of obscenity-laced tirades, the bloggers, among other things, pointed to Cahill's "obvious mental deterioration," and made several sexual references about him and his wife, including using the name "Gahill" to suggest that Cahill, who has publicly feuded with Smyrna Mayor Mark Schaeffer, is homosexual.

Now, please understand that I think that John Doe No.1 and cronies were cowardly curs for dragging Councilman Cahill's wife into things and making anonymous slurs and sexual innuendos about Cahill's preferences, but I don't think they should be held criminally liable for anything. What the craven pamphleteers should be held accountable for is their honor; in a perfect world, Cahill would be able to make a public and very un-anonymous demand for satisfaction...

(PS: If Mr. Cahill doesn't like anything I've written here, my name and location are proudly displayed at the top right of the page, and pistols at dawn is my general preference.)