No. For it to be slander Toilet and Bowels would have to know without a doubt that you don't like your students and lie about it.

I don't even have students. So his insinuation is completely baseless. Which makes it untrue (a lie) right there.

But he doesn't KNOW it's a lie. He has to know different than he's saying.

I'm not so sure about that. I think it can be any false statement (whether the speaker knows it or not) that's intended to damage another's reputation.

I have some law prof friends here on campus. I'll check with them.

He doesn't have to know it's false. It's the intent that's the issue; is he INTENDING harm by making the statement. And that's the difficult thing to prove.

Edit: posted the same time as you gmku. I've a friend who's a county court judge and he's bored me with the explanation a couple of times.

Doesn't exactly seem like the most well-intentioned remark I've had anyone make about me.

Wouldn't it be libel anyway if it's written?

Maybe. Is online "chat room" stuff considered writing, though?

Some interesting takes on this:

This...

http://www.ssrn.com/update/lsn/cyber...ns/libe05.html

& this:

http://timesonline.typepad.com/techn...in_the_ch.html

I don't know. I think libel refers to published writing anyway. I don't know what published means in terms of the law. I suppose we're talking on here?

Either way, I think you're on to a winner here. Sue in an American court naturally, they'll be a lot tougher on him.

Then again, would you have to prove he wrote it...

Oh, it's all so complicated. Just say something really nasty to him and call it quits.

well i don't see how what i gain from reading your posts can be slanderous. and i haven't said anything that is posing as a statement of fact either.

Hmm... How much is the SY site worth? Maybe that's the real culprit here.

Nah, I couldn't do that to SY...

Yeah, yr last recommendation is probably easier and a lot more fun. I'll save up for something really nasty (and any suggestions are most welcome--PM me, people).

Oh really?Did you not just say on another thread that there is plenty of space in cyberspace and all that?Let's face it you can do fuck all about what people say on here.The huge majority of posters on this forum are younger than yourself so if the odd dumb comment or two pops up you just either ignore it or get on with it.Besides,if you have such issues with other posters why do you not contact the moderator?

Becuz OMG that's so immature...

It's not immature.It's an internet forum.THAT.SIMPLE.

So...

How young is too young anyway? 17? 13? 7? What's the cut-off point?

Ah, lighten up, Francis...

This thread is starting to worry me.