The 19 Senators Who Voted To Censor The Internet

Techdirt ^ | 11/19/10

[Libloather]

The 19 Senators Who Voted To Censor The Internet
from the free-speech-isn't-free dept

This is hardly a surprise but, this morning (as previously announced), the lame duck Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to move forward with censoring the internet via the COICA bill -- despite a bunch of law professors explaining to them how this law is a clear violation of the First Amendment. What's really amazing is that many of the same Senators have been speaking out against internet censorship in other countries, yet they happily vote to approve it here because it's seen as a way to make many of their largest campaign contributors happy. There's very little chance that the bill will actually get passed by the end of the term but, in the meantime, we figured it might be useful to highlight the 19 Senators who voted to censor the internet this morning:

Patrick J. Leahy -- Vermont
Herb Kohl -- Wisconsin
Jeff Sessions -- Alabama
Dianne Feinstein -- California
Orrin G. Hatch -- Utah
Russ Feingold -- Wisconsin
Chuck Grassley -- Iowa
Arlen Specter -- Pennsylvania
Jon Kyl -- Arizona
Chuck Schumer -- New York
Lindsey Graham -- South Carolina
Dick Durbin -- Illinois
John Cornyn -- Texas
Benjamin L. Cardin -- Maryland
Tom Coburn -- Oklahoma
Sheldon Whitehouse -- Rhode Island
Amy Klobuchar -- Minnesota
Al Franken -- Minnesota
Chris Coons -- Delaware

This should be a list of shame. You would think that our own elected officials would understand the First Amendment but, apparently, they have no problem turning the US into one of the small list of authoritarian countries that censors internet content it does not like (in this case, content some of its largest campaign contributors do not like). We already have laws in place to deal with infringing content, so don't buy the excuse that this law is about stopping infringement. This law takes down entire websites based on the government's say-so. First Amendment protections make clear that if you are going to stop any specific speech, it has to be extremely specific speech. This law has no such restrictions. It's really quite unfortunate that these 19 US Senators are the first American politicians to publicly vote in favor of censoring speech in America.

[mainestategop]

May they all die horribly of Cancer Y’mach Shmo as Chaim Ben Pesach would say.

[The Comedian]

Jeff Sessions??

Which Soros-supplied staffer gave him the executive summary of this bill?

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[stormer]

Wake up? In case you haven’t noticed, there is a developing information technology being used to all manner of ends. This issue you describe as “minimal” may be a bit more problematic than you are willing to admit. Allow me to provide some examples: In 2001 the cost to US business directly caused by theft of intellectual property was estimated at between $53 and $59 billion. In 2009 that number has grown to $200 billion in the US and $600 billion worldwide. Who do you think pays for that? You do. Still think this is a solution in search of a problem? Wake up, yourself.

[Outlaw Woman]

There are no doubt laws already addressing this. More law, more regulation is not needed.

You had mentioned Sarah Palin filing a lawsuit; based on what? Existing Law

This is a dead issue with me. Address someone else. I'm against more regulation on anything currently regulated and my position is REVERSING. Like TGO said on his show, it's easier just to list out what is now legal for a citizen to do as that list is very very short.

[Fresh Wind]

I look forward to the day very soon that I will never have to see the words “Senator Specter” again.

[Osage Orange]

Are you actually going to tell me that Tom Coburn fits your template?

Now...I can't understand why he voted for this. But I will call his office on Monday.....

[DefeatCorruption]

I’ll betcha 99% of these old backward boys don’t even know how to turn on a computer!

[Wings-n-Wind]

With Sessions on THIS list...

There's more here than meets the eye--

[Sprite518]

All of them are control freaks. What’s next radio then Fox News? Don’t take this lightly? This is complete B.S. The rats in Washington want to control the Internet because it’s exposing them for their true rat characters.

[geologist]

We know they are smarter than that. It is not to protect us: It is to keep Americans uninformed, and from discussing topics, or concurring on infringements, etc.

We know the reason they give, is seldom the true reason: but it covers their backside and we go along like sheep.

They have the power, they want total control and now is the time to enforce it! MO

Believe it!

[geologist]

YES!!! EXACTLY!!!

[geologist]

We are the nitwits for believing they are acting in our best interest, NOT!!!

If we do not make waves and bombard Washington, we will rue the day this passes forever.

Too little too late!!!

[geologist]

We do not need or want this bill.

Free Republic will be censored, you know?

[Outlaw Woman]

We are definitely on the same page. Well put.

[terycarl]

The US government didn't invent You have to be kidding, everyone knows that Al Gore invented the internet.....where have you been???

[Baynative]

"Why do these law and order liberals and Rinos feel as though they need to “protect” us?"

They don't feel it as protecting US. They think they are protecting themselves FROM us.

[terycarl]

The US government didn't invent You have to be kidding, everyone knows that Al Gore invented the internet.....where have you been???

[terycarl]

whoops...blew that...wanted italics!!!

[freekitty]

You got that right. He is my Senator and he makes me ashamed.

[freekitty]

He’s gone as far as I am concerned. I suppose it’s time to make my weekly phone call to the fool.