What is the name of your state? NH
I traveled to Washington DC as the caregiver of a Disabled American Veteran to attend a public session of the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission; on their website for the event, it was clear that public comments would be taken. That is why we made our first trip to DC. It was our hope to address the Commission regarding the treatment of Female Veterans by the Veterans Association.

We traveled alone to DC but, at our hotel, met two other people from NH attending the same meeting for the same reason. Because we met for breakfast, we happened to sign in and walk into the session together. These two people had attended two prior sessions and were well-known (and respected) by the majority of the body in attendance, as well as the Commission in general. Again, this was our first time at such a session.

We simply entered the room, quietly found seats in the back and sat politely and listened as the Commission carried on with their meeting. The other two people from NH came over to us to inform that the Commission had decided the no public statements would be taken. We accepted that fact, unaware that a public session was "supposedly" meant that public comments WERE being taken but, again, our lack of knowledge of federal law in this area led us to believe it was a hit or miss thing.

After the first session, we returned to the website to find that, after the meeting had begun, an addendum had been added stating no public comments would be heard. We later found out that public comments were no allowed because one person (from Albany, NY) who knew one of the two others from NH. I possess a copy of an e-mail that was sent to the entire membership of the Commission and everyone on her "contact list," announcing that {other vet's name} and "the drunken slobs from NH" (there were only four of us from NH) had threatened to disrupt the proceedings by personally attacking the person who wrote the e-mail. In an effort to avoid any involvement or unseemly confrontations, the Commission decided not to permit public statements.

Undoubtedly, most people who receive e-mail that is not spam (apparently this person has quite a following of disabled veterans who either agree or disagree with her) read and forward e-mail to others, leaving the potential for this to become a rampant piece of defamatory FALSE information.

I am particularly incensed because 1) we have great respect for the Commission and wished to make a respectful, if not vocal, an inubtrusive statement (written or oral) before them, 2) I am not involved in the Veterans Administration other than my role as caretaker of a Disabled American Veteran, 3) I have not met, either formally or informally, the author of the e-mail, even though she was apparently at the meeting we attended, and 4) I am a well-respected figure in my community who is well-known for NOT drinking at all. I do not allow alcohol in my home, my children who remain under my roof (age 18, 21, and 23) are not allowed to use or drink alcohol in my home, and the veteran I care for also has never used alcohol.

Because I am a writer who has work (published and unpublished) on the Internet and in the "real world," it is very possible that my name may actually be connected to this e-mail -- whether the people who know I attended the meeting try to retaliate or rebuff her e-mail, it is possible (and highly likely) that my reputation will be greatly impacted by such a defamatory document.

Questions: 1) Do I have a hope of a case and 2) if so, do I file in NH (where we live), NY (where the author of the e-mail lives), or DC (where the e-mail was generated from). Must my name be published or simply implied to constitute slander--what if it appears on a website or, worse, a search that could be "Googled?"

I can understand that this is a frustrating situation. I would suggest that you post this under personal injury as well. Without your name being listed, this may be very hard to prove that you were injured. I would suggest that you speak with an attorney to discuss if you have some legal options. Most do offer free consultations. You can locate an attorney through the attorney locator on Lawinfo's home page at http://www.lawinfo.com/.