Randi Rhodes and Air America Win Big Court Victory Against Alleged "Torture" Contractor
CACI International had sued Rhodes (now with NovaM radio) and Air America for remarks she made about the alleged involvement of CACI "interrogators" in abuses at Abu Ghraib.
In what is considered a "conservative" federal appeals court, a three judge panel ruled that Rhodes was well within her First Amendment rights in making her comments about CACI:
"Rhodes's criticism of CACI's role and conduct was unbridled, caustic, and indignant," Judge M. Blane Michael wrote. But the right to speak freely is an "essential privilege" that "minimizes the danger of self-censorship on the part of those who would criticize, thus allowing robust debate about the actions of public officials and public figures (including military contractors such as CACI) who are conducting the country's business."
A district course judge had earlier dismissed CACI's lawsuit as groundless and without merit. CACI appealed and its claim resoundingly rejected by the U.S. Court of Appeals in Richmond (4th Circuit).
The ciruit court decision in favor of Rhodes and Air America was made on August 5 and was unanimous.
Thanks to the Court for affirming that we can still call 'em as we see 'em even if we're not nice about it. Free speech ain't dead yet despite some mighty efforts against it by the criminal elite.
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