Democrats Introduce Bill to Register Bloggers

[scribblet]

This sounds like something that Canadian Liberals might want to do, maybe as part of the 'gag law'. I suppose they could say political blogs are lobby groups or some such thing. I'm not sure, but I think the bloggers in the U.S. have been quite a force for bringing out issues e.g. Dan Rather.

IMHO this is suppression of free speech, hope it is shot down.

http://www.dustmybroom.com/?p=5476

Democrats introduce bill to register bloggers

But… only if your political:

S.1 has been introduced in the Senate as “lobbying reform”—which in this case means “First Amendment infringements.” An amendment has been attached, which requires registration of bloggers with more than 500 readers, and who comment on policy issues. Violation would be a criminal offense

[Borg]

I doubt this will make it to the books.

But the folks who originated this are simply showing their true colours.

Borg

[blackascoal]

It's a disgusting idea and another reason to keep a close eye on the democrats.

[bush_cheney2004]

This sounds like something that Canadian Liberals might want to do, maybe as part of the 'gag law'. I suppose they could say political blogs are lobby groups or some such thing. I'm not sure, but I think the bloggers in the U.S. have been quite a force for bringing out issues e.g. Dan Rather.

American bloggers have been quite a force for Canadian issues as well (Captain's Quarters - Gomery Publication Ban). Such a bill has no chance, and would be a very stupid move by Democrats given their criticisms of the Bush Administration's domestic security measures.

[gc1765]

This sounds like something that Canadian Liberals might want to do, maybe as part of the 'gag law'. I suppose they could say political blogs are lobby groups or some such thing. I'm not sure, but I think the bloggers in the U.S. have been quite a force for bringing out issues e.g. Dan Rather.

IMHO this is suppression of free speech, hope it is shot down.

http://www.dustmybroom.com/?p=5476

Democrats introduce bill to register bloggers

But… only if your political:

S.1 has been introduced in the Senate as “lobbying reform”—which in this case means “First Amendment infringements.” An amendment has been attached, which requires registration of bloggers with more than 500 readers, and who comment on policy issues. Violation would be a criminal offense

Do you have a link from a (relatively) neutral source, so I can actually get more information?

[geoffrey]

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110...p/~c110NyGCiJ::

As neutral as it gets, the text of the bill.

[gc1765]

Lobbying activities include paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying, but do not include grassroots lobbying.'

GRASSROOTS LOBBYING- The term `grassroots lobbying' means the voluntary efforts of members of the general public to communicate their own views on an issue to Federal officials or to encourage other members of the general public to do the same.

`(A) IN GENERAL- The term `paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying' means any paid attempt in support of lobbying contacts on behalf of a client to influence the general public or segments thereof to contact one or more covered legislative or executive branch officials (or Congress as a whole) to urge such officials (or Congress) to take specific action with respect to a matter described in section 3(8)(A), except that such term does not include any communications by an entity directed to its members, employees, officers, or shareholders.

`( PAID ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR SEGMENTS THEREOF- The term `paid attempt to influence the general public or segments thereof' does not include an attempt to influence directed at less than 500 members of the general public.

Sounds like blogging isn't a problem...just don't accept money from lobbyists (of if you do accept money from lobbyists, make sure to register as a lobbyist). There's nothing in there against free speech, bloggers can keep blogging.

[GostHacked]

It's a disgusting idea and another reason to keep a close eye on the democrats.

Not just the Democrats. You should keep an eye on ALL members of Government. I mean ALL of them.