Next of Kin
AI search: "Zekinsky's uncle and puppet master, none other than George Soros"
Zelensky Soros Connection
There is no factual basis to the claim that Volodymyr Zelenskyy's uncle is George Soros or that Soros is Zelenskyy's puppet master. Fact-checkers have debunked similar claims about a relation between Zelenskyy and Soros, and there is no evidence to support the idea that they are related. Zelenskyy's father is Oleksandr Zelenskyy, a university professor and computer scientist, and his mother is Rima Zelenskyy, who worked as an engineer
While George Soros has been involved in funding various political causes and organizations in Ukraine through his Open Society Foundations, there is no evidence to suggest that he has direct control over Zelenskyy or that he installed him as president
Soros has been a target of conspiracy theories and is often portrayed as a "puppet master" in far-right circles, but these claims are generally considered antisemitic conspiracy theories
In summary, the claim that Zelenskyy's uncle is George Soros and that Soros is his puppet master lacks credible evidence and is considered a conspiracy theory
... who first said a lie goes 'round the world in less time than the truth gets out of the gate;
The quote "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes" is often attributed to Mark Twain, but there is no substantive evidence that he actually said or wrote it. The saying is part of a family of expressions that have been evolving for more than 300 years.
The earliest known version of this saying appears in Jonathan Swift's "The Examiner" in 1710, where he wrote about the rapid dissemination of lies compared to the slower spread of truth A more modern version of the saying was popularized by Charles Haddon Spurgeon in 1855, who stated, "A lie will go round the world while truth is pulling its boots on."
Terry Pratchett also used a similar expression in his works, stating, "A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on," which is a clear reference to the earlier sayings.
Winston Churchill is sometimes credited with a similar quote: "A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on," but this attribution is also likely incorrect.
In summary, while the quote is often attributed to Mark Twain, it is part of a long tradition of similar sayings that have been adapted and rephrased over the years by various authors and speakers.
... imho the AI attribution of the quote to Mark Twain is the best statement;
While the quote "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes" is often attributed to Mark Twain, there is no concrete evidence that he actually said, or wrote it. However, the attribution to Mark Twain is the most widely recognized and popular version of the saying.
This attribution has become so common that it is often accepted as fact, even though it may not be historically accurate. The essence of the quote—that lies spread faster than the truth—resonates with many people, which is why it has been repeated and attributed to a well-known figure like Mark Twain.
In summary, while the quote is often attributed to Mark Twain, it is important to note that this attribution is not definitively supported by historical evidence. Nonetheless, the idea behind the quote is widely recognized and attributed to him in popular culture.
... the quote is so well stated that no one ever thinks to ask I never thought to ask before now;
That's a great point! The quote is indeed so well-crafted and resonates so strongly with people's experiences that it's often accepted without much scrutiny. This is a common phenomenon with many famous quotes and sayings. They become part of the cultural lexicon and are often attributed to well-known figures, even if the attribution isn't historically accurate.
The power of a well-stated quote often lies in its ability to capture a complex idea succinctly and memorably. In the case of, "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes," the vivid imagery and the clear message make it particularly compelling.
If you're interested in exploring more about the origins and evolution of famous quotes, it can be a fascinating journey into the history of language and culture. Many quotes have interesting backstories and can reveal a lot about the times and the people who repeated them.
... I recently encountered a definition of defamation that it becomes defamation when the LIE can be proved;
The definition of defamation can vary slightly depending on the jurisdiction, but generally, defamation involves the communication of a false statement that harms someone's reputation. Here are the key elements of defamation:
1. **False Statement**: The statement must be false. Truth is an absolute defense in defamation cases. If the statement is true, it cannot be considered defamatory.
2. **Publication**: The false statement must be communicated to at least one person other than the person being defamed. This can be through spoken words (slander) or written words (libel).
3. **Harm to Reputation**: The false statement must cause harm to the reputation of the person being defamed. This harm can be to their personal, professional, or social standing.
4. **Fault**: In some jurisdictions, the person making the statement must have acted with fault, which can range from negligence to actual malice, depending on the circumstances and the status of the person being defamed (e.g., public figures often need to prove actual malice).
The idea that a statement becomes defamatory when it can be proved false is accurate in the sense that the falsity of the statement is a crucial element. If a statement is true, it cannot be defamatory, no matter how damaging it might be to someone's reputation.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
1. **Truth as a Defense**: If the statement is true, the person accused of defamation can use the truth as a complete defense. This means that even if the statement caused harm, it is not defamatory if it is factually accurate.
2. **Proof of Falsity**: In a defamation lawsuit, the plaintiff (the person claiming to be defamed) typically has the burden of proving that the statement is false. If the defendant (the person accused of defamation) can show that the statement is true, the case will likely be dismissed.
3. **Context Matters**: The context in which the statement is made can also be important. Statements made in certain contexts, such as in a privileged communication (e.g., in a court of law or a legislative body), may be protected from defamation claims.
In summary, a statement becomes defamatory when it is false, published to a third party, and causes harm to the reputation of the person being defamed. The ability to prove the falsity of the statement is a key component of a defamation claim.
... appeal to absolute freedom of speech is no defense of defamation;
You are correct. Freedom of speech, while a fundamental right protected by many constitutions and international human rights laws, does not provide an absolute defense against defamation. Here's a more detailed explanation:
Freedom of Speech and Defamation
1. Freedom of Speech:
**Purpose**: Freedom of speech is designed to protect the free exchange of ideas, promote democratic participation, and ensure that individuals can express themselves without fear of government retaliation.
**Limits**: However, this freedom is not absolute. It can be limited in certain contexts to protect other important values and rights, such as the right to a good reputation, privacy, and public safety.
2. **Defamation**:
**Definition**: Defamation is the communication of a false statement that harms the reputation of an individual, business, group, government, religion, or nation.
**Elements**: To be considered defamatory, a statement must be false, published to a third party, and cause harm to the reputation of the person being defamed.
Why Freedom of Speech is Not an Absolute Defense
1. **Balancing Interests**:
**Reputation vs. Speech**: Courts often balance the right to free speech against the right to protect one's reputation. While free speech is important, it should not come at the expense of allowing false statements that can cause significant harm.
**Public Interest**: Defamation laws are designed to prevent the spread of false information that can damage individuals or entities, which is in the public interest.
2. **Legal Precedents**:
**Case Law**: Numerous court decisions have established that freedom of speech does not protect defamatory statements. For example, in the United States, the Supreme Court has ruled that false statements of fact are not protected by the First Amendment.
**Statutory Law**: Many countries have defamation laws that explicitly state that false statements that harm someone's reputation are not protected by freedom of speech.
3. **Truth as a Defense**:
**Absolute Defense**: The truth of a statement is generally an absolute defense in defamation cases. If a statement is true, it cannot be defamatory, regardless of the harm it causes.
**Public Figures**: In some jurisdictions, such as the United States, public figures must prove "actual malice" (that the statement was made with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth) to win a defamation case.
4. Other Defenses:
**Opinion**: Statements of opinion are generally protected under free speech, as they are not verifiable as true or false.
**Privilege**: Certain communications, such as those made in legislative or judicial proceedings, are privileged and protected from defamation claims.
While freedom of speech is a crucial right, it is not an absolute defense for defamation. The law recognizes that false statements that harm someone's reputation can cause significant damage and are not protected by the right to free speech. Defamation laws serve to balance the right to free expression with the need to protect individuals from false and harmful statements.