A passion for justice.
The experience to win.
Case No. 1:2024cv07151
Townsend v. Morrissey et al
New York Eastern
District Court
Follow my copyright infringement case against journalists Tracie Egan Morrissey and Rich Juzwiak to watch how I fight back against the mainstream media.
The Double-Edged Sword of the Media
"I am not saying that those television personalities are all terrible people. They just want to fill time, more than they want to say things that are true"
- John Oliver
Cancellation Case Studies:
Three Women & One 16-year-old Boy
Nick Sandmann - "Covington Kid"
Jennifer Connell - "Worst Aunt Ever"
Desirée Jennings (Townsend) - "Flu Shot Cheerleader"
Monica Lewinsky - "Defy the Name"
When Used Negatively:
The media can target and destroy opponents with malicious force.
Finding Balance Requires No Longer Blindly Trusting
To change how the media is run, requires the public take more accountability for fact checking what they read, see, or hear. The media has groomed us for years to immediately believe whatever is put in front of us, which is often edited, with details and facts omitted or cherry-picked, to protray an issue, person, or cause in whatever light they choose.
Trevor Noah Defends:
One of the Few in the Media Who Defended Nick Sandmann
"If I was the news, truly you guys could have searched social media before reporting this story. Just a simple search. You would have found it all."
"Depending on who was holding the camera, that story made them look like the victim, every single person."
"I have received physical and death threats via social media, as well as hateful insults. One person threatened to harm me at school, and one person claims to live in my neighborhood. My parents are receiving death and professional threats because of the social media mob that has formed over this issue."
- Nick Sandmann at 16-Years-Old
John Oliver Defends:
The Public Shaming & Cancellation of Jennifer Connell
"Her health insurance did not cover all her massive medical bills... to cover her costs her best option was to go through her relative's home owners' insurance... even though the kid and his family were completely fine with it."
John Oliver
"She was being relentlessly attacked all over the internet. Meaning anyone that Googled her in the future would be innunatated by the innaccurate version of that story... which became a real problem when she was looking for work."
John Oliver
"It was very difficult to find another job."
"People reached out then cancelled interviews."
"I had to take certain measures to restablish myself. And I have a refreshed identity."
Jennifer Connell
"I am not saying that those television personalities are all terrible people. They just want to fill time, more than they want to say things that are true... but at some point it's incumbent on everyone to consider both context and consequences if you're going to pile on in a shaming."
- John Oliver
My Defense:
The Public Shaming & Cancellation of Desirée (Jennings) Townsend
"In the end of the day these people [anti-vaxxers] are just going to use you."
-Desirée Townsend
"I was 25 I needed help. I just had these people come to me and say 'we'll give you that help' but here's the cost, you have to believe what we believe."
-Desirée Townsend
Despite speaking out against the exploitive anti-vaxx industry, individuals such as Olive Smith, a Physician Assistant in Florida, continue their online attacks. Smith's comments and outreach to universities damaged relationships with UCLA and UC Irvine.
Yet, Jenny McCarthy Who is Very Much Anti-Vaccine Attends Anti-Vaxx Ralies, but Continues to Work for Major Brands and Companies.
Because it's somehow MY fault grown adults, mostly "smart" democrat leaning individuals, rely on sage, crystals, & Reiki instead of vaccines...
Ok Olive... I bet you'll still buy SKIMS and watch the Masked Singer!
"When joining in a pile on, there is a lot to take into account. And when millions of people all feel the need to weigh in and do it potentially for years. The punishment can be vastly disproportionate to the offense. The best example of this is Monica Lewsinsky. Two decades ago this country put her through hell as she would be the first to tell you."
-John Oliver
John Oliver Defends:
The Public Shaming & Cancellation of Monica Lewinsky
"Would you agree that somewhere on the spectrum of shame there can be positive effects - I'm just thinking of people who's bad behavior hurts others and who might not change that behavior without public attention?"
-John Oliver
"We tend to look at it [public shaming] as this kind of like binary question... should we public shame or shouldn't we?"
-Monica Lewinsky
"I do think there's a spectrum of on which we could kind of sort of judge as a society is this where shaming is effective to change social behavior or is it damaging."
-Monica Lewinsky
"When I couldn't find a job... Either somebody offered me a job for the wrong reasons... or could you get a letter of indemnification from the Clintons... because we rely on government money and Hillary might be President."
-Monica Lewinsky
"I was patient zero of losing a personal reputation on a global scale almost instantaneously."
-Monica Lewinsky
Monica Lewinsky
Was 22 at the time her superior and employer, the President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton, wrongfully pursued a relationship with her while married.
Was vilified and crucified by the media, despite being taken advantage of in the work setting by her employer.
Went on to start anti-bullying campaign "Defy the Name."
Bill Clinton
Was 49 at the time he pursued a relationship with his subordinate and intern, Monica Lewinsky, while he was married.
The media largely protected Clinton, framing Lewinsky as the villian despite the power disparity between them.
Went on to be named on Jeffrey Epstein's list alongside Prince Andrew.
The "Crime"
Nick Sandmann
At 16-years-old went to protest abortion with his high school at the Lincoln Memorial. Smiled smugly while he was approached by a man playing drums. Stopped his peers from misbehaving.
Monica Lewinsky
At 22 was lured into a relationship with her superior at work, a man 27 years her senior, who happened to be the President of the United States of America, who was also on Epstein's list.
Desirée Jennings
Developed a rare autoimmune disease, stiff person syndrome, after most likely contracting swine flu while working at AOL. Was used as the poster child by anti-vaxxer Jenny McCarthy.
Jennifer Connell
After mounting medical bills from an injury sustained due to her nephew jumping into her arms resulting in a fall, the nephew's family recommended suing to trigger an insurance claim.
The Punishment
Nick Sandmann
Was defamed by the media, faced death threats and negative online attacks that continue to this day.
Monica Lewinsky
Was defamed and made fun of by the media for years. Her family was attacked. Could not find work.
Desirée Jennings
Was defamed and made fun of by the media for a rare disease. Was fired for the media coverage in 2023.
Jennifer Connell
Was defamed and called the "Worst Aunt Ever." Completely changed her identity in order to find work.
Copyright © Desirée Guerriere Townsend. All Rights Reserved.