This page is starting to appear in my referers:
“Alice (9/22/05 6:26 pm)
Ralph story
I was browsing online and I came across this weird mocking story of Ralph. It isn’t the best story but I found it amusing. here’s the link:
www.pootergeek.com/?p=1725ArcticLady (9/23/05 7:30 am)
Reply
humph… I don’t know the owner of the weblog, but he doesn’t seem to know much about Ralph and his mannerisms and habits.There was a discussion not long ago about weblogs; how they are kind of a grey area, that nobody regulates, and you can bark whatever you want and get away with it. Suing someone over a disfavorable image in a weblog is quite fruitless. I was not thinking of the Ralph story now, but in general.”
How long, do you think, it will be before the footsoldiers of the Ralph Fiennes Barmy Army are here telling me where I can stick my satire?
Well sir, I think you may stop the clock, as I am but the vanguard of a vast legion of my kind who will soon o’erwhelm your puny web server, and teach you a lesson in respecting your betters you’ll not soon forget. Oh yes indeed! You may now press Submit, Jeeves!
Didn’t Andrew Neil once threaten to sue Private Eye over a “disfavourable image“?
If I remember rightly, Hislop & co were absolutely petrified and recalled every copy of that particular issue so that they could have them pulped under the supervision of a whole team of lawyers – and then had the negative ceremonially burnt so that there was never even the tiniest chance that the photo would ever see the light of day again. Because these legal threats are serious – you don’t mess about with them if you know what’s good for you.
(I think that’s what happened, anyway – certainly close enough)
Looks perfectly innocent to me.
Thatcher’s lawyers keep trying it on with me every time I post this one, but the people must know the truth.
You’re playing with fire, Damian, and no mistake.
I would have thought that picture would have seriously damaged Thandi Newton’s career.