OT: this Nolan Wells narrative continues to devolve

[horshack.sixpack]

https://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2026/08/make-it-make-sense.html

A lotta people apparently grew up without hearing about the little boy who cried wolf...

 

[dorndawg]

Make platforms responsible when they publish libel.

 

[dawgstudent]

Make platforms responsible when they publish libel.

Define platforms. Like facebook should be responsible?

 

[tired]

https://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2026/08/make-it-make-sense.html

 

[dorndawg]

Define platforms. Like facebook should be responsible?

Partially, yes. Much like authors and newspapers can both be held responsible. Along with this, libel should be a REALLY high bar but when its clear and blatant, do something about it.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

Make platforms responsible when they publish libel.

I think that the digital era has really clouded where responsibility lies for such things. Very unlikely that a platform could be held libel. Perhaps the individual who posted? I'm here for a Clinton in Helen vs Howiefelthersnatch trial or maybe ZombieKissenger vs grinningmule...

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Partially, yes. Much like authors and newspapers can both be held responsible. Along with this, libel should be a REALLY high bar but when its clear and blatant, do something about it.

There’s no way you could do that. I don’t disagree with the premise it just seems like an impossible feat

 

[dorndawg]

There’s no way you could do that. I don’t disagree with the premise it just seems like an impossible feat

I don't disagree at all it'd be tricky but I don't agree at all that there's no way. Status quo isn't exactly stellar, to me.

 

[ronpolk]

I know this is difficult to do with some people… but at some level people need to have better discernment when it comes to what they believe online. To anyone with an ounce of common sense, it’s real easy to see what happened with Nolan. Unfortunately, it’s also real easy to see at this point that Nolan’s parents are going to milk this for as much money as possible.

 

[QuadrupleOption]

Make platforms responsible when they publish libel.

Hmm no. That basically creates a government-enforced mechanism for censorship. Most platforms or internet providers already collect tracking information for end users so they can be found and prosecuted or sued for making libelous or criminal statements.

It's not easy to get or quick, which can suck for regular people whose lives are being ruined by ******** on the internet, but it is possible to track these folks down and hold them accountable.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

I learned something new:

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, generally shields online platforms from liability for content posted by users. Courts have historically treated platforms as hosts rather than publishers of third-party content.

In Blumenthal v. Drudge (1998), plaintiffs sued both Matt Drudge (the author) and AOL (the host). The court held AOL was protected under Section 230 even though it had a business relationship with Drudge. Drudge could still potentially be liable as the speaker, but AOL was not.

Because of Section 230. Courts have often dismissed claims against platforms such as AOL, Facebook, X/Twitter, Reddit, Craigslist, and others when the allegedly defamatory statement was written by a user.

 

[patdog]

There’s no way you could do that. I don’t disagree with the premise it just seems like an impossible feat

It's about as likely he was abducted by space aliens who dissected him and then dumped his dead body back where they took him from than that crazy story. Seriously. He caught a ride on another boat with no one knowing about it, went to a pool party that no one knows about, and then after they killed him, instead of dumping the body literally anywhere in the Sound or out to deeper Gulf waters, they took it right back to Horn Island to dump it. Good lord.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

I know this is difficult to do with some people… but at some level people need to have better discernment when it comes to what they believe online. To anyone with an ounce of common sense, it’s real easy to see what happened with Nolan. Unfortunately, it’s also real easy to see at this point that Nolan’s parents are going to milk this for as much money as possible.

Throughout history, there have been people manipulating and misleading others who lack discernment, or just happen to get caught up hearing something that tickles their ear and decides it must be true. Online just made it faster to spread and scale.

ETA: “It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.” ― Mark Twain (likely misattributed)

 

[patdog]

I know this is difficult to do with some people… but at some level people need to have better discernment when it comes to what they believe online. To anyone with an ounce of common sense, it’s real easy to see what happened with Nolan. Unfortunately, it’s also real easy to see at this point that Nolan’s parents are going to milk this for as much money as possible.

It's not a lack of discernment. It's a group of people who have so latched onto an agenda they will concoct and buy into the wildest speculative stories you could imagine and pretend they're truth.

 

[ckDOG]

I know this is difficult to do with some people… but at some level people need to have better discernment when it comes to what they believe online. To anyone with an ounce of common sense, it’s real easy to see what happened with Nolan. Unfortunately, it’s also real easy to see at this point that Nolan’s parents are going to milk this for as much money as possible.

That's right. We live in a time where the village idiot can get a microphone and rant to millions very quickly and cheaply. Rather than shame him, some of the other village idiots assemble and amplify his message. Because multiple people are saying the same thing, the village idiot take spreads like a virus and becomes accepted as plausible, if not, the truth that "they" don't want you to hear. Idiocracy ensues and we end up with situations like this or RFK Jr heading up health and human services.

 

[Trojanbulldog19]

The internet has turned into just a trolling for clicks to make a profit. The crazier crap you post or fear Monger the more views they get and the algorithms feed and push it.
I have a beef with TikTok Instagram weather entertainment folks that have no weather background but will push worst case scenario narrative from one model and rack up the clicks. It's model and algorithms that the companies should be libel for. X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok all know this and do nothing about it. They want it

 

[Maroon13]

It's been a minute since I took Business law. But I'm pretty sure you have to prove some actual damage was done to the victim/plaintiff to successfully win a case of slander or libel. So unfortunately people can say what they want in the comments section, but victim has to prove damage.

I'm not sure what the criminal elements are to find some guilty of a threat but I'm glad there have been 4 arrest on the threats to the families

 

[theoriginalSALTYdog]

Three of the boys whose names have been continually mentioned have retained the services of Trump's defamation attorney, allegedly the best in the country. He won verdicts against Paramount, the BBC and the New York Times. They're going after Crump and the media. This is going to be interesting.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

That's right. We live in a time where the village idiot can get a microphone and rant to millions very quickly and cheaply. Rather than shame him, some of the other village idiots assemble and amplify his message. Because multiple people are saying the same thing, the village idiot take spreads like a virus and becomes accepted as plausible, if not, the truth that "they" don't want you to hear. Idiocracy ensues and we end up with situations like this or RFK Jr heading up health and human services.

I just wish I could figure out a way to make some money off all these idiots. Because they aren't going to get better

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I know this is difficult to do with some people… but at some level people need to have better discernment when it comes to what they believe online. To anyone with an ounce of common sense, it’s real easy to see what happened with Nolan. Unfortunately, it’s also real easy to see at this point that Nolan’s parents are going to milk this for as much money as possible.

It’s like this for literally everything in life now. People read it on Facebook and it’s gospel and it really is a crying shame people can’t see through BS.

 

[dorndawg]

Hmm no. That basically creates a government-enforced mechanism for censorship. Most platforms or internet providers already collect tracking information for end users so they can be found and prosecuted or sued for making libelous or criminal statements.

It's not easy to get or quick, which can suck for regular people whose lives are being ruined by ******** on the internet, but it is possible to track these folks down and hold them accountable.

You lay out the cons side well. It's hard to enforce, and the governing body is going to have some power.

I guess I don't get giving that power to the state over people, but not over corporations.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I just wish I could figure out a way to make some money off all this idiots. Because they aren't going to get better

It’s called the wellness industry. Just say if you eat “x” it will kill you but buy my supplements for 49.99 and you won’t die.

 

[mcdawg22]

Partially, yes. Much like authors and newspapers can both be held responsible. Along with this, libel should be a REALLY high bar but when its clear and blatant, do something about it.

We’d be deleting and banning a lot of posters on here.

 

[Darryl Steight]

It’s called the wellness industry. Just say if you eat “x” it will kill you but buy my supplements for 49.99 and you won’t die.

What's your QR code? I need some of those now**

 

[o_Hot Rock]

The lies and fear mongering going on social media is insane. Whatever you click on comes to you. The more you think one way, the more you see stuff saying that. The information age has turned into the "MISINFORMATION AGE".

What gets me is that main stream media is just as bad or worse. They tell bold face lies, get hauled into court and have to pay huge fines and still remain in business to tell more lies. If you think it's just Left or Right media, you would be mistaken.

 

[Maroon13]

The most concerning about this saga and the Karmelo Anthony case..

Some of these people pushing these false narratives (Houston lady for example) have large followings. They are real people that Ilive among us. They vote, serve on juries, share space in the community..... that's a scary thought.

 

[Irondawg]

I think the way to get after the providers is to go after the algorithms that take crazy things from people with no credibility and push it to be viral. That's where they are complicit. If you find and want to subscribe to the village idiot, that's fine.

But if I go read the USA today story on Nolan I shouldn't suddenly have my feed filled by all the crazy people posting stuff.

At some point they become complicit in spreading the misinformation.

 

[grinningmule]

Social media went from catching up with people and sharing photos to pure poison. We were better off without it.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Social media went from catching up with people and sharing photos to pure poison. We were better off without it.

As soon as people figured out they could make money on content it was over.

 

[vhdawg]

In Blumenthal v. Drudge (1998), plaintiffs sued both Matt Drudge (the author) and AOL (the host). The court held AOL was protected under Section 230 even though it had a business relationship with Drudge. Drudge could still potentially be liable as the speaker, but AOL was not.

Wanna hear something crazy? Drudgereport still exists in the year of our Lord 2027.

 

[CochiseCowbell]

We’d be deleting and banning a lot of posters on here.

I have it on good authority that, mcdawg22 not only eats his boogers, he'll ask for yours.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Wanna hear something crazy? Drudgereport still exists in the year of our Lord 2027.

Still read it. It’s very different than it was 20 years ago.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

What's your QR code? I need some of those now**

 

[vhdawg]

It’s like this for literally everything in life now. People read it on Facebook and it’s gospel and it really is a crying shame people can’t see through BS.

I'm so annoyed at my parents' generation for this. Will just share stuff that they agree with even if they know it's made up or falsely attributed

 

[horshack.sixpack]

Wanna hear something crazy? Drudgereport still exists in the year of our Lord 2027.

I know. I very rarely go over there, but I used to really frequent it back in the day. I suppose algorithmic news feed consolidation and associated headline manipulation is more common now so he doesn't have the market cornered.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

A reminder to those who are "newer" than I. This isn't a new phenomenon. Below is from 1987, of course the "Reverend" Al Sharpton was involved. It was all BS, ruined 4 innocent people's lives, and of course Sharpton did not avail himself of the opportunity to show some moral fortitude by admitting wrong an apologizing. He continues to grift. This kind of stuff is really detrimental to cases where there really was some impropriety or racist crap going on.

The initial public response to Brawley's story was mostly sympathetic. Bill Cosby offered a $25,000 reward for information on the case, while Don King pledged $100,000 toward Brawley's education. In December 1987, more than one thousand people, including Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, marched through the streets of Newburgh, New York, in support of Brawley.

Brawley's claims in the case captured headlines across the country. Public rallies were held denouncing the incident. When civil rights activist Al Sharpton, with attorneys Alton H. Maddox and C. Vernon Mason, began handling Brawley's publicity, the case quickly became highly controversial. Sharpton, Maddox, and Mason generated a national media sensation. The three said that officials all the way up to the state government were trying to cover up defendants in the case because they were white. They further suggested that the Ku Klux Klan, the Irish Republican Army, and the Mafia had conspired with the U.S. government in the alleged cover-up.

 

[mcdawg22]

I have it on good authority that, mcdawg22 not only eats his boogers, he'll ask for yours.

I’ll see DS in court. Big Tv just in time for football!!

 

[grinningmule]

A reminder to those who are "newer" than I. This isn't a new phenomenon. Below is from 1987, of course the "Reverend" Al Sharpton was involved. It was all BS, ruined 4 innocent people's lives, and of course Sharpton did not avail himself of the opportunity to show some moral fortitude by admitting wrong an apologizing. He continues to grift. This kind of stuff is really detrimental to cases where there really was some impropriety or racist crap going on.

The initial public response to Brawley's story was mostly sympathetic. Bill Cosby offered a $25,000 reward for information on the case, while Don King pledged $100,000 toward Brawley's education. In December 1987, more than one thousand people, including Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, marched through the streets of Newburgh, New York, in support of Brawley.

Brawley's claims in the case captured headlines across the country. Public rallies were held denouncing the incident. When civil rights activist Al Sharpton, with attorneys Alton H. Maddox and C. Vernon Mason, began handling Brawley's publicity, the case quickly became highly controversial. Sharpton, Maddox, and Mason generated a national media sensation. The three said that officials all the way up to the state government were trying to cover up defendants in the case because they were white. They further suggested that the Ku Klux Klan, the Irish Republican Army, and the Mafia had conspired with the U.S. government in the alleged cover-up.

Everybody involved in that case should have seen jail time, bankruptcy and discredited for eternity.

 

[Xenomorph]

I'm so annoyed at my parents' generation for this. Will just share stuff that they agree with even if they know it's made up or falsely attributed

Dude, for real... this elderly woman who's married into my family kept sharing crap like that in a group text. People would tell her it was AI or otherwise obviously made up.. She was like.. don't care, still true.

I now have her number blocked in my phone.

 

[vhdawg]

A reminder to those who are "newer" than I. This isn't a new phenomenon. Below is from 1987, of course the "Reverend" Al Sharpton was involved. It was all BS, ruined 4 innocent people's lives, and of course Sharpton did not avail himself of the opportunity to show some moral fortitude by admitting wrong an apologizing. He continues to grift. This kind of stuff is really detrimental to cases where there really was some impropriety or racist crap going on.

The best evidence I can point to Ben Crump being a shameless grifter only in this for the money is that the Mississippi Free Press has gone all-in to say hey this guy is a huckster. If THEY are saying it, people should look no further.