[wolfcreek]

No more than 499 hits on any given post.

[EricT.]

No freedom of speech, no freedom. Our great experiment has failed.

America has not only lost it's way, but has wandered so far off the path that it can't see it any more.

[LtdGovt]

More lobbyists, is that the solution?

[tiredoflaundry]

Related thread.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1769328/posts

[OXENinFLA]

“The bill would require reporting of ‘paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying,’ but defines ‘paid’ merely as communications to 500 or more members of the public, with no other qualifiers,” Viguerie said.

---

Maybe I'm just not getting it but that's not how I read the section in question.

The Section reads in full:

`(18) PAID EFFORTS TO STIMULATE GRASSROOTS LOBBYING-

`(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.

That doesn't read to me that any blogger that want to voice his opinion will be subjected to this. It reads to me like if someone PAYS a blogger to post things then the blogger would be required to file.

I'm not trying to defend the bill I just don't think Viguerie has it right and to trying just to scare people.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Republicans and Democrats are co-consperitors in a scheme to deny we the people our right to gather in town hall meetings on the net? They are exposing the fact that truth is the enemy of both, and they are scurrying for dark corners to hide from the bright light of bloggers, just exactly like cock roaches flee when a light switch is turned on.

Now we know who the sonovabitches are. All of 'em!

[txroadhawg]

No worries!
They will treat this law just like immigration. Yes it's a law but they wont enforce it (unless they want to).

[Carbonado]

Same song, different day. Both Dems & Repubs work furiously to increase the power and influence of the federal government, and by doing so inflate their own sense of personal power and self importance. (Saviors all)

Then they pass laws to make sure no one can effectively influence or challenge that ever more centralized power. So what else is new? Its been the same tune for over 70 years and that very slippery slope of federal tyranny is upon us.

But of course, they only want the best for us! If only we would realize how much more enlightened they are that us mere mortals. I guess we'll just have to be corraled, silenced and crushed so they can force us to what they (the enlightend) know is best.

[Gritty]

Obviously, what we don't need is more free speech or political debate in this country.

What we need is more regulations to kill it. McCain-Feingold has not worked nearly well enough!

[MarkL]

Both dems and pubbies are terrified of an informed population. At first, it seemed that the pubbies sort of liked it, but then they realized, like the rats, that unbridled, accessible information and communication is like fire: If they can't keep it under control, then they just might lose control, and that's something that they just can't have... We're seeing the end of freedom here... McCain/Feingold CFR was just the beginning. Pretty soon, only licenced media outlets will be allowed to disseminate "news," and it will only be the official "news."

Mark

[cake_crumb]

SO now in order to exercise or former right to Freedom of Speech we've got to report to congress every quarter?

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

Government inevitably tends to become more and more dictatorial over time. Every so often a revolution is needed. The kings and queens have their heads cut off. Then the cycle starts again.
- anononymous political observer

[goldstategop]

I address thousands here every day and I'm not going to register. My freedom of speech does not require Washington's advance permission.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[wolfcreek]

They'll have to take the mouse from my cold, dead hand.