Free speech in Michigan

The Michigan Court of Appeals has dismissed a lawsuit between the Michigan Education Association sued the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a free-market and pro-educational-voucher think tank that frequently criticizes the MEA and argues against its policy positions. More here and here.

The alleged misdeed? The Mackinac Center, in a fund-raising letter, quoted a public statement by the head of the MEA in which he said that he "admired" them. No one disputed that the quotation was accurate. The Mackinac Center acknowledged in the very next sentence that the MEA was generally "at odds" with them. The MEA sued, claiming that the quotation was an invasion of privacy.

The courts, clearly, thought otherwise.

Good show to the courts this time 'round. I find it difficult to imagine how any meaningful political discussion could take place in a legal environment in which public figures could prohibit political opponents, or news media, from quoting them.