Another fine example of our state tax dollars well spent . . .
Blogger shuts down Web site that mocked legislator.
Rep. Harbin’s lawsuit threat forces artist to shut Web site.
In case you’ve never clicked on the link to Talk Stink in my sidebar, you guys are missing a great satirical site with it’s finger on the pulse of local media. Of course regarding Bev Harbin, I hope it’s the middle finger. This, from the Honolulu Advertiser:
“An irreverent local blogger has chosen to give up a Web site making fun of state Rep. Bev Harbin after Harbin threatened to take him to court under the state’s law against cybersquatting.
Jon Asato, a tour guide and writer, said he agreed to drop the domain names BevHarbin .com and BeverlyHarbin.com after Harbin sent him two letters warning of a civil lawsuit. Asato said his Harbin Web site, which had cartoons that likened Harbin to The Incredible Hulk and the Joker character from the movie “Batman,” should be protected as free speech.
But he said he did not have the money for a legal fight and instead has posted the cartoons and commentary about his experience on his celebrity gossip Web site, “talkstink.com.”
Harbin, D-28th (Iwilei, Chinatown, Kaka’ako), said she was not really offended by the cartoons but wanted the rights to her name in an election year. “I don’t care about the parody. I had people call me up and say it was the cutest thing they had ever seen,” she said.
Harbin was appointed in September by Gov. Linda Lingle to fill a House vacancy but was asked to resign after it was discovered she had unpaid state taxes and misdemeanor convictions for writing bad checks. She refused to resign and is running to retain her seat.
“I’ve worked 60-something years to get my name to mean something,” she said. “It’s good. It’s bad. It’s ugly. But it’s mine.”
The disagreement between Asato and Harbin may seem small in scale but involves a fundamental constitutional right — free speech — and the evolving rights of people to control the use of their names on the Internet.”
Used without permission. Please don’t sue me.
You can see the second Cease and Desist order she sent to Mr. Stink here:
• Bev Harbin Cease and Desist Letter Version 2.0 and My Response
Although, I must admit , it is nice to see her doing something LEGALLY this time.
You know, as opposed to driving or writing checks.
“Like virtually all of the legislators in an election year, I am contemplating re-election. If I were to run, the site would really be in the way.”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t you have to have been . . . oh . . . I don’t know . . . actually ELECTED to the position in the first place in order to be RE-ELECTED to it? I know, I know. Let’s not get technical.
I for one can’t wait to vote.
