Should the woman who started the FB rumor about Haitians eating dogs & cats be punished somehow? Should she receive 24-hour police security?

[DrPepper12]

The Daily News, certainly not a liberal outlet, posted this:

www.nydailynews.com/.../

Sky News, owned by the Murdoch family, is also a conservative outlet:

news.sky.com/.../us-election-springfield-woman-who-started-pet-eating-claims-says-she-is-not-racist-13214409

Yes. Her false post caused criminal activity like bomb threats, threats to Haitians & Election fuckery

No. She has free speech even if it's a falsehood.

No. She should not be punished but social media platforms must prevent this from going any further.

Her "recanting" is false & the Deep State got to her

[cheapshotbob]

animals insignificant creatures for this minute, the only purpose they really serve is to give you companionship.

to the new priority for animals where there shouldn't be at least all the fancy commercial receipt for food made for animals using people, food is over the top. ridiculous

And you have to remember patients have a different culture than this like in Japan or Korea

dogs are a delicacy and sometimes revered as they treat. there's nothing wrong with eating dog and you shouldn't be offended by their culture. it You should be offended by your attitude and your opinion

[DrPepper12]

I've eaten dog and it was okay. I was really trying to discern what should be done with the rumor starter.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

I don't think that was a cheap shot, more like a missing shot 😆

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

I'm not sure punishing someone who is maybe not equipped to understand the problem they are creating will be socially useful. Because there is a quartet to blame here, for this to happen, it needs:

- individuals spreading false claims
- authorities exploiting these claims for their own agenda
- masses accepting to follow claims without questioning them
- networks benefiting financially for spreading any uncontrolled information

Solving the four things isn't exactly simple, it's in fact horribly complicated lol

[DrPepper12]

THAT is a cogent, well reasoned, accurate and robust argument!! TY!!

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

You're welcome, doc, and I thank you in return for making me think about the world :)

[goaded]

Out of the four, which would you say is the worst offender?

Assuming, at least, the individual didn't expect the whole chain.

[mandyfire98]

She definitely started that on purpose and isn't sorry about it.

Technically what she did is punishable because the freedom of speech clearly says you can't use it to incite a riot. What she did absolutely can fall under that considering now people are calling in bomb threats to hospitals over this bullshit.

[DrPepper12]

She insists that she never intended anything like this and that she was mistaken and made an assumption that was not true.
I totally hear what you're saying about her words not having the protection of the first amendment but I think she was just reporting "facts" as she knew them without the intention of causing harm

[mandyfire98]

I'd claim that as well if I got caught. Who wouldn't try to save themselves?

[menina]

I believe that she should be punished. She spread false information and she caused many problems. However, social media platforms should be in control on what's posted.

Some people believed in this and they might want to beat up or even kill Haitians because of this rumor. It's serious.

[DrPepper12]

There is always a discussion of revising rule 2:30 of the telecommunications act where hosting media companies are not responsible for their members speech. I agree it's time to revisit that, it might have been a good idea when the internet was young but now it's become a Frankenstein problem

[OlderAndWiser]

What crime did she commit? Can you cite a section of the state or federal criminal code that she violated? You can't have the government punish people because they say something that gets condemned in a post on G@G or other social media.

[mandyfire98]

Could fall under inciting a riot especially now that hospitals are getting bomb threats based off of it. Freedom of speech doesn't allow for inciting riots.

[DrPepper12]

I was just asking the question! I don't believe she's committed any crime. She was just reporting the facts as she knew them without any fighting words or hate speech. It was just an innocuous post that got out of control. I think @Maybe_Maybe_not answer above really helps clarify it.

[OlderAndWiser]

From a legal perspective, i think it would be impossible to hold this person responsible, under either civil or criminal law, for the unforeseen consequences of spreading information which ultimately proved to be false.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Her false post on facebook should bring her to criminal justice.

[DrPepper12]

Got to disagree. It was no criminality intended or that occurred. It wasn't hateful speech, it wasn't fighting words, it was not a call to action. It was a rumor that she believed to be the facts and she posted it. It got out of control.

[blueonblack22]

She might be crazy or she might of really seen this. But she has no proof.

However unless she accused a specific person by name (which is slander/libel) then no she should not be punished by the government. Even if it is confirmed she made that all up (which is xenophobic) it’s still protected under free speech.

That doesn’t mean she won’t be punished in other ways. Her reputation is tarnished. She might have a hard time getting a job or leasing an apartment if managers/landlords know who it is. Lots of people are going to hate her.

[DrPepper12]

Excellent points all!!

[blueonblack22]

thanks. That’s how free speech works (and should always work). You can say what you want no matter how stupid is. But unless you are explicitly and directly threatening violence the government should never get involved.

But that doesn’t mean your reputation won’t get damaged and might have to suffer personal/professional repercussions later. Doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences.

[purplepoppy]

The question to ask in this type of case is what was the motivation behind the original comment. Was it said in jest? An honest mistake? Or was she stirring up hatred?

What is definitely wrong is a potential president using a FB post in a debate.

[DrPepper12]

I agree. The intention is everything. She regretted it deleted it and said that she never expected this. As far as Trump using anything he considers to be a fact in his self-created reality, it's suspect simply by the source.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Legally, I don't think so, but she should be publicly shamed (as should Trump and Vance for repeating this baseless racist BS , but those two are shameless) for starting this rumour which has led to bomb threats and death threats against Haitians and other immigrants.

[DrPepper12]

Agreed. No legal culpability. Shame? For all? You betcha!!

[Kaneki05]

Nah just punish those who were dumb enough to believe it instead. They all need to be taken to special homes for those with stunted brain capacity.

[DrPepper12]

Good point. To take it at face value does betray their ignorance, gullibility and even racism as it appeals to their preconceived notions. TY!!

[WindAtMyBack]

By your logic, half the people at GaG would be in jail. Seriously, since when in the entire history of humanity did this NOT happen? On the Internet it's become rampant, but it sure as hell isn't new. Oh wait, it was rampant before the Internet.

[DrPepper12]

I am not advocating for any punishment for her other than social like shaming or shunning. I don't think she did anything illegal. I think it was just her posting a rumor and it got out of control. There was no hate speech, there was no incitement, and there was no call to action.

[Anonymous]

Letting her go without any punishment is why Republicans have such an extensive campaign of misinformation. They make up lies like this daily and if you don't eventually make an example of them, why would they stop? It takes a Jan 6 level insurrection to start putting these people in jail? Law and order is difficult to achieve if these people aren't stopped earlier.

[DrPepper12]

She has been punished socially by shunning and the anxiety of a potential attack by some lunatic. But I really don't think she did anything illegal. If anything the media is to blame for running with this without verifying it. And anybody who believed it without verifying it is ignorant and I believe racist because it feeds into their already pre-existing viewpoints of Haitians.

[normalice]

I would fine the right wing media outlets that platformed it without verifying the information.

[the29thhuman]

I’d say just don’t pay attention to what other people say, it’s none of my business or concern

[DrPepper12]

Always a safe answer and safe conduct!!

[Anonymous]

I know you really want to like the wannabe dictator that you are but you can't just arrest people for false social media posts. It violates the first amendment.

If you want to prove she is a liar, it must be done in court and given that the burden of proof lies with her, she will likely out herself anyway if she really is a liar.

[DrPepper12]

I am no fan of Trump first of all. She was reporting the facts as she understood them and they were not insiteful words that would be unprotected

[Opinion Owner]

I made no statement on Trump. I am talking about the woman who spoke about the Haitians eating dogs and cats.

[Anonymous]

there's other residents talking about this

but don't be surprised the cancel culture mob threatened her to shut up just like they were mad Trump's 2nd assassination attempt didn't go to plan

[DrPepper12]

The cancel culture mob as you call them did nothing of the sort. She deleted the post on her own out of concern for the Haitian community and the fact that it's blown way out of proportion.
I Guess the cancel culture mob is responsible for the second assassination attempt? Is that what you're saying?

[Opinion Owner]

that's what they told her to say

communists are well known for controlled speech and propaganda

[DrPepper12]

So those who are outraged and uphold social mores are commies? Really?

[Opinion Owner]

who's outraged? those like you infected with Trump Derangement Syndrome?

[DrPepper12]

Normal people who don't care for bigoted ignorant alarmists crying wolf for cynical, racist, partisan reasons.

[Opinion Owner]

normal people are feeling the brunt of illegal immigration on their economy. only braindead commies are coping too hard with their TDS

[DrPepper12]

Are you saying the rumors are TRUE?

[exitseven]

she has probably been threatened for doing this. She has been thoroughly censored.

[bobby_bush_eater]

They do eat cats and dogs in general. Most third world borderline tribal nations do, same in Africa...

No she shouldn't be punished.

[Anonymous]

It's only called a falsehood if liberals think it reflects negatively on a minority group. It's like saying Jews are disproportionately represented in Hollywood and elite colleges or white women f*ck dogs.

[OtterMan68]

MAGA still repeating the lie. Even JD Vance

[DrPepper12]

Did you expect anything less?

[Anonymous]

So Haitians are more important to you than Americans?

[normalice]

Were Americans at risk in this story?

[DrPepper12]

So an anominty is more important to you when making ignorant and ridiculous questions?

Those Haitian people that you disparage ARE American citizens.

You need three things, a muzzle, a mirror, and a subscription. The muzzle is for running your mouth about topics you don't understand. The mirror is for self-reflection that maybe you will learn something. The subscription is for reputable fact-based journalism that you pay for so you get quality journalism as capitalism intended, not whatever Dan bongino or Alex Jones are raving about.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure if you turn her into steaks they'll tuck in

[Jennz6]

Not sure really