Posted on 01/31/2019 6:24:13 AM PST by vannrox
It is always instructive to find out what governments are up to when the populace is distracted. It is also disturbing to see how the state will attempt to sneak seemingly benign dollops of tyranny into its governance like a shrewd mother slipping vegetables into the children’s dinner. After all, how are diligent citizens supposed to keep an eye on their leaders when the establishment media’s theater and pageantry constantly distract them?
… government software that would block pornographic content.
As the American public fixated on Black Hebrew Israelite racists, an alleged Native American valor thief, and a smiling teenager in a MAGA hat, the Arizona state government proposed a measure that easily could become a precursor to expanded government control and surveillance. This particular proposal would provide the state with the means to regulate and tax the internet activity of everyday Arizonans, and those who value liberty should take note.
The Arizona State Legislature recently considered a bill that would mandate all digital devices include government software that would block pornographic content. House Bill 2444, proposed by State Rep. Gail Griffin (R-Hereford), would require that any product that can access the internet would have this type of software installed before it could be sold, leased, manufactured, or distributed in Arizona.
If the bill becomes law, individuals who wish to deactivate the software would be required to submit a request to the entity that distributed the device, show identification proving they are at least 18 years old, and pay a fee to the Arizona Commerce Authority. The state would then allocate the fees to a fund that will finance multiple initiatives, including the construction of a border wall between Arizona and Mexico. It also would give grants to programs designed to assist victims of human trafficking.
The bill would also make it illegal to deactivate the software through other means because, of course, it would.
Now, you might be saying to yourself: “Well, that’s not so bad. Taxing porn to fund the border wall might be a great idea!” Not so fast, dear reader. There is a reason why a lawmaker would introduce legislation restricting a taboo activity to pursue a cause with which many in the state would agree, and it ain’t good.
While it is likely that the government would assure its citizens that it will not go any further than restricting pornography, it is not unreasonable to point out that states rarely restrict their own power. It wouldn’t happen overnight, but it’s not hard to imagine that any government, in any state, could take legislation such as this further, restricting other types of content it deems offensive. Moreover, what happens when the federal government decides to introduce this type of legislation? The presence of such a law in Arizona could bolster its case.
Today, they are coming for pornography, an activity that already carries a social stigma. Tomorrow, they could come for your favorite source of information and news. When the government has the power to decide what people can view online, it will be empowered to exert undue control over the American public. Perhaps it is best to prevent it from getting its foot in the door.
2) If it were somehow upheld, it would be a very short step before some Democrat attempted to regulate political content in the same way.
3) Gail Griffin just became yet another poster child for why the GOP loses elections in Western states.
I don’t know what the heck is going on in the state legislature but we have Republicans wanting to raise taxes for schools, roads and so on.
It doesn’t seem to matter if someone is an R, D or I in this state.
Once that door is opened it will not be selective. It will be used to control all content including religious content in the wrong hands.
Here is the link to it. What a micromanaged piece of insanity.
https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/54leg/1R/bills/HB2444P.htm
Man... Just reading the bill it’s self could be considered erotic and pornographic in detail. lol
First they came for the porn....
If anyone is wondering about the real intent behind this, look no further than the EU’s Articles 11 and 13 for an idea.
This ain’t about porn.
NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a statement this morning that NY will consider using EZPass, which is supposed to be used to collect tolls, to monitor tractor trailers and fine and take away driving licenses from drivers (who are delivering gas, food, and needed supplies to people during this winter storm).
EZPass was sold as simply making it quick, easy, and convenient for the government to take money from drivers.
Now NY state wants to expand the use to use of EZPass to monitoring and penalizing truck drivers because the system to do so is already in place.
Slippery slope, camels' nose under the tent, one foot in the door.
And a widely disseminated work around will be common place in 3.2.1. Build a better mouse trap, get better mice.
Idiots like this need to step away from their crack pipes and think about rehab.
Another similar state rep in Prescott, AZ is proposing a gas tax increase for some vague reason from $.18 to $43. They are both RINO's. They knew they couldn't get elected as dems so they registered, lied to the people, and ran as republicans. If that wasn't bad enough; Governor Ducey is turning out to be a big fat RINO too. This was planned far in advance to change AZ. It's time for pitch forks and gallows to be built. At the very least these disgusting subhuman vermin need to be run out of AZ on a rail.
Absolutely. While we get blamed as voters no one considers we were lied to and now we can’t fire them. You a fellow Arizonian? How they pulled this crap just makes me sick. But this particular law is based and sold strictly as religious morality. As are most of past laws in Az. All good and morally acceptable until religion is also considered porn and offensive to unbelievers. The list WILL be expanded depending on who controls it once it is in place.
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