Craigslist sues South Carolina attorney general

Posted May 21st 2009 4:40PM by Zac Bissonnette
Filed under: Law

Earlier this week, South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster threatened to charge Craigslist with aiding and abetting prostitution if an ad on the company's website to a case on his state. Craiglist CEO Jim Buckmaster's response on the Craigslist blog: "Seriously?" He went on to expose the hypocrisy of targeting Craigslist when there are so many bigger players in the online prostitution business.

Now, according to the Wall Street Journal(subscription required), Craigslist has filed an unusual lawsuit in a South Carolina federal court, seeking a restraining order to prevent McMaster from filing charges against the company. Craigslist claims that the threats constitute a violation of the company's first amendment rights.

Henry "Hypocritical Blowhard" McMaster's response? He said the lawsuit is "good news" because "it shows that Craigslist is taking the matter seriously for the first time." He said he would consider monitoring the site but backed off his immediate threats.

McMaster appears to be yet another bozo looking to seize on headlines to drum up press for himself to advance his career and win the "family values" vote. Hopefully this transparent and pathetic effort will backfire on him. . . Is there anyone dumb enough not to see through it?

It would be better for everyone if McMaster would devote his considerable power to pursuing actual crimes, instead of abusing it for publicity.

Tags: Craigslist