Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Myrtle Beach Chamber Sues Elmer Fudd ?


Someone's Been a Weawwy Bad Bwogger !!!!
Funny what the anonymity of the internet will do to people. They think it is this impenetrable shroud that allows them to do or say anything. I've had friends tell me, "Heck Mike, you can say anything, and no one's going to sue you." Yeah, right..... Some tell me to just make up stuff about Jim Clyburn or others, and maybe that'll take them down at some point. I did once say that Jim molests puppies, but I did recant that immediately. As far as I know, that still applies......
But, we are accountable for our actions, and we doe have to apply some restraint. An anonymous commenter in Myrtle Beach is finding that out ..... In case you didn't know, a second Chamber of Commerce started up a couple weeks ago - the Grand Strand Chamber of Commerce. Why? Mainly because they felt that the current chamber and city leadership were focused too much on tourism, and not enough on more stable businesses. They're both trying to play nice with each other, but this isn't going to work out.
Anyway, the Sun News ran a story about the Myrtle Beach Chamber, and someone left an anonymous post, under the user name 'Elmer Fudd' , stating that the local police had raided the Chamber HQ and two other hotel properties. This caused the local media outlets to contact the Myrtle Beach Chamber to confirm / deny the story, which was false of course.
The Chamber didn't find it so funny....They filed a John Doe lawsuit against Fudd for defamation, requesting the Sun News to provide them with Fudd's information. They also inquired with local law enforcement about filing criminal charges as well, but that seems to have been poo-poo'ed. Hey, these guys are serious.... Glad I never said anything bad about them .
Now, is this a bit excessive? Probably. But, they're in what they see as a pitched battle for being the main representative of Myrtle Beach. Someone making up stories about having their business records seized is a bit immflamatory, and I'm sure they have a couple attorneys as member who would gladly file suit for them for free. What the penalty for making up stories about a business venture? I have no idea. But, no damage seems to have been done. My guess is that the Chamber will find out who he/she is, and make him/her buy a lifetime membership to the Chamber as settlement - and not invite him/her to any of the mixers......
.

No comments: