Well, having done a bit more research in my "spare" time - here are some points to ponder.

The 1996 (?) Federal Communications Decency Act - Section 230 - and there's already some case law including a case tossed out in the federal court in northern Illinois. Even an attorney cannot interpret this law... only judges and juries may do so. But the 230 section appears to exclude the ISP from any liability for many things that others post. And that could include the board operator, as well.

Of course, saying that doesn't make it so... only mega-bucks can win a court decision and only a Federal District Attorney may file a criminal suit.

Interesting that a deep search of federal courts (state courts, too) doesn't pull up any references of note with criminal charges on anything like this regarding the Internet nor any actions against other "carriers," newspaper, Yellow Pages, etc. who not only accept ads but take money for them.

Except for a couple of actions against some alternative newspapers. And even the Big Dog and TER stuff that we hear about shows nothing on a federal level. And the Tampa sheriff and DA in the BD thing ended up losing most of everything, spending a lot of tax payer dough on a multiple year effort and earning disdain from even the Florida media.

So the sheriff's action in a civil suit in a Federal court may be of little consequence...except CL will shell out some big bucks to respond.

Are any of us "safe." Heck no. The authorities can make one's life a living hell, and a very costly one at that. Meanwhile, play safe out there.