Congress wants to silence it's critics

2007-01-18 11:21:20

#1

ghettoperson: Member; +1,943|7075

THE US GOVERNMENT is planning to force bloggers who criticise Congress and organise grassroot causes to register themselves or face jail time.

According to GrassrootsFreedom.com, under Section 220 of S. 1, the lobbying reform bill currently before the Senate, bloggers who have more than 500 readers will have to register and report quarterly to Congress just like lobbiests or go to jail.

It seems that the US gov. is trying to get rid of even more of your constitutional rights. That seems rather like it's going the way that some people said it would, with regards to Net Neutrality, which I posted a topic + cool video on a while back. So much for freedom of speech then.

Discuss.

2007-01-18 11:26:21

#2

rawls2: Mr. Bigglesworth; +89|6986

I think it is along the same lines a s yelling "FIRE" in a movie theatre. If your audiance is big enough you can't go claiming opinion as fact.

2007-01-18 13:03:47

#3

UGADawgs: Member; +13|6747|South Carolina, US

It's likely that this was added on to kill the lobbying reform bill. Considering that the Democrats would be responsible for this if they passed the bill, I don't think this is some kind of zomg evil Bush conspiracy.

2007-01-18 13:28:00

#4

ghettoperson: Member; +1,943|7075

UGADawgs wrote:
It's likely that this was added on to kill the lobbying reform bill. Considering that the Democrats would be responsible for this if they passed the bill, I don't think this is some kind of zomg evil Bush conspiracy.

I never mentioned Bush, I was talking about the US government as a whole.

2007-01-18 13:34:38

#5

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|7027|132 and Bush

The problem seems they define a "paid" organization as one that has an audience of over 500. I didn't see anywhere they were trying to shut people up, only register. The first amendment should not require you to register with congress though. I think it's BS but I don't think it's quite the shut up or go to jail it is being portrayed as. Trust me if it were the ACLU would be all over it.

Last edited by Kmarion (2007-01-18 13:34:50)

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2007-01-18 13:43:51

#6

ghettoperson: Member; +1,943|7075

Kmarion wrote:
The problem seems they define a "paid" organization as one that has an audience of over 500. I didn't see anywhere they were trying to shut people up, only register. The first amendment should not require you to register with congress though. I think it's BS but I don't think it's quite the shut up or go to jail it is being portrayed as. Trust me if it were the ACLU would be all over it.

You would hope so, wouldn't you?

2007-01-18 16:29:42

#7

iamangry: Member; +59|7071|The United States of America

First our library accounts, then our phone calls, then our mail, now our internet writings.

What's next, our email and instant messages? Our discussions in public places?

Who's ready for a little revolution? ( i better not get put on a watch list for this , or so help me GOD!)

2007-01-18 17:32:22

#8

Bertster7: Confused Pothead; +1,101|7008|SE London

iamangry wrote:
First our library accounts, then our phone calls, then our mail, now our internet writings.

What's next, our email and instant messages? Our discussions in public places?

Who's ready for a little revolution? ( i better not get put on a watch list for this , or so help me GOD!)

You're lucky you didn't say "So help me Allah!" - then you really would get on some government watchlists.

(I can say it though - I'm safe in my underground terrorist bunker cataloging my WMDs)

2007-01-18 17:34:30

#9

usmarine2007: Banned; +374|6793|Columbus, Ohio

Maybe force them to get a real journalism job instead.

2007-01-18 17:36:43

#10

djphetal: Go Ducks.; +346|6762|Oregon

sheesh... seems like an encroachment of freedom to me.

But the democrats in congress don't care, they're just as conservative as the GOP...

2007-01-18 17:39:26

#11

djphetal: Go Ducks.; +346|6762|Oregon

usmarine2007 wrote:
Maybe force them to get a real journalism job instead.

I admit, bloggers are kinda lame.

check that... WAY lame...

But, for some people... it's just expression... let them do it. But sheesh... congress, more than anything, NEEDS to be bashed.
I was happy when the dems took house and senate, but it is starting to look like a joke...

2007-01-19 00:17:48

#12

beerface702: Member; +65|7119|las vegas

my god it must be true , the inguirer and grassroots.com said so..

give me abreak.

cmon people, anyone who knows, should know anything the inguirer post should be taken with a very light grain of salt.

especially on the tech front

2007-01-19 00:24:12

#13

BVC: Member; +325|7122

America, you freedoms are being eroded, its been going on for a while now. If you don't do something about it "freedom" will be but a word in the dictionary to you. WAKE THE FUCK UP!

2007-01-19 00:33:05

#14

unnamednewbie13: Moderator; +2,072|7198|PNW

Every single blogger is now an enemy of the Republic. Do what must be done! Show no mercy!

Last edited by unnamednewbie13 (2007-01-19 00:33:28)

2007-01-19 01:58:47

#15

tF-voodoochild: Pew Pew!; +216|7274|San Francisco

These are all sensationalist headlines, the bill is attempting to prevent Astroturfing, which is why it specifically states "paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying."

I don't want some major corporation to be able to secretly pay off some big time blogger to attempt to influence his/her readers, of course 'paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying' should be transparent by registering with congress the same way that normal lobbyist groups have to register.

2007-01-19 21:16:38

#16

usmarine2007: Banned; +374|6793|Columbus, Ohio

At least this does not happen to them....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20070119/wl_csm/oextort

2007-01-19 21:25:26

#17

ATG: Banned; +5,233|6955|Global Command

Sean Hannity was carrying on about how congress is cracking down on talk radio too.
Too much right wing stuff. I guess.

We need to remind them what shall means, as in Congress shall not infringe on the right of free speach.

2007-01-20 01:33:48

#18

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|7027|132 and Bush

ATG wrote:
Sean Hannity was carrying on about how congress is cracking down on talk radio too.
Too much right wing stuff. I guess.

We need to remind them what shall means, as in Congress shall not infringe on the right of free speach.

You were listening to Sean Hannity, wow... you are an evil warmonger..lol

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2007-01-20 01:36:47

#19

Bubbalo: The Lizzard; +541|6987

usmarine2007 wrote:
At least this does not happen to them....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20070119/wl_csm/oextort

You might want to read the article - it wasn't the govt that beat that man to death (or, at least, it doesn't appear to be).

2007-01-20 09:05:31

#20

usmarine2007: Banned; +374|6793|Columbus, Ohio

Bubbalo wrote:
usmarine2007 wrote:
At least this does not happen to them....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20070119/wl_csm/oextort
You might want to read the article - it wasn't the govt that beat that man to death (or, at least, it doesn't appear to be).

I did read the article....all I was saying is at least this did not happen to him...........fuck.

2007-01-20 09:55:42

#21

Cybargs: Moderated; +2,285|7142

I thought arresting bloggers is against freedom of speech? But oh well patriot act > all

https://cache.www.gametracker.com/server_info/203.46.105.23:21300/b_350_20_692108_381007_FFFFFF_000000.png

2007-01-22 07:35:18

#22

topal63: . . .; +533|7144

tF-voodoochild wrote:
These are all sensationalist headlines, the bill is attempting to prevent Astroturfing, which is why it specifically states "paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying."

I don't want some major corporation to be able to secretly pay off some big time blogger to attempt to influence his/her readers, of course 'paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying' should be transparent by registering with congress the same way that normal lobbyist groups have to register.

BF2S Forums Congress wants to silence it's critics

UGADawgs wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

iamangry wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

ATG wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

Bubbalo wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

tF-voodoochild wrote:

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