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The fallout of the American Presidential election of 2016 continues, and many are concerned about what the eventual consequences will be. One potential member of a Trump administration has many more worried than not. Observe:
As Donald Trump commences his ghastly slouch toward Washington, a coterie of sycophants snatches at his coattails: Newt Gingrich, Rudy Giuliani, Chris Christie—we knew this particular trio would scurry after heightened relevance and authority. Unsurprisingly, all three have slavered their way to the president-elect's transition team, and possibly into the Cabinet. Less expected, perhaps, was billionaire PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel's recent appointment to the same advisory committee. And yet, an alliance between Trump and Thiel, however appalling, seems so fitting that hindsight renders it almost preordained.
One wonders about the temperament of the President-Elect, but even more about the basket of, um, unemployed, that swarm around him seeking positions in the new administration. Peter Thiel is well know for having bankrupted Gawker over the Hulk Hogan affair, but for personal reasons.
But Thiel did not bankroll Hogan's lawsuit in a show of fraternity. He had nurtured a grudge since December 2007, when Gawker published an article entitled, "Peter Thiel is totally gay, people." Thiel condemned Gawker for publicly outing him, though the site contended that he had already disclosed his sexuality to those in his social sphere. Although Thiel referred to Gawker as "a singularly terrible bully," he did not pursue legal action. Instead, his rancor smoldered until, nine years later, he landed a belated—but fatal—blow.
What might such vindictiveness accomplish with more than millions of dollars, but the full faith and credit of the United States, if it sought to silence criticism, whistle-blowing, truth-telling and journalism? Should Soylentils be worried?
(Score: 4, Interesting) by n1 on Monday November 21 2016, @01:45AM
Apparently to him a business deal is worth risking a death sentence.
He also didn't sue Gawker over them outing him, he instead waited a few years and funded Hulk Hogan because "single digit millionaires like Hulk Hogan can't afford access to the legal system" ... Out of all the people who are denied access to the legal system or proper defense lawyers, Hulk Hogan was the priority and the best way to draw attention to how money buys justice.
I am interested to see how he uses his new platform to shed light on the other injustices in the legal system and how the handful of us that arn't millionaires at all are also at a disadvantage when seeking legal redress.
Gawker was not a good publisher, the enemy of your enemy is not always your friend.
(Score: 2) by deimtee on Monday November 21 2016, @02:28AM
If what he wanted (as a secondary goal maybe) was an indictment of the system itself, then is actually a pretty goods way to do it. The system has got so biased that even famous and moderately wealthy people can't fully afford it.
If you cough while drinking cheap red wine it really cleans out your sinuses.
(Score: 1) by Francis on Monday November 21 2016, @04:01AM
On what basis would he have sued? He is gay and so publishing that fact was completely legal in the US, the fact that he was in Saudi Arabia at the time wasn't something that Gawker could necessarily foresee and wouldn't likely be liable for even if he did file suit. Presumably, he did consult with attorneys at the time as that's a much more efficient way of going after somebody that wrongs you than financing a 3rd party to do it for you.
I think him being nominated is arguably a good thing. Trump has promised to stop allowing media consolidation and Thiel is somebody who knows all too well how damaging the corruption and incompetence in the MSM has gotten.
We're just going to have to see how this all shakes out before getting too riled up. The MSM is basically only used by old people anyways, anybody that's younger or not a moron gets their news from a variety of non-traditional outlets anyways.
(Score: 2) by tfried on Monday November 21 2016, @07:44AM
damaging [...] corruption and incompetence in the MSM
So are you trying to say Gawker was part of main stream media? Or is that short for "Media my Side Must hate"?
(*) BTW, I do agree that even millionaires retain the right to some privacy, but then I'm not into celebrity gossips in the first place.