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First, let me say that I hate auto correct on my iPhone!
Second, he probably did steal millions. Think of all the publicity this guy got for his own celebrity by trashing someone else's reputation. I'm sure evidence was presented to the jury about loss of income and business opportunities based upon the trashing of his reputation.
But again, there are people that refuse to believe anything, other than that everything is some sort of conspiracy or a cover up, and some people are just contrary by nature.
Those are the people that I do not want on a jury.
As mentioned by Txs, Ventura was never a Navy SEAL. As far as I know he has never claimed to be. He just implies it and when people assume he was he doesn't correct them. Same with his war hero status.
Based on what I've heard him say on Conspiracy Theory, his TV show, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he said what Kyle alleged he said. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't; I have no way of knowing.
I can't fault any man for trying to protect his reputation, but in Ventura's case it's kind of like a woman trying to protect her virginity while working full time in a whorehouse. Ventura was a professional wrestler and a politician for God sake. Not to mention host of the Conspiracy Theory, TV show.
When the dust settles from all this he will still be Jesse Ventura and I'll still be me. Thank God!
The UDTs pioneered combat swimming, closed-circuit diving, underwater demolitions, and midget submarine (dry and wet submersible) operations. They were the precursor to the present-day United States Navy SEALs.[2]
In 1983, after additional SEAL training, the UDTs were re-designated as SEAL Teams or Swimmer Delivery Vehicle Teams (SDVTs). SDVTs have since been re-designated SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams.
The Navy does this with a lot of rates. Ships Carpenter became Hull Technician. No big deal. The shoe still fits.
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
The UDTs pioneered combat swimming, closed-circuit diving, underwater demolitions, and midget submarine (dry and wet submersible) operations. They were the precursor to the present-day United States Navy SEALs.[2]
In 1983, after additional SEAL training, the UDTs were re-designated as SEAL Teams or Swimmer Delivery Vehicle Teams (SDVTs). SDVTs have since been re-designated SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams.
The Navy does this with a lot of rates. Ships Carpenter became Hull Technician. No big deal. The shoe still fits.
The shoe comes pretty close to fitting, but not quite. It's no big deal to you or me, but that little phrase "after additional SEAL training" makes considerable difference to some SEALs.
"Frog men" go back to World War Two and hard hat divers go back further than that. They were all precursors to the modern SEALs, but not the same thing. In my opinion Mister Ventura had plenty to be proud of without trying to up it a notch, but it looks like his opinion differs.
quote:Originally posted by Txs
He says this wasn't about the money, just the principle.
Maybe he should show it by donating the settlement to a veterans charity. Jesse is a scumbag...that will NEVER happen. His attorney claims Jesse just wanted his name cleared and the award is just icing on the cake...yea right...pure BS and nothing else.
quote:Originally posted by A J Christ
quote:Originally posted by Spider7115
He must feel very proud winning a lawsuit against the widow of a real hero who couldn't defend himself. [:(!]
Jesse is a waste of skin.
I guess facts mean nothing when emotion rules the day.
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
The Navy does this with a lot of rates. Ships Carpenter became Hull Technician. No big deal. The shoe still fits.
Just to lighten the mood a little bit, because this has nothing to do with the subject at hand, SEAL, UDT and Diver aren't rates, they are Warfare Specialties. They can be almost any rate. The last hardhat diver I worked with was a First Class Gunner's Mate.
Ship Fitters and Damage Controlmen were combined to create the Hull Technician rate. Sometime in the 1980s the Navy realized their mistake and recreated the rates of Ship Fitter and Damage Controlman. Pigeon Trainer and Airship Riggers were phased out along with some other rates. I think Ship's Carpenter was merged with Damage Controlman which was later integrated into Hull Technician.
But again, there are people that refuse to believe anything, other than that everything is some sort of conspiracy or a cover up, and some people are just contrary by nature.
Those are the people that I do not want on a jury.
yep so much easier when the sheep agree with everything
quote:Originally posted by JamesRK
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
The Navy does this with a lot of rates. Ships Carpenter became Hull Technician. No big deal. The shoe still fits.
Just to lighten the mood a little bit, because this has nothing to do with the subject at hand, SEAL, UDT and Diver aren't rates, they are Warfare Specialties. They can be almost any rate. The last hardhat diver I worked with was a First Class Gunner's Mate.
Ship Fitters and Damage Controlmen were combined to create the Hull Technician rate. Sometime in the 1980s the Navy realized their mistake and recreated the rates of Ship Fitter and Damage Controlman. Pigeon Trainer and Airship Riggers were phased out along with some other rates. I think Ship's Carpenter was merged with Damage Controlman which was later integrated into Hull Technician.
[8D] Actually Jim, they're ratings. Rate is paygrade. I use some terms for brevity because they're easier to understand by someone that knows little about the Navy. My speciality was Combat Aircrewman and my rating was Aviation Ordnanceman.
A number of ratings have been merged, eliminated, or redesignated since I got out.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. They changed our wings since WWII, but otherwise we're still the same as the aft gunners in torpedo bombers.[:D]
quote:Originally posted by Queen of Swords
quote:Originally posted by bigoutside
quote:Originally posted by Queen of Swords
quote:Originally posted by Jgreen
"Exploit a window?" Really? Isn't it the other way around? Hasn't it been proven that the windows late husband exploited Ventura? Why should the widow profit from someone else's wrongdoing?
Because he's dead. Unless you can prove she was equally at fault.
WTH?
Are they friends of yours? Or are you basing this purely upon their gender?
Seriously...
Do you think Bernie Madoff's wife should get to keep the cash as well?
Sure, he's not dead. But if he killed himself? Then you'd be ok with it? Or if someone else in prison offed him. Then its all ok?
The rationale for your position evades me.
That is a ridiculous comparison. Kyle's wife didn't literally steal millions from Ventura.
Prove it.
Kyle wrote a book to make money. Included therein is this lie. In promoting that book he went on national television and told the lie repeatedly.
Kyle told lies and damaged a man's reputation in the pursuit of money. Ventura dealt with negative publicity and blowback from Kyle's statements.
quote:Originally posted by Don McManus
quote:Originally posted by mlincoln
quote:Originally posted by Spider7115
He must feel very proud winning a lawsuit against the widow of a real hero who couldn't defend himself. [:(!]
If there is anything low down here it is lying and saying a man who served his country honorably said such a thing.
It is HARD to win a libel judgment. The standard of proof is very high. Kyle lied and Ventura finally has vindication. Good for him.
Not to pick, but there was no 'libel' judgment against the defendant. The defendant is dead. This was not a criminal trial for libel, rather a civil suit for damages due to hurt feelers resulting in severe and debilitating boo-boo lip.
The standard of proof in a civil suit is much lower than in a criminal trial.
Not to pick, but this was not about one guy taking a swing at another. This was about one guy making up a lie, writing a book and putting it out into the national media, and having the liar go on TV and repeat the lie regularly. And this wasn't some minor thing. Kyle said that Ventura was pleased that American fighting men were dying and was even saying so amongst men grieving the dead.
Sorry, but that's vile. Among patriotic people, I don't think there's a worse thing that could be said.
They had this out in court. There was a fair hearing of the facts and witnesses testified. How interesting that when people actually have o hold up their hand and swear to tell the truth and that went they're told about the rather severe penalties for perjury--well, looks like what Mr. Kyle had to say fell all apart.
Lots of heroes do crappy things. Kyle killed a whole bunch of people fighting for America. Good for him. He then made up a lie to help try to sell a book. Bad for him. Does it negate the good from his military service? No it doesn't, but it is a black mark against him as a person.
P3, My Navy pissed me off about those warfare devices. I was one of the first five people in the Navy to qualify in both Surface and Air warfare. That's as close as the Bureau could narrow it down. The reason I know that is the Captain wanted to put it in my Warrant Officer recommendation so he wrote the Bureau to find out.
Anyhow, Uniform Regulations only allowed you to wear one at a time and that was supposed to be the type of command you were attached to at the time. The day after I retired they authorized wearing multiple devices. [:D]
quote:Originally posted by JamesRK
P3, My Navy pissed me off about those warfare devices. I was one of the first five people in the Navy to qualify in both Surface and Air warfare. That's as close as the Bureau could narrow it down. The reason I know that is the Captain wanted to put it in my Warrant Officer recommendation so he wrote the Bureau to find out.
Anyhow, Uniform Regulations only allowed you to wear one at a time and that was supposed to be the type of command you were attached to at the time. The day after I retired they authorized wearing multiple devices. [:D]
Well, if it's any consolation, the next time you put on a tux, you can wear your mini medals and BOTH devices![;)]
quote:Originally posted by shilowar
I suspected that Kyle lied, if you watch the video on Kyle on the radio show his body language and hesitance to talk about it caused me to believe he had made it up. I think he made it up, told a buddy and that buddy ran his mouth and he was caught off guard by the question on the radio so he lied because he was on the spot and wasn't going to admit he made it up.
Ventura has every right to protect his name from defamation, and it is irrelevant if the defamer is an "American hero" or that his wife is a widow, a rich widow at that from that book deal, that in part came out of the exposure he received for defaming Ventura.
yep.
Some will die in hot pursuit
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
I read the book, and Ventura's name wasn't mentioned anywhere in the book. The chapter that deals with the altercation doesn't make Kyle sound heroic.
It wasn't until Kyle went on to be interviewed on many TV shows that Ventura's name was brought up.
Ventura never shot straight in his entire adult life. He was a sorry fake wrestler, an even worse Governor, and a total dip-wad of a co-host on the stupidest TV show this side of the View!...[xx(]
I wouldn't put it past Ventura to have put that Marine up to killing Kyle at the range, but then that would be a conspiracy, and surly Ventura is above conspiracy's!...[;)]
In December 2011, TMZ reported that Jesse Ventura was pulled over for tailgating another vehicle in the San Fernando Valley while on his way to the airport and that the police officers who pulled him over let him go with a warning.[119] However, Ventura dismissed the rumors and one of his attorneys stated he had not been in California since July 15, 2011.[120] Ventura himself said that he had not left Minnesota for over a month at the time the story was published and that he has refused to fly commercially since filing an unsuccessful lawsuit against the TSA earlier that year.[121] Ventura warned that he was considering a lawsuit against TMZ over the article, which has since been taken off their website and he also denounced the rumors as part of a smear campaign against him.[122]
Chris Kyle controversy
On January 4, 2012, Chris Kyle, a former U.S. Navy SEAL who had served in Iraq who had 160 confirmed kills and was thus the deadliest marksman in American military history,[123] promoted his recently released book American Sniper on the Opie and Anthony Show, the same radio show where Ventura got into a verbal altercation with a host two years prior. When Kyle was on the air, a listener called in and asked about how Kyle allegedly punched Ventura in a bar fight. After receiving the call, show host Gregg 'Opie' Hughes asked Kyle about the rumor. Kyle claimed that he punched Ventura in the face at a bar popular with Navy SEAL personnel in Coronado, California, for loudly expressing criticism of the Iraq War back in 2006 during a wake for Michael A. Monsoor, a Medal of Honor recipient and Navy SEAL who had been killed in action in Iraq the same year. According to Kyle, Ventura, who was present in San Diego to give a speech to a graduating BUD/S class, was "letting it known he did not agree" with the war in Iraq and was "bad-mouthing the war, bad-mouthing (former President) Bush, bad-mouthing America." Although Kyle, who wrote about the alleged incident in his book but did not mention Ventura by name, said he approached Ventura and asked him to tone down his voice because the families of SEAL personnel were present, Ventura allegedly said to Kyle that the SEALs "deserved to lose a few guys." Kyle said he responded by punching Ventura.[124][125] Kyle repeated his claims in a later interview with Bill O'Reilly on his show.
Following this interview, radio host Alex Jones interviewed Ventura on January 8 regarding what happened. During the interview, Ventura denied the rumors, saying he never met Kyle nor has he heard of him before. Ventura argued that had the confrontation occurred, Kyle would be admitting to assault and that the incident would have become known across the Navy SEAL community, as Ventura had been a member of the UDT/SEALs community. Ventura also stated that the bar, known as McP's, was owned by a former Navy SEAL who was his cadre instructor when in the military and that he would not misbehave at the bar. Because the rumors emerged as Ventura was travelling down to his second home in Mexico, Ventura felt that the story was released at that point so he would be unable to properly fight the allegations.[126]
After the Opie and Anthony Show hosts learned of Jones' interview with Ventura, they interviewed Kyle, who clarified his view of what happened and urged witnesses who were present at the bar to come forward to back his claims. Alex Jones, who is a friend of Ventura and was highly skeptical of Kyle's claims before his interview with Ventura, was also invited by the Opie and Anthony Show hosts to discuss the controversy. After Jones called in, an argument erupted over whether the incident happened with the Opie and Anthony Show hosts siding with Kyle's version of events and Jones siding with Ventura's. During the argument, Kyle denied claims by Jones that he was part of a bigger plot of discrediting Ventura and also suggested frustration over the attention on Kyle being focused on the alleged incident rather than on his book in general. Kyle also offered to meet with Ventura privately to end the dispute.[127] While Jones and the Opie and Anthony Show hosts were receptive to Kyle's proposal, no meeting between him and Ventura occurred.
Ventura, reiterating that the incident did not happen, posted a comment on his official Facebook page saying the following:
The event this man spoke of never happened. I have been to McP's many times since leaving the Navy. I was never there alone. I was always accompanied by other people. If this happened 6 years ago, someone would have known of it before now. Certainly in the UDT/SEAL community it would have been known. This has to be news to all of us. I have always opposed the war in Iraq but I have never spoken or wished any ill will towards the soldiers. My heart aches that soldiers have died or been wounded because this war should never have taken place. I am perplexed over the agenda this man has and why a fellow Navy Seal [sic] would tell a lie about an event that never happened. Clearly between this story and the previous week's story about supposedly getting pulled over for tailgaiting [sic] in CA that was also a lie, someone is out to destroy my credibility. I find it very interesting that both these stories are being spread by Fox news [sic] and it's [sic] affiliates. As a Navy veteran you realize you can't believe every sea story you hear. Let me finish by stating both of the recent two national stories about me are completely untrue lies, neither event ever happened. Sincerely, Jesse Ventura.[128]
Lawsuit against Kyle
Ventura filed a defamation suit against Kyle in January 2012.[125] Ventura initially considered dropping the lawsuit, but said several retired Navy SEALs including the owner of McP's demanded that Ventura continue his lawsuit, which Ventura did after Kyle failed to agree on a settlement in which he would state the incident never happened.[129] In a motion filed by Kyle's attorney in August 2012 to dismiss two of the suit's three counts, declarations by five former SEALs and the mothers of two others supported Kyle's account.[130] However, in a motion filed by Ventura, Bill DeWitt, a close friend of Ventura and former SEAL who was present with him at the bar, suggested that Ventura interacted with a few SEALs but was involved in no confrontation with Kyle, and said that Kyle's claims were false. DeWitt's wife also said she never witnessed any fight between Kyle and Ventura.[131][132]
Although the lawsuit was ongoing as of 2013, Kyle was murdered in an unrelated incident on February 2, 2013.[133] In May 2013, Ventura substituted Kyle's widow, Taya Kyle, as the defendant, with his lawyers arguing that "it would be unjust to permit the estate to continue to profit from Kyle's wrongful conduct and to leave Governor Ventura without redress for ongoing damage to his reputation."[134] On July 29, 2014, after a three week trial in Federal Court in Saint Paul, a jury awarded Ventura $1.8 million on a 8 to 2 split verdict, $500,000 for defamation and $1.3 million for unlawful enrichment.[
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
Are some of you intellectually dishonest or do you normally support a liar?
It appears some hold a grudge against Ventura out of proportion of this suit. If that's the case, be honest about with at least yourself.
The man proved his case and was vindicated. Simple as that.
+1 Apparently it is more important that folks dislike Ventura, then it is that the truth be established.
Hell with donating that money, I am sure so many of you that have distain for Ventura would truly change your opinion of him if he did that. He ought to go by a nice little beach front cottage and name it "Kyle's folly" and a shiny new boat to go with it.
The publisher of the book had insurance for something like this and the money will come from the insurance.
quote:They awarded Ventura $500,000 for damage to his reputation and career caused by defamation. They also awarded him $1.3 million for unjust enrichment -- money they found Kyle made by exploiting Ventura's name and reputation.
quote:Libel insurance will cover the defamation award, said Taya Kyle's attorneys. The unjust enrichment claim isn't covered by insurance and will be drawn from the book's royalties and Kyle estate, they said.
Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
quote:Originally posted by shilowar
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
Are some of you intellectually dishonest or do you normally support a liar?
It appears some hold a grudge against Ventura out of proportion of this suit. If that's the case, be honest about with at least yourself.
The man proved his case and was vindicated. Simple as that.
+1 Apparently it is more important that folks dislike Ventura, then it is that the truth be established.
Hell with donating that money, I am sure so many of you that have distain for Ventura would truly change your opinion of him if he did that. He ought to go by a nice little beach front cottage and name it "Kyle's folly" and a shiny new boat to go with it.
that's the way I see it and I don't even particularly like Ventura.
Some will die in hot pursuit
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
Are some of you intellectually dishonest or do you normally support a liar?
It appears some hold a grudge against Ventura out of proportion of this suit. If that's the case, be honest about with at least yourself.
The man proved his case and was vindicated. Simple as that.
It is more likely the jury was kind-of dumb. They probably didn't understand the instruction they were given about defamation -- particularly as it relates to "public figures" (Ventura is one of them).
Venture should have had to demonstrate exactly how he was damaged financially by "the defamation" to win the suit -- maybe he did that by bringing in Alex Jones and Jones testified that space aliens were about to offer Ventura a $1.8 million book deal, but that fell through after they read about how he had "bad mouthed" Bush and the U.S..
Ventura has already damaged his reputation (for having any sanity) by promoting the absolutely "whacked" crowd associated with the likes of Alex Jones.
Kyle's story, even if it was untrue, couldn't do anything worse to Ventura's reputation than what Ventura has already done to himself.
quote:Originally posted by competentone
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
Are some of you intellectually dishonest or do you normally support a liar?
It appears some hold a grudge against Ventura out of proportion of this suit. If that's the case, be honest about with at least yourself.
The man proved his case and was vindicated. Simple as that.
It is more likely the jury was kind-of dumb. They probably didn't understand the instruction they were given about defamation -- particularly as it relates to "public figures" (Ventura is one of them).
Venture should have had to demonstrate exactly how he was damaged financially by "the defamation" to win the suit -- maybe he did that by bringing in Alex Jones and Jones testified that space aliens were about to offer Ventura a $1.8 million book deal, but that fell through after they read about how he had "bad mouthed" Bush and the U.S..
Ventura has already damaged his reputation (for having any sanity) by promoting the absolutely "whacked" crowd associated with the likes of Alex Jones.
Kyle's story, even if it was untrue, couldn't do anything worse to Ventura's reputation than what Ventura has already done to himself.
Wrong. It's more like a little fib snowballed and a man had the option of making it right or telling a bigger lie. He chose the latter.
I'm pretty disgusted that petty minds can't separate personal animosity from justice, particulary people that are or were in positions of authority. Perhaps lying is a coin with which they are comfortable in dealing.
A person is either honest, or they're something lesser.
The witnesses were heard over a six day period and the jurors sifted to find the truth. Something convinced them Ventura had the stronger truth. That's no lie.
don't think I will lose any sleep over the outcome either way, I'm oldschool, if ventura didn't have the balls to slap him back, it should have been over at that point, seems the lawyers were the ones who made out big time on this deal....[xx(]
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
quote:Originally posted by competentone
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
Are some of you intellectually dishonest or do you normally support a liar?
It appears some hold a grudge against Ventura out of proportion of this suit. If that's the case, be honest about with at least yourself.
The man proved his case and was vindicated. Simple as that.
It is more likely the jury was kind-of dumb. They probably didn't understand the instruction they were given about defamation -- particularly as it relates to "public figures" (Ventura is one of them).
Venture should have had to demonstrate exactly how he was damaged financially by "the defamation" to win the suit -- maybe he did that by bringing in Alex Jones and Jones testified that space aliens were about to offer Ventura a $1.8 million book deal, but that fell through after they read about how he had "bad mouthed" Bush and the U.S..
Ventura has already damaged his reputation (for having any sanity) by promoting the absolutely "whacked" crowd associated with the likes of Alex Jones.
Kyle's story, even if it was untrue, couldn't do anything worse to Ventura's reputation than what Ventura has already done to himself.
Wrong. It's more like a little fib snowballed and a man had the option of making it right or telling a bigger lie. He chose the latter.
I'm pretty disgusted that petty minds can't separate personal animosity from justice, particulary people that are or were in positions of authority. Perhaps lying is a coin with which they are comfortable in dealing.
A person is either honest, or they're something lessor.
The witnesses were heard over a six day period and the jurors sifted to find the truth. Something convinced them Ventura had the stronger truth. That's no lie.
You're not understanding defamation and public figures (the same as the jury probably didn't understand it).
People can tell lies about public figures and the public figures cannot do anything about it, unless certain (very difficult) conditions are met -- particularly, the public figure has to prove how he was harmed financially from the lie.
I doubt Ventura was able to demonstrate how he was "damaged" by Kyle's statements.
The jury probably didn't understand the instructions they were given; Venture "won the jack-pot" based on jury ineptitude, not because he's "really been damaged by Kyle's comments."
quote:Originally posted by competentone
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
quote:Originally posted by competentone
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
Are some of you intellectually dishonest or do you normally support a liar?
It appears some hold a grudge against Ventura out of proportion of this suit. If that's the case, be honest about with at least yourself.
The man proved his case and was vindicated. Simple as that.
It is more likely the jury was kind-of dumb. They probably didn't understand the instruction they were given about defamation -- particularly as it relates to "public figures" (Ventura is one of them).
Venture should have had to demonstrate exactly how he was damaged financially by "the defamation" to win the suit -- maybe he did that by bringing in Alex Jones and Jones testified that space aliens were about to offer Ventura a $1.8 million book deal, but that fell through after they read about how he had "bad mouthed" Bush and the U.S..
Ventura has already damaged his reputation (for having any sanity) by promoting the absolutely "whacked" crowd associated with the likes of Alex Jones.
Kyle's story, even if it was untrue, couldn't do anything worse to Ventura's reputation than what Ventura has already done to himself.
Wrong. It's more like a little fib snowballed and a man had the option of making it right or telling a bigger lie. He chose the latter.
I'm pretty disgusted that petty minds can't separate personal animosity from justice, particulary people that are or were in positions of authority. Perhaps lying is a coin with which they are comfortable in dealing.
A person is either honest, or they're something lessor.
The witnesses were heard over a six day period and the jurors sifted to find the truth. Something convinced them Ventura had the stronger truth. That's no lie.
You're not understanding defamation and public figures (the same as the jury probably didn't understand it).
People can tell lies about public figures and the public figures cannot do anything about it, unless certain (very difficult) conditions are met -- particularly, the public figure has to prove how he was harmed financially from the lie.
I doubt Ventura was able to demonstrate how he was "damaged" by Kyle's statements.
The jury probably didn't understand the instructions they were given; Venture "won the jack-pot" based on jury ineptitude, not because he's "really been damaged by Kyle's comments."
There actually may have been damage, as Ventura claims that his income dropped from 7 figures in preceding years to the low 6 figures in 2012/2013. It is impossible, IMO, to prove a direct connection, as he has been losing credibility every year since he entered the Governors mansion in MN because of his odd statements.
Kyle apparently fabricated the story, or at least put the wrong name to it after his book was published. This is inexcusable if true.
Kyle had repeatedly stated that his proceeds from the book were to go to veterans charities and support organizations and if he and his wife followed through on that pledge, there was not a personal benefit to Kyle from the statement, even if it did help sell his book.
No one will ever convince me that Ventura should not have dropped the suit after Kyle's murder. If his drop in income is related to this incident it is because of his filing a lawsuit against the widow of a murdered man, not because someone made up a story about him.
8 out of 10 people in the jury believed that the preponderance of evidence supported the fact that he was wronged, and none of us have concrete evidence to the contrary. I would respect a lawsuit that only sought to correct the record and pay his legal bills. Pursuit of more than that against Kyle's widow is just sad.
Freedom and a submissive populace cannot co-exist.
Wow. You guys will make up whatever suits you and defend it shamelessly. Now you would have us believe all the jurors were incompetent and all because you have some emotional investment in Kyle that is too painful to give up. Kyle had the opportunity to man up before he died and didn't. Therefore he is a dishonest. By not clearing this up before he died he passed this burden on to his wife. Kyle could have retracted his statement when this first came to light and it would have been over but then he wouldn't have gotten all that free publicity and the extra book sales which followed.
I'm sorry Kyle is dead. I'm sorry he lied. I'm sorry you guys are ready to accept a lie as truth rather than burst your hero bubble. Sad.
quote:Originally posted by skicat
Wow. You guys will make up whatever suits you and defend it shamelessly. Now you would have us believe all the jurors were incompetent and all because you have some emotional investment in Kyle that is too painful to give up. Kyle had the opportunity to man up before he died and didn't. Therefore he is a dishonest. By not clearing this up before he died he passed this burden on to his wife. Kyle could have retracted his statement when this first came to light and it would have been over but then he wouldn't have gotten all that free publicity and the extra book sales which followed.
I'm sorry Kyle is dead. I'm sorry he lied. I'm sorry you guys are ready to accept a lie as truth rather than burst your hero bubble. Sad.
+1. And who would have believed in the first place that Kyle could have knocked Ventura down. Ventura would have broke him in half like a pretzel. Mess with the bull you get the horn.
Comments
Just sayin
Second, he probably did steal millions. Think of all the publicity this guy got for his own celebrity by trashing someone else's reputation. I'm sure evidence was presented to the jury about loss of income and business opportunities based upon the trashing of his reputation.
But again, there are people that refuse to believe anything, other than that everything is some sort of conspiracy or a cover up, and some people are just contrary by nature.
Those are the people that I do not want on a jury.
Based on what I've heard him say on Conspiracy Theory, his TV show, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he said what Kyle alleged he said. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't; I have no way of knowing.
I can't fault any man for trying to protect his reputation, but in Ventura's case it's kind of like a woman trying to protect her virginity while working full time in a whorehouse. Ventura was a professional wrestler and a politician for God sake. Not to mention host of the Conspiracy Theory, TV show.
When the dust settles from all this he will still be Jesse Ventura and I'll still be me. Thank God!
In 1983, after additional SEAL training, the UDTs were re-designated as SEAL Teams or Swimmer Delivery Vehicle Teams (SDVTs). SDVTs have since been re-designated SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams.
The Navy does this with a lot of rates. Ships Carpenter became Hull Technician. No big deal. The shoe still fits.
The UDTs pioneered combat swimming, closed-circuit diving, underwater demolitions, and midget submarine (dry and wet submersible) operations. They were the precursor to the present-day United States Navy SEALs.[2]
In 1983, after additional SEAL training, the UDTs were re-designated as SEAL Teams or Swimmer Delivery Vehicle Teams (SDVTs). SDVTs have since been re-designated SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams.
The Navy does this with a lot of rates. Ships Carpenter became Hull Technician. No big deal. The shoe still fits.
The shoe comes pretty close to fitting, but not quite. It's no big deal to you or me, but that little phrase "after additional SEAL training" makes considerable difference to some SEALs.
"Frog men" go back to World War Two and hard hat divers go back further than that. They were all precursors to the modern SEALs, but not the same thing. In my opinion Mister Ventura had plenty to be proud of without trying to up it a notch, but it looks like his opinion differs.
He must feel very proud winning a lawsuit against the widow of a real hero who couldn't defend himself. [:(!]
+1
What chitbird
Maybe he should show it by donating the settlement to a veterans charity.
He must feel very proud winning a lawsuit against the widow of a real hero who couldn't defend himself. [:(!]
Jesse is a waste of skin.
He says this wasn't about the money, just the principle.
Maybe he should show it by donating the settlement to a veterans charity. Jesse is a scumbag...that will NEVER happen. His attorney claims Jesse just wanted his name cleared and the award is just icing on the cake...yea right...pure BS and nothing else.
quote:Originally posted by Spider7115
He must feel very proud winning a lawsuit against the widow of a real hero who couldn't defend himself. [:(!]
Jesse is a waste of skin.
I guess facts mean nothing when emotion rules the day.
The Navy does this with a lot of rates. Ships Carpenter became Hull Technician. No big deal. The shoe still fits.
Just to lighten the mood a little bit, because this has nothing to do with the subject at hand, SEAL, UDT and Diver aren't rates, they are Warfare Specialties. They can be almost any rate. The last hardhat diver I worked with was a First Class Gunner's Mate.
Ship Fitters and Damage Controlmen were combined to create the Hull Technician rate. Sometime in the 1980s the Navy realized their mistake and recreated the rates of Ship Fitter and Damage Controlman. Pigeon Trainer and Airship Riggers were phased out along with some other rates. I think Ship's Carpenter was merged with Damage Controlman which was later integrated into Hull Technician.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd2Ch6WBeQU
[br
But again, there are people that refuse to believe anything, other than that everything is some sort of conspiracy or a cover up, and some people are just contrary by nature.
Those are the people that I do not want on a jury.
yep so much easier when the sheep agree with everything
Maybe this will mellow y'all out...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd2Ch6WBeQU
Chewing on a piece of * walking down the road.
Frankly I'm glad. Ventura has always been a straight shooter.
http://news.yahoo.com/jury-awards-ventura-1-8m-defamation-case-182537219.html
He is an idiot. He lost his marbles several years ago.
Margaret Thatcher
"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
Mark Twain
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
The Navy does this with a lot of rates. Ships Carpenter became Hull Technician. No big deal. The shoe still fits.
Just to lighten the mood a little bit, because this has nothing to do with the subject at hand, SEAL, UDT and Diver aren't rates, they are Warfare Specialties. They can be almost any rate. The last hardhat diver I worked with was a First Class Gunner's Mate.
Ship Fitters and Damage Controlmen were combined to create the Hull Technician rate. Sometime in the 1980s the Navy realized their mistake and recreated the rates of Ship Fitter and Damage Controlman. Pigeon Trainer and Airship Riggers were phased out along with some other rates. I think Ship's Carpenter was merged with Damage Controlman which was later integrated into Hull Technician.
[8D] Actually Jim, they're ratings. Rate is paygrade. I use some terms for brevity because they're easier to understand by someone that knows little about the Navy. My speciality was Combat Aircrewman and my rating was Aviation Ordnanceman.
A number of ratings have been merged, eliminated, or redesignated since I got out.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. They changed our wings since WWII, but otherwise we're still the same as the aft gunners in torpedo bombers.[:D]
quote:Originally posted by bigoutside
quote:Originally posted by Queen of Swords
quote:Originally posted by Jgreen
"Exploit a window?" Really? Isn't it the other way around? Hasn't it been proven that the windows late husband exploited Ventura? Why should the widow profit from someone else's wrongdoing?
Because he's dead. Unless you can prove she was equally at fault.
WTH?
Are they friends of yours? Or are you basing this purely upon their gender?
Seriously...
Do you think Bernie Madoff's wife should get to keep the cash as well?
Sure, he's not dead. But if he killed himself? Then you'd be ok with it? Or if someone else in prison offed him. Then its all ok?
The rationale for your position evades me.
That is a ridiculous comparison. Kyle's wife didn't literally steal millions from Ventura.
Prove it.
Kyle wrote a book to make money. Included therein is this lie. In promoting that book he went on national television and told the lie repeatedly.
Kyle told lies and damaged a man's reputation in the pursuit of money. Ventura dealt with negative publicity and blowback from Kyle's statements.
You may not like it, but that's what happened.
quote:Originally posted by mlincoln
quote:Originally posted by Spider7115
He must feel very proud winning a lawsuit against the widow of a real hero who couldn't defend himself. [:(!]
If there is anything low down here it is lying and saying a man who served his country honorably said such a thing.
It is HARD to win a libel judgment. The standard of proof is very high. Kyle lied and Ventura finally has vindication. Good for him.
Not to pick, but there was no 'libel' judgment against the defendant. The defendant is dead. This was not a criminal trial for libel, rather a civil suit for damages due to hurt feelers resulting in severe and debilitating boo-boo lip.
The standard of proof in a civil suit is much lower than in a criminal trial.
Not to pick, but this was not about one guy taking a swing at another. This was about one guy making up a lie, writing a book and putting it out into the national media, and having the liar go on TV and repeat the lie regularly. And this wasn't some minor thing. Kyle said that Ventura was pleased that American fighting men were dying and was even saying so amongst men grieving the dead.
Sorry, but that's vile. Among patriotic people, I don't think there's a worse thing that could be said.
They had this out in court. There was a fair hearing of the facts and witnesses testified. How interesting that when people actually have o hold up their hand and swear to tell the truth and that went they're told about the rather severe penalties for perjury--well, looks like what Mr. Kyle had to say fell all apart.
Lots of heroes do crappy things. Kyle killed a whole bunch of people fighting for America. Good for him. He then made up a lie to help try to sell a book. Bad for him. Does it negate the good from his military service? No it doesn't, but it is a black mark against him as a person.
Anyhow, Uniform Regulations only allowed you to wear one at a time and that was supposed to be the type of command you were attached to at the time. The day after I retired they authorized wearing multiple devices. [:D]
P3, My Navy pissed me off about those warfare devices. I was one of the first five people in the Navy to qualify in both Surface and Air warfare. That's as close as the Bureau could narrow it down. The reason I know that is the Captain wanted to put it in my Warrant Officer recommendation so he wrote the Bureau to find out.
Anyhow, Uniform Regulations only allowed you to wear one at a time and that was supposed to be the type of command you were attached to at the time. The day after I retired they authorized wearing multiple devices. [:D]
Well, if it's any consolation, the next time you put on a tux, you can wear your mini medals and BOTH devices![;)]
He says this wasn't about the money, just the principle.
Maybe he should show it by donating the settlement to a veterans charity.
...if he did that,he could reclaim his dignity...
I suspected that Kyle lied, if you watch the video on Kyle on the radio show his body language and hesitance to talk about it caused me to believe he had made it up. I think he made it up, told a buddy and that buddy ran his mouth and he was caught off guard by the question on the radio so he lied because he was on the spot and wasn't going to admit he made it up.
Ventura has every right to protect his name from defamation, and it is irrelevant if the defamer is an "American hero" or that his wife is a widow, a rich widow at that from that book deal, that in part came out of the exposure he received for defaming Ventura.
yep.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
It wasn't until Kyle went on to be interviewed on many TV shows that Ventura's name was brought up.
Ventura never shot straight in his entire adult life. He was a sorry fake wrestler, an even worse Governor, and a total dip-wad of a co-host on the stupidest TV show this side of the View!...[xx(]
I wouldn't put it past Ventura to have put that Marine up to killing Kyle at the range, but then that would be a conspiracy, and surly Ventura is above conspiracy's!...[;)]
Trinity +++
In December 2011, TMZ reported that Jesse Ventura was pulled over for tailgating another vehicle in the San Fernando Valley while on his way to the airport and that the police officers who pulled him over let him go with a warning.[119] However, Ventura dismissed the rumors and one of his attorneys stated he had not been in California since July 15, 2011.[120] Ventura himself said that he had not left Minnesota for over a month at the time the story was published and that he has refused to fly commercially since filing an unsuccessful lawsuit against the TSA earlier that year.[121] Ventura warned that he was considering a lawsuit against TMZ over the article, which has since been taken off their website and he also denounced the rumors as part of a smear campaign against him.[122]
Chris Kyle controversy
On January 4, 2012, Chris Kyle, a former U.S. Navy SEAL who had served in Iraq who had 160 confirmed kills and was thus the deadliest marksman in American military history,[123] promoted his recently released book American Sniper on the Opie and Anthony Show, the same radio show where Ventura got into a verbal altercation with a host two years prior. When Kyle was on the air, a listener called in and asked about how Kyle allegedly punched Ventura in a bar fight. After receiving the call, show host Gregg 'Opie' Hughes asked Kyle about the rumor. Kyle claimed that he punched Ventura in the face at a bar popular with Navy SEAL personnel in Coronado, California, for loudly expressing criticism of the Iraq War back in 2006 during a wake for Michael A. Monsoor, a Medal of Honor recipient and Navy SEAL who had been killed in action in Iraq the same year. According to Kyle, Ventura, who was present in San Diego to give a speech to a graduating BUD/S class, was "letting it known he did not agree" with the war in Iraq and was "bad-mouthing the war, bad-mouthing (former President) Bush, bad-mouthing America." Although Kyle, who wrote about the alleged incident in his book but did not mention Ventura by name, said he approached Ventura and asked him to tone down his voice because the families of SEAL personnel were present, Ventura allegedly said to Kyle that the SEALs "deserved to lose a few guys." Kyle said he responded by punching Ventura.[124][125] Kyle repeated his claims in a later interview with Bill O'Reilly on his show.
Following this interview, radio host Alex Jones interviewed Ventura on January 8 regarding what happened. During the interview, Ventura denied the rumors, saying he never met Kyle nor has he heard of him before. Ventura argued that had the confrontation occurred, Kyle would be admitting to assault and that the incident would have become known across the Navy SEAL community, as Ventura had been a member of the UDT/SEALs community. Ventura also stated that the bar, known as McP's, was owned by a former Navy SEAL who was his cadre instructor when in the military and that he would not misbehave at the bar. Because the rumors emerged as Ventura was travelling down to his second home in Mexico, Ventura felt that the story was released at that point so he would be unable to properly fight the allegations.[126]
After the Opie and Anthony Show hosts learned of Jones' interview with Ventura, they interviewed Kyle, who clarified his view of what happened and urged witnesses who were present at the bar to come forward to back his claims. Alex Jones, who is a friend of Ventura and was highly skeptical of Kyle's claims before his interview with Ventura, was also invited by the Opie and Anthony Show hosts to discuss the controversy. After Jones called in, an argument erupted over whether the incident happened with the Opie and Anthony Show hosts siding with Kyle's version of events and Jones siding with Ventura's. During the argument, Kyle denied claims by Jones that he was part of a bigger plot of discrediting Ventura and also suggested frustration over the attention on Kyle being focused on the alleged incident rather than on his book in general. Kyle also offered to meet with Ventura privately to end the dispute.[127] While Jones and the Opie and Anthony Show hosts were receptive to Kyle's proposal, no meeting between him and Ventura occurred.
Ventura, reiterating that the incident did not happen, posted a comment on his official Facebook page saying the following:
The event this man spoke of never happened. I have been to McP's many times since leaving the Navy. I was never there alone. I was always accompanied by other people. If this happened 6 years ago, someone would have known of it before now. Certainly in the UDT/SEAL community it would have been known. This has to be news to all of us. I have always opposed the war in Iraq but I have never spoken or wished any ill will towards the soldiers. My heart aches that soldiers have died or been wounded because this war should never have taken place. I am perplexed over the agenda this man has and why a fellow Navy Seal [sic] would tell a lie about an event that never happened. Clearly between this story and the previous week's story about supposedly getting pulled over for tailgaiting [sic] in CA that was also a lie, someone is out to destroy my credibility. I find it very interesting that both these stories are being spread by Fox news [sic] and it's [sic] affiliates. As a Navy veteran you realize you can't believe every sea story you hear. Let me finish by stating both of the recent two national stories about me are completely untrue lies, neither event ever happened. Sincerely, Jesse Ventura.[128]
Lawsuit against Kyle
Ventura filed a defamation suit against Kyle in January 2012.[125] Ventura initially considered dropping the lawsuit, but said several retired Navy SEALs including the owner of McP's demanded that Ventura continue his lawsuit, which Ventura did after Kyle failed to agree on a settlement in which he would state the incident never happened.[129] In a motion filed by Kyle's attorney in August 2012 to dismiss two of the suit's three counts, declarations by five former SEALs and the mothers of two others supported Kyle's account.[130] However, in a motion filed by Ventura, Bill DeWitt, a close friend of Ventura and former SEAL who was present with him at the bar, suggested that Ventura interacted with a few SEALs but was involved in no confrontation with Kyle, and said that Kyle's claims were false. DeWitt's wife also said she never witnessed any fight between Kyle and Ventura.[131][132]
Although the lawsuit was ongoing as of 2013, Kyle was murdered in an unrelated incident on February 2, 2013.[133] In May 2013, Ventura substituted Kyle's widow, Taya Kyle, as the defendant, with his lawyers arguing that "it would be unjust to permit the estate to continue to profit from Kyle's wrongful conduct and to leave Governor Ventura without redress for ongoing damage to his reputation."[134] On July 29, 2014, after a three week trial in Federal Court in Saint Paul, a jury awarded Ventura $1.8 million on a 8 to 2 split verdict, $500,000 for defamation and $1.3 million for unlawful enrichment.[
Are some of you intellectually dishonest or do you normally support a liar?
It appears some hold a grudge against Ventura out of proportion of this suit. If that's the case, be honest about with at least yourself.
The man proved his case and was vindicated. Simple as that.
+1 Apparently it is more important that folks dislike Ventura, then it is that the truth be established.
Hell with donating that money, I am sure so many of you that have distain for Ventura would truly change your opinion of him if he did that. He ought to go by a nice little beach front cottage and name it "Kyle's folly" and a shiny new boat to go with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=219fYs6qJF4&list=UUczrL-2b-gYK3l4yDld4XlQ
quote:They awarded Ventura $500,000 for damage to his reputation and career caused by defamation. They also awarded him $1.3 million for unjust enrichment -- money they found Kyle made by exploiting Ventura's name and reputation.
quote:Libel insurance will cover the defamation award, said Taya Kyle's attorneys. The unjust enrichment claim isn't covered by insurance and will be drawn from the book's royalties and Kyle estate, they said.
NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
Are some of you intellectually dishonest or do you normally support a liar?
It appears some hold a grudge against Ventura out of proportion of this suit. If that's the case, be honest about with at least yourself.
The man proved his case and was vindicated. Simple as that.
+1 Apparently it is more important that folks dislike Ventura, then it is that the truth be established.
Hell with donating that money, I am sure so many of you that have distain for Ventura would truly change your opinion of him if he did that. He ought to go by a nice little beach front cottage and name it "Kyle's folly" and a shiny new boat to go with it.
that's the way I see it and I don't even particularly like Ventura.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
Are some of you intellectually dishonest or do you normally support a liar?
It appears some hold a grudge against Ventura out of proportion of this suit. If that's the case, be honest about with at least yourself.
The man proved his case and was vindicated. Simple as that.
It is more likely the jury was kind-of dumb. They probably didn't understand the instruction they were given about defamation -- particularly as it relates to "public figures" (Ventura is one of them).
Venture should have had to demonstrate exactly how he was damaged financially by "the defamation" to win the suit -- maybe he did that by bringing in Alex Jones and Jones testified that space aliens were about to offer Ventura a $1.8 million book deal, but that fell through after they read about how he had "bad mouthed" Bush and the U.S..
Ventura has already damaged his reputation (for having any sanity) by promoting the absolutely "whacked" crowd associated with the likes of Alex Jones.
Kyle's story, even if it was untrue, couldn't do anything worse to Ventura's reputation than what Ventura has already done to himself.
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
Are some of you intellectually dishonest or do you normally support a liar?
It appears some hold a grudge against Ventura out of proportion of this suit. If that's the case, be honest about with at least yourself.
The man proved his case and was vindicated. Simple as that.
It is more likely the jury was kind-of dumb. They probably didn't understand the instruction they were given about defamation -- particularly as it relates to "public figures" (Ventura is one of them).
Venture should have had to demonstrate exactly how he was damaged financially by "the defamation" to win the suit -- maybe he did that by bringing in Alex Jones and Jones testified that space aliens were about to offer Ventura a $1.8 million book deal, but that fell through after they read about how he had "bad mouthed" Bush and the U.S..
Ventura has already damaged his reputation (for having any sanity) by promoting the absolutely "whacked" crowd associated with the likes of Alex Jones.
Kyle's story, even if it was untrue, couldn't do anything worse to Ventura's reputation than what Ventura has already done to himself.
Wrong. It's more like a little fib snowballed and a man had the option of making it right or telling a bigger lie. He chose the latter.
I'm pretty disgusted that petty minds can't separate personal animosity from justice, particulary people that are or were in positions of authority. Perhaps lying is a coin with which they are comfortable in dealing.
A person is either honest, or they're something lesser.
The witnesses were heard over a six day period and the jurors sifted to find the truth. Something convinced them Ventura had the stronger truth. That's no lie.
quote:Originally posted by competentone
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
Are some of you intellectually dishonest or do you normally support a liar?
It appears some hold a grudge against Ventura out of proportion of this suit. If that's the case, be honest about with at least yourself.
The man proved his case and was vindicated. Simple as that.
It is more likely the jury was kind-of dumb. They probably didn't understand the instruction they were given about defamation -- particularly as it relates to "public figures" (Ventura is one of them).
Venture should have had to demonstrate exactly how he was damaged financially by "the defamation" to win the suit -- maybe he did that by bringing in Alex Jones and Jones testified that space aliens were about to offer Ventura a $1.8 million book deal, but that fell through after they read about how he had "bad mouthed" Bush and the U.S..
Ventura has already damaged his reputation (for having any sanity) by promoting the absolutely "whacked" crowd associated with the likes of Alex Jones.
Kyle's story, even if it was untrue, couldn't do anything worse to Ventura's reputation than what Ventura has already done to himself.
Wrong. It's more like a little fib snowballed and a man had the option of making it right or telling a bigger lie. He chose the latter.
I'm pretty disgusted that petty minds can't separate personal animosity from justice, particulary people that are or were in positions of authority. Perhaps lying is a coin with which they are comfortable in dealing.
A person is either honest, or they're something lessor.
The witnesses were heard over a six day period and the jurors sifted to find the truth. Something convinced them Ventura had the stronger truth. That's no lie.
You're not understanding defamation and public figures (the same as the jury probably didn't understand it).
People can tell lies about public figures and the public figures cannot do anything about it, unless certain (very difficult) conditions are met -- particularly, the public figure has to prove how he was harmed financially from the lie.
I doubt Ventura was able to demonstrate how he was "damaged" by Kyle's statements.
The jury probably didn't understand the instructions they were given; Venture "won the jack-pot" based on jury ineptitude, not because he's "really been damaged by Kyle's comments."
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
quote:Originally posted by competentone
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
Are some of you intellectually dishonest or do you normally support a liar?
It appears some hold a grudge against Ventura out of proportion of this suit. If that's the case, be honest about with at least yourself.
The man proved his case and was vindicated. Simple as that.
It is more likely the jury was kind-of dumb. They probably didn't understand the instruction they were given about defamation -- particularly as it relates to "public figures" (Ventura is one of them).
Venture should have had to demonstrate exactly how he was damaged financially by "the defamation" to win the suit -- maybe he did that by bringing in Alex Jones and Jones testified that space aliens were about to offer Ventura a $1.8 million book deal, but that fell through after they read about how he had "bad mouthed" Bush and the U.S..
Ventura has already damaged his reputation (for having any sanity) by promoting the absolutely "whacked" crowd associated with the likes of Alex Jones.
Kyle's story, even if it was untrue, couldn't do anything worse to Ventura's reputation than what Ventura has already done to himself.
Wrong. It's more like a little fib snowballed and a man had the option of making it right or telling a bigger lie. He chose the latter.
I'm pretty disgusted that petty minds can't separate personal animosity from justice, particulary people that are or were in positions of authority. Perhaps lying is a coin with which they are comfortable in dealing.
A person is either honest, or they're something lessor.
The witnesses were heard over a six day period and the jurors sifted to find the truth. Something convinced them Ventura had the stronger truth. That's no lie.
You're not understanding defamation and public figures (the same as the jury probably didn't understand it).
People can tell lies about public figures and the public figures cannot do anything about it, unless certain (very difficult) conditions are met -- particularly, the public figure has to prove how he was harmed financially from the lie.
I doubt Ventura was able to demonstrate how he was "damaged" by Kyle's statements.
The jury probably didn't understand the instructions they were given; Venture "won the jack-pot" based on jury ineptitude, not because he's "really been damaged by Kyle's comments."
There actually may have been damage, as Ventura claims that his income dropped from 7 figures in preceding years to the low 6 figures in 2012/2013. It is impossible, IMO, to prove a direct connection, as he has been losing credibility every year since he entered the Governors mansion in MN because of his odd statements.
Kyle apparently fabricated the story, or at least put the wrong name to it after his book was published. This is inexcusable if true.
Kyle had repeatedly stated that his proceeds from the book were to go to veterans charities and support organizations and if he and his wife followed through on that pledge, there was not a personal benefit to Kyle from the statement, even if it did help sell his book.
No one will ever convince me that Ventura should not have dropped the suit after Kyle's murder. If his drop in income is related to this incident it is because of his filing a lawsuit against the widow of a murdered man, not because someone made up a story about him.
8 out of 10 people in the jury believed that the preponderance of evidence supported the fact that he was wronged, and none of us have concrete evidence to the contrary. I would respect a lawsuit that only sought to correct the record and pay his legal bills. Pursuit of more than that against Kyle's widow is just sad.
Brad Steele
I'm sorry Kyle is dead. I'm sorry he lied. I'm sorry you guys are ready to accept a lie as truth rather than burst your hero bubble. Sad.
Wow. You guys will make up whatever suits you and defend it shamelessly. Now you would have us believe all the jurors were incompetent and all because you have some emotional investment in Kyle that is too painful to give up. Kyle had the opportunity to man up before he died and didn't. Therefore he is a dishonest. By not clearing this up before he died he passed this burden on to his wife. Kyle could have retracted his statement when this first came to light and it would have been over but then he wouldn't have gotten all that free publicity and the extra book sales which followed.
I'm sorry Kyle is dead. I'm sorry he lied. I'm sorry you guys are ready to accept a lie as truth rather than burst your hero bubble. Sad.
+1. And who would have believed in the first place that Kyle could have knocked Ventura down. Ventura would have broke him in half like a pretzel. Mess with the bull you get the horn.