Very true. For libel or slander to make it to court, the plaintiff needs to show that the defendant knew his/her statement to be false. I got a hard lesson in this back in the 90s when I got sued for $2.5m.

In-house counsel is such a pain is butt. I'm dealing with John Deere's law-talkers right now and I feel for you... I'm willing to bet anyone associated with creative at the Times could give a rat's ass about your site... but the lawyers... they have to justify their existence.

Pick your battles.