Posted on 11/13/2008 10:50:53 AM PST by Jim Robinson
Attention bloggers, please file your lobbyist forms...
I just got out of the Public Disclosure Commission's stakeholder meeting regarding Internet lobbying. As I blogged yesterday, the PDC is asking whether Internet activities such as email or blogging qualify as lobbying. Goldy has this succinct reply: "Um ... hell, no."
The purpose of today's meeting was to solicit public comment. Nancy Krier, the PDC's general counsel, ran the meeting and about a dozen folks showed up. I shared EFF's concern: that the Internet, which has become the new town square, is a forum where many citizens voice opinions about legislation and public policy issues.
Excessive regulation in this arena could quash free speech and cause "regular" folks great frustration if their online activity comes with reporting requirements. Not even addressing the bloggers who generate some modest advertising income, should ordinary citizens have to register with a state agency simply because they're outspoken about a particular issue?
The PDC will discuss this again on December 4.
This is just great ... I’m thinking “You’ll never take me alive” as an appropriate response.
Good grief! Freedom of speech is slowly being outlawed.
L
Can’t have the common man out rabble-rousing, y’know.
The Sedition Act (officially An Act for the Punishment of Certain Crimes against the United States) made it a crime to publish “false, scandalous, and malicious writing” against the government or its officials. Enacted July 14, 1798, with an expiration date of March 3, 1801.
The Sedition Act (officially An Act for the Punishment of Certain Crimes against the United States) made it a crime to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government or its officials. Enacted July 14, 1798, with an expiration date of March 3, 1801.
So, how do they monitor this... if one isn't "registered" or if one isn't informed about this... face it, most "folks" aren't up on this kind of thing. Let's say I make a "comment" on the canning forum that I am a member of concerning stupid canning regulations. (I could go on and on with this scenario.) How can they possibly regulate this? (It's sort of like that mandatory-voluntary community service "plan.") (BTW, I understand they probably have "targets" in mind. But, face it, the web is a BIG place.)
A Knoll Lowney "Lawsuit" Waiting to Happen
Blogosphere News
by Eric Earling, 08:17 PMThe PDC is mulling the idea of regulating bloggers, requiring lobbyist-style public disclosure of their activity.
The Liberty Live blog has been on the story, here and here. Goldy has offered some thoughts, with which I agree (minus the Blethen stuff):
If the PDC were to adopt such rules, they would instantly become a playground for harassing bloggers, with organizations and individuals filing PDC complaints willy nilly. Such rules would also be a major lawsuit waiting to happen...Clearly, the PDC folks in question aren't exactly savvy on how technology in the modern era of politics and political commentary operates. Not that such buffoonery would stop Knoll Lowney if he saw an election to influence via the court system.
My only question: will Evergreen Progress pay for that "lawsuit" too?
I take that back, this question too: what exactly is the point of a blogger like me disclosing this grand sum: $0?
A Knoll Lowney "Lawsuit" Waiting to Happen
Blogosphere News
by Eric Earling, 08:17 PMThe PDC is mulling the idea of regulating bloggers, requiring lobbyist-style public disclosure of their activity.
The Liberty Live blog has been on the story, here and here. Goldy has offered some thoughts, with which I agree (minus the Blethen stuff):
If the PDC were to adopt such rules, they would instantly become a playground for harassing bloggers, with organizations and individuals filing PDC complaints willy nilly. Such rules would also be a major lawsuit waiting to happen...Clearly, the PDC folks in question aren't exactly savvy on how technology in the modern era of politics and political commentary operates. Not that such buffoonery would stop Knoll Lowney if he saw an election to influence via the court system.
My only question: will Evergreen Progress pay for that "lawsuit" too?
I take that back, this question too: what exactly is the point of a blogger like me disclosing this grand sum: $0?
One would think lobbying is direct contact with an elected official to influence or offer information to an offical and affect future decisons.
In the case of blogging, visiting and reading a blog is entirely voluntary on the offical's part. No agreement (as in acccepting a lobbiest's appointment) was made to obtain information that may have influence.
One would think lobbying is direct contact with an elected official to influence or offer information to an offical and affect future decisons.
In the case of blogging, visiting and reading a blog is entirely voluntary on the offical's part. No agreement (as in acccepting a lobbiest's appointment) was made to obtain information that may have influence.
Jim:
I know this is off topic, but the pages are not fully loading on the threads, don’t know if you’ll even get this
BTTT for future reference.
“stakeholder”: Definition- A person who has an opinion on the activities of others, and demands to dictate policy or how the activity will occur. Rarely contributes financially to the business or activity in question. Differs from traditional roles of “owner” or “customer”.
Stakeholder status is usually self-proclaimed.
See also,,, “busybody”, “nosey”, “butt-in-ski”, “activist”.
“stakeholder”: Definition- A person who has an opinion on the activities of others, and demands to dictate policy or how the activity will occur. Rarely contributes financially to the business or activity in question. Differs from traditional roles of “owner” or “customer”.
Stakeholder status is usually self-proclaimed.
See also,,, “busybody”, “nosey”, “butt-in-ski”, “activist”.
Definitions have an elastic boundary that can be expanded or reduced according to whoever is the position of power to make the definition stick.There was a reason the framers of the Constitution put the First Amendment First.
At the end of the day: The person or committee or group who makes the rules and determines the structure around the rules can determine who can participate and ultimately determine the outcome.
This is clearly a backdoor approach to eliminate anonymous discourse from the public arena.
Katherine
“stakeholder”: Definition- A person who has an opinion on the activities of others, and demands to dictate policy or how the activity will occur. Rarely contributes financially to the business or activity in question. Differs from traditional roles of “owner” or “customer”.
Stakeholder status is usually self-proclaimed.
See also,,, “busybody”, “nosey”, “butt-in-ski”, “activist”.
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