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From: cramer@kontron.UUCP (Clayton Cramer)
Newsgroups: net.politics.theory
Subject: Re: Class Action Suits against Polluters
Message-ID: <272@kontron.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 24-Jun-85 20:55:06 EDT
Article-I.D.: kontron.272
Posted: Mon Jun 24 20:55:06 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 26-Jun-85 05:42:05 EDT
References: <408@mmintl.UUCP> <28200013@inmet.UUCP> <651@whuxl.UUCP> <232@kontron.UUCP> <655@whuxl.UUCP>
Organization: Kontron Electronics, Irvine, CA
Lines: 42

> > From Clayton Cramer: 
> > Many states have prohibited class action lawsuits in air and water
> > pollution cases "to keep from clogging up the courts".  The only case
> > I can find of someone trying to file a class action lawsuit against an
> > air polluter is Diamond vs. General Motors, et. al. (1971), where the
> > judge refused to hear the case because it was too "complicated".  A
> > judiciary that has the time and energy to hear the AT&T and IBM anti-trust
> > suits, certainly has the time and energy to hear class action lawsuits.
> > What's lacking is a clear-cut legal right to file class action lawsuits.
> > 
>  
> Well, Libertarians should be happy to hear that the New Jersey PIRG
> (Public Interest Research Group) just successfully won a class-action
> suit against water polluters in New Jersey.  The State had refused
> to prosecute the offenders but the law allowed public interest groups
> to file class action lawsuits and collect the damages.
>  
> I see nothing wrong with such class action lawsuits if they are
> effective in stopping pollution.
>  
Yes, I'm sure libertarians everywhere are pleased.

> Libertarians should also be happy at the landmark decision which held
> employers liable for murder in a case of cyanide poisoning due to
> industrial neglect.
>  
> As Libertarians rejoice, I will bet funding from companies and industrialists
> will dry up in no time!
>                                       tim sevener  whuxl!orb

I didn't read all the details in the case, but from what I have read,
it seems like a reasonable decision.

Mr. Sevener: funding for the libertarian movement has, with a few notable
exceptions, not come from companies and industrialists, most of whom are
scared spitless by a libertarian society, where they are responsible for
their actions.  The major exception to the rule I just mentioned is David
Koch, who contributed over two million dollars to the 1980 LP Presidential
campaign.  What's is industry?  Air pollution control equipment.  Mr.
Koch must either be ignoring his short-term interests, or figures that
a libertarian society will need more air pollution control equipment
than the current one (which is not a bad assumption).