Posted by Anti-Moo on September 29, 2003 at 22:00:32:
HF said:
'Uh, saying what I'd like to do, is that a threat in your legal system?
'I would like to beat you senseless!'
'I'd love to pound one of your students sensless in a point fight. It would be funny'
But those are true statements and are not threats are they'
Oh, I see, If you don't like it then it's illegal. Hahaha!'
_________
I guess we need to school HF some more. Lets take the simple approach. Here is the definition of 'threat' from the Merriam-Webster's Dictionary:
Main Entry: 1threat
Pronunciation: 'thret
Function: noun
1 : an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage
2 : one that threatens
3 : an indication of something impending
So you see HF saying ''I would like to beat you senseless!' is a threat.... and in legal terms (and to keep it simple so you understand) it is illegal to threaten someone with personal injury.
...and for the more learned :o)
In numerous cases the US courts have indicated that despite our right to free speech on the internet, that “true threats' are NOT protected by the First Amendment. The main issue is to determine what a 'true threat' is in the legal since. Now since we know that HF is not capable of backing up his threat, this may mean that he is actually telling the truth and 'not treating' anyone, but rather just voicing his opinion. Much as a 4 year old, telling a 6 foot 200 pound man that he is going to 'beat him up.' Also in a court of law HF may claim that he was 'simply joking' and that it was for the 'fun' of playing on the internet. However we can show (through a listing of pass posts) that HF has established a pattern of aggression toward others and their view points. He has made specific threats targeted at individuals and has demonstrated what amounts to 'bullying' people on the internet. Their are several cases that have already been played out in the US court system that backs this simple 'review' of HF up.
So basically HF (again to put it simple so you understand) - you are making threats and if push comes to shove you can be held legally responsible for them. Now if you would care to make the 'threat' a 'challenge' (one that you were actually willing to back up - other wise it remains a 'threat') then we can change the legal nature of all that you have said... and depending on what state you are in, some have laws that cover physical challenges issued to professional fighters (and in many states martial arts Instructors would fall under that definition) then we can arrange a time to get together and see who would be laughing.
Or is this all just too much for you to comprehend? Hopefully this schooling will bring you up to speed with the rest of us here. Have a seat HF and please treat us to some of your more insightful laughter and humiliation.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA