Linwood: Change Through Action BB [Big Book] Monday - update

An email (dated Monday 17/06/13)

“Good evening Mr ???????, It was brought to my attention that you have PUBLICLY named myself and the group I belong to on the World Wide Web. I have absolutely no intention of having any debate with you regarding your comments, the fact that someone passes on their opinion to you which goes to print tells me everything I need to know.
However, as I do have a partner and kids, I shall be seeking legal advice on this matter and only wish to afore warn you of my intentions.
You do now have the opportunity of course to remove this quote, and pass on the details of its author. To hide behind the status of anonymity, I must confess to having never come across such a cowardly act in such a long time.

Mr Lindsay …...”

(our edits)

Our reply (dated 18/06/13)

“Dear Mr …...,

With reference to our blog entry “Linwood: Change Through Action BB [Big Book] Monday”

(14^th June 2013)

Thank you for your mail. As you will note from the blog entry (and in accordance with AA tradition) your first name only has been identified. As for our names you may take your pick: Ebenezer, Zachariah, Sandra, Mike, John, Bruce (and Sheila), Uncle Tom Cobley and so on and so forth....

It is unfortunate that you have declined to enter into a debate but that of course is entirely your privilege. On previous occasions where groups and individuals have done so we have on occasion modified our entries accordingly. But the opportunity is there should you choose to avail yourself of it (you will note here our inclusion of an invitation on the blog entry itself: “Any further information welcome”)

As for your declared intention to seek legal advice again that is entirely your prerogative. An essential however to any action for defamation (which we infer) is that it must be demonstrated that the criticism is false. The allegations are:-

1. That members of the Linwood: Change Through Action BB [Big Book] Monday group sometimes refers to themselves as the “Black Panthers”;
2. That members of the Linwood: Change Through Action BB [Big Book] Monday group identify themselves in meetings with both first name and surname;
3. That members of the Linwood: Change Through Action BB [Big Book] Monday group berate the fellowship etc;
4. That members of the Linwood: Change Through Action BB [Big Book] Monday attempt to change the format of existing AA meetings;
5. That the “energy” of members of the Linwood: Change Through Action BB [Big Book] Monday is “very dark”;
6. That you yourself (as a member of the Linwood: Change Through Action BB [Big Book] Monday are “miserable, controlling”.

The question is: are the above true or false?

An alternative tack would be “public disclosure of private facts” (where the truth of the statement may not be used as a defence). This arises where one person reveals information that is not of public concern, and the release of which would offend a reasonable person. It is difficult to envisage that a reasonable person would find the majority of the statements above offensive. Indeed the epithet “Black Panthers” might be regarded as a compliment in some circles (especially where it is apparently self-applied!). However we would admit that being “miserable” is hardly a matter for public concern but that “controlling” conduct certainly is (given the nature of our campaign)

(We must confess at this point we are somewhat puzzled by your reference to “a partner and kids” since we have made no mention of them in our original blog entry nor regard them as in any way relevant to our investigations. A cynic might infer that your introduction of them at this stage represents an attempt at deflection (a “red herring”) from the central issue)

Finally we thank you for warning us of your intentions. However we decline your invitation to remove the quote. Under no circumstances, moreover, would we disclose the identity of our correspondent as you request – or for that matter any other correspondent (although we do find it interesting – and perhaps significant – that you seem keen to seek such information since any action for defamation would necessarily be directed at us).

If however your email is simply an attempt on your part to silence criticism or evade exposure we can assure you now that it isn't going to work!

(our edits)

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Your email (with the customary edits to preserve anonymity) together with our response will appear on the blog today”