Tabular Abstract for "MY CASE"
(Page
numbers refer to PDF version of My Case.)
[Back]
Brief introduction to My Case ... 1
A central lawsuit issue is a claim that e-mailed questions from the Post reporter ("PR" henceforth) gave FC a chance
to respond; for this reason and efficiency, the
discussion of lawsuit issues here is structured around those questions.
Comments by PR prior to presenting her list of
questions ... 1
PR objects to non-existent suggestion that she would not investigate both sides, falsely indicates that she has
already investigated both sides. PR maligned
1) "How long have you been involved with
ECMAS
FC a member since ECMAS began. (This query already answered, along with question 2, by former vice president.)
2) "Have you ever held any official
positions with ECMAS
Why FC has never done this. (The answer to this and next question later seen to be irrelevant to PR's intentions.)
My relationship with ECMAS ... 2
Nature of and reasons for FC's recent heavy involvement in ECMAS, presented here as context for what follows.
3) "Have you ever represented yourself as a
spokesperson for ECMAS
The obviously proper behavior, given the answer to the previous question, is not doing this; FC in fact never has.
3.5) Questions from an e-mail earlier sent by the
reporter to ECMAS-Edmonton president, Bob Bouvier ... 2
These questions accuse instead of seeking information. Not sent to FC, yet allegations on them printed in the article.
My book and the reporter's
reaction to it ... 3
FC's study of the scientific research on sexuality, reasons for writing book. PR had done no such study, didn't pursue
book's references on child sexuality; yet wrote as if she knew the book wasn't just reporting what the evidence says.
This small aspect of my book:
children's sexuality ... 4
Basic facts on child sexual feelings; the book notes them, does not discuss what behavior best in today's conditions.
Suffering resulting from mistaken
views about childhood sexuality ... 4
Some sad, even tragic consequences of this culture's traditional socialized attitudes toward children's sexuality.
The purpose here: correcting
falsehoods to defend my character ... 5
Instead of debating FC's evidence anywhere, PR misrepresented his words and character in print; a palpable motive.
Three special points regarding
these quotations from the book ... 5
Two PR untruths here (she later contradicted each) re the quotes. Quote on pedophiles' use of porn "lure" discussed.
4) "Do you, in fact, believe...that the
real problem with children being coerced into sex...?" ... 6
PR here falsely describes FC's words; doesn't (contrary to article) ask their meaning, just whether FC believes them.
The quoted statement in context ... 6
Context for the challenged words, and some explanation beyond what is in the book.
Analyzing the misrepresentations
and attitudes in question 4 ... 7
Two PR untruths here--not later published by her--re what quoted sentence says; her trivialization of its concerns.
5) "Do you, in fact, believe...that
pedophiles coercing children into sex...?" ... 7
Again accusing, not seeking information; doesn't say what is objected to, so what was later published discussed here.
The amorality accusation and the
main passage misrepresented in The Post ... 8
PR's amorality and 'equates' charges. The context of this passage; serious distortions in PR's published descriptions.
First 'equates'
misrepresentation: the untruths about teaching morality and self-restraint ... 8
PR twisted coercion into teaching restraint; in fact the book endorses guidance, restraint, and morals for children.
Second 'equates'
misrepresentation: distorting potentially-as-harmful into simply-as-harmful
... 9
FC's passage does not equate the two kinds of coercion or even their outcomes, just their potential outcomes.
Third 'equates' misrepresentation: distorting equally harmful results into morally equivalent actions ... 9
PR's words imply moral equivalence of pedophiles and loving parents; what the book actually says about both.
The other misrepresented passage
from my book: pedophiles luring children ...9
The book argues keeping children sexually naive makes some vulnerable to pornography offered by pedophiles; PR
twisted this to say it makes some desire contact with pedophiles, is the reason pedophiles succeed with any children.
The question of honesty and malice ...10
PR read only five pages; had read some chapters years before, falsely alleged she could recall their relevant content.
Defences offered in examination
for discovery: the amorality claim ...10
PR defended her claim that the 5-page section is amoral on the false grounds of inadequate moral discourse, saying it
is just about mental health; evidence that she should have known, and did know, that it was fully about morality.
Defences offered in examination
for discovery: the 'equates' and 'restraint' claims
...11
The defences of these false claims reflect bad faith, and in effect admit PR had used sophistry to deceive readers.
5A) The reporter's telephone slander and the events that ensued
from it ...12
The defamation uttered to
ECMAS-Edmonton's president ...12
PR's telephone accusation, as reported by the
his expulsion. FC lawyer warned Post of lawsuit; later PR e-mails signaled continuing intent to defame FC in print.
The appeal I made to the editor
of The Post ...12
Alarmed at PR e-mail's hinted new accusations and unable to reach lawyer before article was set to appear, FC sent
editor publishable response to views her questions seemed to reflect, hoping to ward off article or refute it in print.
Ex parte journalism ...13
No reply from Post to this or to a later appeal by FC's lawyer. First article not on FC; word from PR that one on him
will follow
results in tainting his name in
from FC, just libels he was given no prior notice of. PR later said Post editors never discussed its content with her.
Later defence of the allegation
made to ECMAS-Edmonton's president ...14
PR's excuse for this slander says it was only "maybe"; but it was not intended nor understood to express uncertainty.
Further making of the condonement allegation ...14
PR uttered the slander repeatedly--including times when there was no 'maybe'. She got the claim from LM, scolded
the president for not acquiescing to LM; yet both women hid claim from the public and PR hid it from her editors.
5.5) "Do you think it is inappropriate for a
person...who holds controversial views...to be associating...?" ...15
This implies a conflict--undescribed--between the book and ECMAS work; again accusing, not seeking information.
There was no involvement of any
such views in ECMAS ...15
PR already knew FC hadn't introduced the book's claims into ECMAS, just wanted to punish him for thought-crime.
False accusations are dealt with
by MERGE, not ECMAS ...16
PR knew or should have known that her alleged conflict, even if real, wouldn't apply to ECMAS; about her motives.
The book's claims do not conflict
with the wellbeing of the falsely accused ...16
Nature of the alleged conflict queried; argument and evidence given that PR in fact knew there was no such conflict.
Why publish a claim that is three
ways illegitimate? ...17
Arguments that alleged conflict was a pretext for attacking FC in print; there was no legitimate news story about FC.
6) "Have you ever considered the
possibility that your association might be tainting ECMAS...
?" ...18
Another accusation, not a request for information; suggests others perceived FC's association with ECMAS as bad.
Those giving and seeking such
help harmed by the reporter's own controversial views?
...18
PR's own sexual views show this claim is in bad faith; others' anger at hers a plausible motive for her attack on FC.
My ECMAS involvement and the
book-section both known about by almost no one ...19
PR aware that the book not before linked to ECMAS, so this insinuation evidently another pretext for her attack FC.
That the book's claims would
taint ECMAS if known is also false
...19
Reasons PR knew book's (actual) ideas wouldn't harm ECMAS; but knew her attack would harm, so needed a cover.
The article's central claim was
fraudulent ...20
PR article alleged self-generated scandal in ECMAS-Edmonton, implying that many there credited her claims about
book. PR knew there was no scandal, that ECMAS actions she wrote of were response to her slander and coercion.
7) "How long have you known Adams?" ...20
Next five questions hurl challenges re Adams, do not
disclose intent to accuse FC of misbehavior linked to
8) "Have you read the full text of the
Another question of minor importance; evidently
reflects PR's charge to president of unconcern over
The reporter's seeming bad faith
in charging lack of concern, and in her own expressed concern ...21
PR knew of yet never investigated: LM's crime, LM's suspicion-raising past, or LM's uncredentialed legal advising.
The published insinuation that I
concealed Mr. Adams' disbarment ...21
FC given no warning of, hence no
chance to contest, insinuation later printed that he hid
knew it wasn't so. PR herself hid, from ECMAS and public, what she knew of LM's legal advising and LM's crime.
9) "Do you think it is appropriate for a
person who has pleaded guilty...to be the Vice-President...?" ...22
Requests no reasons, just implies wrongdoing by ECMAS; evades FC's e-mailed partial explanation of the election.
The issues of rehabilitation and
limits to punishment ...22
PR refused to seek, or listen to, information about
crime. Her evident motive is seen in her insinuation, here and in the article, that FC and others condoned that crime.
The issue of the crime's
relevance to ECMAS ...23
Saying other crimes would be irrelevant (to excuse LM?), PR claimed a highly specific conflict between ECMAS' work a
nd
The issue of the
vice-presidential election ...24
LM conflicts with ECMAS led
How Mr. Adams came to be elected:
Before the AGM ...24
Strong distrust of LM by almost all ECMAS regulars; PR knew this but hid it from readers for a transparent reason.
How Mr. Adams came to be elected:
At the AGM ...25
LM plot to grab power by bringing ringers--PR's later
informants--to ECMAS AGM; result was election of
None of this was reported in the
National Post ...25
Despite learning of the reasons for Adams' being elected via her own sources, PR refused to publish any facts about it;
to do so would have undermined her articles' insinuations of uncaring or corrupt motives behind his election.
10) "Have you ever urged anyone...to fire
their...lawyer and hire Adams instead?" ...26
That anything important might lie behind this question, much less a serious accusation, not even hinted by PR.
Creation of the support group ...26
The serious needs and difficulties in divorce that led FC to establish this regular mutual-help group for ECMAS.
The unforeseen
problem, and its fortuitous solution ...27
Inability of lay people to answer questions, dangers
from false answers;
My actual behavior toward Mr.
Adams ...27
FC never urged any to fire lawyer or hire
The published firing-and-hiring
false accusation ...28
Article insinuated FC systematically pressured people to fire lawyers to get business for Adams; by suppressing and
distorting
various facts, insinuated FC was unwilling to discuss his book or his actions
toward
The published accusations
involving the two anonymous women ...28
Untruth that FC pressured two fathers many times to do this was created by turning urging to get free info into hire-
and-fire urging, one case into two. PR hid words, by two far more knowledgeable, contradicting fire-and-hire claim
The second-support-group story ...29
The article made it appear FC had opposed a second support group so all attendees would be potential paying clients
for
Adams' free help and her own informant's words. In an e-mail PR said FC "preyed on" the support-group attendees.
Once again, no chance to defend
myself
...30
PR didn't tell FC the claims by any informants, or any of her own accusations, before publication. Total refusal by The
Post or other news media to tell ECMAS' and FC's side; no way to clear our names but lawsuit. Recap of all the reasons
it was wildly dishonest to pretend she gave FC any chance to defend himself, or to say he refused any such.
11) "Do
you think it is [proper that much] of Adams’ paralegal work
comes...through ECMAS?" ...31
Another wrongdoing-implying question in which the nature of PR's objection cannot be discerned from her words.
Financial self-interest and ECMAS
attendees' need for paid help ...31
Paid help via ECMAS actually both unobjectionable and
necessary. FC's knowledge of
would've sent clients to
Another of the reporter's
questions appears to be a pretext ...32
Reasons to believe this PR objection too was insincere, including (once again) her wholly different treatment of LM.
The insinuation of financial
exploitation ...32
Another charge FC not told of. Cutting part of a quote in print turned banality into insinuation FC preyed on people.
The insinuation of general greed ...33
Further words PR left out made FC,
Some corruption of the reporter's
own ...33
All of the informants' actual untruths minor; PR turned them into serious ones by insinuation and suppressing facts.
12) "Do you, as a general principle, believe
it is appropriate to vilify whistleblowers...?" ...34
The one most overtly showing that PR's questions were only to accuse, that she was refusing to seek information.
Informants can misinform ...34
PR knew risks of untruthful informants and duty to investigate, not just accept claims; never honestly investigated.
Dishonest investigating and
reporting in regard to the prime informant ...34
LM's intense hatred of FC for personal reasons unreported as motive; PR ignored her many easily disproved false
claims. PR failed to make/keep records of her words (e-mails, 5 hours on phone) to LM despite pending lawsuit.
Dishonest investigating and
reporting in regard to the other four informants ...35
All of the other four quoted against FC and
special assistance from LM; PR failed to investigate their motives or to warn readers of any of their possible biases.
Hiding/distorting further facts
relating to the credibility of the other four informants ...35
LM (and PR) poisoned the other informants' minds with claims about FC's book, strongly affecting the sisters. One
reason informants had for asking anonymity was illegitimate, the other one suspect; deceit over the reasons in print.
Seeking assent to her
accusations, not investigating, the
purpose of all the rest of her interviews ...36
PR refused to contact any but those LM directed her to. Of the further four, PR phoned three in order to get negative
responses to publish, not (as claimed) to investigate the other side, and just made allegations to the fourth. And when
people defended FC, PR didn't ask for any facts, or print anything about him that they did manage to tell her.
12A) Even
beyond avoiding, suppressing, and distorting facts: abusing power in order to
coerce actions ...37
The Post Reporter as a player, not a
spectator: maneuvering others to get what she wanted ...37
PR's many unethical tactics to get ECMAS to oppose FC and Adams; signs she erased audiotape to hide her slander
of FC to
The powerful effects on ECMAS of
the reporter's manipulations ...37
This is not just
creating the news she was reporting, it is blackmail. On realizing PR's deceit,
the
refused to expel FC and
How
the manipulation was used to promote the libels; how her knowing it
was wrong reveals malice ...38
In print PR hid her acts that coerced reported events; hid ECMAS' opposition to her, insinuating that many in group
credited her libels re the book. Told interviewees a reporter shouldn't make news, later denied knowing it is wrong.
Authorizing the reporter to carry out her malicious intentions: complicity by the National Post ...39
Warned by lawyer of PR phone slander, Post editors evidently failed to listen to audiotapes. Told later of more facts
and more wrongdoing by her, still failed to investigate, authorized her article to go ahead. Efforts by ECMAS, FC to
save or restore their good names met with more Post untruths and bullying. Later appeals to owners of Post ignored.
13) "If
Ms. Malenfant is motivated by revenge...why do you suppose she brought her
concerns to me...?" ...39
This is just another hurled challenge; like all non-trivial questions before it, not asked in order to find out the facts.
Yet another presented objection
appears insincere, yet another question is just an evasion ...39
Things PR ignored to employ this argument that LM couldn't have had any improper motives; her seeming motive.
Possible motivations of the
reporter's behavior in general ...40
Close LM-PR prior relationship argues for illicit motives; many other signs exist of illicit motives for PR's actions. The
motives she herself claimed for her actions disproved in multiple ways from documents she supplied in the case.
Apparent motivating attitudes of
officials in charge of the National Post and CanWest Global
...41
Almost no editorial records turned over by Post; evidently did no investigation whatever, just had a lawyer tell them
what they could get away with publishing. Many signs that their professed ethical concerns are self-serving pretense.
My own intentions as alleged by
CanWest Global ...42
Harm to FC's name continued by contesting and counter-suing; their court-pleadings' gross distortion of his words.
My actual motives in fighting
back ...43
Serious harm done to FC's work by the libels. Besides undoing those harms, FC hopes to use this lawsuit to oppose future d
eception of the public, and future harm to ordinary people, arising from unethical journalistic actions. [Back]