Comments on: President Chinchilla suing businessman for defamation over Facebook post

By: disgusted

disgusted — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Not to compare CR with USA, However President VP and others put their money into blind trust. Thus avoiding this. I know we can argue this until were all blue in the face. Nothing going to change here anyway so it really a waste of our time. I just sit back and watch the political circus. Next up to bat is Johnny!

By: Ken Morris

Ken Morris — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 22:58:00 +0000

Toolman78 seems to have it right. Not only does she have the right to sue, but the fact that she is makes it unlikely that there is anything to the charges. Who that was guilty would invite court scrutiny of allegations like these? Comments like those by Disgusted even help make the case for her suing. Since some people will believe any nasty lie about a public figure, it makes sense for public figures to counter those spreading nasty lies about them. In fact, IMO, the restrictions on US public figures suing over slander and libel are too stringent. I’m not sure that holding elective office should deprive a person of these basic rights. However, politically this might be an unwise move by Chinchilla. Ideally she should position herself above the fray and resist entering mud-wrestling fights like this. My guess though is that she’s resigned to finishing out her term without much public support and looking forward to her post-presidential life, thus taking care of her reputation as best she can now. I also think she’s frankly pissed at some of criticisms made of her and ready to start fighting back.

By: georgechapogas

georgechapogas — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 19:37:00 +0000

so your response is if they cannot prosecute all she should not be allowed to prosecute? so basically your first post was wrong and this is your response. nice.

By: Chris Thomas

Chris Thomas — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 19:30:00 +0000

If they followed the law here half of the country be in jail get for real since when Costa Rica cares about crime look it at all the thieves,drugs dealers and murderers running around not to mention all of the politicians that steal money JPS,Caja,Hacienda ect

By: toolman78

toolman78 — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 19:08:00 +0000

I didn’t mean to condone what she’s doing. Although to be honest, I can’t find fault in it either. As a politician, her reputation has immeasurable value to her. Taking action against those who would tarnish it is simply common sense. As far as her doing it on her own time, unless you think that a politician is on the clock 24/7, who’s to say she isn’t. I don’t mean to defend someone whom I personally don’t hold a good opinion of, I’m simply playing devil’s advocate. As much as I don’t like her, I feel it’s not necessary or right to criticize her on things that I wouldn’t criticize her on if I did like her. There are more than enough real issues to criticize her on.

By: georgechapogas

georgechapogas — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 19:02:00 +0000

say anything you want? excuse me. defamation is a crime in costa rica. publicly stating a non-public person committed a criminal act when they did not is a crime in the USA

By: georgechapogas

georgechapogas — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 18:59:00 +0000

what she does with her money is no one’s business. how much anyone earns or how they invest is private. using the law to force people to self report their finances is a violation of basic human liberty. if she used no public money, no one has the right to know a thing. that is the biggest evil of income and wealth tax, destruction of privacy to please the bleating class idiots

By: Chris Thomas

Chris Thomas — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 18:36:00 +0000

toolman7e8 I disagree with you a little bit politicians should be held at a higher standard specially for a country that brags to be the top in human rights, I have been living here on and off for 20 years I understand the culture people are nasty to Obama and Bush and say anything true and untrue I do not see them suing anyone, she can sue but she should do it after she leaves office on her own private time now there alot of other important issues at hand than hurting her ego

By: Chris Thomas

Chris Thomas — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 18:00:00 +0000

toolman7e8 I disagree with you a little bit politicians should be held at a higher standard specially for a country that brags to be the top in human rights, I have been living here on and off for 20 years I understand the culture people are nasty to Obama and Bush and say anything I do not see them suing anyone, she can sue but she should do it after she leaves office on her own private time now there alot of other important issues at hand than hurting her ego

By: toolman78

toolman78 — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 17:35:00 +0000

Chris, actually her suing makes it look like the guy’s statement is a
lie. If what he said were true, I doubt she would respond. Her bringing
this to court can only result in more publicity and deeper inquiry,
something she would be looking to avoid if it were true.

” people
have the right to say anything they want”, no, not really. Everyone is
protected by the anti-defamation laws, not just politicians. If you run
your mouth about your neighbor in public, he can take you to court here
in Costa Rica.

And assuming the translation is accurate, she said
that was the only “compensation” she’s receiving. There’s a subtle but
meaningful difference between compensation and income. For example the
owner of shares in a corporation may not receive any compensation even
though it generates income. And if she’s receiving any dirty money, well
of course she wouldn’t acknowledge that. She may be corrupt, but I seriously doubt she got where she is by being stupid.